Patent ID: 11444792

Abstract:
A method for monitoring operation of a network service for the purpose of licensing control in a virtual network environment managed by a Network Functions Virtualisation Management and Orchestration, NFV-MANO, system, is disclosed. The method comprises: defining (202) the network service in a Network Service Descriptor and deploying the network service using at least one Virtual Network Function instance identified in said Network Service Descriptor by instantiating (204) at least one Virtual Network Function Component defined by a Virtualisation Deployment Unit, wherein said Virtualisation Deployment Unit is associated with said Virtual Network Function. The method also comprises recording (206) in a first information field associated with the Network Service Descriptor information indicative of usage of the at least one instantiated Virtual Network Function Component and maintaining (208) a licensing database for storing information indicative of usage of the at least one instantiated Virtual Network Function Component based on records in the first information field.