RDCL 3D, a Model Agnostic Web Framework for the Design of Superfluid NFV Services and Components

In this paper, we present a “model agnostic” web framework for the design of NFV services and components. The framework allows editing, validating, visualizing the descriptors of services and components both textually and graphically. The platform is open source and designed with a modular approach, allowing developers to “plug in” the support for new models. We have integrated in the platform the latest ETSI NFV ISG model specifications for which no parsers/validators were available. We have also included in the platform the TOSCA simple profile for NFV, reusing an existing parser/validator. Then we have considered and integrated the modelling of components in a modular software router (Click), which goes beyond the traditional scope of NFV. We have further developed this approach by combining traditional NFV components (Virtual Network Functions) and Click elements in a single model. This is part of our Superfluid NFV vision, in which components can be iteratively decomposed into smaller components. Keywords—NFV, Telecommunication Services Design, Modeling, Web GUI, VNF, 5G, Network Service