Capacity scaling for cloud based networking applications

A method for scaling virtual network function (VNF) components, the method comprising:

• determining that a capacity of VNF components is to be modified, the VNF components being related to a VNF;
• in case of decreasing the capacity, selecting one or more of the VNF components for removal and causing relocation or rebalancing of a load of the selected one or more of the VNF components to a remainder of the VNF components and requesting removal of the selected one or more of the VNF components;
• and
• in case of increasing the capacity, determining additional one or more VNF components to be deployed, requesting the additional one or more VNF components, and after receiving a command to deploy the additional one or more VNF components, causing rebalancing of a load of the VNF between the VNF components and the additional one or more VNF components.

An apparatus of a network infrastructure, comprising

• at least one processor, and
• at least one memory comprising a computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to perform operations comprising:
• determine that a capacity of virtual network function (VNF) components is to be modified, the VNF components being related to a VNF;
• in case of decreasing the capacity, select the one or more of the VNF components for removal and cause relocation or rebalancing of a load of the selected one or more of the VNF components to a remainder of the VNF components and re-quest removal of the selected one or more of the VNF components;
• and
• in case of increasing the capacity, determine additional one or more of VNF components to be deployed, request the additional one or more VNF components, and after receiving a command to deploy the additional one or more VNF components cause rebalancing of a load of the VNF between the VNF components and the additional one or more VNF components.

An apparatus of a network infrastructure, comprising

• at least one processor, and
• at least one memory comprising a computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to perform operations comprising:
• determine that a capacity of a virtual network function (VNF) is to be modified;
• transmit an update request to the VNF, the request comprising an amount of capacity;
• receive a request from the VNF, the request comprising information on VNF components the VNF requests to be created or removed;
• and
• transmit a command to the VNF to deploy or remove the VNF components.