Virtual network controller
AssigneeNokia Siemens Networks Oy
InventorsSascha Kallin, Franz Rambach, Marco Hoffmann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A virtual network controller is described. The controller receives a request for the provision of a slice of a network to a virtual network operator. The controller determines whether the slice can be provided from existing resources, whether the slice can be provided if the existing resources are re-configured, or whether the slice can only be provided if additional resources are obtained. The controller then automatically takes the action required in order to provide the requested slice. The controller can also be used to release resources that are no longer required. Additionally, the controller can be used to re-optimize the network on request.
Claims17
An apparatus comprising:
- a first interface with one or more users;
- a second interface with one or more infrastructure providers;
- and
- a computation engine for allocating network resources available from at least one of the one or more infrastructure providers to at least one of said one or more users,
- wherein on receipt of a request for the provision of network resources, the computation engine is adapted to determine whether or not the requested network resources can be provided on the basis of an existing network configuration and, if so, to instruct a configuration element to provide the requested network resources.
A method comprising:
- receiving a request for the provision of network resources obtained from one or more infrastructure providers to one or more users;
- determining whether or not the requested network resources can be provided on the basis of an existing network configuration;
- and
- if the network resources can be provided on the basis of the existing network configuration, instructing a configuration element to provide the requested resources.
A method comprising:
- receiving a request for the release of at least some network resources that are being provided to a user;
- instructing the release of the said network resources;
- and
- re-configuring the network resources being provided to the user following the release of the said network resources.
A computer program product comprising:
- means for receiving a request for the provision of network resources obtained from one or more infrastructure providers to one or more users;
- means for determining whether or not the requested network resources can be provided on the basis of an existing network configuration;
- and
- means for instructing a configuration element to provide the requested resources, in the event that the network resources can be provided on the basis of the existing network configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.