Microservices Architecture for Dynamic Network Function Allocation

The patent segments network functions from hardware devices by introducing virtualization technology. Virtual network functions (VNFs) are extracted from physical network devices and can be independently deployed, managed, and scaled on standard hardware platforms. This segmentation enables flexible network function deployment while maintaining relatively simple underlying hardware infrastructure.

The patent implements universal hardware platforms that can host multiple different network functions through virtualization. A single physical server can run multiple virtual machine instances, each providing different network functions (firewall, load balancing, routing, etc.). This multi-functionality approach replaces the traditional one-device-one-function model, improving resource utilization while maintaining device simplicity.

The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation mechanisms where network functions can be dynamically instantiated, migrated, and scaled based on actual traffic demands. Virtual machine instances can be dynamically created or terminated, and resources can be dynamically reassigned between different network functions, enabling high resource utilization efficiency while managing complexity through automation.

The patent introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between physical hardware and network functions. This virtualization layer abstracts and manages the complexity of hardware resources, presenting simplified interfaces for deploying and managing network functions. The intermediary handles resource allocation, scheduling, and optimization, improving productivity while containing device architecture complexity within the virtualization layer.

The patent enables network functions to be copied and replicated across multiple virtual machine instances. A single network function can be instantiated multiple times on different physical or virtual hosts, enabling horizontal scaling. The virtualization layer manages these copies transparently, maintaining ease of operation through standardized deployment interfaces while achieving high scalability.

The patent adds a virtualization dimension to the traditional hardware-network function mapping. Instead of direct one-to-one mapping, network functions are deployed in a virtual dimension that can be independently scaled and managed. This additional abstraction layer enables scaling across multiple dimensions (physical hosts, virtual clusters, geographic locations) while maintaining operational simplicity through unified management interfaces.