Patent ID: 10164914

Abstract:
A Network Function Virtualization (NFV) Software-Defined Network (SDN) communicates across network boundaries with other NFV SDNs to support a data communication service. An NFV orchestrator transfers forwarding graphs for service, NFV, and SDN Network-to-Network Interfaces (NNIs) to an SDN controller. The SDN controller converts the forwarding graphs into forwarding instructions and transfers the forwarding instructions for the service, NFV, and SDN NNIs to an NFV SDN switching system. The NFV orchestrator uses the NFV NNI to transfer its forwarding graphs over the NFV SDN switching system across the network boundary to another NFV orchestrator. The SDN controller uses the SDN NNI to transfer its forwarding instructions over the NFV SDN switching system across the network boundary to another SDN controller. The NFV SDN switching system uses the service NNI to transfer user data across the network boundary to another NFV SDN switching system.