VIRTUAL NETWORK FUNCTION UPGRADE TOOL

1 . A method for upgrading a virtualized network function (VNF) implemented in a virtualized computing environment configured in a user-specific configuration, the virtualized network function implemented by a plurality of VNF components (VNFCs) executing in a plurality of virtual machines managed by a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM), the updating performed by an upgrade component configured to:

execute as a virtual resource in the virtualized computing environment;

execute a series of operations in the virtualized computing environment that coordinate an upgrade of the VNFCs implementing the VNF; and

interact with the VIM and the virtual machines to effect the upgrade;

the method comprising:

accessing a configuration file that identifies a new software version defining the upgrade and a set of upgrade instructions;

based on the configuration file, translating the upgrade instructions to a series of operations on the virtual machines and interactions with the VIM to effect the upgrade in the virtualized computing environment; and

based on the translated upgrade instructions, causing execution of the operations to effect the upgrade in the virtualized computing environment.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the upgrade instructions are abstracted from underlying details of the user-specific configuration of the virtualized computing environment.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the upgrade component is configured with a minimal amount of resources needed to execute in the virtualized computing environment.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing a health check of the virtual machines prior to effecting the upgrade.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing a health check of the virtual machines subsequent to effecting the upgrade.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the operations include a safe deactivation of the virtual machines.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the interactions with the VIM include causing deletion of the virtual machines and deploying new virtual machines running the new software version.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the interactions with the VIM include causing detachment of persistent disks attached to the virtual machines.

9 . A system comprising:

one or more processors; and

a memory in communication with the one or more processors, the memory having computer-readable instructions stored thereupon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to perform operations comprising:

generate an upgrade component configured to:

execute as a computing resource in a target computing environment configured in a user-specific configuration, the target computing environment implementing a virtualized network function (VNF) implemented by a plurality of VNF components (VNFCs) executing in a plurality of virtual machines managed by a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM);

execute a series of operations in the virtualized computing environment that coordinate an upgrade of the VNFCs implementing the VNF; and

interact with the VIM and the virtual machines to effect the upgrade;

generate a configuration file that includes a new software version defining the upgrade and a set of upgrade instructions;

send the upgrade component and configuration file to the target computing environment;

causing execution of the upgrade component in the target computing environment, the upgrade component executed using the configuration file; and

receiving an output from the upgrade component, the output indicative of results of the upgrade in accordance with the configuration file.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the target computing environment is a virtualized computing environment and the computing resource is a virtual machine.

11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the upgrade instructions are abstracted from underlying details of the user-specific configuration of the virtualized computing environment.

12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the operations include performing a health check of the virtual machines prior to effecting the upgrade.

13 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the operations include performing a health check of the virtual machines subsequent to effecting the upgrade.

14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the operations include a deactivation of the virtual machines.

15 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the interactions with the VIM include causing deletion of the virtual machines and deploying new virtual machines running the new software version.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the interactions with the VIM include causing detachment of persistent disks or NICs attached to the virtual machines.

17 . A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereupon which, when executed by one or more processors of a system, cause the system to:

instantiate an upgrade component configured to:

execute as a virtual resource in a 5G network comprising networked computing devices configured in a user-specific configuration, the 5G network implementing a virtualized network function (VNF) implemented by a plurality of VNF components (VNFCs) executing in a plurality of virtual machines managed by a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM);

execute a series of operations in the virtualized computing environment that coordinate an upgrade of the VNFCs implementing the VNF; and

interact with the VIM and the virtual machines to effect the upgrade;

access a configuration file that includes a new software version defining the upgrade and a set of upgrade instructions;

based on the configuration file, translating the upgrade instructions to a series of operations on the virtual machines and interactions with the VIM to effect the upgrade in the 5G network; and

based on the translated upgrade instructions, causing execution of the upgrade in the 5G network.

18 . The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17 , wherein the upgrade instructions are abstracted from underlying details of the user-specific configuration of the 5G network.

19 . The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17 , wherein the interactions with the VIM include causing deletion of the virtual machines and deploying new virtual machines running the new software version.

20 . The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17 , wherein the operations include a deactivation of the virtual machines.