Power Management Component and Method for Power Management of a Virtual Network Function

The present disclosure relates to power management components and method for power management of a virtual network function.

In communication systems, like in many technical systems, it is desirable to consume as little electric power as possible. This in particular relates to virtual network functions of communication systems, which include multiple “layers”, namely physical resources, virtual resources (i.e. virtualization containers) and the actual application (i.e. the actual network function). All of these layers have an impact on the power consumption offering, on the one hand, many degrees of freedom for power management but making optimal power management for virtual network functions, on the other hand, complex. Approaches which allow optimizing power consumption effectively for virtual network functions are therefore desirable.

According to one embodiment, a power management component is provided including a memory configured to store, for a virtual network function, a power saving profile for each of multiple power states of the virtual network function, wherein, for each power state, the power saving profiles indicates an amount of physical data processing resources to be used by the virtual network function in the power state, an amount of virtualization containers (VMs and OS containers) deployed on the physical resources to be used by the virtual network function in the power state and a service capacity of a network function running on the virtualization containers to be provided in the power state; and a controller configured to select one of the power states for the virtual network function, to control the virtual network function to switch from a first power state to a second power state, to store operation state information about the virtual network function upon controlling the virtual network function to switch from the first power state to the second power state,

- to configure the virtual network function taking into account the stored operation state information upon controlling the virtual network function to switch from the second power state to a selected power state, and to control the virtual network function to operate according to the power saving profile stored for the selected power state.

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following description, various aspects are described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a mobile radio communication system.

Figure 2 shows an architecture including a Network Functions Virtualisation Management and Orchestration (NFV-MANO) Architectural Framework.

Figure 3 illustrates the addition of a VNF power manager to VNF generic OAM (Operation, Administration and Maintenance) functions according to an embodiment.

Figure 4 shows two VNFs operating on top of virtualization containers.

Figure 5 shows a state diagram for a VNF (power) state machine.

Figure 6 illustrates VNF operation state information of a VNF in normal operation mode, followed by VNF operation state information of the VNF after entering into sleep mode, followed by VNF operation state information of the VNF in normal operation mode.

Figure 7 shows a deployment of a VNF by means of two VNF components belonging to one VNF and deployed in a distributed manner.

Figure 8 shows a flow diagram for VNF configuration with respect to power management.

Figure 9 shows a flow diagram illustrating a method for registering a VNF for power management.

Figure 10 shows a flow diagram illustrating a method for setting a VNF into sleep mode.

Figure 11 shows a flow diagram illustrating a method for restoring a VNF from sleep mode back to normal operation mode power management.

Figure 12 shows a power management component according to an embodiment.

Figure 13 shows a flow diagram illustrating a method for power management of a virtual network function.

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific details and aspects of this disclosure in which the invention may be practiced. Other aspects may be utilized and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The various aspects of this disclosure are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some aspects of this disclosure can be combined with one or more other aspects of this disclosure to form new aspects.

Various examples corresponding to aspects of this disclosure are described below:

Example 1 is a power management component including a memory configured to store, for a virtual network function, a power saving profile for each of multiple power states of the virtual network function, wherein, for each power state, the power saving profiles indicates - an amount of physical data processing resources to be used by the virtual network function in the power state,

- an amount of virtualization containers deployed on the physical resources to be used by the virtual network function in the power state and

- a service capacity of a network function running on the virtualization containers to be provided in the power state; and a controller configured to

- to select one of the power states for the virtual network function,

- to control the virtual network function to switch from a first power state to a second power state,

- to store operation state information about the virtual network function upon controlling the virtual network function to switch from the first power state to the second power state,

- to configure the virtual network function taking into account the stored operation state information upon controlling the virtual network function to switch from the second power state to a selected power state, and

- to control the virtual network function to operate according to the power saving profile stored for the selected power state.

Example 2 is the power management component of Example 1, including an input interface configured to receive information indicating that the power state of the virtual network function should be changed, wherein the controller is configured to select the one of the power states and controls the virtual network function to operate according to the power saving profile stored for the selected power state in response to the reception of the information.

Example 3 is the power management component of Example 2, wherein the information is a request to change the power state from a current state. Example 4 is the power management component of Example 2 or 3, wherein the information includes information about a power consumption of the virtual network function.

Example 5 is the power management component of any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein each power saving profile indicates a power consumption of an operation of the virtual network function in accordance with the power saving profile.

Example 6 is the power management component of any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein each power saving profile further specifies a number of virtual network function components of the virtual network function to be operated in the power saving profile.

Example 7 is the power management component of any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the controller is configured to determine a power consumption for each of the power saving profiles based on power consumption measurements.

Example 8 is the power management component of any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the controller is configured to include, for each power saving profile, the determined power consumption into the power saving profile.

Example 9 is the power management component of Example 7 or 8, wherein the power management component is configured to select the power state taking into account the determined power consumptions.

Example 10 is the power management component of any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein the controller is configured to control the virtual network function to switch from a first power state to a second power state and wherein the controller is configured to, upon controlling the virtual network function to switch from the first power state to the second power state, to store operation state information about the virtual network function and to configure the virtual network function, upon controlling the virtual network function to switch from the second power state to the selected power state, taking into account the stored operation state information.

Example 11 is the power management component of Example 10, wherein the controller is configured to configure the virtual network function in accordance with the stored operation state information insofar the power saving profile stored for the selected power state allows it.

Example 12 is the power management component of Example 11, wherein the memory is configured to individually store, for each of a plurality of virtual network functions, a power saving profile for each of multiple power states of the virtual network function.

Example 13 is a method for power management of a virtual network function, including storing, for a virtual network function, a power saving profile for each of multiple power states of the virtual network function, wherein, for each power state, the power saving profiles indicates

- an amount of physical data processing resources to be used by the virtual network function in the power state,

- an amount of virtualization containers (VMs and OS containers) deployed on the physical resources to be used by the virtual network function in the power state, and

- a service capacity of a network function running on the virtualization containers to be provided in the power state; and selecting one of the power states for the virtual network function; controlling the virtual network function to switch from a first power state to a second power state; storing operation state information about the virtual network function upon controlling the virtual network function to switch from the first power state to the second power state; configuring the virtual network function taking into account the stored operation state information upon controlling the virtual network function to switch from the second power state to a selected power state; and controlling the virtual network function to operate according to the power saving profile stored for the selected power state.

It should be noted that one or more of the features of any of the examples above may be combined with any one of the other examples. In particular, the Examples described in context of the device are analogously valid for the method.

According to further embodiments, a computer program and a computer readable medium including instructions, which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform the method of any one of the above Examples are provided.

In the following, various examples will be described in more detail.

Figure 1 shows a mobile radio communication system 100, for example configured according to 5G (Fifth Generation) as specified by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project).

The mobile radio communication system 100 includes a mobile radio terminal device 102 such as a UE (user equipment), and the like. The mobile radio terminal device 102, also referred to as subscriber terminal, forms the terminal side while the other components of the mobile radio communication system 100 described in the following are part of the mobile communication network side, i.e. part of a mobile communication network (e.g. a Public Land Mobile Network PLMN).

Furthermore, the mobile radio communication system 100 includes a Radio Access Network (RAN) 103, which may include a plurality of radio access network nodes, i.e. base stations configured to provide radio access in accordance with a 5G (Fifth Generation) radio access technology (5G New Radio). It should be noted that the mobile radio communication system 100 may also be configured in accordance with LTE (Long Term Evolution) or another mobile radio communication standard (e.g. non-3GPP accesses like Wi-Fi) but 5G is herein used as an example. Each radio access network node may provide a radio communication with the mobile radio terminal device 102 over an air interface. It should be noted that the radio access network 103 may include any number of radio access network nodes.

The mobile radio communication system 100 further includes a core network (5GC) 119 including an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 101 connected to the RAN 103, a Unified Data Management (UDM) 104 and a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) 105. Here and in the following examples, the UDM may further consist of the actual UE’s subscription database, which is known as, for example, the UDR (Unified Data Repository). The core network 119 further includes an AUSF (Authentication Server Function) 114, a PCF (Policy Control Function) 115 and an AF (application function) 120.

The core network 119 may have multiple core network slices 106, 107 and for each core network slice 106, 107, the operator (also referred to MNO for Mobile Network Operator) may create multiple core network slice instances 108, 109. For example, the core network 119 includes a first core network slice 106 with three core network slice instances (C-NSIs) 108 for providing Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) and a second core network slice 107 with three core network slice instances (NSIs) 109 for providing Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X).

Typically, when a core network slice is deployed (i.e. created), network functions (NFs) are instantiated, or (if already instantiated) referenced to form a core network slice instance and network functions that belong to a core network slice instance are configured with a core network slice instance identification. Specifically, in the shown example, each instance 108 of the first core network slice 106 includes a first Session Management Function (SMF) 110 and a first User Plane Function (UPF) 111 and each instance 109 of the second core network slice 107 includes a second Session Management Function (SMF) 112 and a second User Plane Function (UPF) 113. The SMFs 110, 112 are for handling PDU (Protocol Data Unit) sessions, i.e. for creating, updating and removing PDU sessions and managing session context with the User Plane Function (UPF).

The RAN 103 and the core network 119 form the network side of the mobile radio communication system, or, in other words, form the mobile radio communication network. The mobile radio communication network and the mobile terminals accessing the mobile radio communication network form, together, the mobile radio communication system.

Like the core network 119, the RAN 103 may also be sliced, i.e. include multiple RAN slices. A RAN slice and a core network slice 106, 107 may be grouped to form a network slice.

In the following, “network slice” (or just “slice”) generally refers to a core network slice but may also include a RAN slice or even a Transport network slice.

The mobile radio communication system 100 may further include an 0AM (Operation, Administration and Maintenance) function (or entity) 116, e.g. implemented by one or more 0AM servers which is connected to the RAN 103 and the core network 119 (connections are not shown for simplicity). The 0AM 116 may include an MDAS (Management Data Analytics Service). The MDAS may for example provide an analytics report regarding network slice instance load. Various factors may impact the network slice instance load, e.g. number of UEs accessing the network, number of QoS flows, the resource utilizations of different NFs which are related with the network slice instance. Further, the core network 118 includes an NRF (Network Repository Function).

The core network 119 may further include a Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) 117. The NWDAF is responsible for providing network analytics and/or prediction information upon request from network functions.

The various network functions can be implemented on special hardware, i.e. on so-called ACTA (Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture) devices. This means that the network functions are implemented as physical network functions deployed on special hardware. The software for implementing the network function is strongly coupled with the hardware.

However, it may be desirable to implement network functions also on non-special hardware, i.e. as software applications running on virtual machines (and/or containers) deployed over COTS (Commercial off-the-shelf) servers (i.e. on general purpose or open computing platforms, i.e. devices). This is enabled by using virtualization technology (e.g. hypervisor, operating system (OS) containers etc.) network functions (e.g., SMF, PCF etc.) can be deployed in virtual machines (VMs having one or more vCPUs) and/or (operation system (OS)) containers (containers can be seen as “lightweight” VMs). They are then referred to as virtual network functions (VNFs). VMs and OS containers are herein referred to by the general term “virtualization containers”.

Network Function Virtualization Management and orchestration (NFV-MANO) is a key element of the ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) network functions virtualization (NFV) architecture. MANO is an architectural framework that coordinates network resources for cloud-based applications and the lifecycle management of virtual network functions (VNFs) and network services. As such, it is crucial for ensuring rapid, reliable NFV deployments at scale. MANO includes, among others, the NFV orchestrator (NF VO), the VNF manager (VNFM), and the virtual infrastructure manager (VIM).

Figure 2 illustrates an OSS/BSS (operations support system and business support system) 201 and a simplified version of the Network Functions Virtualisation Management and Orchestration (NFV-MANO) Architectural Framework. This includes a collection of functional blocks and functions, data repositories used by these functional blocks, and reference points and interfaces through which these functional blocks exchange information for the purpose of managing and orchestrating NFV.

Specifically, MANO includes an NF VO 202, an VNFM 203, a VIM 204 and CISM (container Infrastructure Service Management) 205. In the following, it is assumed that the CISM 205 is part of the VIM 204 so reference is only made to the VIM 204 (i.e. VIM 204 and CISM 205 are summarized as indicated by the dashed line and referred to by VIM 204).

The NF VO 202 manages a network service (NS) 206 which, in this example, includes an AMF 207, an SMF 208, a PCF 209 and an AF 210. A network service (NS) is a composition of network function(s) and/or service(s), defined by its functional and behavioural specification.

The architecture 200 further includes an NFVI 211 which includes hardware and software components that build up the environment in which VNFs are deployed.

In this example, the SMF 208, the PCF 209 and the AF 210 are implemented as VNFs, i.e. as NFs that can be deployed on the NFVI 211. The PCF 209 is implemented by a container 212 running in a virtual machine, the AF 210 on a virtual machine 213 and the SMF 208 in a container 214, all running on a COTS server 215. The AMF 207, in contrast, is implemented on an ATCA device 216, i.e. is a physical network function. The NFVO 202 manages the NS lifecycle and coordinates the management of NS lifecycle, VNF lifecycle (supported by the VNFM 203) and NFVI resources (supported by the VIM 204) to ensure an optimized allocation of the necessary resources and connectivity.

The VNFM 203 is responsible for the lifecycle management of VNFs.

The VIM 204 is a functional block that is responsible for controlling and managing the NFVI compute, storage and network resources, typically within one operator’s infrastructure domain.

It should be noted that the network functionality according to 3 GPP is responsible for the management and configuration of the Network Functions (NFs) and interactions between NFs while it is not responsible for the management of the virtual network function aspects. In fact, the 3GPP functionality is not even aware whether a network function is virtualized or not. From ETSI NFV-MANO perspective it is irrelevant which is the actual NF that is “hosted” inside the VNF.

The 3GPP network functionality (element managers in communication with an OSS manages the network functions and the NFV-MANO (also in communication with the OSS) manages the VNFs which implement (i.e. host) them.

From NFV-MANO perspective VNF management (life cycle management (LCM) such as establishment, update and release) is made by NFV-MANO (specifically the VNFM) and its configuration by an element manager.

For saving power, e.g. in an O-RAN based deployment when VNFs are managed by NFV-MANO, power management may be performed as follows: a pre-condition is that NFs (e.g. distributed units (DUs)) are registered with the OSS and radio usage is reported every 1 minute from RU (radio hardware unit) to DU. A decision to enter sleep mode is taken based on radio usage (e.g. by a Non-RT-RIC (non-real time RAN intelligent controller) or MDAF (Management Data Analytics Function) in the MANO or the VNF power manager VNF generic OAM function or through their interaction): the network function to be dropped (i.e. to go to sleep mode) is determined by comparing RB (resource block) usage rate, overlay information, sleep mode target cell (etc.). It should be noted that in 0-RAN, the RIC determines which NF to turn off, and cooperates with the NFV-MANO to turn off the power to the NF VI (compute/NW equipment) or stop the VM.

According to various embodiments, an approach for power management of VNFs is provided which considers the special characteristics that constitute a VNF (i.e. jointly considering physical and virtual resources, application and/or VNF LCM, i.e. jointly considering VNF power management (application and virtual resources) and underlying physical power management). So, according to various embodiment, in other words, power management is considered from a VNF perspective (rather than, e.g., purely from a radio resource (e.g. RB) perspective). In particular, it includes definition of various power modes (including in particular a sleep mode) of a VNF and includes state transitions between these power modes (e.g. between a VNF operational status and a VNF sleep mode) and a process to manage the VNF in terms of power management and introduces functionality to perform VNF power management which is responsible to restore VNF operational state after any power state transition. According to various embodiments, interactions with regard to power management are not only enabled with NFV-MANO and OSS but also with all services offered by the VNF generic OAM functions framework.

In particular, according to various embodiments, VNF power management profiles are established to enable power management at a VNF level considering the disaggregation between physical and software introduced by the virtualization layer. The VNF power management profiles indicate how VMs, applications (i.e. the provided network function) and the physical resources are affected by a power state transition. Further, according to various embodiments, a mechanism for (operational) state restoration is provided that allows maintaining a VNF’s runtime information during sleep mode (and recovering it when exiting sleep mode). This state information for example includes VNF identification information, configuration information inside the VNF/virtualization container and NFV-MANO managed objects information during power state transitions of the VNF. Further, it is enabled that a VNF to be restored from a low power mode recovers the necessary computational, storage and/or network resources and the correct power state, without affecting peer entities during the state transition process.

According to various embodiments, capabilities of power management offered by infrastructure and the management and orchestration system as the elements that are subject to power consumption (physical operation) are leveraged. Further, according to various embodiments, the management and orchestration system (e.g., NFV-MANO) is used to assists in keeping track of the original managed object information and configuration.

According to various embodiments, the above mechanisms, processes and functionalities are provided by means of a power management component, referred to as VNF power manager (VNF-PoMF) in the following.

This power management component may for example be introduced into the VNF generic OAM functions framework and can interact with a number of VNFs (possibly without considering interactions with NFV-MANO) as illustrated in figure 3.

Figure 3 illustrates the addition of a VNF power manager 300 within the VFN generic OAM functions 301 framework according to an embodiment.

The VNF generic OAM functions 301 include, as an example, a network configuration manager 302, an VNF upgrade function 303 and a VNF configuration manager 304, connected to a traffic enforcer 305. The VNF generic 0AM functions 301 further includes a notification manager 306 connected to a metric analyser 307 and a log analyser 308 which exchange information with a metrics aggregator 309 and a log aggregator 310, respectively. The notification manager 306 is further connected to a time function 311 of the VNF generic 0AM functions 301. Different interactions between VNF generic 0AM functions are also possible.

The VNF generic 0AM functions 301 (and in particular the VNF power manager 300) are connected to (interconnected) virtualization-related components including an OSS 312, a MANO 313 (i.e. an arrangement including, for example, NFVO, VNFM and VIM) and an NFVI 314 as described with reference to figure 2.

The VNF generic 0AM functions 301 are further in communication with a plurality of VNFs 315 (only one of which is shown for simplicity). In the following, reference is made to the VNF power manager 300 but the functionalities, mechanisms and processes described with respect to it may also be performed by a power management component or power management component arranged somewhere else within the architecture (i.e. not necessarily as part of the VNF generic 0AM functions framework; for example, a virtualization (e.g. NFV) management and orchestration system may manage and control the power states of a VNF).

The VNF power manager 300 has one or more of the following functionalities:

• Compiling VNF power profiles (these can be also provided by NFV-MANO 313. For example VNF power profiles can be described in the descriptors used to deploy and manage the VNF.).

• Collecting VNF-related power information by processing power consumption information acquired from the infrastructure (or its corresponding management systems). • Collecting information about power profiles for each VNF 315 and associating it with actual VNF composition and computational, storage and/or network resource (physical and virtual) usage.

• Managing all states related to VNF power modes (sleep, resume, etc.) and executing related state transitions.

• Solving dependencies with other VNFs when performing the power management on a VNF (sleeping/resuming).

• Preserving and restoring operational and configuration state for the VNF (config, operational data, correct power state) after power management operations have been performed.

A VNF power profile relates to usage of an application, virtual resources and physical resources. This is described in more detail in the following with reference to figure 4.

Figure 4 shows a first VNF 401 and a second VNF 402, e.g. including a respective application (here the first VNF 401 hosts an AMF 403 and the second VNF hosts an SMF 404, which are connected) and respective virtual resources 405, 406, provided by physical resources (here by the same physical resources 407, but these may be also separate, e.g. separate computers).

Each power state for each VNF 401, 402 is associated with a respective VNF power profile. A VNF power profile considers, as an example,

• the relationship of applications to virtualised resources and physical resources.

• the composition of virtualised resources and their capabilities/capacity.

• the deployment flavours of the VNF.

• VNF power policies provided by a management system.

Further, VNF power profiles are tuned by a management and orchestration system entity to compute exact power consumption based on various metrics (e.g., application KPI, infrastructure resource power consumption, etc.). With the tuned profiles, the entity responsible for the power management of the VNF (e.g. VNF power manager 300) can perform a more accurate power consumption calculation.

Table 1 gives an example of VNF power profile (e.g. for the first VNF 401). Table 1

Each power state profile of the above examples may also indicate that the physical infrastructure is not affected.

The second VNF 402 may have a different power profile than the first VNF 401. In particular, sleep modes can be different for different VNFs.

For example, the profiles of the first VNF 401 and the second VNF 402 are defined such that

• when the VNF 401 enters sleep mode (e.g. from normal operation mode)

■ 100 threads are reduced to 10 threads on application level

■ 10 vCPS will decrease to IvCPU on virtual resource level

■ a physical node can be shut down on physical resource level

• and when the VNF 402 enters sleep mode (e.g. from normal operation mode)

■ 10000 sessions are reduced to 100 sessions on application level

■ A VM is stopped on virtual resource level

■ CPU clock frequency is reduced from 10GHz to 1GHz on physical resource level

It should be noted that the actual power consumption may differ between application level in sleep mode and application in operation mode (e.g. providing more sessions or in general providing a higher service capacity) even if allocated virtual resources and allocated physical resources are the same.

The VNF power manager 300 may for example include

• a VNF power profile manager which compiles and updates the VNF power profiles • a VNF power metrics analyzer which analyzes the related VNF power metrics, derives estimations etc.

• a VNF power policies manager which receives and analyzes VNF power policies and

• a VNF Power State Controller which manages the VNF power state machine and the transition between states.

Figure 5 shows a state diagram for a VNF (power) state machine.

In this example, the VNF has a sleep mode state 501, a sleeping (i.e. going to sleep) state 502, a resuming state 503, a normal operation state 504, a low-power consumption mode state 505 and a high-power consumption mode state 506.

The sleeping mode state 502 may be a low-power consumption mode that is an intermediate state before sleep mode 501 (which is the "lowest-power consumption mode”).

The VNF power manager 300 uses the VNF power profile established for a VNF to determine VNF power states and the state transitions supported for the VNF. The VNF power profile provides information which the VNF power manager 300 may use to determine the power consumption of the VNF and trigger transitions between states.

The VNF power manager 300 (e.g. the VNF power state controller) can for example autonomously decide whether a state change is needed.

Each power state, as explained above with reference to the power state profiles, relates to a level of utilization on the application level, the virtual resource level and the physical resource level. In particular, the definition of the sleep mode 501 considers all aspects which can affect power consumption of the VNF as a whole. So, sleep mode 501 can be seen to combine a SW (software) sleep mode and a HW (hardware) sleep mode into a single framework. For this, interactions between both may be modelled to achieve both targets.

The VNF sleep mode essentially combines a SW sleep mode and a HW sleep mode. Entering SW sleep mode includes modifying the composition of software modules composing the VNF application into a minimum subset and/or performing a partial termination of certain software components demanding less power.

Entering HW Sleep Mode includes modifying the power state of the underlying physical infrastructure resources (e.g., compute) or changing certain configurations (e.g., network equipment).

Further, as mentioned above, setting the VNF sleep mode considers how, after returning from VNF sleep mode 501 to normal operation mode 504, the VNF recovers relevant configuration. For instance, for a virtualized DU (vDU) or vDU component, the cell configuration and topology needed are maintained during VNF sleep mode 501 to recover it when returning to normal mode. Examples of VNF operation state information that is maintained and recovered is cell configuration, topology, network configuration and application data.

Figure 6 illustrates VNF operation state information 601 of a VNF in normal operation mode, followed by VNF operation state information 602 of the VNF after entering into sleep mode, followed by VNF operation state information 603 of the VNF in normal operation mode (after having left the sleep mode).

As can be seen, during sleep mode, the VNF operation state information 602 may at least partially change with respect to the VNF operation state information 601 of normal operation mode. When re-entering into (i.e. returning to) normal operation, the VNF power manager 300 tries to restore the VNF status (configuration, data etc.). For this, it may use various techniques, for example • saving configuration and management information in a registry (with timestamps and versioning).

• keeping the VNF configuration data held by the management and orchestration system(s).

• creating VNF or VNFC (VNF component) snapshots, which keep state and configuration data of one or more relevant VNFs or VNFCs and that can be used in restoration procedures.

• performing resource reservation of virtualised and physical resources that would be freed by the partial termination of a VNF (i.e., of a certain VNFC) with the purpose of assuring resources when performing the VNF restoration/back to normal operation mode.

• keeping track of and mapping NFVI resources, so affected resources can be determined, and their power state be changed with respect to the VNF sleeping mode.

• VNF restoration and (partial) VNF re-instantiation events: VM is recreated and associated with the following:

■ The restored VNF/MANO managed object succeeds the previous MANO managed object states and

■ (optionally) uses reserved NFVI resources.

The VNF power manager 300 may then check whether the VNF operation state information recovery has been achieved. It should be noted that the VNF power manager 300 only restores the configuration of the VNF when setting the VNF to a (selected) power state insofar as the power profile of the selected power state allows it. If for example, the VNF was first in a high-power consumption mode, then in sleep mode and should now be put into normal operation, it may not be possible to fully restore the VNF’s configuration since this might not respect the power profile of normal operation.

As mentioned above, a distributed deployment of a VNF may be considered in the power management, in particular in an VNF power state profile. Figure 7 shows a deployment of a VNF 701 in a distributed manner by means of two VNF components 702, 703 in addition to two VNFs 704, 705 which are, in contrast, deployed in non-distributed manner.

A Virtualised Network Function Component (VNFC) 702, 703 is an internal component of a VNF providing a VNF provider with a defined sub-set of that VNF's functionality, with the main characteristic that a single instance of this component maps for example 1: 1 to a single virtualisation container. The VNF power manager 300 may use (and establish) different VNFC power sub profiles for VNFCs of a VNF (as part of the VNF power state profile).

So, according to various embodiments, the VNF power management (e.g. as implemented by the VNF power manager 300) can one or more of

• use virtualised resources reservation to assure virtualised resources for the VNF power restoration.

• use VNF snapshots to keep and restore VNF state and configuration during the steps of VNF power management.

• use management and orchestration system managed repositories and databases to keep VNF state and configuration.

• use mapping information between VNF application state and configuration, VNF components, and underlying used virtualised and physical infrastructure resources as input for determining the impacted elements in VNF power transitions.

• use own VNF instance storage components to keep VNF state and configuration.

• use of VNF deployment flavours (according to VNF descriptors (VNFDs)) and change VNF flavour operations as a mechanism to change VNF power modes. • use virtualised resources management capabilities such as start/stop the virtualized resource, changing the power mode of the underlying hosting physical resource for handling VNF power state modification.

• as a dedicated or common VNF generic OAM function, handle power management for a single or multiple VNFs.

• acquire from other management and orchestration systems or from the infrastructure or the VNF relevant power consumption data.

• provide information back to the management and orchestration systems about the VNF power consumption and the applicable power state, so those other systems can further interact with other elements (e.g., NFVI) to perform necessary actions (e.g., change power state of servers, change network equipment configuration, etc.).

• decide autonomously or based on some event to change between states (e.g. enter into VNF sleep mode).

VNF power management may be triggered by a component dedicated to analytics and intelligent control (e.g., RIC in 0-RAN, MDAF in NFV-MANO) or a component dedicated to the VNF power management function 300 (e.g., function in VNF generic OAM functions framework 301).

Figure 8 shows a flow diagram 800 for VNF configuration with respect to power management.

Components as described with reference to figure 3 are involved in the flow: a VNF power manager 801, an OSS/BSS 802, an NFV-MANO 803 and an NFVI 804, a VNF 805, a VNF configuration manager 806, a metrics aggregator 808, a metrics analyzer 807, a log aggregator 810, a log analyser 809 and a notification manager 811.

In 812, the OSS/BSS 802 requests provision of a new VNF and enable power management for this VNF. In 813, the NFV-MANO 803 and NFVI 804 initiate the VNF 805 (in response to the request) using normal procedures.

In 814, the NFV-MANO 803 registers the VNF 805 to the VNF power manager 801 and (if available) passes the VNF power profile for the VNF 805 to the VNF power manager 801. If the VNF power profile is not available from NFV-MANO, the VNF power manager, compiles a VNF power profile for the VNF.

In 815, the VNF power manager 801 aligns the profile with power policy and operational requirements.

In 816, the VNF power manager 801 collects VNF data.

In 817, the VNF power manager 801 performs a reconfiguration action if needed based on metrics collection (e.g., reallocate vCPUs) for the VNF 805 and dependent VNFs or VNFCs and the VNF power profile.

In 818, the VNF power manager 801 applies the reconfiguration action to the VNF 805 through the VNF configuration manager 806.

In 819, the VNF power manager 801 notifies NFV-MANO 803.

In 820, NFV-MANO 803 and NFVI 804 perform virtualized and/or physical resource power management actions if needed.

Figure 9 shows a flow diagram 900 illustrating a method for registering a VNF for power management. An OSS/BSS 901, a NFV-MANO 902, an NFVI 903 and a VNF power manager 904 (e.g. as in figure 3) are involved in the flow.

In 905, a VNF requested by the OSS/BSS 901 is instantiated by the NFV-MANO 902 and the NFVI 903.

In 906, the NFV-MANO 902, the NFVI 903 and the VNF power manager 904 get and/or build VNF power profiles for the VNF. MANO may indicate power profiles for the VNF, e.g., with associated deployment flavours, etc. If the profile is not provided by NFV-MANO, the VNF power manager compiles a VNF power profile for this VNF.

In 907, the NFV-MANO 902 registers the VNF for power management at the VNF power manager for power management.

In 908, the VNF power manager 904 sets up, in conjunction with other VNF generic 0AM functions, the necessary metrics for monitoring and VNF configuration.

In 909, the VNF power manager 904 confirms the registration of the VNF.

While the VNF is instantiated, a loop is performed in 910 which includes, in 911 an exposure of metrics relevant for power management by the NFV-MANO 902 and the NFVI 903 to the VNF power manager 904 and, in 912, a calculation of VNF power consumption based on values of the metrics and VNF power profiles as well as a fine tuning of VNF power profiles (i.e. the VNF power manager 904 may adapt a VNF power profile if its power consumption (as shown by the metric values) does not achieve a target power consumption reduction).

Figure 10 shows a flow diagram 1000 illustrating a method for setting a VNF into sleep mode. An OSS/BSS 1001, a NFV-MANO 1002, an NFVI 1003 and a VNF power manager 1004 (e.g. as in figure 3) are involved in the flow.

In 1005, the VNF power manager 1004 is triggered to set the VNF to sleep mode (e.g., by a request from the OSS/BSS 1001 or autonomously).

In 1006, the VNF power manager 1004 saves the VNF configuration and operational state (i.e. VNF operation state information) to a registry.

In 1007, the VNF power manager 1004 updates the VNF power state to sleep mode.

In 1008, the VNF power manager 1004 notifies the NFV-MANO 1002 about the VNF power state change.

In 1009, the NFV-MANO 1002 processes resource management actions according to the power state profile of sleep mode and manages resources in 1010 accordingly.

In 1011, the NFV-MANO 1002, the NFVI 1003 and the VNF power manager 1004 perform resource reallocation actions according to the resource management and exchange confirmations and/or notifications about resource changes in 1012.

Figure 11 shows a flow diagram 1100 illustrating a method for restoring a VNF from sleep mode back to normal operation mode power management.

An OSS/BSS 1101, a NFV-MANO 1102, an NFVI 1103 and a VNF power manager 1104 (e.g. as in figure 3) are involved in the flow.

In 1105, the VNF power manager 1104 is triggered to set the VNF be restored to normal operation mode (e.g., by a request from the OSS/BSS 1101 or autonomously). In 1106, the VNF power manager 1104 notifies the NFV-MANO 1102 about the VNF power restoration.

In 1107, the NFV-MANO 1102 processes resource management actions requested by the NF power manager according to the power state profile of normal operation mode and manages resources in 1108 accordingly.

In 1109, the NFV-MANO 1102, the NFVI 1103 and the VNF power manager 1104 perform resource actions according to the resource management and exchange confirmations and/or notifications about resource changes in 1110.

In 1111 , the NFV-MANO 1102 informs the VNF power manager 1104 about VNF lifecycle changes.

In 1112, the VNF manager 1104 restores the VNF configuration and operational state from the registry (in conjunction with other VNF generic 0AM functions).

In 1113, the VNF manager 1104 updates the VNF power state to normal operation mode and checks if the updated power state is correct and aligned with the profile.

In 1114, the VNF power manager 1104 notifies the NFV-MANO 1104 about the VNF power state change.

The approaches described above, in particular with the architecture of figure 3, may interact with other systems like O-RAN. For example, both the virtualization- related components 312, 313, 314 as well as the VNF power manager 300 may be connected and interact with SMO (Service Management & Orchestrator) and O-Cloud of an 0-RAN- based deployment. In summary, according to various embodiments, a communication power management component is provided as illustrated in figure 12.

Figure 12 shows a power management component 1200 according to an embodiment.

The power management component includes a memory 1201 configured to store, for a virtual network function, a power saving profile 1202 for each of multiple power states of the virtual network function.

For each power state, the power saving profiles indicates as an example: an amount of physical data processing resources to be used by the virtual network function in the power state an amount of virtualization containers (VMs and OS containers) deployed on the physical resources to be used by the virtual network function in the power state a service capacity of a network function running on the virtualization containers to be provided in the power state.

The power management component 1200 further includes a controller 1203 configured to select one of the power states for the virtual network function and to control the virtual network function to operate according to the power saving profile stored for the selected power state.

According to various embodiments, in other words, power state profiles are established which define the usage (i.e. a rate or ratio or percentage of usage) of each of all three layers (physical resources, virtual resources and application) of a virtual network function. Thus, each power state may be fine-tuned with respect to all three layers.

The approach of figure 12 can be used to reduce power consumption and increase energy efficiency in a virtualized environment. It has many potential use cases (e.g., O-RAN’s driven intelligent control) associated to energy efficiency, application of energy consumption policies, etc. and can be implemented in many possible embodiments, including extensions over the VNF generic OAM functions framework. Generic 0AM functions are easy pluggable to the implementation. Further, the approach of figure 12 enables flexibility on the way VNF power management can be further simplified and optimized and may be operated over multi-technology VNF environments (VM-based, container-based).

Furthermore, the approach of figure 12, according to various embodiments, enhances the telecom operator orchestration mechanism with methods and/or mechanisms and interfaces which can enable VNF power management and optimize energy efficiency, e.g. as part of an integrated orchestration plane.

The power management component 1200 is a component of a communication network (e.g. of a core network), e.g. a 5G communication system.

The power management component 1200 for example carries out a method as illustrated in figure 13.

Figure 13 shows a flow diagram 1300 illustrating a method for power management of a virtual network function.

In 1301, for a virtual network function, a power saving profile is stored for each of multiple power states of the virtual network function.

For each power state, the power saving profiles indicates an amount of physical data processing resources to be used by the virtual network function in the power state, an amount of virtualization containers (VMs and OS containers) deployed on the physical resources to be used by the virtual network function in the power state and a service capacity of a network function running on the virtualization containers to be provided in the power state. In 1302 one of the power states is selected for the virtual network function.

In 1303, the virtual network function is controlled to operate according to the power saving profile stored for the selected power state.

According to various embodiments, for example, a method for optimizing the power management for VNFs is provided, the method including:

• receiving a request for enabling power management for a VNF from a management system

• receiving and exposing and translating information from a VNF/VNFCs about: VNF power status, VNF configuration information, related management and orchestration and resources configuration, VNF application operational status and

■ updating the power management state of VNF

■ preserving isolation between VNF in respect of power management operations

■ assuring resources for later VNF power restoration

• receiving and exposing and translating information from a management system about management and orchestration and resources configuration and

■ conforming against VNF power-aware policies

■ automating VNF configuration and management operations with or without interaction with other management and orchestration systems.

The components of the power management component (in particular the controller, which may be seen to implement any of the various functionalities for the VNF power manager described above, i.e. may be seen as the entity implementing the “logic” of the power management component) may for example be implemented by one or more circuits. A "circuit" may be understood as any kind of a logic implementing entity, which may be special purpose circuitry or a processor executing software stored in a memory, firmware, or any combination thereof. Thus a "circuit" may be a hard-wired logic circuit or a programmable logic circuit such as a programmable processor, e.g. a microprocessor. A "circuit" may also be a processor executing software, e.g. any kind of computer program. Any other kind of implementation of the respective functions described above may also be understood as a "circuit".

Further examples will be described in the following:

1. A power management component comprising a memory configured to store, for a virtual network function, a power saving profile for each of multiple power states of the virtual network function wherein, for each power state, the power saving profiles indicates an amount of physical data processing resources to be used by the virtual network function in the power state, an amount of virtualization containers deployed on the physical resources to be used by the virtual network function in the power state and a service capacity of a network function running on the virtualization containers to be provided in the power state; and a controller configured to select one of the power states for the virtual network function and to control the virtual network function to operate according to the power saving profile stored for the selected power state.

2. The power management component of Clause 1 , comprising an input interface configured to receive information indicating that the power state of the virtual network function should be changed, wherein the controller is configured to select the one of the power states and controls the virtual network function to operate according to the power saving profde stored for the selected power state in response to the reception of the information. The power management component of Clause 2, wherein the information is a request to change the power state from a current state. The power management component of Clause 2 or 3, wherein the information includes information about a power consumption of the virtual network function. The power management component of any one of Clauses 1 to 4, wherein each power saving profile indicates a power consumption of an operation of the virtual network function in accordance with the power saving profile. The power management component of any one of Clauses 1 to 5, wherein each power saving profile further specifies a number of virtual network function components of the virtual network function to be operated in the power saving profile. The power management component of any one of Clauses 1 to 6, wherein the controller is configured to determine a power consumption for each of the power saving profiles based on power consumption measurements. The power management component of any one of Clauses 1 to 5, wherein the controller is configured to include, for each power saving profile, the determined power consumption into the power saving profile. The power management component of Clause 7 or 8, wherein the power management component is configured to select the power state taking into account the determined power consumptions. The power management component of any one of Clauses 1 to 9, wherein the controller is configured to control the virtual network function to switch from a first power state to a second power state and wherein the controller is configured to, upon controlling the virtual network function to switch from the first power state to the second power state, to store operation state information about the virtual network function and to configure the virtual network function, upon controlling the virtual network function to switch from the second power state to the selected power state, taking into account the stored operation state information. The power management component of Clause 10, wherein the controller is configured to configure the virtual network function in accordance with the stored operation state information insofar the power saving profile stored for the selected power state allows it. The power management component of Clause 11, wherein the memory is configured to individually store, for each of a plurality of virtual network functions, a power saving profile for each of multiple power states of the virtual network function. A method for power management of a virtual network function, comprising: storing, for a virtual network function, a power saving profile for each of multiple power states of the virtual network function wherein, for each power state, the power saving profiles indicates an amount of physical data processing resources to be used by the virtual network function in the power state an amount of virtualization containers (VMs and OS containers) deployed on the physical resources to be used by the virtual network function in the power state a service capacity of a network function running on the virtualization containers to be provided in the power state; and selecting one of the power states for the virtual network function; and controlling the virtual network function to operate according to the power saving profile stored for the selected power state.

While specific aspects have been described, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the aspects of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The scope is thus indicated by the appended claims and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced.