Metaswitch Networks Limited

Christopher Coomber

Andrew Munro Caldwell

Christopher Neil Swindle

Murray Rogers

Benjamin Gill

Embodiments relate to virtualization and have particular application to lifecycle management of Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs). Preferred embodiments provide a method for managing VNFs in a communications network that comprises management and orchestration (MANO) entities and a deployment management entity which is functionally separate from the MANO entities. The method comprises, at the deployment management entity: receiving a lifecycle management message relating to a deployment of VNFs; associating the received lifecycle management message with a specific deployment of VNF instances, the specific deployment comprising a set of more than one VNF instances orchestrated by a network function virtualization (NFV) orchestrator and managed by a VNF management entity, both of which are said MANO entities; updating a first VNF instance in the deployment on the basis of the received lifecycle management message; and updating a second VNF instance in the deployment on the basis of the received lifecycle management message.

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Enfield, United Kingdom

Christopher Coomber