Proactive and AoI-aware Failure Recovery for Stateful NFV-enabled Zero-Touch 6G Networks: Model-Free DRL Approach

Abstract

Zero-touch network and service management (ZSM) concept introduced by European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) is a promising solution for full automation in ultra-reliable and ultra-responsive future networks such as sixth generation (6G). The ZSM is an ongoing study by the ETSI and to realized it, machine learning (ML) and network softwarization are indispensable. Despite flexibility and resource efficiency, softwarized networks are vulnerable to various faults and problems such as physical node failure or software malfunctions.