Hardware-trusted network bearers in network function virtualization infrastructure (NFVI) servers that execute virtual network functions (VNFS) under management and orchestration (MANO) control

摘要

Network Function Virtualization Infrastructure (NFVI) servers execute Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) to exchange user data under the control of a Management and Orchestration (MANO) system. A Hardware-Trust (HT) server maintains hardware trust in some of the NFVI servers. The HT server exchanges NFVI/VNF execution data with the MANO system to associate executing VNFs with hardware-trusted NFVI servers. A control set of the VNFs receives a request for a hardware-trusted communication and responsively selects a network bearer supported by data VNFs. The HT server determines if the data VNFs are hardware-trusted VNFs, and if so, the HT server indicates to the control VNFs that the hardware-trusted communication may proceed. The control VNFs direct the data VNFs to transfer the hardware-trusted data communication over the selected network bearer.