Network function virtualization service chaining
AssigneeTelefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
InventorZu Qiang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for managing a service set in network function virtualization (NVF) are provided. A service set can be defined as an ordered list of services to be applied to packet traffic and assigned to instances of the services in a distributed pool of virtual hosts. Responsive to determining that a first service in the service set is to be transferred from a first host to a second host, other services in the service set can also be identified to be transferred to the second host to maintain quality of service and latency as a packet is processed by the service set.
Claims18
A method for managing a service set, comprising:
- defining a service set as an ordered list of service functions to be applied to packet traffic;
- assigning each service function in the service set to an instance of the respective service function at a first host location;
- responsive to determining that a first service function in the service set is to be transferred from an instance of the first service function at the first host location to an instance of the first service function at a second host location,
- identifying a second service function in the service set in accordance with the second service function being adjacent to the first service function in the ordered list of service functions and the second service function being available in the second host location;
- and
- sending an instruction to transfer the second service function in the service set from an instance of the second service function at the first host location to an instance of the second service function at the second host location.
A manager node comprising a processor and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processor whereby the manager node is operative to:
- define a service set as an ordered list of service functions to be applied to packet traffic;
- assign each service function in the service set to an instance of the respective service function at a first host location;
- responsive to determining that a first service function in the service set is to be transferred from an instance of the first service function at the first host location to an instance of the first service function at a second host location,
- identify a second service function in the service set in accordance with the second service function being adjacent to the first service function in the ordered list of service functions and the second service function being available in the second host location;
- and
- send an instruction to transfer the second service function in the service set from an instance of the second service function at the first host location to an instance of the second service function at the second host location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.