Abstract: It is provided a method, comprising qualitatively checking if an infrastructure provides all features required to fulfill a request to set up a network slice instance; quantitatively checking if an available capacity of the infrastructure is sufficient to fulfill the request to set up the network slice instance; inhibiting the quantitative checking if, according to the qualitative checking, the infrastructure does not provide all the features required to fulfill the request to set up the network slice instance.

Abstract: It is provided a method, comprising qualitatively checking if an infrastructure provides all features required to fulfill a request to set up a network slice instance; quantitatively checking if an available capacity of the infrastructure is sufficient to fulfill the request to set up the network slice instance; inhibiting the quantitative checking if, according to the qualitative checking, the infra-structure does not provide all the features required to fulfill the request to set up the network slice instance.

Abstract: Various methods are provided for enabling the application of machine learning to network management and in particular to enabling cognitive network management in radio access networks. One example method may comprise interpreting one or more operator goals for the CNM or for a specific CF to ensure that the specific CF adjusts its behavior in order to fulfil the operator goals, abstracting an environment into states configured for use in subsequent decision making, wherein the abstracted environment represent are built from one or more of a combination of quantitative KPIs, abstract state labels, and operational contexts, defining legal candidate network configurations for different contexts of the CF based on the abstracted environments and operational contexts as inferred by the EMA engine, and matching a current abstract state, abstracted environment, or operational context as derived by the EMA engine to an appropriate network configuration selected from the set of legal candidate network configurations.

Abstract: There are provided measures for network objectives management. Such measures for enabling network objectives management in radio access networks exemplarily comprise maintaining a plurality of key performance indicator entries, each key performance indicator entry comprising at least an optimization direction of a respective key performance indicator and prioritized target values for said respective key performance indicator, and providing said prioritized target values for a selected key performance indicator expected to be achieved by a cognitive function to said cognitive function.

Abstract: There are provided measures for network objectives management.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods in a communication system are provided. A method comprises receiving a service request comprising service requirements; determining, based on the service request, service level specification of the request, the service level specification comprising performance parameters and network functions to support the requested service; normalizing the determined service level specification by scaling the performance parameters according into a given normalization model of the network to obtain normalized service level specification; determining, based on the network functions and the given normalization model, normalized performance capability of the network functions and a configuration of a network slice supporting the requested service; comparing the normalized service level specification to the normalized performance capability; and determining, based on the comparison, whether the requested service can be realized with the network slice, and if so, create the slice.

Abstract: A method of coordinating a communication network comprising a self-coordination network coordinator is provided, wherein the method comprises receiving dynamic context information at the self-coordination network coordinator and performing a coordination of at least one self-organising network function instance based on the received dynamic context information.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods in a communication system are provided. A method comprises receiving a service request comprising service requirements; determining, based on the service request, service level specification of the request, the service level specification comprising performance parameters and network functions to support the requested service; normalizing the determined service level specification by scaling the performance parameters according into a given normalization model of the network to obtain normalized service level specification; determining, based on the network functions and the given normalization model, normalized performance capability of the network functions and a configuration of a network slice supporting the requested service; comparing the normalized service level specification to the normalized performance capability; and determining, based on the comparison, whether the requested service can be realized with the network slice, and if so, create the slice.

Abstract: The invention relates to a network entity installed in a network comprising an operator objective interface for receiving operator objectives; a SON-Function model interface for receiving at least a first SON Function Model, wherein the network entity is adapted to link the operator objectives with the first SON-Function model in order to adapt a SON Function for influencing a network behavior. Moreover the invention relates to a method for automatic controlling of at least one SON Function.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving at a training coordinator training information from a self-organizing network function and network related information and providing to a self-organizing network function coordinator a first training request comprising a training request for said self-organizing network function and one or more of network related information and training information about one or more other self-organizing network functions.

Abstract: Various methods are provided for enabling the application of machine learning to network management and in particular to enabling cognitive network management in radio access networks.

Abstract: A method comprising: determining within a measurement interval at least one effective network control function instance; selecting a subsequent measurement interval measurement data for at least one succeeding function; and executing the at least one succeeding function dependent on the subsequent measurement interval measurement data.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving at a training coordinator training information from a self-organising network function and network related information and providing to a self-organising network function coordinator a first training request comprising a training request for said self-organising network function and one or more of network related information and training information about one or more other self-organising network functions.

Abstract: A method of coordinating a communication network comprising a self-coordination network coordinator is provided, wherein the method comprises receiving dynamic context information at the self-coordination network coordinator and performing a coordination of at least one self-organising network function instance based on the received dynamic context information.

Abstract: A mechanism to handle conflict situations relating to configuration parameter value changes that can be made by two or more different self-organizing network functions is provided. The mechanism is based on storing and maintaining at least short term history information on configuration parameter value changes (33, 34, 35, 36) and utilizing the history information to determine whether or not to allow a configuration parameter value change.

Abstract: The invention relates to a network entity installed in a network comprising an operator objective interface for receiving operator objectives; a SON-Function model interface for receiving at least a first SON Function Model, wherein the network entity is adapted to link the operator objectives with the first SON-Function model in order to adapt a SON Function for influencing a network behavior. Moreover the invention relates to a method for automatic controlling of at least one SON Function.

Abstract: A method of operating a communication network comprising a verification component is provided, wherein the method comprises achieving at the verification component a verification plan defining a verification process associated with a specific network operation; and executing the verification plan after deploying the specific network operation.

Abstract: An integration apparatus for integrating a network node into a communication network may include a monitoring device, a policy device, an identifying manager device, a linking manager device, a commissioning manager device. The monitoring device can be configured to detect activating of the network node within the communication network. The identifying manager device can be configured to identify the activated network node. Furthermore, the identifying manager device may be further configured to receive a policy from the policy device. Such exemplary policy may be configured to facilitate an integration of the identified network node into the communication network. The linking manager device can be configured to establish a link between the network node and at least the integration apparatus. Further, the commissioning manager device can be configured to use the link to configure the network node in accordance with the policy.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of integration apparatus, communication network and method for integrating a network node into a communication network can be provided. For example, an integration apparatus for integrating a network node into a communication network may include a monitoring device, a policy device, an identifying manager device, a linking manager device, a commissioning manager device. The monitoring device can be configured to detect activating of the network node within the communication network. The identifying manager device can be configured to identify the activated network node. Furthermore, the identifying manager device may be further configured to receive a policy from the policy device. Such exemplary policy may be configured to facilitate an integration of the identified network node into the communication network. The linking manager device can be configured to establish a link between the network node and at least the integration apparatus.

Abstract: A mechanism to handle conflict situations relating to configuration parameter value changes that can be made by two or more different self-organizing network functions is provided. The mechanism is based on storing and maintaining at least short term history information on configuration parameter value changes (33, 34, 35, 36) and utilizing the history information to determine whether or not to allow a configuration parameter value change.