Capacity and Performance Test Methods for Cloud-based Telecommunication Network Functions

Cloudification of telecommunication network elements has been started simultaneously with the introduction of 4G mobile systems. In the past decade, vendor specific physical network functions experienced a massive migration onto the cloud. Data Centers and cloud technology, that originally provided technical solutions for the IT (Information Technology) sector, are used recently widespread for various telecommunications roles. As carrier grade telecommunications have very strict Quality of Service (QoS) and performance requirements, it is necessary to test the various cloud-based telecommunication networks elements, the Virtualized Network Functions (VNF). This paper gives a brief overview of the various test methods and testing possibilities. Finally, a few examples are shown how KPI monitoring may help mobile network operators to dimension and operate VNFs providing telecommunication services meanwhile benefiting such advantages of Telco-Cloud technology as slicing and scaling.