Abstract: A method (200) of managing a communications network comprising a plurality of hosts by allocating instances of virtual network function components, VNFC, to hosts, the method comprising receiving (210) a request for allocation of an instance of a VNFC to a host, the instance belonging to an anti-affinity group, AAG, of instances and attempting allocation (220) of the instance to a host. If allocation of the instance fails (230) because for each host considered for allocation of the instance a first number of instances, WA, belonging to the AAG that are allocable to a single host would be exceeded by allocation of the instance to the host the method comprises assigning (232) to the instance a second number of instances, WA?, belonging to the AAG that are allocable to a single host, wherein WA? is greater than WA and reattempting allocation (234) of the instance.

Abstract: A method (100) in a Software Defined Network (SDN) is disclosed, the SDN comprising a plurality of resources including Network Elements (NEs), and network links connecting the NEs. The method comprises receiving a user generated request to provision an SDN Datapath in the SDN (110), the request comprising performance metrics for the SDN Datapath and a geographic constraint to be applied to resources used in provisioning the SDN Datapath. The method further comprises assembling a candidate set of resources to provision the SDN Datapath (120) and initiating provision of the SDN Datapath in accordance with the received performance metrics using resources selected from the candidate set (130). Assembling a candidate set of resources to provision the SDN Datapath comprises obtaining a geographic location attribute of resources in the SDN (120a) and populating the candidate set with those resources having a geographic location attribute satisfying the received geographic constraint (120b).

Abstract: A technique for resolving a link failure occurring on a link between a first virtualized network function, VNF, and a second VNF provided in a cloud computing environment is disclosed. A method implementation of the technique is performed by the first VNF and comprises receiving a link failure notification comprising link recovery status information indicating a current recovery status of the link, and triggering an action depending on the link recovery status information to resolve the link failure.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method, an arrangement and a computer program for configuring a secure domain, SD, in a network functions virtualization infrastructure. The SD comprises virtual objects handling privileged information. NS instance information of a virtual object is obtained based on input from a party associated with the SD. The NS instance information is searched for a level of confidentiality and a geographic location information. When having identified the level of confidentiality and the geographic location information, the virtual object is allocated to the SD according to the geographic location information, based on the level of confidentiality and a specific role of the party. It is an advantage that access to a SD is allowed or granted based on the specific role of the party.

Abstract: Managing a communications network involves allocating hosts (100) for instances (105) of a virtual network function component (155). From a request to allocate, a number N is obtained indicating a minimum number of the instances to be available, and a number M indicating how many additional instances are to be allocated. If the allocations are requested to be to different hosts (anti affinity) and if the sharing of the instances by the virtual network function component can be adapted in the event of unavailability, then allocating is carried out automatically (230) of N+M of the instances to less than N+M of the hosts, so that if any one of the allocated hosts becomes unavailable there are sufficient hosts so that the virtual network function component can still be shared across at least N of the instances. Fewer hosts are needed, saving costs.