Abstract: An approach is provided for optimizing a deployment pattern. Precedent system(s) that have components that match components in an initial deployment pattern of a new system are identified. A historical performance of the precedent system(s) is determined to not satisfy target non-functional requirements (NFRs) and target service levels of the new system. Responsive to determining that the historical performance did not satisfy the NFRs and the target service levels, the components in the initial deployment pattern are modified and a new deployment pattern for the new system is generated so that (i) the new deployment pattern includes the modified components and (ii) a performance of the new system using the new deployment pattern is likely to satisfy the target NFRs and the target service levels. A recommendation for deploying the new system using the new deployment pattern is generated.

Abstract: An approach is provided for optimizing a deployment pattern. Precedent system(s) that have components that match components in an initial deployment pattern of a new system are identified. A historical performance of the precedent system(s) is determined to not satisfy target non-functional requirements (NFRs) and target service levels of the new system. Responsive to determining that the historical performance did not satisfy the NFRs and the target service levels, the components in the initial deployment pattern are modified and a new deployment pattern for the new system is generated so that (i) the new deployment pattern includes the modified components and (ii) a performance of the new system using the new deployment pattern is likely to satisfy the target NFRs and the target service levels. A recommendation for deploying the new system using the new deployment pattern is generated.

Abstract: An approach is provided for optimizing a deployment pattern. Event and configuration data of precedent systems is aggregated. Based on the aggregated data, a metadata model of the precedent systems is generated. Components of an initial deployment pattern of a new system are identified. Target non-functional requirements (NFRs) and target service levels of the new system are determined. Based on the metadata model, precedent system(s) that have components that match or are similar to the components in the initial deployment pattern are identified. A performance of the precedent system(s) is compared to the NFRs and target service levels. A new deployment pattern for the new system is generated. The new deployment pattern includes a modification of the components identified in the initial deployment pattern. A recommendation for deploying the new system using the new deployment pattern is generated.

Abstract: A method and associated computer system. A processor queries a service catalog and a virtual service inventory to obtain network service instances including a virtual network function. The processor seamlessly replaces the virtual network function by a new version of the virtual network function without interruption of the network service in the production environment. The processor deploys the new version of the virtual network function unattached to the production environment, including: replacing a network address of the virtual network function in the load balancer with a network address of the new version of the virtual network function. In response to a determination by the processor that the virtual network function has a floating network address, the processor detaches the floating network address from the virtual network function and attaches the detached floating network address to the new version of the virtual network function.

Abstract: A method and associated computer system. A processor queries a service catalog and a virtual service inventory to obtain network service instances including a virtual network function. The processor seamlessly replaces the virtual network function by a new version of the virtual network function without interruption of the network service in the production environment. The processor deploys the new version of the virtual network function unattached to the production environment, including: replacing a network address of the virtual network function in the load balancer with a network address of the new version of the virtual network function. In response to a determination by the processor that the virtual network function has a floating network address, the processor detaches the floating network address from the virtual network function and attaches the detached floating network address to the new version of the virtual network function.

Abstract: A method and associated computer system. A processor queries a service catalog and a virtual service inventory to obtain network service instances including a virtual network function. The processor deploys a new version of the virtual network function by performing at least one step of the following steps: replacing the network address of the virtual network function with the network address of the new version of the virtual network function; detaching a floating network address from the virtual network function and attaching the detached floating network address to the new version of the virtual network function (if one of the obtained network service instances is connected to a load balancer and/or the virtual network function is configured with an inherent load balancing); replacing the instance identifier of the virtual network function in a forwarding policy rule with the instance identifier of the new version of the virtual network function.

Abstract: A method and associated system for testing a virtual network function by a virtual network tester, wherein a predefined certification context specification specifies services based on the virtual network function in form of different usage patterns, and wherein a predefined test case selection matrix specifies applicable test cases for each usage pattern. In response to selecting a usage pattern from the different sage patterns, the applicable test cases are determined from the test case selection matrix and control parameters of the test case selection matrix based on the selected usage pattern.

Abstract: An approach is provided for optimizing a deployment pattern. Event and configuration data of precedent systems is aggregated. Based on the aggregated data, a metadata model of the precedent systems is generated. Components of an initial deployment pattern of a new system are identified. Target non-functional requirements (NFRs) and target service levels of the new system are determined. Based on the metadata model, precedent system(s) that have components that match or are similar to the components in the initial deployment pattern are identified. A performance of the precedent system(s) is compared to the NFRs and target service levels. A new deployment pattern for the new system is generated. The new deployment pattern includes a modification of the components identified in the initial deployment pattern. A recommendation for deploying the new system using the new deployment pattern is generated.

Abstract: A method and associated system for testing a virtual network function by a virtual network tester, wherein a predefined certification context specification specifies services based on the virtual network function in form of different usage patterns, and wherein a predefined test case selection matrix specifies applicable test cases for each usage pattern. In response to selecting a usage pattern from the different sage patterns, the applicable test cases are determined from the test case selection matrix and control parameters of the test case selection matrix based on the selected usage pattern.

Abstract: A method and associated computer system. A processor queries a service catalog and a virtual service inventory to obtain network service instances including a virtual network function. The processor deploys a new version of the virtual network function by performing at least one step of the following steps: replacing the network address of the virtual network function with the network address of the new version of the virtual network function; detaching a floating network address from the virtual network function and attaching the detached floating network address to the new version of the virtual network function (if one of the obtained network service instances is connected to a load balancer and/or the virtual network function is configured with an inherent load balancing); replacing the instance identifier of the virtual network function in a forwarding policy rule with the instance identifier of the new version of the virtual network function.

Abstract: A method and system for testing a Virtualized Network Function (VNF) in a network. Metadata including test parameters pertaining to a network environment specific to the VNF is retrieved. At least one Virtualized Network Tester (VNT) for testing the VNF is created and stored in the network. The metadata is mapped to a test list to define a test suite of test cases based on the test parameters in the metadata. The VNF is tested by the at least one VNT according to the test suite to enable the at least one VNT to emulate the network environment specific to the VNF. The VNF is disconnected from the network and from virtual networks during the testing. If the testing is successful, the VNF is attached to the network and to virtual networks to enable the VNF to be deployed in the network. If the testing is unsuccessful, the method ends.

Abstract: A method and system for testing a Virtualized Network Function (VNF) in a network. Metadata including test parameters pertaining to a network environment specific to the VNF is retrieved. At least one Virtualized Network Tester (VNT) for testing the VNF is created and stored in the network. The metadata is mapped to a test list to define a test suite of test cases based on the test parameters in the metadata. The VNF is tested by the at least one VNT according to the test suite to enable the at least one VNT to emulate the network environment specific to the VNF. The VNF is disconnected from the network and from virtual networks during the testing. If the testing is successful, the VNF is attached to the network and to virtual networks to enable the VNF to be deployed in the network. If the testing is unsuccessful, the method ends.

Abstract: An apparatus for initiating a communication across a telecommunications network, the communication being between members of a social network, comprising means for retrieving data associated with a first subscriber from a social network server, the first subscriber being a member of the social network, the data including contact information for members of the social network associated with the subscriber, means for storing the contact information on a network server, means for providing the contact information to the subscriber, means for receiving selection of contacts with whom the subscriber wishes to initiate a communication, means for receiving selection of the type of communication with which the subscriber wishes to initiate communication with the selected contacts, and means for initiating a communication with the selected contacts across a telecommunication network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for securing login to a system. In architecture, the system includes an identifier that identifies a user to login, and a validator that validates the user access privileges. An entry mechanism allows the user to enter the system if the user access privileges are valid. The present invention can also be viewed as a method for securing login to a system. The method operates by identifying a user to login, and validating the user access privileges. The user is allowed to enter the system if the user access privileges are valid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing exception handling for a computer program. In architecture, the system includes a class creator that establishes a plurality of classes of exception types, and an exception capture mechanism that captures an exception. An exception notice generator generates an exception notice for the exception. The present invention can also be viewed as a method for providing exception handling for a computer program. The method operates by establishing a plurality of classes of exception types, and capturing an exception. An exception notice for the exception is then provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing dynamic definition of an application object. In architecture, the system includes an application dictionary that contains information about the application object, and a class dictionary entry in the application dictionary that defines meta information about the application object. A modifier modifies the application dictionary to modify a definition of the application object. The present invention can also be viewed as a method for providing dynamic definition of an application object. The method operates by providing an application dictionary that contains information about the application object, and a class dictionary entry that defines meta information about the application object. The application dictionary is modified to modify a definition of the application object.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for securing login to a system. In architecture, the system includes an identifier that identifies a user to login, and a validator that validates the user access privileges. An entry mechanism allows the user to enter the system if the user access privileges are valid. The present invention can also be viewed as a method for securing login to a system. The method operates by identifying a user to login, and validating the user access privileges.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a customer care and billing system (1), especially for communication services, comprising at least one database (7) for storage and retrieval of data which is preferably formed as a server. The system (1) comprises at least one application server with accompanying clients that communicates with the database (7), and an appropriate framework (10). Relevant services corresponding to desired customer care or billing processes are offered to the system user. The system (1) comprises a distributed component architecture including components (5) attributed in correspondence to the relevant services offered, wherein the components (5) are able to communicate with each other directly via interfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing memory management. In architecture, the system includes a first object to perform a service and a transaction context created for the first object to track all referenced objects. A modifier modifies the transaction context each time a next object is referenced. The present invention can also be viewed as a method for providing memory management. The method operates by acquiring a first object to perform a service and creating a transaction context to track all referenced objects. Then the transaction context is modified each time a next object is referenced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing object to object communication. In architecture, the system includes an identifier that identifies at least two objects from a plurality of objects to communicate, and a locator that locates the at least two objects to communicate. A component framework then enables the communication of the at least two objects. The present invention can also be viewed as a method for providing object to object communication. The method operates by identifying at least two objects from a plurality of objects to communicate, and locating the at least two objects to communicate. A component framework is used to enable the communication of the at least two objects.