A Cloud Native Network Function Descriptor (CNFD) file describes the instantiation parameters and operational behaviors of the CNFs. You can design SOL001-compliant CNFDs using the Network Function Designer tool in VMware Telco Cloud Automation.

Prerequisites

Add a cloud to your virtual infrastructure.

Procedure

  1. Log in to the VMware Telco Cloud Automation web interface.
  2. Select Network Functions > Catalog and click Onboard.
    The Onboard Network Function page is displayed.
  3. Select Design Network Function Descriptor.
  4. Name - Enter a unique name for your VNF descriptor.
  5. Tags (Optional)- Enter the tags to associate your VNF descriptor with.
  6. Type - Select the network function type as Cloud Native Network Function.
  7. Click Design.
    The Network Function Designer is displayed.
  8. In the Network Function Catalog Properties pane, enter the following information:
    • (Optional) Description - Enter the description of the network function.
    • Version - Enter the version of the network function.
  9. In the Network Function Properties pane, enter the following information:
    • Descriptor Version - Enter the descriptor version.
    • Provider - Enter the company name of the provider.
    • Product Name - Enter the product name of the descriptor.
    • Version - Enter the product version.
    • Software Version - Enter the software version.
  10. In the Available Operations pane, select the life-cycle management operations to be made available for your CNF. Your users can run only those operations that are enabled here.
  11. (Optional) Add one or more workflows to your network function.
    You can add custom workflows using vRealize Orchestrator. For information about adding custom workflows, see Running Workflows with vRealize Orchestrator.
    1. Click Add Workflow and select the desired workflow from the drop-down menu:
      • Instantiate Start
      • Instantiate End
      • Heal Start
      • Heal End
      • Scale Start
      • Scale End
      • Scale to Level Start
      • Scale to Level End
      • Terminate Start
      • Terminate End
      • Custom
    2. Click Browse and upload an instantiation script in the JSON format.
    3. Select Manual Execution if you want your users to run the workflows manually.
    4. Enter any input and output variables specified in your script and select whether they are required.
  12. Click Update.
    You can modify these settings later by clicking Edit Network Function Catalog Properties in the Network Function Designer.
  13. From the Components toolbar, drag a Helm Chart into the design area. Helm is a Kubernetes application manager used for deploying CNFs. Helm Charts contain a collection of files that describe a set of Kubernetes resources. Helm uses the resources from Helm Charts to orchestrate the deployment of CNFs on a Kubernetes cluster.
  14. In the Configure Helm window, enter the following details:
    • Name - Name of the Helm.
    • Description - A brief description about the Helm.
    • Chart Name - Name of the chart from the Helm repository.
    • Chart Version - Version number of the chart from the Helm repository.
    • Helm Version - Select the version of the Helm from the drop-down menu.
    • ID - Enter the Helm ID.
    • (Optional) Helm Property Overrides - Add additional instantiation properties to override or add a YAML file that contains a list of properties to override. To upload a YAML file, enter the filename in the Property text box and select the Type as File. You must upload the YAML file during instantiation.
    • (Optional) Helm Scale Properties - You can add the helm properties required for scale. You can also specify if the property is mandatory or optional for scale.
    • (Optional) Depends On - Specify the Helm to be deployed before deploying this Helm. In a scenario where you deploy many Helms, there can be dependencies between the Helms regarding the order in which they are deployed. This option enables you to specify their deployment order.
  15. Click Update.
  16. To save your descriptor as a draft and work on it later, click Save As Draft. For information about working with different draft versions, see Edit Network Function Descriptor Drafts.
  17. After designing your network function descriptor, click Upload.

Results

The specified network function is added to the catalog. You can now instantiate the function or use it to create a network service.

What to do next

  • To instantiate the network function, see Instantiate a Virtual Network Function.
  • To create a network service that includes the network function, see Design a Network Service Descriptor.
  • To create the infrastructure requirements, see Infrastructure Requirements Designer.
  • To obtain the CSAR file corresponding to a network function, select the function in the catalog and click Download.
  • To add or remove tags, go to Network Functions > Catalog and click the desired network function. Then click Edit.
  • To remove a network function from the catalog, stop and delete all instances using the network function. Then select the function in the catalog and click Delete.