Method and apparatus for self organizing networks
AssigneeNokia Solutions and Network Oy
InventorsEamonn Gormley, Anthony Keng-San Wong, Stephan McLaughlin, Timothy Treptow, David James Ryan, Jeffrey Paul Harrang
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Abstract
A method for running a Self Organizing Network (SON) module in a communication network provides an open Application Programming Interface (API) for a SON framework and executes the SON module. The SON module accesses the functionality of the SON framework using the API. The SON module may be built by a developer other than a SON system provider and may be loaded into the SON framework by an operator other than a SON system provider. Various restrictions may be imposed on the API to provide a useful interface while protecting the network.
Claims20
A method for running a Self Organizing Network (SON) module in a communication network, the method comprising:
- providing an open Application Programming Interface (API) for a SON framework;
- examining a digital signature associated with the SON module;
- and
- executing the SON module,
- wherein the SON module is only loaded into the SON framework when the digital signature is determined to be valid, and
- wherein the SON module accesses the functionality of the SON framework using the API.
A Self Organizing Network (SON) system for automating processes in a communication network, comprising at least one computer system including a SON framework, wherein the at least one computer system is configured to:
- provide an open Application Programming Interface (API) for the SON framework;
- and
- execute a SON module,
- wherein the SON module accesses the functionality of the SON framework using the API, and
- wherein the at least one computer system is further configured to examine a digital signature associated with the SON module, and
- wherein the SON module is only loaded into the SON framework when the digital signature is determined to be valid.
A Self Organizing Network (SON) system for automating processes in a communication network, comprising at least one computer system including a SON framework, wherein the at least one computer system is configured to:
- provide an open Application Programming Interface (API) for the SON framework;
- and
- execute a SON module,
- wherein the SON module accesses the functionality of the SON framework using the API, and
- wherein a plurality of SON modules that access the functionality of the SON framework using the API are executed simultaneously, and the number of network elements that are available to each SON module of the plurality of SON modules is restricted to a respective predetermined value, each respective predetermined value being separately configurable from every other predetermined value.
A Self Organizing Network (SON) system for automating processes in a communication network, comprising at least one computer system including a SON framework, wherein the at least one computer system is configured to:
- provide an open Application Programming Interface (API) for the SON framework;
- and
- execute a SON module,
- wherein the SON module accesses the functionality of the SON framework using the API, and
- wherein the at least one computer system is further configured to log, by the SON framework, parameter values of network elements that are changed by the SON module;
- change the parameter values of the network elements based on output from the SON module;
- and roll back the parameter changes by restoring the logged parameter values.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.