Network system and management method and apparatus thereof

A management apparatus of a network system in which at least one virtual network function can be deployed, wherein the network system includes a plurality of processing units on each of which a desired virtual network function can be configured, wherein the plurality of processing units include at least one central processing unit and at least one programmable logic circuit,

• wherein at least one of a plurality of processing units includes a first communication interface that is connectable between different processing units and a second communication interface that is directly connectable between different programmable logic circuits,
• the management apparatus comprising:
• a database that stores virtual network function images for each virtual network function, wherein the virtual network function images are formed from possible combinations of communication interfaces of each processing unit;
• and
• a controller that is configured to:
• determine a communication path so as to deploy a set of desired virtual network functions, by selecting the virtual network function images;
• and
• select the communication path from possible candidates for communication path causing a plurality of virtual network functions to be formed, according to the virtual network function images.

A management method of a network system in which at least one virtual network function can be deployed, wherein the network system includes a plurality of processing units on each of which a desired virtual network function can be configured, wherein the plurality of processing units include at least one central processing unit and at least one programmable logic circuit,

• wherein at least one of a plurality of processing units includes a first communication interface that is connectable between different processing units and a second communication interface that is directly connectable between different programmable logic circuits,
• the management method comprising:
• storing, by a database, virtual network function images for each virtual network function, wherein the virtual network function images are formed from possible combinations of communication interfaces of each processing unit;
• determining, by a controller, a communication path so as to deploy a set of desired virtual network functions, by selecting the virtual network function images;
• and
• selecting, by the controller, the communication path from possible candidates for a communication path causing a plurality of virtual network functions to be formed, according to the virtual network function images.