Abstract: A method for enabling cloud-based management services using an on-site management cloud engine includes establishing a single secure communication channel between a management cloud engine (MCE) located in a customer premises and a cloud management services platform located in a cloud computing infrastructure, receiving, by the MCE from a unified management service (UMS) manager located in the cloud management services platform, a management instruction message directed to at least one network function located in the customer premises via the single secure communication channel, converting instruction data contained in the management instruction message to a legacy protocol recognized by the at least one network function, and providing the converted instruction data to the at least one network function.

Abstract: A method for enabling cloud-based management services using an on-site management cloud engine includes establishing a single secure communication channel between a management cloud engine (MCE) located in a customer premises and a cloud management services platform located in a cloud computing infrastructure, receiving, by the MCE from a unified management service (UMS) manager located in the cloud management services platform, a management instruction message directed to at least one network function located in the customer premises via the single secure communication channel, converting instruction data contained in the management instruction message to a legacy protocol recognized by the at least one network function, and providing the converted instruction data to the at least one network function.

Abstract: A system that manages a network of network elements receives a network topology of the network elements, where the network elements include a first type of network elements and a second type of network elements. The system creates a first network function (“NF”) group that corresponds to the first type of network elements, and creates a second NF group that corresponds to the second type of network elements. The system implements a functionality of the first NF group on a physical network function component. The system implements a functionality of the second NF group as a virtual machine (“VM”). The system then forms a composite network function (“CNF”) using the first NF group and the second NF group. The CNF can be centrally managed.

Abstract: A system that manages a network of network elements receives a network topology of the network elements, where the network elements include a first type of network elements and a second type of network elements. The system creates a first network function (“NF”) group that corresponds to the first type of network elements, and creates a second NF group that corresponds to the second type of network elements. The system implements a functionality of the first NF group on a physical network function component. The system implements a functionality of the second NF group as a virtual machine (“VM”). The system then forms a composite network function (“CNF”) using the first NF group and the second NF group. The CNF can be centrally managed.