Reliability of NFV Using COTS Hardware

[Abstract] This paper describes a study on the feasibility of using commercial off ⁃the ⁃shelf (COTS) hardware for telecom equipment. The study outlines the conditions under which COTS hardware can be utilized in a network function virtualization environment. The concept of silent ⁃error probability is introduced to account for software errors and/or undetectable hardware failures, and is included in both the theoretical work and simulations. Silent failures are critical to overall system availability. Site ⁃related issues are created by combined site maintenance and site failure. Site maintenance does not noticeably limit system availability unless there are also site failures. Because the theory becomes extremely involved when site failure is introduced, simulation is used to determine the impact of those facts that constitutes the undesirable features of using COTS hardware.

[Keywords] reliability; COTS hardware; NFV