Apparatus, method and computer program for a communication system

Abstract

A layered management system, 360, for managing network elements (NE), 334, in a network. A network management function (NMF), 330, in a first layer sends a message to an element management function (E

Description

[0001] The present application relates to a method, apparatus, and computer program for a communication system. In particular but not exclusively, the present application relates to management of communications systems. BACKGROUND

[0002] A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities such as user terminals, base stations and / or other nodes by providing carriers between the various entities involved in the communications path. A communication system can be provided for example by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. A communication device of a user may be referred to as user equipment (UE) or user device.

[0003] The communication system and associated devices typically operate in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. Communication protocols and / or parameters which shall be used for the connection are also typically defined. One example of a communications system is UTRAN (3G radio). Other examples of communication systems are the long-term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology and so-called 5G or New Radio (NR) networks. NR is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Other examples of communication systems include 5G-Advanced (NR Rel-18 and beyond) and 6G.

[0004] Due to the large number of network elements in a mobile network the management of mobile networks is typically split into several layers, e.g. according to ITU-T m.3010. SUMMARY

[0005] According to a first aspect there is provided a method comprising: sending, from a network management function in a first layer of a layered management system of a communication network to an element management function in a second layer of the layered management system, a message comprising information of a configuration management change to be implemented, the message also comprising a target field; and populating the target field with information for indicating whether the information of a configuration management change is to be propagated by the element management function to a management function for a network element, wherein the management function for the network element is in a third layer of the layered management system.

[0006] According to some examples the populating the target field comprises populating the target field with information indicating that the information of a configuration management change is to be stored by the element management function in the second layer, instead of propagating the information of a configuration management change to the management function for network element.

[0007] According to some examples the method comprises determining at the network management function whether the information of a configuration management change is to be propagated to the network element or whether the configuration management change is to be stored by the element management function in the second layer instead of propagating the information of a configuration management change to the management function for network element.

[0008] According to some examples the method comprises determining, by the network management function, a type of the configuration management change.

[0009] According to some examples the type of configuration management change comprises any one of: a create operation; an update operation; a delete operation.

[0010] According to some examples the network element comprises a base station, and the type of configuration management change comprises any one of: an operation to create a new cell; an operation to update one or more parameters of an existing cell; an operation to delete an existing cell.

[0011] According to some examples the first layer is a relatively higher layer than the second layer, and the second layer is a relatively higher layer than the third layer, in the layered management system.

[0012] According to some examples the network management function informs the element management function that the element management function is to augment the information of a configuration management change before propagating the information of a configuration management change to the management function for the network element.

[0013] According to some examples, the network management function informs the element management function that element management function is to augment the information of a configuration management change with vendor-specific information.

[0014] According to a second aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising a network management function, the apparatus comprising means for performing: sending, from the network management function in a first layer of a layered management system of a communication network to an element management function in a second layer of the layered management system, a message comprising information of a configuration management change to be implemented, the message also comprising a target field; and populating the target field with information for indicating whether the information of a configuration management change is to be propagated by the element management function to a management function for a network element, wherein the management function for the network element is in a third layer of the layered management system.

[0015] According to some examples the means are further configured to perform populating the target field with information indicating that the information of a configuration management change is to be stored by the element management function in the second layer, instead of propagating the information of a configuration management change to the management function for network element.

[0016] According to some examples the means are further configured to perform determining at the network management function whether the information of a configuration management change is to be propagated to the network element or whether the configuration management change is to be stored by the element management function in the second layer instead of propagating the information of a configuration management change to the management function for the network element.

[0017] According to some examples the means are further configured to perform determining, by the network management function, a type of the configuration management change.

[0018] According to some examples the type of configuration management change comprises any one of: a create operation; an update operation; a delete operation.

[0019] According to some examples the network element comprises a base station the type of configuration management change comprises any one of: an operation to create a new cell; an operation to update one or more parameters of an existing cell; an operation to delete an existing cell.

[0020] According to some examples the first layer is a relatively higher layer than the second layer, and the second layer is a relatively higher layer than the third layer, in the layered management system.

[0021] According to some examples the means are further configured to perform causing the network management function to inform the element management function that the element management function is to augment the information of a configuration management change before propagating the information of a configuration management change to the management function for the network element.

[0022] According to a third aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising a network management function, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: sending, from the network management function in a first layer of a layered management system of a communication network to an element management function in a second layer of the layered management system, a message comprising information of a configuration management change to be implemented, the message also comprising a target field; and populating the target field with information for indicating whether the information of a configuration management change is to be propagated by the element management function to a management function for a network element, wherein the management function for the network element is in a third layer of the layered management system.

[0023] According to a fourth aspect there is provided a computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus comprising a network management function, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: sending, from the network management function in a first layer of a layered management system of a communication network to an element management function in a second layer of the layered management system, a message comprising information of a configuration management change to be implemented, the message also comprising a target field; and populating the target field with information for indicating whether the information of a configuration management change is to be propagated to a management function for a network element, wherein the management function for the network element is in a third layer of the layered management system.

[0024] According to a fifth aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus comprising a network management function, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: sending, from the network management function in a first layer of a layered management system of a communication network to an element management function in a second layer of the layered management system, a message comprising information of a configuration management change to be implemented, the message also comprising a target field; and populating the target field with information for indicating whether the information of a configuration management change is to be propagated to a management function for a network element, wherein the management function for the network element is n a third layer of the layered management system.

[0025] According to a sixth aspect there is provided a method comprising: receiving, at an element management function in a second layer of a layered management system of a communication network from a network management function in a first layer of the layered management system, a message comprising information of a configuration management change to be implemented, the message also comprising a target field; and in response to reading the target field determining, at the element management function in the second layer, whether to propagate the information of a configuration management change to a management function for a network element, wherein the management function for the network element is in a third layer of the layered management system.

[0026] According to some examples the method comprises determining, in response to reading the target field, that the configuration management change is to be stored by the element management function in the second layer, without propagating the information of a configuration management change to the management function for the network element in the third layer.

[0027] According to some examples the method comprises determining, in response to reading the target field, that the configuration management change is to be stored by the element management function in the second layer, instead of propagating the information of a configuration management change to the management function for the network element in the third layer.

[0028] According to some examples the method comprises determining, in response to reading the target field, that the configuration management change is to be stored by the element management function in the second layer, and to delay propagating the information of a configuration management change to the management function for the network element in the third layer.

[0029] According to some examples the method comprises determining, in response to reading the target field, that the configuration management change is to be stored by the element management function in the second layer, and to delay propagating the information of a configuration management change to the management function for the network element in the third layer until the information of the configuration management change has been augmented by the element management function.

[0030] According to some examples the configuration management change comprises one or more of: a create operation; an update operation; a delete operation.

[0031] According to some examples the network element comprises a base station and the configuration management change comprises any one of: an operation to create a new cell; an operation to update one or more parameters of an existing cell; an operation to delete an existing cell.

[0032] According to some examples the first layer is a relatively higher layer than the second layer, and the second layer is a relatively higher layer than the third layer, in the layered management system.

[0033] According to some examples, based on information received from the network management function, the element management function determines that the element management function is to augment the information of a configuration management change before propagating the information of a configuration management change to the management function for the network element.

[0034] According to some examples, the element management function determines that the element management function is to augment the information of a configuration management change with vendor-specific information.

[0035] According to a seventh aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising an element management function, the apparatus comprising means for performing: receiving, at the element management function in a second layer of a layered management system of a communication network from a network management function in a first layer of the layered management system, a message comprising information of a configuration management change to be implemented, the message also comprising a target field; and in response to reading the target field determining, at the element management function in the second layer, whether to propagate the information of a configuration management change to a management function for a network element, wherein the management function for the network element is in a third layer of the layered management system.

[0036] According to some examples the apparatus comprises means for determining, in response to reading the target field, that the configuration management change is to be stored by the element management function in the second layer, without propagating the information of a configuration management change to the management function for the network element in the third layer.

[0037] According to some examples the configuration management change comprises one or more of: a create operation; an update operation; a delete operation.

[0038] According to some examples the network element comprises a base station and the configuration management change comprises any one of: an operation to create a new cell; an operation to update one or more parameters of an existing cell; an operation to delete an existing cell.

[0039] According to some examples the first layer is a relatively higher layer than the second layer, and the second layer is a relatively higher layer than the third layer, in the layered management system.

[0040] According to some examples the apparatus comprises means for, based on information received from the network management function, causing the element management function to determine that the element management function is to augment the information of a configuration management change before propagating the information of a configuration management change to the management function for the network element.

[0041] According to some examples, the apparatus comprises means for causing the element management function to determine that the element management function is to augment the information of a configuration management change with vendor-specific information.

[0042] According to an eighth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising an element management function, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, at the element management function in a second layer of a layered management system of a communication network from a network management function in a first layer of the layered management system, a message comprising information of a configuration management change to be implemented, the message also comprising a target field; and in response to reading the target field determining, at the element management function in the second layer, whether to propagate the information of a configuration management change to a management function for the network element, wherein the management function for the network element is located in a third layer of the layered management system.

[0043] According to a ninth aspect there is provided a computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus comprising an element management function, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, at the element management function in a second layer of a layered management system of a communication network from a network management function in a first layer of the layered management system, a message comprising information of a configuration management change to be implemented, the message also comprising a target field; and in response to reading the target field determining, at the element management function in the second layer, whether to propagate the information of a configuration management change to a management function for the network element, wherein the management function for the network element is located in a third layer of the layered management system.

[0044] According to a tenth aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus comprising an element management function, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, at the element management function in a second layer of a layered management system of a communication network from a network management function in a first layer of the layered management system, a message comprising information of a configuration management change to be implemented, the message also comprising a target field; and in response to reading the target field determining, at the element management function in the second layer, whether to propagate the information of a configuration management change to a management function for the network element, wherein the management function for the network element is located in a third layer of the layered management system.

[0045] According to an eleventh aspect there is provided a method comprising: sending, from a network management function in a first layer of a layered management system of a communication network to an element management function in a second layer of the layered management system a message comprising a request for information pertaining to a network element in the communication system; and appending, to the message, a field indicative of whether the element management function should (i) respond using information stored in a memory of the element management function, or (ii) obtain the information from a management function for the network element before responding to the network management function.

[0046] According to some examples the network element is a base station and the request for information comprises a request for information of a cell of the network element.

[0047] According to some examples the information of a cell of the network comprises one or more of: frequency information; geographical information; information of a number of user equipment in the cell; mobility information of one or more user equipment in the cell.

[0048] According to some examples the request for information comprises a read operation.

[0049] According to a twelfth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising a network management function, the apparatus comprising means for sending, from the network management function in a first layer of a layered management system of a communication network to an element management function in a second layer of the layered management system a message comprising a request for information pertaining to a network element in the communication system; and appending, to the message, a field indicative of whether the element management function should (i) respond using information stored in a memory of the element management function, or (ii) obtain the information from a management function for the network element before responding to the network management function.

[0050] According to some examples the network element is a base station and the request for information comprises a request for information of a cell of the network element.

[0051] According to some examples the information of a cell of the network comprises one or more of: frequency information; geographical information; information of a number of user equipment in the cell; mobility information of one or more user equipment in the cell.

[0052] According to some examples the request for information comprises a read operation.

[0053] According to a thirteenth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising a network management function, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: sending, from the network management function in a first layer of a layered management system of a communication network to an element management function in a second layer of the layered management system a message comprising a request for information pertaining to a network element in the communication system; and appending, to the message, a field indicative of whether the element management function should (i) respond using information stored in a memory of the element management function, or (ii) obtain the information from a management function for a network element before responding to the network management function.

[0054] According to a fourteenth aspect there is provided a computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus comprising a network management function, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: sending, from the network management function in a first layer of a layered management system of a communication network to an element management function in a second layer of the layered management system a message comprising a request for information pertaining to a network element in the communication system; and appending, to the message, a field indicative of whether the element management function should (i) respond using information stored in memory of the element management function, or (ii) obtain the information from a management function for the network element before responding to the network management function.

[0055] According to a fifteenth aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus comprising a network management function, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: sending, from the network management function in a first layer of a layered management system of a communication network to an element management function in a second layer of the layered management system a message comprising a request for information pertaining to a network element in the communication system; and appending, to the message, a field indicative of whether the element management function should (i) respond using information stored in memory of the element management function, or (ii) obtain the information from a management function for the network element before responding to the network management function.

[0056] According to a sixteenth aspect there is provided a method comprising: receiving, at an element management function in a second layer of a layered management system of a communication network from a network management function in a first layer of a layered management system, a message comprising a request for information pertaining to a network element in the communication system; and wherein the message comprises a field including an indicator that is indicative of whether the element management function should (i) respond using information stored in a memory of the element management function, or (ii) obtain the information from the network element in a third layer of the layered management system before responding to the apparatus; and selectively performing (i) or (ii) based on the indicator in the field.

[0057] According to some examples, the network element comprises a base station and the request for information comprises a request for cell information.

[0058] According to some examples, the request for information comprises a read operation.

[0059] According to a seventeenth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising an element management function, the apparatus comprising means for: receiving, at the element management function in a second layer of a layered management system of a communication network from a network management function in a first layer of a layered management system, a message comprising a request for information pertaining to a network element in the communication system; and wherein the message comprises a field including an indicator that is indicative of whether the element management function should (i) respond using information stored in a memory of the element management function, or (ii) obtain the information from a management function for the network element before responding to the apparatus; and selectively performing (i) or (ii) based on the indicator in the field.

[0060] According to some examples, the network element is a base station and the request for information comprises a request for cell information.

[0061] According to some examples, the request for information comprises a read operation.

[0062] According to an eighteenth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising an element management function, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, at the element management function in a second layer of a layered management system of a communication network from a network management function in a first layer of a layered management system, a message comprising a request for information pertaining to a network element in the communication system; and wherein the message comprises a field including an indicator that is indicative of whether the element management function should (i) respond using information stored in a memory of the element management function, or (ii) obtain the information from a management function for the network element before responding to the apparatus; and selectively performing (i) or (ii) based on the indicator in the field.

[0063] According to a nineteenth aspect there is provided a computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus comprising an element management function, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, at an element management function in a second layer of a layered management system of a communication network from a network management function in a first layer of a layered management system, a message comprising a request for information pertaining to a network element in the communication system; and wherein the message comprises a field including an indicator that is indicative of whether the element management function should (i) respond using information stored in memory of the element management function, or (ii) obtain the information from a management function for the network element before responding to the apparatus; and selectively performing (i) or (ii) based on the indicator in the field.

[0064] According to a twentieth aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, at an element management function in a second layer of a layered management system of a communication network from a network management function in a first layer of a layered management system, a message comprising a request for information pertaining to a network element in the communication system; and wherein the message comprises a field including an indicator that is indicative of whether the element management function should (i) respond using information stored in memory of the element management function, or (ii) obtain the information from a management function for the network element before responding to the apparatus; and selectively performing (i) or (ii) based on the indicator in the field. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0065] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

[0066] Figure 1 shows a representation of a network system according to some example embodiments;

[0067] Figure 2 shows an example layered network management hierarchy;

[0068] Figures 3A and 3B show layered network management hierarchies according to some examples;

[0069] Figure 4 shows a layered network hierarchy according to some examples;

[0070] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a control apparatus according to some example embodiments;

[0071] Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of an apparatus according to some example embodiments;

[0072] Figures 7 to 10 are method flow charts according to some examples;

[0073] Figure 11 shows a schematic representation of a non-volatile memory medium storing instructions which when executed by a processor allow a processor to perform one or more of the steps of the methods of some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] In the following, certain embodiments are explained with reference to mobile communication devices capable of communication via a wireless cellular system and mobile communication systems serving such mobile communication devices. Before explaining in detail the exemplifying embodiments, certain general principles of a wireless communication system, access systems thereof, and mobile communication devices are briefly explained with reference to Figure 1 to assist in understanding the technology underlying the described examples.

[0075] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a 5G system (5GS), which is provided by way of example of a communication system. The 5GS may comprise a terminal or user equipment (UE) 100, a 5G radio access network (5GRAN) 102 or next generation radio access network (NG-RAN), a 5G core network (5GC) 104, one or more application function (AF) 106 and one or more data networks.

[0076] The 5G-RAN may comprise one or more base stations, gNodeB (gNB) or one or more gNodeB (gNB) distributed unit functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) centralized unit functions. A base station may be considered, in some examples, as a network element.

[0077] The 5GC 104 may comprise one or more of the following entities or functions: Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF); Network Exposure Function 108; Network Repository Function (NRF); Policy Control Function (PCF); Unified Data Management (UDM) 110; Application Function (AF) 106; Authentication Server Function (AUSF) 112; an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 114; Session Management Function (SMF) 116; User Plane Function 118; and Data Network 120. Figure 1 also shows the various interfaces (N1, N2 etc.) that may be implemented between the various elements of the system. Other functions, such as a network management function (NWF) and an element management function (EM) may also be comprised in the 5GC 104.

[0078] It is noted that whilst some embodiments are described in relation to 5G networks, similar principles can be applied in relation to other networks and communication systems such as 5G-Advanced networks or 6G networks.

[0079] As noted briefly above, due to the large number of network elements in a mobile network the management of mobile networks is typically split into several layers, for example according to ITU-T m.3010. Management functions in a higher layer will typically have a more general view of the network than the lower layers. In other words, it may be considered that a lower management layer in the hierarchy may view the network with a finer degree of granularity. However, the higher layers may have higher authority and be able to control one or more aspects of the lower layers. Roles of some management layers are summarized below. • Business management: Defines the products that are offered to customers; responsible for interactions between network and customers, including charging / billing. • Service management: Uses the network to compose services that are sold as product to customers or that are used as components for other services. • Network management: Configures the individual network elements to form a network. For example, network management layer configures the handover relations between individual cells of a mobile network such that UE are able to move seamlessly between cells. For example, in a cellular network each cell needs to know certain information about its neighbouring cells in order to decide whether and at which point of time to handover UEs towards such neighbour cells. In a typical base station each HO relation is configured by several hundred parameters, frequency being one of them. Configuration of handover relations is a typical case of network management. However, network management is not aware of all (vendor-specific) details of the network elements. Network management layer may comprise one or more network management functions (NMF). • Element management: Handles individual network elements with all their (e.g. vendorspecific) details. For example an element management function may manage one or more of: configuration parameters; measurements; alarms. The element management layer may comprise one or more element management functions (EM). An element management function may also be referred to as an element management system (EMS). • Network elements: Might offer management functionality by their own, e.g. functions for self-optimizing. Alternatively, there may be management functions for network elements and the management, and respective management functions are configured to provide management functionality for respective network elements. For example, there may be a management function for a network element that is configured to automatically detect and configure neighbour relations, perform energy saving, load balancing. Further, the management functions included in the network elements are responsible for distributing configuration information, alarms, state information, and telemetry data in order to maintain an up-to-date picture of the network at the element management layer. The management function for a network element may be included in the network element. For example, a base station or a user equipment may be considered a network element.

[0080] Configuration of the network is usually performed in a top-down approach. The more abstract or higher layers in the management hierarchy may state or set the requirements for the next lower layer. The lower layer is then responsible to add or implement those requirements. In some examples, the higher layer of management functions is not aware of details of how the lower layer has implemented the requirement.

[0081] To transfer configuration information between the management functions, the management functions are connected by management interfaces. The management interfaces are standardized e.g. according to 3GPP SA5, in order to allow for interoperability between management functions of different vendors.

[0082] Most current management interfaces are “object-oriented”. For example, the management interfaces represent various aspects of the managed network elements by managed objects (e.g. cells). For example, a management function, via one or more interfaces, may control one or more cells. Object-oriented interfaces for configuration management may offer operations to one or more of: create; read; update; delete managed objects.

[0083] By way of example, a network management function can invoke a “create” operation of a “cell” object to create a new instance of a cell at the element management function. Operations for read, update, and delete work likewise.

[0084] An example management function hierarchy, or layered management system, is shown in Figure 2 which shows a network management function (NMF) 230, an Element Management Function (EM) 232; and a management function (not shown) for a Network Element (NE) 234. In Figure 2, the management function for the NE 234 is included in the NE 243. Element management function 232 may also be referred to as an element management system (EMS). In this example it may be considered that within the network layer hierarchy the NMF is in a higher layer than the EM, and the EM is in a higher layer than the management function for NE 234. It is to be noted that an NMF, an EM, or the management function for the NE may be comprised in hardware, software, or a combination of both. For example, entities within the hierarchy (such as NMF, EM, NE) could be (or comprised in) physical entities, virtualized entities, or a combination of both. In one example, a network element (NE) can comprise a base station (gNB). Also, it will be appreciated that the hierarchy shown in Figure 2 is by way of example only, and in practice there could be more or fewer layers. In practice there will also likely be more entities. For example, there may be two or more (or many) of each of the NMF, EM, NE. Some examples may also relate to a service-based management architecture (SBMA), where there may be as many layers as needed and the hierarchy architecture can be more fluid (i.e. not necessarily fixed).

[0085] Figure 2 also schematically shows a Managed Object Instance (MOI), which is one instance of an information object class (IOC).

[0086] It will be appreciated that the management function hierarchy as shown in Figure 2 could be implemented (by way of non-limiting example) in a system as shown in Figure 1.

[0087] The present disclosure identifies that currently the semantics of configuration operations is not well-defined in the standards. For example, the present disclosure identifies that a target (e.g. target function or target entity) of an operation to be carried out may not be clearly defined. For example, if a management function of the network management layer deploys, invokes or decides to implement a configuration management operation at an element management function, then it is not clear whether • 1) the operation shall affect the configuration or configuration management in the element management function only, or whether • 2) the element management function shall further propagate the requested changes to the network elements I functions.

[0088] The present disclosure also identifies that both scenarios may be useful, and it depends on the overall use case which scenario to apply.

[0089] For example, in operation and maintenance (OAM), configuration management (CM) may set parameters of one or more network elements. For example, CM may set a frequency of a cell, configure neighbour relationships, configure interfaces of gNB, AMF, UPF etc, such that the gNB is able to establish connections from itself towards AMF and UPF.

[0090] For certain use cases like network planning, it may be required that the element management functions update their internal configuration only, but do not propagate the changes to other network elements (at least not immediately), since the more general requirements from the higher layer may first have to be complemented or supplemented by the details.

[0091] In other cases, the network management layer might already have sufficient implementation details and may expect to remote control the network via the element management functions, i.e. the network management function may expect the element management functions to propagate the requested changes to the network elements immediately or as soon as possible.

[0092] Currently the known (standardized) management interfaces do not offer any possibility to allow the higher layer management function (e.g. the network management function) to select whether configuration management (CM) operations shall be implemented in (1) the next-lower layer management function only (e.g. the element management function), or whether (2) the operation shall be additionally propagated to further layers (e.g. the network elements).

[0093] Thus, according to the present disclosure, one or more CM operations are supplemented or augmented by a “target” attribute. For example, the one or more CM operations may include (by way of non-limiting example) one or more of “Create”; “Read”, “Update”, “Delete”. Collectively, these may be known as CRUD operations. The target attribute may indicate the target of the CM operation e.g. EM or NE. For example, a management services consumer (e.g. the MNF that consumes the management services of the EM) might, for example: • Create an MOI representing one or more of o A cell; o A neighbour relationship between two cells; o A measurement object to count a number of failed connections • Delete such an MOI again • Update MOI attributes, such as o Transmission power or frequency of a cell; o Thresholds at which a U E shall be handed over from one cell to another; o Time window for how long events like connection failures shall be counted until the counter is stored and counting will restart at zero (“granularity period”)

[0094] In practice, in a network each object may offer several hundred attributes to control the behaviour of the corresponding (physical) entity like a cell and its neighbours.

[0095] Accordingly, by using the target attribute or target field, the higher-layer management function is able to state explicitly the intended target (or “source” in case of a “Read” operation) of the CM operation.

[0096] In summary, according to the present disclosure a network management function (e.g., a function that configures individual network elements to form a mobile network) has a management interface that connects the network management function to a network element management function (e.g., a function that handles all the individual network elements that form the network). According to the disclosure, the network management function can invoke a configuration management operation at the element management function. Also according to the disclosure, the network management function can select whether a configuration management operation is to be implemented in the network element management function or whether the configuration management operation is to propagated to the individual network elements managed by the network element management function. In some examples, the way this is done is by including a new attribute or field in the configuration management service operation called “target” that indicates whether the configuration management operation is targeted for the network element function or to be propagated to the individual network elements managed by the network element management function. From the network management function’s perspective, features include the selection of the target for a configuration management operation, setting the target to a value (e.g. populating the target field) that indicates the configuration management operation is targeted for the network element function or to be propagated to the individual network elements managed by the network element management function, and invoking the management interface that connects the network management function to a network element management function to send a configuration management operation (e.g., create, read, or update configuration of a network element) that includes a new attribute with the value. Therefore in some examples the element management function (EM) evaluates the target field, and based on a value of the target field, decides whether to store the information of the CM change (and not propagate it downstream to a network element), or whether to forward or propagate the CM change request to one or more network elements. The disclosure is not limited to a particular structure of the value that is used for populating the target attribute, but by way of non-limiting example the value could be a numerical value (e.g. a 0 or a 1); or a flag; or an indicator of the target entity (e.g. EM, NE).

[0097] Reference is made to Figures 3A and 3B which schematically show a layered management system 360. In the examples of Figures 3A and 3B, network management function (NMF) 330 may be considered to be a first management function in a first layer 350 of the layered management system 360, element management function (EM) 332 may be considered to be a second management function in a second layer 352 of the layered management system, and network element (NE) 334 may be considered to be in a third layer 354 of the layered management system 360. In some examples NE 334 is also controlled by a management function (i.e. a management function in addition to NMF 330 and EM 332). It may be considered that such a management function of the NE 334 is comprised in the third layer 354. Therefore, where it is said that a message is sent or propagated to the NE, this may include sending or propagating the message to the management function of the NE (in the “third layer”). It is to be noted that the terms “first”, “second” and “third” are intended in a nonlimiting fashion and are used for the purpose of distinguishing between the different layers and functions. For example, “first layer” 350 is not necessarily the highest layer in the layered management system 360 (although of course in some examples it could be). There could also be intervening layers between the first and second layers, or between the second and third layers, in some examples.

[0098] Reference is made to Figure 3A which shows an example where NMF 330 requests a planning scenario where a CM change operation shall be sent to the element management function only, at least initially. Here, by “only” is meant that the NMF does not instruct the EM to immediately propagate or forward the information of the CM operation to the NE. This does not preclude that at some point in the future the EM may instruct the CM change at the NE, perhaps after the EM has augmented the information of the CM change operation, or by autonomous decision of the EM without instruction from the NMF. Thus, the NMF 330 indicates “target=EM” in target attribute or field 340 (in other words the NMF 330 populates the target field). EM 332 can then store and / or implement the CM change itself, without having to propagate the CM change message to the one or more NEs 334 under its control. In some examples, where it is said that the EM 332 implements the CM change itself, it may be considered that the EM 332 takes an action to cause the CM change without delegating responsibility for the CM change to a lower layer, though of course the lower layer may still be involved in the actual change.

[0099] Reference is made to Figure 3B which shows an example where NMF 330 requests a CM change which shall be applied or propagated or forwarded to the network element (NE) 334. In some examples it may be considered that the NMF 330 requests or instructs the EM to propagate or forward the information of a CM change immediately or as soon as is possible. Accordingly, the NMF 330 sets the target attribute to “target=NE”. Therefore, when EM 332 receives the message from NMF 330, it knows to pass it down the hierarchy to NE 334. Thus in some examples it may be considered that the EM 332 (and NMF 330) delegate responsibility for causing the CM change to the NE 334.

[0100] It may be considered in some examples that the management systems, or entities of the management system (such as NMF, EM, NE), can act as relays. Considering an analogy where “north” mean up and “south” means down in the layered management system, then: • In the “north” a management entity (e.g. NMF) receives management data from a higher layer entity • Internally an entity (e.g. EM) can add, complement, or refine the management data. • Towards the “south” the entity (e.g. EM) passes the data (which could be complemented and / or refined data) to the next management system or to a network function (e.g. NE).

[0101] Where CM data is sent to a network function or network element, then it may be expected that the network element behaves accordingly. For example, if the management system sets the frequency of a cell, the operator expects that the cell transmits on this frequency.

[0102] Where CM data is sent to another management system, then it may be expected that the receiving management system stores the data internally and (depending on the attribute “target”) passes this data to the next layer or the NE. But, at least in some examples, it may not be expected that the management system itself behaves according to the CM data.

[0103] Therefore it will be understood that in principle CM operations such as “Create”, “Delete”, and “Update” might be augmented by an attribute to indicate the target element or function. In some examples, such an attribute might be optional if the operations have a well-defined default value. For example, operations may have a well-defined default value in the very lowest layer of management, because this layer cannot pass anything to the next layer. Therefore the lowest layer of tools has itself as "default target", because there is no other option and thus no need for the higher layer to state any target. This may be useful for backward compatibility.

[0104] For a classical remote procedure a call oriented interfaces approach may be used. For example, for an implementation with a remote procedure calls a “create” operation may be of the form: Create (class, distinguised name, listOfAttributes[ attribute, value ], target) Having e.g. four parameters: * "class" to indicate the class to create, * Distinguished name indicates which instance to create (e.g. there are 100,000 cells) * listOfAttributes carries a list of attributes and their values which the object shall show after creation * target indicates to which layer the change shall be propagated. => target is a new parameter (which may be optional in some examples) of the operation "create" that changes a behaviour of the operation. For example, the target parameter defines a "context" to the operation but does not change the "payload".

[0105] An interface based on REST (like SA5) may be more "direct". For example, a REST interface may simply post a desired state of the desired object but is not able to pass any additional "context information" to modify the operation as such. Therefore, for 3GPP SA5 the “target” may have to find another place. In some examples, in 3GPP SA5 the objects IRPAgent and MnSAgent may be used for indicating the “target”. Therefore, in some examples, in the context of 3GPP SA5 the IOC IRPAgent and MnsAgent (see 3GPP TS 28.622) can be augmented by the attributes “createTarget”, “updateTarget”, and “getSource”, explained in more detail below. createTarget and updateTarget: The create or update operation shall be applied and propagated to the stated management layer (e.g. stated in the target attribute). If the parameter (target attribute) is absent, the configuration modification shall be applied to the next management function only, i.e. the currently assumed behavior, where the MnS consumer applies the modifications to the directly connected MnS producer only. getSource: The “get” operations shall read the information from the stated management layer. If the parameter (target attribute) is absent, the get operation shall read the configuration from the next management function, i.e. the currently assumed behavior, where the management service consumer reads the configuration from the directly connected management service producer.

[0106] In some examples, the augmentation of IRPAgentand MnsAgent offers an additional advantage that the MnS consumer does not need to set the target / source for each invocation of CM operations. The MnS consumer configures the behavior that is expected from the MnS producer such that the MnS producer will apply all operations according to the attribute values, until the MnS consumer modifies the attribute values of createTarget, updateTarget, or getSource.

[0107] With respect to a “Read” operation, an MnS consumer (e.g. the NMF) is able to perform a Read operation to query current settings of an object from an MnS producer (e.g. the EM). For example: • NMF creates a cell object with the attributes “frequency = 1, transmit power = 2”. • After some time the NMF would like to know whether the corresponding cell still has the proper attribute values or whether something has changed. To this end the NMF would send the Read operation for the corresponding cell to the EM. In turn the EM will reply with the current attribute values e.g. "frequency=1, transmit power=2".

[0108] An example “Read” operation is now explained in more detail with respect to Figure 4 which shows communication between an NMF 430 located in a first layer 450, an EM 432 located in a second layer 452, and an NE 434 located in a third layer 454. Whilst these entities (NMF, EM, NE) are given by way of example, it will be understood that the concepts can apply to other entities as well, so may be considered to apply to a first management function in a first layer, a second management function in a second layer, and a third management function in a third layer of a layered management system.

[0109] As shown in Figure 4, the NMF 430 sends a READ operation to the EMF 432. For example, the READ operation may be an operation to read the frequency of a cell.

[0110] According to some examples, the EM 432 has two options: (i) The EM 430 might respond with the latest value of the frequency that it has stored in its internal storage. This will be a quick answer, but in fact this “old” value might be outdated. To some extent, each management system may be regarded as a kind of cache that might be outdated. (ii) The EM 430 first asks the Network Element(s) 434 about the current value. The EM 432 can then first update its cache, and then inform the NMF 430 about the correct current value. Depending on the implementation the EM 432 might need to contact e.g. 100,000 network elements, which could take quite some time.

[0111] Currently, this behavior is not well-defined and is left to implementation, so it’s not clear what response the NMF will get or whether the response is accurate. The “targets” of the present disclosure provide a well-defined behavior, such that the NMF 430 is able for a READ operation to state which strategy to apply: o getSource= unspecified or a dedicated management function: Read from next lower layer management function (e.g. NMF 430 reads from EM 432) or a specified management function. o getSource = NF: Read the data from the Network Function, i.e. any intermediate management function such as EM 432 has to update its cache (e.g. by contacting one or more NE(s) 434) before delivering the correct current value back to the NMF 430.

[0112] That is, in some examples it may be considered that the NMF can send a message to the EM with an indicator that indicates whether the EM should (i) respond using information stored in a memory or cache of the element management function, or (ii) obtain the information from the network element in a third layer of the layered management system before responding to the apparatus. The EM can then selectively perform (i) or (ii) based on the indicator in the field.

[0113] For example, a read operation may request cell information such as one or more of: frequency information; geographical information; information of a number of user equipment in the cell; mobility information of one or more user equipment in the cell. It may be considered in some examples that such cell information requested in a read request may comprise information associated with a network element or pertaining to a network element.

[0114] Overall it may be considered that the present disclosure overcomes or mitigates a problem in existing systems that behaviour may depend on (unpredictable) actions of the element management function (or “second” management function). For example, the EM might forward a request to the NE (or “third function”), or it might not. The NMF may receive a positive acknowledgement that the EM did something, but in fact the NMF doesn’t actually know what the EM did. Further, the NMF has no influence on the behaviour of the EM.

[0115] Thus, an advantage of an explicit “target” field or attribute provided by the NMF to the EM includes that the NMF is able to control whether the change shall be implemented in the network element or whether the information of the CM change shall be stored in the EM only. As mentioned previously both cases may be useful, depending on the situation: in some situations the NMF wants to (remote) control the network e.g. it needs to reconfigure cells or needs to suspend or resume cells immediately. In other scenarios the NMF sends incomplete configuration data to the EM e.g. the network management function creates a new cell or neighbour relationship. Therefore, in some examples it may be considered that the network management function has a more “general” view to the network configuration, such that the NMF is aware of standardized parameters only, but is unaware of all vendor-specific configuration parameters. In this sense the configuration passed from the network management function towards the element management function may not be “complete”, because the network element requires a configuration of all attributes, not the standardized ones only. As a consequence, in some examples such incomplete configuration should not be forwarded to the network element yet. First the element management function may need or want to complement or augment the missing parameters. Thus, in some examples the NMF may be able to indicate that a specific configuration is not yet complete and that the EM should not forward this configuration to a third management function yet. The EM function may acknowledge that it has performed the task, and the NMF knows or can be informed that the data has been stored in the EM, but has not yet been forwarded to the NE.

[0116] Figure 5 illustrates an example of a control apparatus 500 for controlling a function of the 5GRAN or the 5GC as illustrated on Figure 1. For example, a control apparatus controlling an NMF, an EM or a NE may take the form of a control apparatus as shown in Figure 5. The control apparatus may comprise at least one random access memory (RAM) 511a, at least one read only memory (ROM) 511b, at least one processor 512, 513 and an input / output interface 514. The at least one processor 512, 513 may be coupled to the RAM 511a and the ROM 511b. The at least one processor 512, 513 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 515. The software code 515 may for example allow to perform one or more steps to perform one or more of the present aspects. The software code 515 may be stored in the ROM 511b. The control apparatus 500 may be interconnected with another control apparatus 500 controlling another function of the 5GRAN or the 5GC. In some embodiments, each function of the 5GRAN or the 5GC comprises a control apparatus 500. In alternative embodiments, two or more functions of the 5GRAN or the 5GC may share a control apparatus.

[0117] Figure 6 illustrates an example of a terminal 600, such as the terminal illustrated on Figure 1. The terminal 600 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples comprise a user equipment, a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known as a ’smart phone’, a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, a machine-type communications (MTC) device, an Internet of things (loT) type communication device or any combinations of these or the like. The terminal 600 may provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications. The communications may be one or more of voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia, data, machine data and so on.

[0118] The terminal 600 may be provided with at least one processor 601, at least one memory ROM 602a, at least one RAM 602b and other possible components 603 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. The at least one processor 601 is coupled to the RAM 602b and the ROM 602a. The at least one processor 601 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 608. The software code 608 may for example allow to perform one or more of the present aspects. The software code 608 may be stored in the ROM 602a.

[0119] The processor, storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and / or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 604. The device may optionally have a user interface such as key pad 605, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. Optionally one or more of a display, a speaker and a microphone may be provided depending on the type of the device.

[0120] The terminal 600 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 607 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 6 transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 606. The transceiver apparatus 606 may be provided for example by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

[0121] Figure 7 is a flow-chart of a method according to an example. For example, the flow chart of Figure 7 is viewed from the perspective of a network management function.

[0122] At S701, the method comprises sending, from a network management function in a first layer of a layered management system of a communication network to an element management function in a second layer of the layered management system, a message comprising information of a configuration management change to be implemented, the message also comprising a target field.

[0123] At S702 the method comprises populating the target field with information for indicating whether the information of a configuration management change is to be propagated by the element management function to a management function for a network element. The management function for the network element may be in a third layer of the layered management system.

[0124] Figure 8 is a flow-chart of a method according to an example. For example, the flow chart of Figure 8 is viewed from the perspective of an element management function.

[0125] As shown at S801 the method comprises receiving, at an element management function in a second layer of a layered management system of a communication network from a network management function in a first layer of the layered management system, a message comprising information of a configuration management change to be implemented, the message also comprising a target field.

[0126] As shown at S802 the method comprises, in response to reading the target field determining, at the element management function in the second layer, whether to propagate the information of a configuration management change to a management function for the network element. The management function for the network element may be in a third layer of the layered management system.

[0127] Figure 9 is a flow-chart of a method according to an example. For example, the flow chart of Figure 9 is viewed from the perspective of a network management function.

[0128] As shown at S901 the method comprises sending, from a network management function in a first layer of a layered management system of a communication network to an element management function in a second layer of the layered management system a message comprising a request for information pertaining to a network element in the communication system.

[0129] At S902 the method comprises appending, to the message, a field indicative of whether the element management function should (i) respond using information stored in a memory of the element management function, or (ii) obtain the information from a management function for a network element before responding to the network management function. The management function for the network element may be in a third layer of the layered management system.

[0130] Figure 10 is a flow-chart of a method according to an example. For example, the flow chart of Figure 10 is viewed from the perspective of an element management function.

[0131] As shown at S1001 the method comprises receiving, at an element management function in a second layer of a layered management system of a communication network from a network management function in a first layer of a layered management system, a message comprising a request for information pertaining to a network element in the communication system, wherein the message comprises a field including an indicator that is indicative of whether the element management function should (i) respond using information stored in a memory of the element management function, or (ii) obtain the information from the network element in a third layer of the layered management system before responding to the apparatus.

[0132] As shown at S1002 the method comprises selectively performing (i) or (ii) based on the indicator in the field.

[0133] Figure 11 shows a schematic representation of non-volatile memory media 1100a (e.g. computer disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD)) and 1100b (e.g. universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) storing instructions and / or parameters 1102 which when executed by a processor allow the processor to perform one or more of the steps of the method of Figures 7 to 10.

[0134] It should be understood that the apparatuses may comprise or be coupled to other units or modules etc., such as radio parts or radio heads, used in or for transmission and / or reception. Although the apparatuses have been described as one entity, different modules and memory may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0135] It is noted that whilst some embodiments have been described in relation to 5G networks, similar principles can be applied in relation to other networks and communication systems. Therefore, although certain embodiments were described above by way of example with reference to certain example architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, embodiments may be applied to any other suitable forms of communication systems than those illustrated and described herein.

[0136] It is also noted herein that while the above 25 descrbies example embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0137] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0138] In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuitry, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0139] As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.”

[0140] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term “means” in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0141] The embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of the mobile device, such as in the processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or program, also called program product, including software routines, applets and / or macros, may be stored in any apparatus-readable data storage medium and they comprise program instructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product may comprise one or more computerexecutable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it.

[0142] Further in this regard it should be noted that any blocks of the logic flow as in the Figures may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD. The physical media is a non-transitory media.

[0143] The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0144] The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may comprise one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), FPGA, gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

[0145] Embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[0146] The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the disclosure is set out by the independent claims. The embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0147] The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples a full and informative description of the exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of this disclosure will still fall within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims. Indeed, there is a further embodiment comprising a combination of one or more embodiments with any of the other embodiments previously discussed.

Claims

1. A method comprising:sending, from a network management function in a first layer of a layered management system for a communication network to an element management function in a second layer of the layered management system, a message comprising information of a configuration management change to be implemented, the message also comprising a target field; andpopulating the target field with information for indicating whether the information of a configuration management change is to be propagated by the element management function to a management function for a network element, wherein the management function for the network element is in a third layer of the layered management system.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the populating the target field comprises populating the target field with information indicating that the information of a configuration management change is to be stored by the element management function in the second layer, instead of propagating the information of a configuration management change to the management function for network element.

3. The method according to claim 2, comprising determining at the network management function whether the information of a configuration management change is to be propagated to the network element or whether the configuration management change is to be stored by the element management function in the second layer instead of propagating the information of a configuration management change to the management function for network element.

4. The method according to any of claims 1 to 3 comprising determining, by the network management function, a type of the configuration management change.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the type of configuration management change comprises any one of: a create operation; an update operation; a delete operation.

6. The method according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the network element comprises a base station and the type of configuration management change comprises any one of: an operation to create a new cell; an operation to update one or more parameters of an existing cell; an operation to delete an existing cell.

7. The method according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the network management function informs the element management function that the element management function isto augment the information of a configuration management change before propagating the information of a configuration management change to the network element.

8. A method comprising:receiving, at an element management function in a second layer of a layered management system of a communication network from a network management function in a first layer of the layered management system, a message comprising information of a configuration management change to be implemented, the message also comprising a target field; andin response to reading the target field determining, at the element management function in the second layer, whether to propagate the information of a configuration management change to a management function for a network element, wherein the management function for the network element is located in a third layer of the layered management system.

9. The method according to claim 8 comprising determining, in response to reading the target field, that the configuration management change is to be stored by the element management function in the second layer, without propagating the information of a configuration management change to the network element in the third layer.

10. The method according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the configuration management change comprises one or more of: a create operation; an update operation; a delete operation.

11. The method according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the network element comprises a base station and the configuration management change comprises any one of: an operation to create a new cell; an operation to update one or more parameters of an existing cell; an operation to delete an existing cell12. The method according to any of claims 8 to 11, wherein based on information received from the network management function, the element management function determines that the element management function is to augment the information of a configuration management change before propagating the information of a configuration management change to the network element.

13. A method comprising:sending, from a network management function in a first layer of a layered managementsystem of a communication network to an element management function in a second layer ofthe layered management system a message comprising a request for information pertaining to a network element in the communication system; andappending, to the message, a field indicative of whether the element management function should (i) respond using information stored in a memory of the element management function, or (ii) obtain the information from a network element in a third layer of the layered management system before responding to the network management function.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the request for information comprises a request for information of a cell of the network element.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the information of a cell of the network comprises one or more of: frequency information; geographical information; information of a number of user equipment in the cell; mobility information of one or more user equipment in the cell.

16. The method according to any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the request for information comprises a read operation.

17. A method comprising:receiving, at an element management function in a second layer of a layered management system of a communication network from a network management function in a first layer of a layered management system, a message comprising a request for information pertaining to a network element in the communication system; andwherein the message comprises a field including an indicator that is indicative of whether the element management function should (i) respond using information stored in a memory of the element management function, or (ii) obtain the information from the network element in a third layer of the layered management system before responding to the apparatus; andselectively performing (i) or (ii) based on the indicator in the field.

18. An apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any of claims 1 to 7.

19. An apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any of claims 8 to 12.

20. An apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any of claims 13 to 16.

21. An apparatus comprising means for performing the method of claim 17.

22. A computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: sending, from a network management function in a first layer of a layered management system of a communication network to an element management function in a second layer of the layered management system, a message comprising information of a configuration management change to be implemented, the message also comprising a target field; and populating the target field with information for indicating whether the information of a configuration management change is to be propagated to the network element, wherein the network element is located in a third layer of the layered management system.

23. A computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, at an element management function in a second layer of a layered management system of a communication network from a network management function in a first layer of the layered management system, a message comprising information of a configuration management change to be implemented, the message also comprising a target field; and in response to reading the target field determining, at the element management function in the second layer, whether to propagate the information of a configuration management change to a network element, wherein the network element is located in a third layer of the layered management system.

24. A computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: sending, from a network management function in a first layer of a layered management system for a communication network to an element management function in a second layer of the layered management system a message comprising a request for information pertaining to a network element in the communication system; and appending, to the message, a field indicative of whether the element management function should (i) respond using information stored in memory of the element management function, or (ii) obtain the information from a management function for the network element before responding to the network management function, wherein the management function for the network element is in a third layer of the layered management system.

25. A computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, at an element management function in a second layer of a layered management system of a communication network from a network management function in a first layer of a layered management system, a message comprising a request for information pertaining to a network element in the communication system; and wherein the message comprises a field including an indicator thatis indicative of whether the element management function should (i) respond using information stored in memory of the element management function, or (ii) obtain the information from the network element in a third layer of the layered management system before responding to the apparatus; and selectively performing (i) or (ii) based on the indicator in the field.33

Images