MEF Publishes Lifecycle Service Orchestration Reference Architecture

Following approval by its members, the MEF published its Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO) Reference Architecture & Framework (MEF 55) for Service Providers.

LSO, which aims to automate the entire network service lifecycle in a sustainable fashion, encompasses all network domains that require end-to-end management and control to deliver on-demand connectivity services (Carrier Ethernet 2.0, IP VPNs, MPLS, SDN/NFV, etc.) and to assure their overall quality and security.

The LSO Reference Architecture describes the functional management entities needed to support LSO and the Management Interface Reference Points between them. LSO provides open and interoperable automation of management operations that include design, fulfillment, control, testing, problem management, quality management, billing & usage, security, analytics, and policy capabilities. It enables automated management and control of end-to-end connectivity services that span multiple service provider domains. For example, a provider of dynamic network services could extend its reach by using LSO to interact with other service providers to manage and control access portions of end-to-end services.

“Service providers worldwide are looking for complete automation of the service lifecycle as a means to overcome OSS/BSS challenges that prevent them from taking full advantage of existing and newer SDN- and NFV-enabled networks,” said Nan Chen, President of the MEF. “Many of the world’s largest service providers have supported MEF efforts to define LSO capabilities and supporting APIs to address this challenge. We are thrilled to have completed the first phase in the LSO journey and already have launched new initiatives to accelerate LSO development – including in collaboration with other industry organizations within an open networking ecosystem.”

Michael Strople, Chairman of the MEF, commented: “Lifecycle Service Orchestration is essential to the evolution and implementation of SDN and NFV. The LSO Reference Architecture clearly defines LSO functionality and capabilities and will enable service providers to make big steps forward in the development of virtualized networks and overcoming the operational challenges that have been holding our industry back.”

http://www.mef.net
https://www.mef.net/Assets/Technical_Specifications/PDF/MEF-55.pdf