Priority based resource management in a network functions virtualization (NFV) environment

A Virtual Network Functions (VNF) controller, comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• a memory having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
• instantiate a plurality of VNFs in a communication network to support a network service, the plurality of VNFs comprising a first VNF and a second VNF including a respective priority value assigned to the first VNF and a respective priority value assigned to the second VNF;
• determine a respective priority value for a respective VNF of the plurality of VNFs, wherein the respective priority value for the respective VNF is determined based on an overall network impact, a physical location of at least one network resource allocated to the respective VNF, a type of service to be implemented by the respective VNF and a customer impact based on how many customers would be using the respective VNF;
• assign, to the respective VNF of the plurality of VNFs, the respective priority value determined for the respective VNF of the plurality of VNFs;
• monitor a respective set of network resources allocated to the respective VNF of the plurality of VNFs;
• determine the first VNF requires additional network resources;
• release one or more network resources from the respective set of network resources that are allocated to the second VNF, the one or more network resources being released based on the respective priority value assigned to the first VNF and the respective priority value assigned to the second VNF;
• and
• allocate the one or more network resources released by the second VNF to the first VNF.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed by one or more processors, are operable to:

• instantiate a plurality of VNFs in a communication network to support a network service, the plurality of VNFs comprising a first VNF and a second VNF including a respective priority value assigned to the first VNF and a respective priority value assigned to the second VNF;
• determine a respective priority value for a respective VNF of the plurality of VNFs, wherein the respective priority value for the respective VNF is determined based on an overall network impact, a physical location of at least one network resource allocated to the respective VNF, a type of service to be implemented by the respective VNF and a customer impact based on how many customers would be using the respective VNF;
• assign, to the respective VNF of the plurality of VNFs, the respective priority value determined for the respective VNF of the plurality of VNFs;
• monitor a respective set of network resources allocated to the respective VNF of the plurality of VNFs;
• determine the first VNF requires additional network resources;
• release one or more network resources from the respective set of network resources that are allocated to the second VNF, the one or more network resources being released based on the respective priority value assigned to the first VNF and the respective priority value assigned to the second VNF;
• and
• allocate the one or more network resources released by the second VNF to the first VNF.