Abstract: Systems and methods for network function virtualization (NFV) resource management are disclosed that include receiving, by a network functions virtualization orchestrator (NFVO), a reuse requirement for a first network service (NS) and determining, by the NFVO, that at least one constituent virtual network function (VNF) instance in the first NS is retainable for reuse in a second NS according to the reuse requirement when the first NS is to be terminated. In some embodiments, these systems and methods also include retaining, by the NFVO, the at least one constituent VNF instance in the first NS for reuse in the second NS.

Abstract: Systems and methods for network function virtualization (NFV) resource management are disclosed that include receiving, by a network functions virtualization orchestrator (NFVO), a reuse requirement for a first network service (NS) and determining, by the NFVO, that at least one constituent virtual network function (VNF) instance in the first NS is retainable for reuse in a second NS according to the reuse requirement when the first NS is to be terminated. In some embodiments, these systems and methods also include retaining, by the NFVO, the at least one constituent VNF instance in the first NS for reuse in the second NS.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for terminating a virtual network function (VNF) instance according to termination requirements of the VNF instance. The termination requirements may be defined in a VNF descriptor corresponding to the VNF instance. A network function virtualization (NFV) management entity may obtain the termination requirements and initiate termination of the VNF instance based on the obtained termination requirements.

Abstract: This application provides an unmanned aerial vehicle authentication method and an apparatus. The method includes: sending, by a communications device after determining that a type of a terminal is a UAV, authentication information of the terminal to an authentication server, so that the authentication server can perform authentication on the terminal based on the authentication information of the terminal, and therefore, the authentication server completes authentication on the terminal. In addition, the unmanned aerial vehicle is allowed to fly only after authentication on the terminal succeeds. Therefore, flight security of the unmanned aerial vehicle can be improved.

Abstract: A Virtual Network Function Descriptor (VNFD) parameter may include subfields that allow a management entity to determine whether the VNFD parameter can be updated. The subfields may include a write-ability subfield that indicates whether the VNFD parameter is a dynamic/configurable VNFD parameter or a fixed/static VNFD parameter. The VNFD parameter may also include an access permission subfield that indicates which entities are authorized to modify/update the VNFD parameter. The VNFD parameter may also include an administrative priority subfield that indicates a priority of an entity that set an attribute of the VNFD parameter. The VNFD parameter may also include a constraints subfield that indicates one or more conditions that are required to occur in order for the VNFD parameter to be updated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for wireless network selection includes obtaining, by a user equipment (UE) from a visitor access network discovery and selection function (V-ANDSF) server, a visitor policy and creating a wireless local area network (WLAN) priority list in accordance with the visitor policy, a home policy, and a priority indicator. The method also includes selecting a WLAN from the priority list as a selected network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for terminating a virtual network function (VNF) instance according to termination requirements of the VNF instance. The termination requirements may be defined in a VNF descriptor corresponding to the VNF instance. A network function virtualization (NFV) management entity may obtain the termination requirements and initiate termination of the VNF instance based on the obtained termination requirements.

Abstract: Traffic data is divided into data streams corresponding to workloads, and the data streams are multiplexed onto slice segments based on a multiplexing requirement or rule. Each slice segment is a physical or virtual processing element in a wireless network supporting network slicing. In one example, the data streams are multiplexed onto the slice segments such that data streams having different utility definitions are assigned to different slice segments. In another example, the data streams are multiplexed onto the slice segments such that workloads in the same cluster partitioned in a T-dimensional vector space are assigned to different slice segments.

Abstract: A method embodiment for network authentication includes selecting, by a user equipment (UE), an access network for establishing a network connection and receiving one or more network authentication status indications for a network associated with the access network. The method further includes implementing a network authentication and selection policy in accordance with the one or more network authentication status indications.

Abstract: A Virtual Network Function Descriptor (VNFD) parameter may include subfields that allow a management entity to determine whether the VNFD parameter can be updated. The subfields may include a write-ability subfield that indicates whether the VNFD parameter is a dynamic/configurable VNFD parameter or a fixed/static VNFD parameter. The VNFD parameter may also include an access permission subfield that indicates which entities are authorized to modify/update the VNFD parameter. The VNFD parameter may also include an administrative priority subfield that indicates a priority of an entity that set an attribute of the VNFD parameter. The VNFD parameter may also include a constraints subfield that indicates one or more conditions that are required to occur in order for the VNFD parameter to be updated.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for cross-domain deployment of a network service, the method including obtaining, by a primary orchestrator, a network service instantiation request, where the network service instantiation request requests that the primary orchestrator instantiate the network service, obtaining network service description information across orchestrator management domains, determining, according to the network service description information, a first virtualized network function that needs to be deployed in a management domain of a secondary orchestrator, and sending a virtualized network function instantiation request to the secondary orchestrator, where the virtualized network function instantiation request requests that the secondary orchestrator to instantiate the first virtualized network function, where a management domain of the primary orchestrator is different from the management domain of the secondary orchestrator.

Abstract: A virtualized network function (VNF) life cycle management (LCM) method is disclosed that includes sending, by a virtualized network function manager (VNFM), a grant request for a VNF LCM operation to a network functions virtualization orchestrator (NFVO), wherein the grant request comprises a requested wide area network (WAN) connectivity requirement for connecting multiple sites that virtualized network function components (VNFCs) of the virtualized network function (VNF) instance are placed in, and the VNF comprises at least two VNFCs placed in different sites. In this embodiment the method also includes receiving, by the VNFM, a grant response from the network functions virtualization orchestrator (NFVO), wherein the grant response comprises WAN Infrastructure Manager (WIM) information and a granted WAN connectivity requirement approved by the NFVO.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer instructions for allocating an IP address for an instance in a network function virtualization (NFV) system, that when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of obtaining a first requirement of IP address allocation from VNFD by a first node in the NFV system, determining a second requirement of IP address allocation for the instance according to the first requirement; and sending to a second node in the NFV system the second requirement, wherein the IP address is allocated for the instance based upon the second requirement.

Abstract: A system and method for network functions virtualization management and orchestration includes a virtualized infrastructure manager, a network functions virtualization orchestrator coupled to the virtualized infrastructure manager, a virtual network function manager coupled to the network functions virtualization orchestrator, one or more dedicated network services coupled to the network functions virtualization orchestrator, the one or more dedicated network services being orchestrated by the network functions virtualization orchestrator in accordance with a generic network service descriptor, and one or more dedicated network functions coupled to the virtual network function manager, the virtual network function manager configured to manage the dedicated network functions in accordance with a generic network function descriptor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for network function virtualization (NFV) resource management are disclosed that include receiving, by a network functions virtualization orchestrator (NFVO), a reuse requirement for a first network service (NS) and determining, by the NFVO, that at least one constituent virtual network function (VNF) instance in the first NS is retainable for reuse in a second NS according to the reuse requirement when the first NS is to be terminated. In some embodiments, these systems and methods also include retaining, by the NFVO, the at least one constituent VNF instance in the first NS for reuse in the second NS.

Abstract: System and method for resource management are disclosed. These include receiving, by a virtualized network function (VNF) manger (VNFM) entity, from a network functions virtualization orchestrator (NFVO) entity a granting indication including a granting granularity in which the NFVO entity permits the VNFM entity to perform multiple VNF management operations for one or more VNFs, determining, by the VNFM entity, that a first VNF management operation is in a scope of permission based on the granting indication upon the first VNF management operation being triggered, and sending, by the VNFM entity, a first resource allocation request for the first VNF management operation to a virtual infrastructure manager (VIM) entity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for network function virtualization (NFV) resource management are disclosed that include receiving, by a network functions virtualization orchestrator (NFVO), a reuse requirement for a first network service (NS) and determining, by the NFVO, that at least one constituent virtual network function (VNF) instance in the first NS is retainable for reuse in a second NS according to the reuse requirement when the first NS is to be terminated. In some embodiments, these systems and methods also include retaining, by the NFVO, the at least one constituent VNF instance in the first NS for reuse in the second NS.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for resource management by a network functions virtualization orchestrator (NFVO). These systems and methods include embodiments whereby a NFVO obtains requirements for a network service lifecycle management (LCM) operation, determines a delegating granting decision for a virtualized network function (VNF) manager (VNFM) associated with the network service LCM operation in accordance with the requirements for the network service LCM operation that grants a permission for the VNFM to perform multiple VNF LCM operations under one or more constraints, and sends the delegating granting decision to the VNFM.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for wireless network selection includes obtaining, by a user equipment (UE) from a visitor access network discovery and selection function (V-ANDSF) server, a visitor policy and creating a wireless local area network (WLAN) priority list in accordance with the visitor policy, a home policy, and a priority indicator. The method also includes selecting a WLAN from the priority list as a selected network.

Abstract: A virtualized network function (VNF) life cycle management (LCM) method is disclosed that includes sending, by a virtualized network function manager (VNFM), a grant request for a VNF LCM operation to a network functions virtualization orchestrator (NFVO), wherein the grant request comprises a requested wide area network (WAN) connectivity requirement for connecting multiple sites that virtualized network function components (VNFCs) of the virtualized network function (VNF) instance are placed in, and the VNF comprises at least two VNFCs placed in different sites. In this embodiment the method also includes receiving, by the VNFM, a grant response from the network functions virtualization orchestrator (NFVO), wherein the grant response comprises WAN Infrastructure Manager (WIM) information and a granted WAN connectivity requirement approved by the NFVO.