CONTROLLING OF COMMUNICATION NETWORK COMPRISING VIRTUALIZED NETWORK FUNCTIONS

• US 20170093749A1
• Filed: 05/12/2014
• Published: 03/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2014
• 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 11,070,487 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 9/5077 Logical partitioning of resources; Management or configuration of virtualized resources specific details on emulation or internal functioning of virtual machines G06F9/455
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/604 Address structures or formats
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/20 Network management software packages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/40 using virtualisation of network functions or resources, e.g. SDN or NFV entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/783 Distributed allocation of resources, e.g. bandwidth brokers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/60 Scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests, e.g. requests for application data transmissions using the analysis and optimisation of the required network resources admission control or resource allocation H04L47/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/60 Subscription-based services using application servers or record carriers, e.g. SIM application toolkits

Abstract

A method comprising determining that at least one virtualized communication function or application providing services related to a communication network is instantiated, preparing an indication related to the instantiation of the at least one virtualized communication function or application, 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, a communication function, an application and a database to which network elements, network functions, communication functions or applications in the communication network have access.

Claims

1-33. -33. (canceled)

34. A method comprising:

determining that at least one virtualized communication function or application providing services related to a communication network is instantiated,

preparing an indication related to the instantiation of the at least one virtualized communication function or application, 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, a communication function, an application and a database to which network elements, network functions, communication functions or applications in the communication network have access, wherein the at least one of a network element of the communication network, the network function of the communication network, the communication function, and the application is a potential signaling partner of the instantiated at least one virtualized communication function or application in a communication conducted via the communication network.

35. The method according to claim 34, including at least one of

further comprising setting up at least one new virtualized communication function or application providing services related to a communication network, wherein the determination that at least one virtualized communication function or application providing services related to a communication network is instantiated is made when the setup of the new virtualized communication function or application is completed;

the indication comprising at least one of information indicating a type of the at least one virtualized communication function or application, information indicating a type of services provided by the at least one virtualized communication function or application, address information associated to the at least one virtualized communication function or application, and identification information related to a virtual network operator operating the at least one virtualized communication function or application;

causing transmission of the prepared indication to a domain name server element or function;

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 fixed access network part of the communication network, a network element or network function of a core network part of the communication network, a network element or network function of an IP multimedia system part of the communication network, a communication function or application communicating in the communication network, and a database to which network elements or network functions of the communication network, communication functions or applications 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.

36. The method according to claim 34, 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 communication functions or applications, an operation and maintenance element of the communication network, and a communication network control element or communication network control function of a communication network in which virtualized communication functions or applications are implemented, wherein the at least one virtualized communication function or application being instantiated is related to a communication network control function of the communication network.

37. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processing circuitry, and

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

the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least;

to determine that at least one virtualized communication function or application providing services related to a communication network is instantiated,

to prepare an indication related to the instantiation of the at least one virtualized communication function or application, 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, a communication function, an application and a database to which network elements, network functions, communication functions or applications in the communication network have access, wherein the at least one of a network element of the communication network, the network function of the communication network, the communication function, and the application is a potential signaling partner of the instantiated at least one virtualized communication function or application in a communication conducted via the communication network.

38. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus

to set up at least one new virtualized communication function or application providing services related to a communication network, wherein the determination that at least one virtualized communication function or application providing services related to a communication network is instantiated is made when the setup of the new virtualized communication function or application is completed.

39. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the indication comprises at least one of

information indicating a type of the at least virtualized communication function or application,

information indicating a type of services provided by the at least one virtualized communication function or application,

address information associated to the at least one virtualized communication function or application, and

identification information related to a virtual network operator operating the at least one virtualized communication function or application.

40. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus

to cause transmission of the prepared indication to a domain name server element or function.

41. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein

the apparatus is comprised in one of

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

an operation and maintenance element of the communication network, and

a communication network control element or communication network control function of a communication network in which virtualized communication functions or applications are implemented,

wherein the at least one virtualized communication function or application being instantiated is related to a communication network control function of the communication network.

42. The apparatus according to claim 37, 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 fixed access network part of the communication network, a network element or network function of a core network part of the communication network, a network element or network function of an IP multimedia system part of the communication network, a communication function or application communicating in the communication network, and a database to which network elements or network functions of the communication network, communication functions or applications 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.

43. A method comprising:

obtaining an indication related to an instantiation of at least one new virtualized communication function or application providing services related to a communication network, wherein the instantiated at least one new virtualized communication function or application is a potential signaling partner in a communication conducted via a communication network,

processing the obtained indication for determining or recognizing the at least one new virtualized communication function or application being instantiated,

checking, with regard to a communication to be conducted in the communication network with a network element or network function, a communication function or application in a communication network, whether the at least one new virtualized communication function or application is providing suitable services related to the communication, and

selecting, on the basis of the result of the check, a network element or network function, communication function or application in the communication network with which a communication is to be conducted.

44. The method according to claim 43, further comprising at least one of

receiving and processing an initial attach request related to an establishment of a communication connection of a communication element to a communication network, wherein the initial attach request triggers the checking for a new virtualized communication function or application;

the checking for a new virtualized communication function or application is triggered on a time basis, or in response to a predetermined event, or when the communication is initiated;

the indication comprises at least one of information indicating a type of the at least one virtualized communication function or application, information indicating a type of services provided by the at least one virtualized communication function or application, address information associated to the at least one virtualized communication function or application, and identification information related to a virtual network operator operating the at least one virtualized communication function or application;

the indication related to the instantiation of the at least one virtualized communication function or application is obtained from one of a communication network control element or communication network control function acting as a global orchestrator for implementing virtualized communication functions or applications, an operation and maintenance element of the communication network, a domain name server of the communication network, and a communication network control element or communication network control function of the communication network in which virtualized communication functions or applications are implemented; and

querying, when checking for a new virtualized communication function or application, a database to which network elements or network functions of the communication network, communication functions or applications 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 an indication related to an instantiation of at least one virtualized communication function or application is obtained from the database.

45. The method according to claim 43, 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, a network element or network function of a fixed access network part of the communication network, a network element or network function of a core network part of the communication network, a network element or network function of an IP multimedia system part of the communication network, and a communication function or application communicating in the communication network,

wherein the at least one new virtualized communication function or application being instantiated is related to a communication network control function of the communication network.

46. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processing circuitry, and

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

the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least;

to obtain an indication related to an instantiation of at least one new virtualized communication function or application providing services related to a communication network, wherein the instantiated at least one new virtualized communication function or application is a potential signaling partner in a communication conducted via a communication network,

to process the obtained indication for determining or recognizing the at least one new virtualized communication function or application being instantiated,

to check, with regard to a communication to be conducted in the communication network with a network element or network function, a communication function or application in the communication network, whether the at least one new virtualized communication function or application is providing suitable services related for the communication, and

to select, on the basis of the result of the check, a network element or network function, communication function or application in the communication network with which a communication is to be conducted.

47. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus

to receive and process an initial attach request related to an establishment of a communication connection of a communication element to a communication network,

wherein the initial attach request triggers the checking for a new virtualized communication function or application.

48. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the checking for a new virtualized communication function or application is triggered on a time basis, or in response to a predetermined event, or when the communication is initiated.

49. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the indication comprises at least one of

information indicating a type of the at least one virtualized communication function or application,

information indicating a type of services provided by the at least one virtualized communication function or application,

address information associated to the at least one virtualized communication function or application, and

identification information related to a virtual network operator operating the at least one virtualized communication function or application.

50. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus

to obtain the indication related to the instantiation of the at least one virtualized communication function or application from one of

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

an operation and maintenance element of the communication network,

a domain name server of the communication network, and

a communication network control element or communication network control function of the communication network in which virtualized communication functions or applications are implemented.

51. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus

to query, when checking for a new virtualized communication function or application, a database to which network elements or network functions of the communication network, communication functions or applications 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 an indication related to an instantiation of at least one virtualized communication function or application is obtained from the database.

52. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein

the apparatus is comprised in 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 fixed access network part of the communication network, a network element or network function of a core network part of the communication network, a network element or network function of an IP multimedia system part of the communication network, and a communication function or application communicating in the communication network,

wherein the at least one new virtualized communication function or application being instantiated is related to a communication network control function of the communication network.

53. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processing device, perform at least one of a first method and a second method, wherein the first method comprises:

determining that at least one virtualized communication function or application providing services related to a communication network is instantiated,

preparing an indication related to the instantiation of the at least one virtualized communication function or application, 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, a communication function, an application and a database to which network elements, network functions, communication functions or applications in the communication network have access, wherein the at least one of a network element of the communication network, the network function of the communication network, the communication function, and the application is a potential signaling partner of the instantiated at least one virtualized communication function or application in a communication conducted via the communication network;

wherein the second method comprises;

obtaining an indication related to an instantiation of at least one new virtualized communication function or application providing services related to a communication network, wherein the instantiated at least one new virtualized communication function or application is a potential signaling partner in a communication conducted via a communication network,

processing the obtained indication for determining or recognizing the at least one new virtualized communication function or application being instantiated,

checking, with regard to a communication to be conducted in the communication network with a network element or network function, a communication function or application in a communication network, whether the at least one new virtualized communication function or application is providing suitable services related to the communication, and

selecting, on the basis of the result of the check, a network element or network function, communication function or application in the communication network with which a communication is to be conducted.

54. A method executed by one of a communication element comprising a terminal device or user equipment capable of communicating in a communication network, a network element or network function of a radio access network part of a communication network, a network element or network function of a fixed access network part of a communication network, a network element or network function of a core network part of a communication network, a network element or network function of an IP multimedia system part of a communication network, and a communication function or application communicating in a communication network, and comprising

obtaining an indication related to an instantiation of at least one new virtualized communication function or application providing services related to a communication network, wherein the instantiated at least one new virtualized communication function or application is a potential signaling partner in a communication conducted via a communication network,

processing the obtained indication for determining or recognizing the at least one new virtualized communication function or application being instantiated,

checking, with regard to a communication to be conducted in the communication network with a network element or network function, a communication function or application in a communication network, whether the at least one new virtualized communication function or application is providing suitable services related to the communication,

selecting, on the basis of the result of the check, the at least one new virtualized communication function or application as a network element or network function, communication function or application in the communication network with which a communication is to be conducted, and

causing initialization of the communication involving the at least one new virtualized communication function or application.