Skip to main content
Log in

Model-driven process enactment for NFV systems with MAPLE

  • Special Section Paper
  • Published:
Software and Systems Modeling Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The network functions virtualization (NFV) advent is making way for the rapid deployment of network services (NS) for telecoms. Automation of network service management is one of the main challenges currently faced by the NFV community. Explicitly defining a process for the design, deployment, and management of network services and automating it is therefore highly desirable and beneficial for NFV systems. The use of model-driven orchestration means has been advocated in this context. As part of this effort to support automated process execution, we propose a process enactment approach with NFV systems as the target application domain. Our process enactment approach is megamodel-based. An integrated process modelling and enactment environment, MAPLE, has been built into Papyrus for this purpose. Process modelling is carried out with UML activity diagrams. The enactment environment transforms the process model to a model transformation chain, and then orchestrates it with the use of megamodels. In this paper, we present our approach and environment MAPLE, its recent extension with new features as well as application to an enriched case study consisting of NS design and onboarding process.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. https://download.eclipse.org/modeling/emf/emf/javadoc/2.6.0/org/eclipse/emf/java/package-summary.html.

  2. https://users.encs.concordia.ca/~magic/maple-demo.php.

  3. https://users.encs.concordia.ca/~magic/maple-demo-new.php.

  4. https://www.onap.org.

  5. https://cloudify.co.

References

  1. Afzal, W., Bruneliere, H., Ruscio, D.D., Sadovykh, A., Mazzini, S., Cariou, E., Truscan, D., Cabot, J., Field, D., Pomante, L., Smrz, P.: The MegaMart2 ECSEL project: Megamodelling at runtime—a scalable model-based framework for continuous development and runtime validation of complex systems. In: 2017 Euromicro Conference on Digital System Design (DSD), pp. 494–501 (2017)

  2. Aldazabal, A., Baily, T., Nanclares, F., Sadovykh, A., Hein, C., Ritter, T.: Automated model driven development processes. In: ECMDA Workshop on Model Driven Tool and Process Integration, pp. 50–52 (2008)

  3. Allilaire, F., Bézivin, J., Brunelière, H., Jouault, F.: Global model management in Eclipse GMT/AM3. In: Eclipse Technology eXchange Workshop (eTX)—a ECOOP 2006 Satellite Event (2006)

  4. Aranega, V., Etien, A., Mosser, S.: Using feature model to build model transformation chains. In: France, R.B., Kazmeier, J., Breu, R., Atkinson, C. (eds.) Model Driven Engineering Languages and Systems, pp. 562–578. Springer, Berlin (2012)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  5. Artač, M., Borovšak, T, Di Nitto, E., Guerriero, M., Tamburri, D.A.: Model-driven continuous deployment for quality DevOps. In: 2nd International Workshop on Quality-Aware DevOps, QUDOS 2016, pp. 40–41. ACM (2016)

  6. Basciani, F., Di Ruscio, D., Iovino, L., Pierantonio, A.: Automated chaining of model transformations with incompatible metamodels. In: 17th International Conference, MODELS 2014, pp. 602–618. Springer, Cham (2014)

  7. Berezin, A.: Utilizing Declarative Model-Driven TOSCA Orchestration for NFV. DZone (2017). https://dzone.com/articles/utilizing-declarative-model-driven-tosca-orchestration-for-nfv. Accessed 21 Feb 2020

  8. Bézivin, J., Jouault, F., Rosenthal, P., Valduriez, P.: Modeling in the large and modeling in the small. In: European Conference on Model Driven Architecture: Foundations and Applications, MDAFA’03, pp. 33–46. Springer (2005)

  9. Brambilla, M., Cabot, J., Wimmer, M.: Model-Driven Software Engineering in Practice, 1st edn. Morgan & Claypool Publishers, San Rafael (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Chen, Y., Qin, Y., Lambe, M., Chu, W.: Realizing network function virtualization management and orchestration with model-based open architecture. In: 11th International Conference on Network and Service Management (CNSM ’15), pp. 410–418. IEEE (2015)

  11. Chiosi, M., Clarke, D., Willis, P., Reid, A., Feger, J., Bugenhagen, M., Khan, W., Fargano, M., Cui, C., Deng, H., et al.: Network functions virtualisation: an introduction, benefits, enablers, challenges and call for action. In: SDN and OpenFlow World Congress, pp. 22–24 (2012)

  12. Cloudify. ONAP: Orchestration for Real Results—A Guide to ONAP Architecture and Use Cases (2018). https://cloudify.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/ONAP-Orchestration-Architecture-Use-Cases-WP-Feb-2018.pdf. Accessed 21 Feb 2020

  13. Czarnecki, K.: Generative programming: methods, techniques, and applications tutorial abstract. In: Gacek, C. (ed.) Software Reuse: Methods, Techniques, and Tools, pp. 351–352. Springer, Berlin (2002)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  14. Del Fabro, M.D., Valduriez, P.: Semi-automatic model integration using matching transformations and weaving models. In: ACM Symposium on Applied Computing, SAC ’07, pp. 963–970. ACM, New York, NY, USA (2007)

  15. Diaw, S., Lbath, R., Coulette, B.: Specification and implementation of spem4mde, a metamodel for mde software processes. In: SEKE, pp. 646–653. Knowledge Systems Institute Graduate School (2011)

  16. Di Rocco, J., Di Ruscio, D., Iovino, L., Pierantonio, A.: Collaborative repositories in model-driven engineering [software technology]. IEEE Softw. 32(3), 28–34 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Di Sandro, A., Salay, R., Famelis, M., Kokaly, S., Chechik, M.: MMINT: a graphical tool for interactive model management. In: MoDELS 2015 Demo and Poster Session co-located with ACM/IEEE MoDELS 2015), volume 1554 of CEUR Workshop Proceedings, pp. 16–19. CEUR-WS.org (2015)

  18. Eclipse. Apache Ant. https://ant.apache.org. Accessed 13 Feb 2020

  19. Eclipse. Epsilon. https://www.eclipse.org/epsilon/. Accessed 13 Feb 2020

  20. Eclipse. Modeling Workflow Engine 2 (MWE 2). https://www.eclipse.org/Xtext/documentation/306_mwe2.html. Accessed 13 Feb 2020

  21. Eclipse. Papyrus. https://eclipse.org/papyrus/. Accessed 13 Feb 2020

  22. Etien, A., Aranega, V., Blanc, X., Paige, R.F.: Chaining model transformations. In: Analysis of Model Transformations Workshop, AMT’12, pp. 9–14. ACM (2012)

  23. ETSI.: Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV) Release 2; Information Modeling; Papyrus Guidelines: ETSI GR NFV-IFA 016 V2.1.1

  24. ETSI.: Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV) Release 2; Management and Orchestration; Report on NFV Information Model: ETSI GR NFV-IFA 015 V2.1.1

  25. ETSI.: Zero-touch Network and Service Management (2017). https://portal.etsi.org/Portals/0/TBpages/ZSM/Docs/ZSM%20Operator%20white%20paper.pdf?ver=2017-12-07-142037-453. Accessed 21 Feb 2020

  26. Ferry, N., Song, H., Rossini, A., Chauvel, F., Solberg, A.: CloudMF: applying MDE to tame the complexity of managing multi-cloud applications. In: IEEE/ACM 7th International Conference on Utility and Cloud Computing, pp. 269–277 (2014)

  27. Fritzsche, M., Brunelière, H., Vanhooff, B., Berbers, Y., Jouault, F., Gilani, W.: Applying megamodelling to model driven performance engineering. In: 16th IEEE Engineering of Computer Based Systems, ECBS 2009, pp. 244–253 (2009)

  28. Fritzsche, M., Gilani, W.: Generative and Transformational Techniques in Software Engineering III: International Summer School, GTTSE 2009, Capter Model Transformation Chains and Model Management for End-to-End Performance Decision Support, pp. 345–363. Springer (2011)

  29. Garces, V.G.: End-to-end Fine-grained Traceability Analysis in Model Transformations and Transformation Chains. PhD thesis, University of Alberta (2017)

  30. Heidenreich, Florian, Kopcsek, Jan, Assmann, Uwe: Safe composition of transformations. J. Object Technol. 10(7), 1–20 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Jouault, F., Kurtev, I.: Transforming models with ATL. In: Satellite Events at the MoDELS 2005 Conference, pp. 128–138. Springer (2006)

  32. Jouault, F., Vanhooff, B., Bruneliere, H., Doux, G., Berbers, Y., Bezivin, J.: Inter-DSL coordination support by combining megamodeling and model weaving. In: Proceedings of the 2010 ACM Symposium on Applied Computing, SAC ’10, pp. 2011–2018. ACM, New York, NY, USA (2010)

  33. Kapadia, A.: https://www.aarnanetworks.com/single-post/2017/11/02/The-Magic-of-Model-Driven-Design-in-ONAP November 2017

  34. Kleppe, A.: Mcc: a model transformation environment. In: Rensink, A., Warmer, J. (eds.) Model Driven Architecture—Foundations and Applications, pp. 173–187. Springer, Berlin (2006)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  35. Kling, W., Jouault, F., Wagelaar, D., Brambilla, M., Cabot, J.: Moscript: a dsl for querying and manipulating model repositories. In: Sloane, A., Aßmann, U. (eds.) Software Language Engineering, pp. 180–200. Springer, Berlin (2012)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  36. Kolovos, D.S., Paige, R.F., Polack, F.A.C.: The Epsilon transformation language. Theory and Practice of Model Transformations, pp. 46–60. Springer, Berlin (2008)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  37. Kolovos, D.S., Paige, R.F., Polack, F.A.C.: A framework for composing modular and interoperable model management tasks. In: In Model-Driven Tool and Process Integration Workshop, pp. 79–90 (2008)

  38. Lúcio, L., Mustafiz, S., Denil, J., Vangheluwe, H., Jukss, M.: FTG+PM: an integrated framework for investigating model transformation chains. In: SDL 2013: Model-Driven Dependability Engineering: 16th International SDL Forum, pp. 182–202. Springer (2013)

  39. Maciel, R.S.P., Silva, B.C.D., Magalhes, A.P.F., Rosa, N.S.: An integrated approach for model driven process modeling and enactment. In: XXIII Brazilian Symposium on Software Engineering, pp. 104–114 (2009)

  40. Mijumbi, Rashid, Serrat, Joan, Gorricho, Juan-Luis, Latre, Steven, Charalambides, Marinos, Lopez, Diego: Management and orchestration challenges in network functions virtualization. IEEE Commun. Mag. 54(1), 98–105 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Mustafiz, S., Dupont, G., Khendek, F., Toeroe, M.: MAPLE: an integrated process modelling and enactment environment for nfv systems. In: 14th European Conference on Modelling Foundations and Applications (ECMFA 2018), Toulouse, France, June 2018, Proceedings, pp. 164–178. Springer (2018)

  42. Mustafiz, S., Nazarzadeoghaz, N., Dupont, G., Khendek, F., Toeroe, M.: A model-driven process enactment approach for network service design. In: SDL 2017: Model-Driven Engineering for Future Internet—18th International SDL Forum, volume 10567 of LNCS, pp. 99–118. Springer (2017)

  43. Mustafiz, S., Palma, F., Toeroe, M., Khendek, F.: A network service design and deployment process for NFV systems. In: 15th IEEE Network Computing and Applications, NCA 2016, pp. 131–139. IEEE Computer Society (2016)

  44. OASIS.: TOSCA Simple Profile for Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) Version 1.0, May 2017. OASIS Committee Specification Draft 04

  45. Object Management Group.: Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN 2.0) (2011)

  46. Object Management Group.: Meta Object Facility 2.0 Query/View/Transformation Specification (2011)

  47. Object Management Group.: Unified Modeling Language (UML 2.5) (2015)

  48. Oldevik, J.: Transformation composition modelling framework. In: Distributed Applications and Interoperable Systems: 5th IFIP WG 6.1 International Conference, DAIS 2005, pp. 108–114. Springer (2005)

  49. Rivera, J.E., Ruiz-Gonzalez, D., Lopez-Romero, F., Bautista, J., Vallecillo, A.: Orchestrating ATL model transformations. In: MtATL 2009, pp. 34–46 (2009)

  50. Seibel, A., Hebig, R., Neumann, S., Giese, H.: A dedicated language for context composition and execution of true black-box model transformations. In: Sloane, A., Aßmann, U. (eds.) Software Language Engineering, pp. 19–39. Springer, Berlin (2012)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  51. Simmonds, J., Perovich, D., Bastarrica, M.C., Silvestre, L.: A megamodel for software process line modeling and evolution. In: 18th Model Driven Engineering Languages and Systems (MODELS ’15), 2015, pp. 406–415. IEEE (2015)

  52. SOFTEAM.: JUNIPER: D5.4 Specification of Model Transformation Chain. Technical Report 318763 (2015)

  53. van Lingen, F., Yannuzzi, M., Jain, A., Irons-Mclean, R., Lluch, O., Carrera, D., Perez, J.L., Gutierrez, A., Montero, D., Marti, J., Maso, R., Rodriguez, A.J.P.: The unavoidable convergence of NFV, 5G, and Fog: a model-driven approach to bridge cloud and edge. IEEE Commun. Mag. 55(8), 28–35 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Vanhooff, B., Ayed, D., Van Baelen, S., Joosen, W., Berbers, Y.: UniTI: a unified transformation infrastructure. In: 10th International Conference on MoDELS, pp. 31–45. Springer (2007)

  55. Vanhooff, B., Van Baelen, S., Hovsepyan, A., Joosen, W., Berbers, Y.: Towards a transformation chain modeling language. In: Vassiliadis, S., Wong, S., Hämäläinen, T.D. (eds.) Embedded Computer Systems: Architectures, Modeling, and Simulation, pp. 39–48. Springer, Berlin (2006)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  56. Van Baelen, S., Vanhoof, B., Devos, J., Tiensyrja, K., Host, M., Saunier, T., Lopez, F.: MARTES: Specification of the Model Driven Engineering Process D1.7. Technical report, ITEA. EUREKA - ITEA 04006 (2007)

  57. Vogel, T.: Model-Driven Engineering of Self-Adaptive Software. PhD thesis, University of Potsdam, Germany (2018)

  58. Wagelaar, D.: Blackbox composition of model transformations using domain-specific modelling languages. In: 1st European Workshop on Composition of Model Transformations (CMT), pp. 15–19 (2006)

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work is partly funded by NSERC and Ericsson, and carried out within MAGIC, the NSERC/Ericsson Industrial Research Chair in Model Based Software Management.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sadaf Mustafiz.

Additional information

Communicated by A. Pierantonio, A. Anjorin, S. Trujillo, and H. Espinoza.

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mustafiz, S., Hassane, O., Dupont, G. et al. Model-driven process enactment for NFV systems with MAPLE. Softw Syst Model 19, 1263–1282 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10270-020-00783-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10270-020-00783-9

Keywords

Navigation