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: 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: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for analyzing a process of a communication taking place between at least two instances, wherein the communication process comprises a sequence of several calls, which in turn comprise at least one message, wherein the communication process is represented on a display unit by symbols, and wherein a first plurality of messages forms a first procedure and a second plurality of messages forms a second procedure, and the first plurality of messages is represented by a first symbol and the second plurality of messages is represented by a second symbol, so that one procedure each is represented by a single symbol. Embodiments of the invention also relate to protocol testers for performing the method.

Abstract: A method performed by a media control unit provides an interactive experience with audiovisual content of a DVD played by a multimedia player and includes: receiving a user-generated signal representative of a response of the user to a first video sequence of the audiovisual content of the DVD presented to the user; in response to the user-generated signal, determining media control signals for communicating to the multimedia device that will result in the multimedia player playing an appropriate video sequence of the audiovisual content of the DVD representing a reply to the user's response; and wirelessly communicating, for receipt by the multimedia device, the determined media control signals, whereby the appropriate video sequence is played in reply to the user's response.