CONTROLLING OF COMMUNICATION NETWORK COMPRISING VIRTUALIZED NETWORK FUNCTIONS

• US 20160344587A1
• Filed: 01/17/2014
• Published: 11/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks GmbH & Co. KG (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Solutions And Networks Management International Gmbh (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: HOFFMANN, Klaus
• Granted Patent: US 10,581,677 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2009/45575 Starting, stopping, suspending or resuming virtual machine instances
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2009/45595 Network integration; Enabling network access in virtual machine instances
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/442 Shutdown
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/45558 Hypervisor-specific management and integration aspects
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/485 Task life-cycle, e.g. stopping, restarting, resuming execution G06F9/4881 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5072 Grid computing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/542 Event management; Broadcasting; Multicasting; Notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0813 characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0895 Configuration of virtualised networks or elements, e.g. virtualised network function or OpenFlow elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition

Abstract

A method comprising determining that at least one virtualized network function providing services related to a communication network is to be de-instantiated, preparing an indication related to the de-instantiation of the at least one virtualized network function, and causing transmission of the prepared indication to at least one of a network element of the communication network, a network function of the communication network and a database to which network elements or network functions of the communication network have access.

Claims

1. A method comprising

determining that at least one virtualized network function providing services related to a communication network is to be de-instantiated,

preparing an indication related to the de-instantiation of the at least one virtualized network function, and

causing transmission of the prepared indication to at least one of a network element of the communication network, a network function of the communication network and a database to which network elements or network functions of the communication network have access.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein

the indication related to the de-instantiation of the at least one virtualized network element comprises an instruction for conducting a detach procedure including

deleting of stored subscription data related to the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the instruction for conducting the detach procedure comprises a specific cause indication for a withdrawal of a subscription with regard to the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the subscription data comprises at least an identification element assigned to a communication element of the communication network and including identification information of the virtualized network element to be de-instantiated.

5. The method according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the instruction is a bulk instruction for conducting a detach procedure for all communication elements being currently registered for the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated.

6. The method according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein

the indication related to the de-instantiation of the at least one virtualized network element comprises an identification information indicating that the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated is de-instantiated and not available anymore.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising

causing transmission of the identification information to at least one of a network element of the communication network and a network function of the communication network which potentially contacts the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated.

8. The method according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein

the method is executed by one of

a communication network control element or communication network control function acting as a global orchestrator for implementing virtualized network functions,

a virtualized network function to be de-instantiated, and

an operation and maintenance element of the communication network,

wherein the virtualized network function to be de-instantiated is related to a communication network control function of the communication network.

9. The method according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein

the prepared indication is caused to be sent to at least one of a communication element comprising a terminal device or user equipment capable of communicating in the communication network, a network element or network function of a radio access network part of the communication network, a network element or network function of a core network part of the communication network, and a database to which network elements or network functions of the communication network have access, wherein the database is comprised in at least one of a centralized database of the communication network and a local database comprised in one or more of the network elements or network functions of the communication network.

57. A computer program product for a computer, comprising software code portions for performing the steps of any of claims 1 to 9 or any of claims 19 to 28 or any of claims 39 to 41 or any of claims 45 to 50 when said product is run on the computer.

58. The computer program product according to claim 57, wherein

the computer program product comprises a computer-readable medium on which said software code portions are stored, and/or

the computer program product is directly loadable into the internal memory of the computer and/or transmittable via a network by means of at least one of upload, download and push procedures.

10. An apparatus comprising

at least one processor, and

at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processor, wherein

the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least:

to determine that at least one virtualized network function providing services related to a communication network is to be de-instantiated,

to prepare an indication related to the de-instantiation of the at least one virtualized network function, and

to cause transmission of the prepared indication to at least one of a network element of the communication network, a network function of the communication network and a database to which network elements or network functions of the communication network have access.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein

the indication related to the de-instantiation of the at least one virtualized network element comprises an instruction for conducting a detach procedure including

deleting of stored subscription data related to the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the instruction for conducting the detach procedure comprises a specific cause indication for a withdrawal of a subscription with regard to the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the subscription data comprises at least an identification element assigned to a communication element of the communication network and including identification information of the virtualized network element to be de-instantiated.

14. The apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the instruction is a bulk instruction for conducting a detach procedure for all communication elements being currently registered for the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated.

15. The apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 14, wherein

the indication related to the de-instantiation of the at least one virtualized network element comprises an identification information indicating that the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated is de-instantiated and not available anymore.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least:

to cause transmission of the identification information to at least one of a network element of the communication network and a network function of the communication network which potentially contacts the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated.

17. The apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 16, wherein

the apparatus is implemented by one of

a communication network control element or communication network control function acting as a global orchestrator for implementing virtualized network functions,

a virtualized network function to be de-instantiated, and

an operation and maintenance element of the communication network,

wherein the virtualized network function to be de-instantiated is related to a core network function of the communication network.

18. The apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 17, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least:

to cause transmission of the prepared indication to at least one of a communication element comprising a terminal device or user equipment capable of communicating in the communication network, a network element or network function of a radio access network part of the communication network, a network element or network function of a core network part of the communication network, and a database to which network elements or network functions of the communication network have access, wherein the database is comprised in at least one of a centralized database of the communication network and a local database comprised in one or more of the network elements or network functions of the communication network.

19. A method comprising

obtaining an indication related to a de-instantiation of at least one virtualized network function providing services related to a communication network, and

processing the obtained indication for determining or recognizing the virtualized network function being de-instantiated and for avoiding to conduct a communication attempt to the virtualized network function to be de-instantiated.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising

obtaining, as the indication related to the de-instantiation of the at least one virtualized network element, an instruction for conducting a detach procedure including deleting of stored subscription data related to the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated, and

executing the detach procedure.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the instruction for conducting the detach procedure comprises a specific cause indication for a withdrawal of a subscription with regard to the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the subscription data comprises at least an identification element assigned to a communication element of the communication network and including identification information of the virtualized network element to be de-instantiated.

23. The method according to any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the instruction is a bulk instruction for conducting a detach procedure for all communication elements being currently registered for the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated.

24. The method according to any of claims 19 to 23, further comprising

obtaining, as the indication related to the de-instantiation of the at least one virtualized network element, an identification information indicating that the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated is de-instantiated and not available anymore.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising

checking, when a communication attempt is to be conducted to a network element or network function of the communication network, whether the network element or network function is indicated in the identification information indicating the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated as being de-instantiated and not available anymore, and

in case the result of the check is affirmative,

skipping immediately the communication attempt to the virtualized network function being de-instantiated.

26. The method according to any of claims 19 to 25, wherein

the indication related to the de-instantiation of the at least one virtualized network function is obtained from one of

a communication network control element or communication network control function acting as a global orchestrator for implementing virtualized network functions,

a virtualized network function to be de-instantiated, and

an operation and maintenance element of the communication network.

27. The method according to any of claims 19 to 25, further comprising

querying a database to which network elements or network functions of the communication network have access, wherein the database is comprised in at least one of a centralized database of the communication network and a local database comprised in one or more of the network elements or network functions of the communication network, wherein the indication related to a de-instantiation of at least one virtualized network function is obtained from the database.

28. The method according to any of claims 19 to 27, wherein

the method is executed by one of a communication element comprising a terminal device or user equipment capable of communicating in the communication network, a network element or network function of a radio access network part of the communication network, and a network element or network function of a core network part of the communication network,

wherein the virtualized network function to be de-instantiated is related to a communication network control function of the communication network.

29. An apparatus comprising

at least one processor, and

at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processor, wherein

the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least:

to obtain an indication related to a de-instantiation of at least one virtualized network function providing services related to a communication network, and

to process the obtained indication for determining or recognizing the virtualized network function being de-instantiated and for avoiding to conduct a communication attempt to the virtualized network function to be de-instantiated.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least:

to obtain, as the indication related to the de-instantiation of the at least one virtualized network element, an instruction for conducting a detach procedure including deleting of stored subscription data related to the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated, and

to execute the detach procedure.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the instruction for conducting the detach procedure comprises a specific cause indication for a withdrawal of a subscription with regard to the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated.

32. The apparatus according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the subscription data comprises at least an identification element assigned to a communication element of the communication network and including identification information of the virtualized network element to be de-instantiated.

33. The apparatus according to any of claims 30 to 32, wherein the instruction is a bulk instruction for conducting a detach procedure for all communication elements being currently registered for the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated.

34. The apparatus according to any of claims 29 to 33, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least:

obtain, as the indication related to the de-instantiation of the at least one virtualized network element, an identification information indicating that the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated is de-instantiated and not available anymore.

35. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least:

check, when a communication attempt is to be conducted to a network element or network function of the communication network, whether the network element or network function is indicated in the identification information indicating the at least one virtualized network element to be de-instantiated as being de-instantiated and not available anymore, and

in case the result of the check is affirmative,

skip immediately the communication attempt to the virtualized network function being de-instantiated.

36. The apparatus according to any of claims 29 to 35, wherein

the indication related to the de-instantiation of the at least one virtualized network function is obtained from one of

a communication network control element or communication network control function acting as a global orchestrator for implementing virtualized network functions,

a virtualized network function to be de-instantiated, and

an operation and maintenance element of the communication network.

37. The apparatus according to any of claims 29 to 35, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least:

query a database to which network elements or network functions of the communication network have access, wherein the database is comprised in at least one of a centralized database of the communication network and a local database comprised in one or more of the network elements or network functions of the communication network, wherein the indication related to a de-instantiation of at least one virtualized network function is obtained from the database.

38. The apparatus according to any of claims 29 to 37, wherein

the apparatus is implemented by one of a communication element comprising a terminal device or user equipment capable of communicating in the communication network, a network element or network function of a radio access network part of the communication network, and a network element or network function of a core network part of the communication network,

wherein the virtualized network function to be de-instantiated is related to a communication network control function of the communication network.

39. A method comprising

receiving and processing an attach request from a communication element of a communication network for attaching to a virtualized network function providing services related to the communication network,

preparing a response to the attach request, and

causing transmission of the response to the requesting communication element,

wherein the preparing of the response comprises

including first identification data identifying the virtualized network function and second identification data identifying an intermediate network element or network function being related to the virtualized network function and to which messages related to the virtualized network function are to be directed.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein

the first and second identification data are included in identification data assigned to a communication element of the communication network, wherein the second identification date resolve to the intermediate network element or network function.

41. The method according to any of claims 39 and 40, wherein

the method is executed by a virtualized network function being related to a communication network control function of the communication network.

42. An apparatus comprising

at least one processor, and

at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processor, wherein

the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least:

to receive and process an attach request from a communication element of a communication network for attaching to a virtualized network function providing services related to the communication network,

to prepare a response to the attach request, and

to cause transmission of the response to the requesting communication element,

wherein the preparing of the response comprises

including first identification data identifying the virtualized network function and second identification data identifying an intermediate network element or network function being related to the virtualized network function and to which messages related to the virtualized network function are to be directed.

43. The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein

the first and second identification data are included in identification data assigned to a communication element of the communication network, wherein the second identification date resolve to the intermediate network element or network function.

44. The apparatus according to any of claims 42 and 43, wherein

the apparatus is implemented by a virtualized network function being related to a communication network control function of the communication network.

45. A method comprising

receiving and processing a message directed to a virtualized network function providing services related to a communication network,

checking whether the virtualized network function is indicated to be still instantiated or not, and

in case the result of the check is that the virtualized network function is de-instantiated, conducting a simulation process for replying to the received message on behalf of the de-instantiated virtualized network function.

46. The method according to claim 45, further comprising

in case the result of the check is that the virtualized network function is still instantiated, forwarding the message to the virtualized network function.

47. The method according to any of claims 45 and 46, further comprising

hosting subscription data of communication elements of the communication network attached to virtualized network functions, and

storing an indication for the virtualized network functions indicating whether the virtualized network functions are de-instantiated or not.

48. The method according to claim 47, wherein the simulation process comprises replying to the received message on behalf of the de-instantiated virtualized network function on the basis of the subscription data.

49. The method according to any of claims 45 to 48, wherein

the method is executed by a communication network control element or communication network control function acting as an intermediate network element or intermediate network function for virtualized network functions

wherein the virtualized network function is related to a communication network control function of the communication network.

50. The method according to any of claims 45 to 49, wherein

the message directed to the virtualized network function is received from one of a communication element comprising a terminal device or user equipment capable of communicating in the communication network, a network element or network function of a radio access network part of the communication network, and a network element or network function of a core network part of the communication network.

51. An apparatus comprising

at least one processor, and

at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processor, wherein

the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least:

to receive and process a message directed to a virtualized network function providing services related to a communication network,

to check whether the virtualized network function is indicated to be still instantiated or not, and

in case the result of the check is that the virtualized network function is de-instantiated, conduct a simulation process for replying to the received message on behalf of the de-instantiated virtualized network function.

52. The apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least:

in case the result of the check is that the virtualized network function is still instantiated, forward the message to the virtualized network function.

53. The apparatus according to any of claims 51 and 52, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least:

to host subscription data of communication elements of the communication network attached to virtualized network functions, and

to store an indication for the virtualized network functions indicating whether the virtualized network functions are de-instantiated or not.

54. The apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the simulation process comprises replying to the received message on behalf of the de-instantiated virtualized network function on the basis of the subscription data.

55. The apparatus according to any of claims 51 to 54, wherein

the apparatus is implemented by a communication network control element or communication network control function acting as an intermediate network element or intermediate network function for virtualized network functions,

wherein the virtualized network function is related to a communication network control function of the communication network.

56. The apparatus according to any of claims 51 to 55, wherein

the message directed to the virtualized network function is received from one of a communication element comprising a terminal device or user equipment capable of communicating in the communication network, a network element or network function of a radio access network part of the communication network, and a network element or network function of a core network part of the communication network.

59. A computer program product, comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code adapted to execute a process comprising:

determining that at least one virtualized network function providing services related to a communication network is to be de-instantiated,

preparing an indication related to the de-instantiation of the at least one virtualized network function, and

causing transmission of the prepared indication to at least one of a network element of the communication network, a network function of the communication network and a database to which network elements or network functions of the communication network have access.

63. The computer program product according to one of claims 59 to 62, wherein the computer usable medium is a non-transitory medium.

60. A computer program product, comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code adapted to execute a process comprising:

obtaining an indication related to a de-instantiation of at least one virtualized network function providing services related to a communication network, and

processing the obtained indication for determining or recognizing the virtualized network function being de-instantiated and for avoiding to conduct a communication attempt to the virtualized network function to be de-instantiated.

61. A computer program product, comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code adapted to execute a process comprising:

receiving and processing an attach request from a communication element of a communication network for attaching to a virtualized network function providing services related to the communication network,

preparing a response to the attach request, and

causing transmission of the response to the requesting communication element,

wherein the preparing of the response comprises

including first identification data identifying the virtualized network function and second identification data identifying an intermediate network element or network function being related to the virtualized network function and to which messages related to the virtualized network function are to be directed.

62. A computer program product, comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code adapted to execute a process comprising:

receiving and processing a message directed to a virtualized network function providing services related to a communication network,

checking whether the virtualized network function is indicated to be still instantiated or not, and

in case the result of the check is that the virtualized network function is de-instantiated, conducting a simulation process for replying to the received message on behalf of the de-instantiated virtualized network function.