A virtual network function (VNF) deployment method and apparatus, the method including separately setting indication information of a common parameter and dedicated parameter in a virtual network function descriptor (VNFD), to indicate a source of a value of the common parameter and a source of a value of the dedicated parameter, where the common parameter and the dedicated parameter are included in input parameters. When assigning values to the common parameter and the dedicated parameter, a virtualization service provider obtains the value of the common parameter based on the indication information of the common parameter, and obtains the value of the dedicated parameter based on the indication information of the dedicated parameter.

Examples of the present disclosure describe a testing framework for adaptive virtual services. In an example, a function vendor provides a network function having stated specifications to a service provider. A derived signature is generated for the network function (e.g., based on associated metadata, an image associated with the network function, and/or a network signature for the network function), which is used to classify the network function. The testing framework is used to test the network function according to its classification, thereby determining a set of capabilities. In examples, a network function having the same or similar signature as a previously tested network function may be categorized according to the previously tested network function. The network function is categorized according to its determined capabilities and added to an inventory of network functions for the service provider. Network functions in the inventory can then be selected to form a computer network.

Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to service correlation across hybrid cloud architecture to support container hybridization. According to one aspect of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, an overlay network can instantiate a message bus between a first cloud network and a second cloud network. The overlay network can receive, via the message bus, a request from the second cloud network for a container image stored in a containerized application asset repository of the first cloud network. The overlay network can retrieve, via the message bus, the container image from the containerized application asset repository. The overlay network can provide, via the message bus, the container image to the second cloud network for creating a container based upon the container image.

At an SDN controller executing using a processor and a memory, a tracing packet is configured with a default value in a tag field. The tracing packet is inserted from the SDN controller into the SDN at a switch in the SDN. A returned packet and a port identifier is received at the controller, from the switch, the returned packet including a modified content in a location of the tracing packet that is different from the tag field. The port identifier corresponds to a port of the switch on which the switch received the returned packet from an middlebox. A function of the middlebox is identified by analyzing a modification applied to the modified content by the middlebox. The function of the middlebox and a location of the middlebox in the SDN are saved. The location includes the port identifier and an identifier of the switch.

The present disclosure relates to communication methods and communication apparatuses. In one example method, a first data analytics network element receives first information of an application from a first network element, where the first information includes at least one of first application description information or an application status that correspond/corresponds to the application. The first application description information includes an application identifier and first IP information that correspond to the application, and the application status includes a foreground state or a background state of the application. The first data analytics network element determines second information based on the first information. The first data analytics network element sends the second information to a second network element.

A method for communication in service management and orchestration is provided. The method includes receiving, by a Non-real time radio access network (RAN) Intelligent Controller (Non-RT RIC) framework, a first subscription message from an Element Management System (EMS), wherein the first subscription message is used to request second data used to run a Non-RT RIC application (rApp). The method includes transmitting, by the Non-RT RIC framework, a first callback message to the rApp according to the first subscription message to notify the rApp that the EMS requests the second data. The method includes transmitting, by the rApp, the second data to the EMS according to the first callback message

There is disclosed a node for routing data packets in a flow. The node generally comprises a receiver which is configured to receive a command to reroute the flow from a first source route to a second source route. The node also includes a processor for determining that a period of time between first and second consecutive data packets of the flow exceeds a threshold value and a transmitter configured to transmit the second data packet on the second source route in response to the determination. Alternatively, the determination of a period of time between first and second consecutive data packets of the flow can be made by a network controller which can instruct a given node to perform the rerouting of the flow in a manner to route only the second and following consecutive data packets along the second source route.

A method and system provide for inline packet response generation implemented by a network device functioning as a switch in a software defined networking (SDN) network. The method configures the flow control pipeline to enable the inline response generation without use of the control channel and SDN controller after configuration. The method includes connecting with the SDN controller, receiving a packet out data packet from SDN controller with a template message and a buffer identifier (ID) for the template message, and identifying the received packet out data packet as containing the template message. The method further includes installing the template message into a buffer with corresponding buffer ID, receiving a first data packet from the SDN controller identifying matching criteria and the buffer ID, and updating a flow control pipeline to match on the matching criteria and to point to the buffer with the buffer ID.

Techniques to manage media flows for broadcast with public cloud networks. A request for a media flow is received. A location of the media flow is identified based on a registration database configured to maintain locations of media flows across a media production facility and a public cloud network facility. The media flow is accessed, and at least one of the receiving entity or the requesting entity is configured to generate media based on the media flow.

This application provides a network slice configuration method, apparatus, and system, and pertains to the field of wireless communications technologies. The method includes: after receiving a management request of a network slice, obtaining or determining, by a network slice manager, network resource information corresponding to a subnet included in the network slice, and then sending, in a form of a subnet management request to a subnet manager, the network resource information corresponding to the subnet, so that the subnet manager configures the corresponding subnet based on the network resource information corresponding to the subnet. In this application, network slice configuration efficiency can be improved.