Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, apparatuses and computer readable mediums for Virtual Network Function (VNF) management. In example embodiments, there is provided a method of managing a VNF. The method includes sending, from a VNF manager to a charging component, at least one request for charging information associated with at least one VNF. The VNF manager manages the at least one VNF. The charging information indicates respective rates for charging the at least one VNF under different network conditions. The method further includes, in response to receiving the charging information, managing lifecycle of the at least one VNF at least in part based on the charging information.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, apparatuses and computer readable mediums for Virtual Network Function (VNF) management. In example embodiments, there is provided a method of managing a VNF. The method includes sending, from a VNF manager to a charging component, at least one request for charging information associated with at least one VNF. The VNF manager manages the at least one VNF. The charging information indicates respective rates for charging the at least one VNF under different network conditions. The method further includes, in response to receiving the charging information, managing lifecycle of the at least one VNF at least in part based on the charging information.

Methods and apparatus relating to identifying an instance of a virtual network function are provided. In one aspect, a method performed by a Network Functions Virtualisation Orchestrator is provided. The method comprises receiving, from a Virtual Network Function Manager (VNFM) identifying information for at least one Virtual Network Function, VNF, instance instantiated at the VNFM, wherein the identifying information is received from the VNFM in response to registration of one of the NFVO and the VNFM at the other of the NFVO and the VNFM. The method further comprises creating a record at the NFVO for the at least one VNF instance identified by the VNFM.

Methods and apparatus relating to identifying an instance of a virtual network function are provided. In one aspect, a method performed by a Network Functions Virtualisation Orchestrator is provided. The method comprises receiving, from a Virtual Network Function Manager (VNFM) identifying information for at least one Virtual Network Function, VNF, instance instantiated at the VNFM, wherein the identifying information is received from the VNFM in response to registration of one of the NFVO and the VNFM at the other of the NFVO and the VNFM. The method further comprises creating a record at the NFVO for the at least one VNF instance identified by the VNFM.

A non-transitory computer readable media, methods, system and network function virtualization orchestrator can be used to instantiate a network service operating as at least a portion of a network slice. A network service descriptor describing the network service comprises at least one service deployment flavor; zero or more sharing allowed attribute defining if the network service or constituent instances of the network service is allowed to be shared with another network service instance, or with its constituent instances; and zero or more external placement rule attribute defining if the network service or constituent instances of the network service, is affine or anti-affine with current and future other network service or constituent instances of the current and future other network service.

A non-transitory computer readable media, methods, system and network function virtualization orchestrator can be used to instantiate a network service operating as at least a portion of a network slice. A network service descriptor describing the network service comprises at least one service deployment flavor; zero or more sharing allowed attribute defining if the network service or constituent instances of the network service is allowed to be shared with another network service instance, or with its constituent instances; and zero or more external placement rule attribute defining if the network service or constituent instances of the network service, is affine or anti-affine with current and future other network service or constituent instances of the current and future other network service.

The present disclosure relates to a communication method and system for converging a 5.sup.th-Generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4.sup.th-Generation (4G) system with a technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. The support of a virtual network group according to an embodiment of the present disclosure enables efficient communication of a terminal by using an external network, configured via an existing short-range communication network, or a private network between terminals based on 5G. Accordingly, a network operator or an entity in charge thereof enables terminals to interwork with equipment through communication via a virtual private network without changes in an existing communication method or a network structure, or without adding additional equipment.

The disclosure provides a method and a device for efficiently operating network slicing. According to the disclosure, a method of operating a first node configured to manage a network slice of a communication system includes: transmitting a service level agreement (SLA) range for each network slice subnet and a message requesting a resource according to the SLA range to a second node configured to manage the network slice subnet, receiving SLA arrangement flavor mapping relationship information in the network slice subnet unit from the second node, and identifying the SLA arrangement flavor mapping relationship in a network slice unit based on the received SLA arrangement flavor mapping relationship information in a network slice subnet unit.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media analyzing memory usage in a network node. A network assurance appliance may be configured to query a node in the network fabric for a number of hardware level entries, stored in memory for the node, that are associated with a concrete level network rule. The network assurance appliance may identify a logical level network intent associated with the concrete level network rule, identify a logical level component of the logical level network intent, and attribute the number of hardware level entries to the logical level component.

Disclosed is a 5.sup.th generation (5G) or a pre-5G communication system provided to support a higher data transmission rate than that of post-4.sup.th generation (4G) communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE). A method of operating a network node in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes receiving, from a plurality of first network nodes, network data, generating first recommendation operation information for a second network node based on the network data, and transmitting, to the second network node, a first analysis result message including the first recommendation operation information.