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US 10,652,089 B2Granted
Controlling of communication network comprising virtualized network functions
AssigneeNokia Solutions and Networks Oy
InventorKlaus Hoffmann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and a method are configured to host subscription data of communication elements of a communication network attached to virtualized network functions on the basis of a stored indication, and storing an indication for the virtualized network functions indicating whether the virtualized network functions are de-instantiated. A message directed to a virtualized network function is received and processed, and the method then checks whether the virtualized network function is indicated to be still instantiated or not. If the results of the checking is that the virtualized network function is de-instantiated, a simulation process is conducted.
Claims8
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:
- host subscription data of communication elements of a communication network attached to virtualized network functions on the basis of a stored indication,
- store an indication for the virtualized network functions indicating whether the virtualized network functions are de-instantiated, forming the stored indication,
- receive and process a message directed to a virtualized network function providing services related to the communication network,
- 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 simulating a function of the virtualized network function being de-instantiated and reply to the received message on behalf of the de-instantiated virtualized network function by the simulation process,
- 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, and
- wherein the virtualized network function is related to a communication network control function of the communication network.
8 more elements
A method, comprising:
- hosting subscription data of communication elements of a communication network attached to virtualized network functions;
- storing an indication for the virtualized network functions indicating whether the virtualized network functions are de-instantiated;
- receiving and processing a message directed to a virtualized network function providing services related to the communication network;
- checking whether the virtualized network function is indicated to be still instantiated or not;
- and
- in case the result of the checking is that the virtualized network function is de-instantiated, conducting a simulation process simulating a function of the virtualized network function being de-instantiated and replying to the received message on behalf of the de-instantiated virtualized network function by means of the simulation process,
- wherein the method 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, and
- wherein the virtualized network function is related to a communication network control function of the communication network.
5 more elements
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processing device, to perform:
- hosting subscription data of communication elements of a communication network attached to virtualized network functions on the basis of a stored indication;
- storing an indication for the virtualized network functions indicating whether the virtualized network functions are de-instantiated;
- receiving and processing a message directed to a virtualized network function providing services related to a communication network;
- checking, on the basis of the stored indication, 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 simulating a function of the virtualized network function being de-instantiated and replying to the received message on behalf of the de-instantiated virtualized network function by means of the simulation process,
- wherein the processing device 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, and
- wherein the virtualized network function is related to a communication network control function of the communication network.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.