Abstract: There are provided measures for conflict resolution in a network virtualization scenario, wherein a virtualized network function is utilized by a first virtualized network service managed by a first network component and a second virtualized network service managed by a second network component. The measures comprise requesting, by the first network component, an alteration of the virtualized network function, transmitting information indicative of the alteration of the virtualized network function to the second network component, and determining when the alteration of the virtualized network function impacts the second virtualized network service.

Abstract: There are provided measures for resource placement control in network virtualization scenarios. Such measures exemplarily comprise, in a network virtualization scenario, determining, by a first network entity managing a virtualized network function, constraints related to said virtualized network function, transmitting, by said first network entity, information indicative of said constraints to a second network entity managing resource capacity in said network virtualization scenario, and deciding, by said second network entity, resources or resource capacity to be allocated for said virtualized network function, based on said information indicative of said constraints.

Abstract: There are provided measures for resource placement control in network virtualization scenarios. Such measures exemplarily comprise, in a network virtualization scenario, determining, by a first network entity managing a virtualized network function, constraints related to said virtualized network function, transmitting, by said first network entity, information indicative of said constraints to a second network entity managing resource capacity in said network virtualization scenario, and deciding, by said second network entity, resources or resource capacity to be allocated for said virtualized network function, based on said information indicative of said constraints.

Abstract: A method and apparatus may include transmitting a scaling request. The scaling request comprises a request for virtualized network function expansion or virtualized network function contraction. The scaling request is transmitted to a second network node. A first domain is directed to application level details. A second domain is directed to virtualization level details. The scaling request comprises: (1) a relative target capacity that is generic to both the first domain and the second domain, (2) an absolute target capacity that is specific to the first domain, or (3) a relative target capacity that is specific to virtualized network function level targets. The method may also include receiving a notification that a virtualization network function has been updated based on the transmitted scaling request.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for virtualized network function (VNF) decomposition are provided. An embodiment of the invention includes to first decompose the Network Function into smaller blocks: application, platform, and resources (i.e., compute, network, and storage), then manage the decomposed application and platform parts by separate entities (e.g., EM/VNFM). This decomposition may be applied to the Network Elements (i.e., the current building blocks of telecommunication networks) and to the VNFs.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for moving VNF instances between network service instances are provided. One method includes, when a real network service is being instantiated, transmitting or receiving a move virtualized network function (VNF) operation to move at least one virtualized network function (VNF) instance from a source network service to a target network service.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses, methods, computer programs, computer program products and computer-readable media regarding managing the graceful termination of a virtualized network function (VNF) instance. The method comprises receiving a request for a graceful termination of a virtual network function instance, transmitting the request for the graceful termination of the virtual network function instance to an element manager, checking, whether a confirmation that the virtual network function instance to be terminated has been taken out of service, is received, and if the confirmation is received, terminating the virtual network function instance.

Abstract: Various communication systems may benefit from the appropriate selection of monitored parameters. For example, certain wireless communication systems may benefit from virtual network function indicator selection mechanisms that can be applied by a virtual network function manager. A method can include preparing an indicator declaration for an indicator value of a virtualized network function descriptor. The method can also include providing, in the indicator declaration, an indication of importance of the indicator value.

Abstract: The present invention addresses method, apparatus and computer program product for resource management within a distributed system in a core network element, comprising organizing computing resources of the core network element into sets, wherein a first set is always active, setting an upper threshold and a lower threshold for the load of the sets, wherein the sets in operation are loaded as long as the average load of the sets in operation reaches the upper threshold, and when the upper threshold is exceeded, a new set is activated, whereas, when the load thereof falls below the lower threshold, the last activated set is deactivated, assigning a priority number to each set, segmenting an interval of random numbers for randomizing a request distribution in subintervals which are allocated to the computing resources of the active sets, wherein the length of each subinterval is determined based on the priority number of the set of the respective computing resource, and allotting a random number out of the inte

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for coordinated scheduling of network function virtualization infrastructure (NFVI) maintenance are provided. One method includes receiving, by a network function virtualization entity, a request for scheduled maintenance of a network function virtualization infrastructure (NFVI). The method may also include determining whether one or more resources required for the maintenance of the NFVI are reserved, and sending an approval or rejection of the request for maintenance based on the determination of whether the resources are reserved.

Abstract: There are provided measures for conflict resolution in a network virtualization scenario, wherein a virtualized network function is utilized by a first virtualized network service managed by a first network component and a second virtualized network service managed by a second network component. The measures comprise requesting, by the first network component, an alteration of the virtualized network function, transmitting information indicative of the alteration of the virtualized network function to the second network component, and determining when the alteration of the virtualized network function impacts the second virtualized network service.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for moving VNF instances between network service instances are provided. One method includes, when a real network service is being instantiated, transmitting or receiving a move virtualized network function (VNF) operation to move at least one virtualized network function (VNF) instance from a source network service to a target network service.

Abstract: According to an embodiment there is provided a method comprising; collecting a first type of measurement and a second type of measurement, said first and second types of measurement being used together by an entity; and causing values of said first type of measurement to be sent with associated values of said second type of measurement to be sent.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for virtualized network function (VNF) decomposition are provided. An embodiment of the invention includes to first decompose the Network Function into smaller blocks: application, platform, and resources (i.e., compute, network, and storage), then manage the decomposed application and platform parts by separate entities (e.g., EM/VNFM). This decomposition may be applied to the Network Elements (i.e., the current building blocks of telecommunication networks) and to the VNFs.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses, methods, computer programs, computer program products and computer-readable media regarding managing the graceful termination of a virtualized network function (VNF) instance. The method comprises receiving a request for a graceful termination of a virtual network function instance, transmitting the request for the graceful termination of the virtual network function instance to an element manager, checking, whether a confirmation that the virtual network function instance to be terminated has been taken out of service, is received, and if the confirmation is received, terminating the virtual network function instance.

Abstract: It is provided an apparatus, comprising selecting means adapted to select one set of parameters/values out of a first set of parameters/values and a second set of parameters/values received in an activation message related to a trace session of a subscriber or a terminal, wherein the selected set of parameters/values corresponds to the trace session in a first domain of the apparatus and the other set of parameters/values corresponds to the trace session in a second domain different from the first domain; providing means adapted to provide the selected set of parameters/values and an identifier to a tracing device for performing the trace session in the first domain, wherein the identifier is received in the activation message and related to the trace session.

Abstract: A method and apparatus may include transmitting a scaling request. The scaling request comprises a request for virtualized network function expansion or virtualized network function contraction. The scaling request is transmitted to a second network node. A first domain is directed to application level details. A second domain is directed to virtualization level details. The scaling request comprises: (1) a relative target capacity that is generic to both the first domain and the second domain, (2) an absolute target capacity that is specific to the first domain, or (3) a relative target capacity that is specific to virtualized network function level targets. The method may also include receiving a notification that a virtualization network function has been updated based on the transmitted scaling request.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer-readable medium is provided for performing RLF functionality within a trace functionality. As part of trace functionality, RLF information, in the form of one or more RLF reports, is collected. When MDT information is also collected as part of trace functionality, the RLF information and the MDT information is correlated.

Abstract: The present invention addresses method, apparatus and computer program product for resource management within a distributed system in a core network element, comprising organizing computing resources of the core network element into sets, wherein a first set is always active, setting an upper threshold and a lower threshold for the load of the sets, wherein the sets in operation are loaded as long as the average load of the sets in operation reaches the upper threshold, and when the upper threshold is exceeded, a new set is activated, whereas, when the load thereof falls below the lower threshold, the last activated set is deactivated, assigning a priority number to each set, segmenting an interval of random numbers for randomizing a request distribution in subintervals which are allocated to the computing resources of the active sets, wherein the length of each subinterval is determined based on the priority number of the set of the respective computing resource, and allotting a random number out of the inte

Abstract: Communication networks in general may benefit from appropriate policy based management. More particularly, heterogeneous networks or HetNets may benefit from methods for policy based management. A method according to certain embodiments includes detecting a reportable event. The method also includes determining whether or how to report the event based on a probability criterion. The method further includes taking an action with respect to reporting the event based on whether the probability criterion is met.