Method for optimising the distribution of a service from a source to a plurality of clients in a network

Abstract

This method for determining locations of service instances for optimising distribution of a service in a network, from a source to a plurality of clients each having predetermined requirements, wherein the network can be modelled by means of a graph, comprises steps of: placing a service instance in each leaf in the graph; and, starting from the leaves, for each service instance: checking whether the service instance when placed in a vertex on the next higher level can fulfil the requirements of all clients to be served by said service instance; and moving or not the service instance one level higher, depending on the result of the checking step.

1 . A method, in a network, of optimizing the distribution of a service from a source to a plurality of client terminals in a network, the method comprising:
 defining preconditions for providing the service to the plurality of client terminals;   determining requirements of both the plurality of client terminals and one or more sub-networks through which the plurality of client terminals are connected to the source;   graphically modelling locations in the network for one or more service instances with respect to the one or more sub-networks that are connected between the source and the plurality of client terminals;   determining a maximum distance allowed between the service instances and the plurality of client terminals using predefined metrics; and   according to the determined requirements and the determined maximum distance, minimizing the one or more service instances that are providing the service to the plurality of client terminals.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the determining a maximum distance allowed step further comprises, determining whether the one or more service instances can fulfil the requirements of the plurality of client terminals. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of graphically modelling locations further comprises determining levels in a graph produced by said graphic modelling. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 determining that at least two service instances are located less than the maximum distance and   combining said service instances.   
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the determining a maximum distance allowed step further comprises a table-based analysis step. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said checking step comprises a Petri net analysis step. 
   
   
       7 . A device in a telecommunications network, for optimizing the distribution of a service, from a source, to a plurality of client terminals in a network, the method comprising
 means for determining preconditions for providing the service to one or more client terminals in the plurality of client terminals   means for determining requirements of both the plurality of client terminals and one or more sub-networks through which the one or more client terminals are connected to the one or more sources;   modelling means for graphically modelling locations in the network for one or more service instances with respect to the one or more sub-networks that are connected between the source and the one or more client terminals;   a lodging unit for hosting the one or more service instances;   a checking unit for checking whether the one or more service instances, when located in the graphically modelled locations, can fulfil the requirements of the one or more client terminals;   a processing unit, for coordinating the lodging unit and the checking unit and for controlling a vertex in the graphic model of the locations; and   minimizing the one or more service instances that are providing the service to the plurality of client terminals.   
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 7 , further comprising;
 a combining unit, for determining that at least two service instances meet in the vertex and for combining the at least two service instances.   
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the modelling means determines a maximum distance allowed between the one or more service instances and the one or more client terminals and still fulfil the requirements of the plurality of client terminals. 
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 9 , further comprising
 means for determining that at least two service instances are located less than the maximum distance and combining said service instances.   
   
   
       11 . The device according to  7 , wherein the modelling means for graphically determining locations, further comprises means for determining levels in a graph produced by said graphic modelling. 
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the modelling means further comprises a table-based analysis means for determining levels. 
   
   
       13 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the modelling means further comprises a Petri net analysis means for determining levels.