Network functions virtualization in ad-hoc groups
The present disclosure relates to virtualizing a network function in an ad-hoc group. The ad-hoc group comprises a plurality of mobile terminals that are configured for device-to-device communication, e.g., Proximity-Based Services (ProSe). The ProSe-enabled mobile terminals subscribe to a Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) service with an NFV management server. The NFV management server discovers the ad-hoc group that is suitable for NFV and informs an NFV application server of the ad-hoc group. The NFV application server then downloads data and configuration parameters to the ad-hoc group to offload a network function to the ad-hoc group for execution.
1. A method of virtualizing a network function among an ad-hoc group, the ad-hoc group comprising a plurality of mobile terminals located sufficiently close to each other for maintaining the ad-hoc group, the method comprising:
evaluating a spare battery capacity or spare processing capacity for each of the mobile terminals;
estimating a duration of how long the ad-hoc group will be able to remain as the ad-hoc group; and
selecting the ad-hoc group to execute the network function based on:
whether the spare battery capacity or spare processing capacity of each of the mobile terminals is sufficient with which to execute the network function; and
whether the estimated duration is sufficient with which to execute the network function.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selecting comprises:
determining a minimum number of mobile terminals that is required for virtualizing the network function; and
selecting the ad-hoc group to execute the network function if the number of mobile terminals in the ad-hoc group equals or exceeds the minimum number of mobile terminals required for virtualizing the network function.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the estimating the duration comprises:
predicting future locations and/or movements of each of the mobile terminals in the ad-hoc group; and
estimating the duration that each of the plurality of mobile terminals in the ad-hoc group will be able to remain sufficiently close to each other based on the future locations and/or movements of each of the mobile terminals in the ad-hoc group.
4. A network functions virtualization (NFV) management server for virtualizing a network function among an ad-hoc group that comprises a plurality of mobile terminals located sufficiently close to each other for maintaining the ad-hoc group, the management server comprising:
a network interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the plurality of mobile terminals via a radio access network; and
processing circuitry configured to:
evaluate a spare battery capacity or spare processing capacity for each of the mobile terminals;
estimate a duration of how long the ad-hoc group will be able to remain as the ad-hoc group; and
select the ad-hoc group to execute the network function based on:
whether the spare battery capacity or spare processing capacity of each of the mobile terminals is sufficient with which to execute the network function; and
whether the estimated duration is sufficient with which to execute the network function.
5. The NFV management server of claim 4 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to, when selecting the ad-hoc group:
determine a minimum number of mobile terminals that is required for virtualizing the network function; and
select the ad-hoc group to execute the network function if the number of mobile terminals in the ad-hoc group equals or exceeds the minimum number of mobile terminals required for virtualizing the network function.
6. The NFV management server of claim 4 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to:
communicate, via the network interface, with a location prediction function to predict future locations of each of the mobile terminals and/or movements of each of the mobile terminals in the ad-hoc group; and
estimate the duration that each of the plurality of mobile terminals in the ad-hoc group will be able to remain sufficiently close to each other based on the future locations and/or movements of each of the mobile terminals in the ad-hoc group.