Conflict-free change deployment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11463307-B2
Application number	US-202117157558-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 25, 2021
Priority date	Feb 15, 2019
Publication date	Oct 4, 2022
Grant date	Oct 4, 2022

Abstract

A new scalable approach to conflict-free deployment of changes across networks. The conflict rules or constraints may be modeled using policies and algorithms to determine an optimized schedule for change deployment.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A system comprising:
one or more processors; and
memory coupled with the one or more processors, the memory comprising executable instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to effectuate operations comprising:
receiving a plurality of requests to schedule network changes for network functions in a network, wherein the plurality of requests comprises proposed time periods to execute the network changes and policies for conflict avoidance, wherein the network functions comprise a virtual network function;
determining that a threshold is reached, wherein the threshold is based on time, number of requests, or type of requests received;
based on reaching the threshold, processing a batch of the plurality of requests to determine a schedule for implementing the network changes for the network functions, wherein schedule is determined to have minimal conflicts or no conflicts based on the policies; and
sending the schedule with the minimal conflicts or no conflicts to a device.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of requests comprises a constraint based on a threshold survivability of an operation of a network function in a region.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the network changes for the network functions comprise a software upgrade of one or more of the network functions.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the threshold is based on bandwidth usage.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the threshold is based on processor usage.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of requests comprises a constraint based on an expected weather event.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of requests comprises a constraint based on an expected sporting event.

8. A non-transitory, computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions that when executed by a computing device cause the computing device to effectuate operations comprising:
receiving a plurality of requests to schedule network changes for network functions in a network, wherein the plurality of requests comprises proposed time periods to execute the network changes and policies for conflict avoidance, wherein the network functions comprise a virtual network function;
determining that a threshold is reached, wherein the threshold is based on time, number of requests, or type of requests received;
based on reaching the threshold, processing a batch of the plurality of requests to determine a schedule for implementing the network changes for the network functions, wherein the schedule is determined to have minimal conflicts or no conflicts; and
sending the schedule with the minimal conflicts or no conflicts to a device.

9. The non-transitory, computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of requests comprises a constraint based on a threshold survivability of an operation of a network function in a region.

10. The non-transitory, computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the network changes for the network functions comprise a software upgrade of one or more of the network functions.

11. The non-transitory, computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the threshold is based on bandwidth usage.

12. The non-transitory, computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the threshold is based on processor usage.

13. The non-transitory, computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of requests comprises a constraint based on an expected weather event.

14. The non-transitory, computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of requests comprises a constraint based on an expected sporting event.

15. A method comprising:
receiving a plurality of requests to schedule network changes for network functions in a network, wherein the plurality of requests comprises proposed time periods to execute the network changes and policies for conflict avoidance, wherein the network functions comprise a virtual network function;
determining that a threshold is reached, wherein the threshold is based on time, number of requests, or type of requests received;
based on reaching the threshold, processing a batch of the plurality of requests to determine a schedule for implementing the network changes for the network functions, wherein the schedule is determined to have minimal conflicts or no conflicts; and
sending the schedule with the minimal conflicts or no conflicts to a device.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of requests comprises a constraint based on a threshold survivability of an operation of a network function in a region.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the network changes for the network functions comprise a software upgrade of one or more of the network functions.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the threshold is based on bandwidth usage.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the threshold is based on processor usage.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of requests comprises a constraint based on an expected weather event.

Assignees

• At & T Ip I Lp
• At & T Mobility Ii Llc

Inventors

• Mahimkar Ajay
• Sinha Rakesh
• De Andrade Carlos Eduardo
• Zhang Weiyi
• Riding Robert

Classifications

• H04L41/0836

  to enhance reliability, e.g. reduce downtime · CPC title

• H04L41/085

  Retrieval of network configuration; Tracking network configuration history · CPC title

• H04L41/0883

  Semiautomatic configuration, e.g. proposals from system · CPC title

• H04L41/12

  Discovery or management of network topologies · CPC title

• H04L41/0813 Primary

  characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings · CPC title