The Guidelines and Requirements currently have a scope limited to VNFs. PNF's need to also be accommodated, VNFRQTS-160. This requires we update the Guidelines and Requirements document.
The following are suggestions to include PNF's into the Guidelines and Requirements, VNFRQTS-161.
Definition
An agreed upon definition of PNF is needed. This must be consistent with any other use of the term PNF in ONAP. A initial working definition might be:
PNF is a vendor-provided Network Function(s) implemented using a bundled set of hardware and software while VNFs utilize cloud resources to provide Network Functions through virtualized software modules. PNF can be supplied by a vendor as a Black BOX (provides no knowledge of its internal characteristics, logic, and software design/architecture) or as a White Box (provides detailed knowledge and access of its internal components and logic) or as a Grey Box (provides limited knowledge and access to its internal components).
Add an agreed upon definition to the Guidelines glossary.
Guideline Changes
Update section 1, 2, 3, and 4 to reflect a broader scope than just VNFs.
Update section 5, VNF Characteristics, to include a section on PNF Characteristics.
Requirement Changes
The existing requirements need to be reviewed to determine which of them apply equally to PNFs. Currently, most requirements are phased "The VNF MUST/SHOULD/...
Requirements that equally apply to both VNFs and PNFs could be worded as "The xNF MUST/SHOULD/..."
Requirements that only apply to VNFs would be worded as "The VNF MUST/SHOULD/..."
Requirements that only apply to PNFs would be worded as "The PNF MUST/SHOULD/..."
Editing of requirements
Some requirements may apply to both PNFs and VNFs but will need some editing of the text in the requirements such that is broader.
Next Steps
- Determine interested parties to collaborate on PNF definition
- Draft and post the definition of PNF
- Review all requirements to identify those that are applicable to PNFs and change to the proposed wording above
- Edit requirements that apply to both VNFs and PNFs so that the wording isn't slanted toward VNFs
Related ONAP Work