METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING NETWORK VIRTUALIZATION

• US 20100153554A1
• Filed: 12/15/2008
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rakuten Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: ANSCHUTZ, THOMAS, Blackburn, Alan
• Granted Patent: US 8,055,770 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/122 of virtualised topologies, e.g. software-defined networks [SDN] or network function virtualisation [NFV]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/40 using virtualisation of network functions or resources, e.g. SDN or NFV entities

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing network virtualization on a packet network are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request from a user, wherein the request comprises at least one of: a feature of a network component or a network component for a virtual network. The method determines if the request can be instantiated over one or more real network resources, and then instantiates the request via the one or more real network resources, if it is determined that the request can be instantiated.

Claims

1. A method for providing a network virtualization, comprising:

receiving a request from a user, wherein said request comprises at least one of;

a link, a trunk, a feature of a network component or a network component for a virtual network;

determining if said request can be instantiated over one or more real network resources; and

instantiating said request via said one or more real network resources, if it is determined that said request can be instantiated.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a feedback to said user, wherein said feedback comprises one or more alternatives to said at least one;

said link, said trunk, said feature of said network component or said network component that cannot be instantiated.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said virtual network spans over a data plane, a control plane and a management plane.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a view of said virtual network consistent with said request to said user.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said user is provided with a user interface for designing said virtual network.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said user interface allows said user to pin one or more network components of said virtual network to a real world topology.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said user interface allows said user to pin one or more network components of said virtual network to a topology in cyberspace.

8. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform steps of a method for providing a network virtualization, comprising:

receiving a request from a user, wherein said request comprises at least one of;

a link, a trunk, a feature of a network component or a network component for a virtual network;

determining if said request can be instantiated over one or more real network resources; and

instantiating said request via said one or more real network resources, if it is determined that said request can be instantiated.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, further comprising:

providing a feedback to said user, wherein said feedback comprises one or more alternatives to said at least one;

said link, said trunk, said feature of said network component or said network component that cannot be instantiated.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein said virtual network spans over a data plane, a control plane and a management plane.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, further comprising:

providing a view of said virtual network consistent with said request to said user.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein said user is provided with a user interface for designing said virtual network.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein said user interface allows said user to pin one or more network components of said virtual network to a real world topology.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein said user interface allows said user to pin one or more network components of said virtual network to a topology in cyberspace.

15. An apparatus for providing a network virtualization, comprising:

means for receiving a request from a user, wherein said request comprises at least one of;

a link, a trunk, a feature of a network component or a network component for a virtual network;

means for determining if said request can be instantiated over one or more real network resources; and

means for instantiating said request via said one or more real network resources, if it is determined that said request can be instantiated.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

means for providing a feedback to said user, wherein said feedback comprises one or more alternatives to said at least one;

said link, said trunk, said feature of said network component or said network component that cannot be instantiated.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said virtual network spans over a data plane, a control plane and a management plane.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

means for providing a view of said virtual network consistent with said request to said user.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said user is provided with a user interface for designing said virtual network.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said user interface allows said user to pin one or more network components of said virtual network to a real world topology.