Virtual zones for open systems interconnection layer 4 through layer 7 services in a cloud computing system

US9473567B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. · US

Inventors

• Anisa Parikh · Holmdel, US
• Neela R. Atluri · Marlboro, US
• Paritosh Bajpay · Edison, US
• Sekar Ganesan · Waretown, US
• Shobhna Goyal · Marlboro, US
• Shiv Kumar · Marlboro, US
• Magda K. Nassar · Red Bank, US
• Satyendra Tripathi · Wantage, US
• Ralph Utano · Fair Haven, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 20, 2014
• Grant date: Oct 18, 2016
• Expiry date: Dec 7, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06F2201/815
• WIPO field: Digital communication
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to virtual zones for Open Systems Interconnection (“OSI”) communication model layers 4-7 services in a cloud computing system. According to one aspect of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, a cloud computing system can include a hardware resource and a virtual zone. The virtual zone can include a virtual network function (“VNF”) that is executable by the hardware resource. The VNF can support a service that operates within one of layers 4-7 of the OSI communication model. A computing system can detect new subscribers to the service within the virtual zone. The computing system also can determine that a capacity constraint exists within the virtual zone as a result of the new subscribers. The computing system also can home the new subscribers to the further virtual zone so that the further VNF can provide the service to the new subscribers.