Method and apparatus for provisioning virtual network functions from a network service provider
US9936047B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 28, 2016 |
| Grant date | Apr 3, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 28, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W92/02
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus facilitates an enterprise to lease virtual appliances from network services provider. The method operates by deploying a converged networking and computing device at a service location, downloading a virtual network function to the converged networking and computing device, activating the virtual network function by a service in the wide area network, and connecting the virtual network function to a provisioned network path over the wide area network. Different virtual network functions can be deployed to different locations. The same virtual network function scan be deployed to different locations. Moreover, more than one virtual network function may be deployed to more than one service location. The virtual network functions can be realized through virtual machines, software containers, etc.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.