Split-brain resolution in virtual network function components

A method, comprising:

• receiving, by a virtual network function component interface (VNFCI) a heartbeat message from a peer VNFCI indicating that the peer VNFCI has a current operational state of Active;
• identifying, by the VNFCI, that the VNFCI was not network isolated while becoming active;
• sending, by the VNFCI, a heartbeat acknowledgement message to the peer VNFCI indicating the current operational state of Active and including a first network isolation indicator indicating a network isolation status of the VNFCI;
• retrieving, by the VNFCI, a second network isolation indicator associated with the peer VNFCI from a heartbeat message datastore;
• sending, by the VNFCI, a second heartbeat message to the peer VNFCI indicating the current operational state of Active and a desired operational state of Active when:
• the first network isolation indicator indicates that the VNFCI was not network isolated, and
• the second network isolation indicator indicates that the peer VNFCI was network isolated;
• and
• maintain, by the VNFCI, the current operational state of Active.

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that when read by a processor of a virtual network function component interface (VNFCI) cause the processor to perform:

• receiving a heartbeat message from a peer VNFCI indicating that the peer VNFCI has a current operational state of Active;
• identifying that the VNFCI was not network isolated while becoming active;
• sending a heartbeat acknowledgement message to the peer VNFCI indicating the current operational state of Active and including a first network isolation indicator indicating a network isolation status of the VNFCI;
• retrieving a second network isolation indicator associated with the peer VNFCI from a heartbeat message datastore;
• sending a second heartbeat message to the peer VNFCI indicating the current operational state of Active and a desired operational state of Active when:
• the first network isolation indicator indicates that the VNFCI was not network isolated, and
• the second network isolation indicator indicates that the peer VNFCI was network isolated;
• and
• maintain, by the VNFCI, the current operational state of Active.