# US 2019/0379728 A1 · Capacity scaling for cloud based networking applications > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0379728 A1 - Document ID: US20190379728A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/463,623 - Filed: 2016-11-23 - Published: 2019-12-12 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-23 - Assignees: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy - Applicants: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy - Inventors: Jan Peter HELLSTROM; Maria Sisko Leena KIVILAHTI-LOUHI; Jyri Kimmo Petteri PELTONEN - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190379728A1 ## CPC - G06F 9/5083: {Techniques for rebalancing the load in a distributed system} - H04L 67/1001: for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers - G06F 9/5072: {Grid computing} - H04L 12/4641: {Virtual LANs, VLANs, e.g. virtual private networks [VPN] (LAN interconnection over a bridge based backbone H04L12/462; encapsulation techniques H04L12/4633; routing of packets H04L45/00; packet switches H04L49/00; virtual private networks for security H04L63/0272)} - H04L 43/16: Threshold monitoring - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract A method and apparatus for scaling cloud computing re-sources e.g. virtual network function (VNF) components in a network comprises detecting a need for increasing or decreasing one or more of virtual network function (VNF) components, the VNF components being related to a VNF. In case of decreasing, one or more of the VNF components are selected for removal and the load of the selected one or more of the VNF components is relocated or rebalanced to a remainder of the VNF components and removal of the selected one or more of the VNF components is requested. In case of increasing, one or more VNF components to be deployed is determined, the additional one or more VNF components is requested, and after receiving a command to deploy the additional one or more VNF components the load of the VNF is rebalanced between the VNF components and the additional one or more VNF components. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-17. (canceled) ### Claim 18 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. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A method according to claim 18, wherein the determining comprises receiving a message comprising a request to modify capacity of the VNF by changing a number of the VNF components. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) A method according to claim 18, further comprising: initiating rebalancing of the load of the selected one or more of the VNF components to the remainder of the VNF components in response to the load decreasing below a first predetermined threshold; and requesting removal of the selected one or more of the VNF components in response to the load crossing a second predetermined threshold. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) A method according to claim 20, further comprising: interrupting the rebalancing and removal of the selected one or more of the VNF components in response to the load increasing above a third predetermined threshold that is higher than the first predetermined threshold. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) A method according to claim 20, wherein the determining comprises monitoring the load of the VNF and observing that the load increases above a fourth predetermined threshold that is higher than the first predetermined threshold. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, wherein deploying the additional one or more VNF components further comprises deploying the additional one or more VNF components in response to the load increasing above the fourth predetermined threshold. ### Claim 24 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. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The apparatus of claim 24, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus further to perform: receive a message comprising a request to modify the capacity of the VNF by changing a number of the VNF components. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The apparatus of claim 24, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus further to perform: initiate rebalancing of the load of the selected one or more of the VNF components to the remainder of the VNF components in response to the load decreasing below a first predetermined threshold; and request removal of the selected one or more of the VNF components in response to the load crossing a second predetermined threshold. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The apparatus of claim 26, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus further to perform: interrupt the rebalancing and removal of the selected one or more of the VNF components in response to the load increasing above a third predetermined threshold that is higher than the first predetermined threshold. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) The apparatus of claim 24, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus further to perform: monitor the load of the VNF and observing that the load increases above a fourth predetermined threshold. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The apparatus of claim 28, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus further to perform: deploy the additional one or more VNF components in response to the load increasing above the fourth predetermined threshold. ### Claim 30 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. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The apparatus of claim 30, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus further to perform: receive from a network element a message comprising a request to modify the capacity of the VNF. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The apparatus of claim 30, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus further to perform: monitor the operation of the VNF and determining the need for modifying the capacity of a the VNF based on the monitoring of the operation of the VNF.