Custom Service Creation in Communication Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current models for building communication networks are rigid, making it difficult to scale and modify networks due to changes in technology, capacity, and demand, as they require deploying new dedicated hardware to implement new functionality or services.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for creating custom services in a communication network that allows for on-demand creation and configuration of network elements, using a processor to determine desired functions and modify existing network elements, with the ability to create or acquire necessary service components and resources, and store custom services in a catalog for reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new dedicated hardware is deployed to implement new functionality or services, then network functionality and service capability are improved, but device complexity and deployment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtualization to create virtual copies of network functions that can be deployed on existing hardware infrastructure. Instead of deploying new physical hardware for each service, the system creates virtual instances that replicate network functions, thereby improving adaptability while avoiding the complexity of physical hardware deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal hardware platform that can host multiple virtual network functions simultaneously. This multi-functional approach allows a single piece of hardware to provide diverse network services through virtualization, improving network functionality without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each service.
2Reliability
If dedicated hardware is deployed for each network function, then service reliability is improved, but scalability and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network functions into independent virtual components that can be individually managed, deployed, and scaled. This segmentation allows reliable operation of each virtual network function while enabling flexible scaling by adding or removing specific virtual functions without affecting the entire network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between physical hardware and network services. This intermediary abstracts the underlying hardware, allowing services to be deployed and scaled independently while maintaining reliability through the virtualization management plane that coordinates resource allocation and service delivery.
3Productivity
If existing network elements are modified to perform new functions, then deployment time and cost are reduced, but network element complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic function allocation where network elements can be reconfigured at runtime to perform different functions. This dynamic capability allows existing elements to be modified for new services without permanent hardware changes, improving deployment efficiency while managing complexity through software-based reconfiguration rather than physical modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for creating a custom service in a communication network are disclosed. For example, the method implemented via a processor determines that the custom service does not exist, receives one or more desired functions for the custom service, creates the custom service having the one or more desired functions and modifies one or more network elements within the communication network to perform the one or more desired functions to deploy the custom service.