Customer premises equipment virtualization

Abstract

A system is described that improves network function virtualization. The system facilitates an access point, such as a customer premises equipment, to utilize functionality of another access point when providing communication service to a device at a customer premises. The other access point may be a customer premises equipment at a neighboring premises. The access point may utilize the neighboring access point in case the access point is in a power saving state. Alternatively or in addition, the access point may use the other neighboring access point based on bandwidth availability, processing capability, memory capacity, or other attributes, or a combination thereof of the neighboring access point. In yet another example, the access point may utilize the neighboring access point in case of a failure in connection between the access point and a network provider.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A first device on a first local area network, the first device comprising:
 a communication interface; and   at least one processor configured to perform at least one of:
 provide at least one of processing or memory to a second device on a second local area network, based at least in part on a network management policy; or 
 provide a virtual function to the second device using the communication interface based at least in part on the network management policy. 
   
     
     
         22 . The first device of  claim 21 , wherein when the at least one processor is configured to provide the virtual function, the at least one processor is further configured to:
 receive at least part of a network flow directed to, or intended for, the second device;   perform the virtual function with respect to the at least part of the network flow; and   after performing the virtual function, provide the at least part of the network flow to the second device.   
     
     
         23 . The first device of  claim 22 , wherein the at least part of the network flow is received from at least one of a network switch or the second device. 
     
     
         24 . The first device of  claim 22 , wherein the at least part of the network flow provided to the second device bypasses a remote server. 
     
     
         25 . The first device of  claim 21 , wherein the network management policy is accessible to the first device and the second device. 
     
     
         26 . The first device of  claim 21 , wherein the network management policy is provided by a network service provider. 
     
     
         27 . The first device of  claim 26 , wherein the network service provider comprises at least one of a cable or satellite television service provider, a telephony service provider, or an Internet service provider. 
     
     
         28 . The first device of  claim 21 , wherein the first device includes at least one of a SIM card interface or a SIM card. 
     
     
         29 . The first device of  claim 21 , wherein the network management policy is stored in the first device and the first device is associated with a network service provider. 
     
     
         30 . The first device of  claim 21 , wherein the network management policy assigns the virtual function to the first device based at least in part on a geographic location associated with at least one of the first device or the virtual function. 
     
     
         31 . The first device of  claim 21 , further comprising another communication interface, that utilizes a different communication standard than the communication interface wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 provide another virtual function to a third device using the other communication interface based at least in part on the network management policy.   
     
     
         32 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a first device on a first local area network, at least part of a network flow directed to, or intended for, a second device on a second local area network;   performing, based at least in part on a network management policy, a virtual function with respect to the at least part of the network flow; and   after performing the virtual function, providing the at least part of the network flow to the second device.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the at least part of the network flow is received via a first communication interface and the at least part of the network flow is provided to the second device via a second communication interface that implements a different communication standard than the first communication interface. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the at least part of the network flow provided to the second device bypasses a remote server. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the network management policy is accessible to the first device and the second device. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the network management policy is provided by a network service provider. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the network service provider comprises at least one of a cable or satellite television service provider, a telephony service provider, or an Internet service provider. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the first device includes at least one of a SIM card interface or a SIM card. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the network management policy assigns the virtual function to the first device based at least in part on a geographic location associated with at least one of the first device or the virtual function. 
     
     
         40 . A non-transitory machine readable medium comprising code that, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations, the code comprising:
 code to provide, by a first device on a first local area network, at least one of processing or memory to a second device on a second local area network, based at least in part on a network management policy.