EP4331194A1

EP4331194A1 - Method and apparatus for communication systems comprising management data analytic functions

Info

Publication number: EP4331194A1
Application number: EP21723696.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stephen MWANJE; Samdanis KONSTANTINOS
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2021-04-30
Filing date: 2021-04-30
Publication date: 2024-03-06
Also published as: WO2022228696A1

Abstract

A method, comprising: directing from a first component implementing a first function of a communications system to a second component implementing a second function of the communications system information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS COMPRISING MANAGEMENT DATA ANALYTIC FUNCTIONS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to apparatus, a method, and a computer program, and in particular but not exclusively to apparatus, methods and computer programs for communication systems comprising management data analytic functions.

BACKGROUND

Management data analytic functions of a communications system may provide one or more management data analytic services involving receiving input data from one or more network functions, and computing an analytics output from the input data.

SUMMARY

The one or more categorisations may comprise one or more first categorisations relevant to a first set of data analytic services, and one or more second categorisations specific to one or more sub-sets of the first set.

The one or more first categorisations may comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to type of computation model used to derive the analytics provided by the data analytics service; and categorisation relating to the metrics used to describe the performance of the data analytics service. The one or more second categorisations comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to location for which the data analytics service provides analytics; categorisation relating to network object for which the data analytics service provides analytics; and categorisation relating to metrics for which the data analytics service provides analytics.

The directing may be done in response to a request from the second component.

The request may identify one or more data analytics services, and the directing may comprise providing information about one or more categorisations of the one or more data analytics services specified in the request.

The request may identify one or more criteria, and the directing may comprise providing information about one or more categorisations of the one or more data analytics services meeting the criteria specified in the request.

The request may comprise a request for notification about what data analytic services are supported at the management data analytics function.

The first function may comprise the management data analytics function.

The first function may comprise a centralised repository function storing information about the management data analytics function.

A method, comprising: directing to a first component implementing a first function of a communications system from a second component implementing a second function of the communications system a request for information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; and receiving information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

The one or more categorisations may comprise one or more first categorisations relevant to a first set of data analytic services, and one or more second categorisations specific to one or more sub-sets of the first set. The one or more first categorisations may comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to type of computation model used to derive the analytics provided by the data analytics service; and categorisation relating to metrics used to describe the performance of the data analytics service.

The one or more second categorisations may comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to location for which the data analytics service provides analytics; categorisation relating to network object for which the data analytics service provides analytics; and categorisation relating to metrics for which the data analytics service provides analytics.

The request may identify one or more analytics services, and the receiving may comprise receiving information about one or more categorisations of the one or more data analytics services specified in the request.

The request may identify one or more criteria, and the receiving may comprise receiving information about one or more categorisations of the one or more analytics services meeting the criteria specified in the request.

The first function may comprise the management data analytics function.

Apparatus, comprising: means for directing to a component implementing a function of a communications system information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

The one or more categorisations comprise one or more first categorisations relevant to a first set of data analytic services, and one or more second categorisations specific to one or more sub-sets of the first set. The one or more first categorisations comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to type of computation model used to derive the analytics provided by the data analytics service; and categorisation relating to the metrics used to describe the performance of the data analytics service.

The one or more second categorisations comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to location for which the data analytics service provides analytics; categorisation relating to network object for which the data analytics service provides analytics; and categorisation relating to metrics for which the data analytics service provides analytics.

The apparatus may comprise means for performing the directing in response to a request from the component.

The request may identify one or more data analytics services, and the information may comprise information about one or more categorisations of the one or more data analytics services specified in the request.

The request may identify one or more criteria, and the information may comprise information about one or more categorisations of the one or more data analytics services meeting the criteria specified in the request.

The apparatus may comprise means for implementing the management data analytics function.

The apparatus may comprise means for implementing a centralised repository function storing information about the management data analytics function.

Apparatus, comprising: means for directing to a component implementing a function of a communications system a request for information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; and means for receiving information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

The one or more categorisations comprise one or more first categorisations relevant to a first set of data analytic services, and one or more second categorisations specific to one or more sub-sets of the first set.

The one or more first categorisations may comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to type of computation model used to derive the analytics provided by the data analytics service; and categorisation relating to metrics used to describe the performance of the data analytics service.

The request may identify one or more analytics services, and the information may comprise information about one or more categorisations of the one or more data analytics services specified in the request.

The request may identify one or more criteria, and the information may comprise information about one or more categorisations of the one or more analytics services meeting the criteria specified in the request.

The first function may comprise the management data analytics function.

An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: directing to a component implementing a function of a communications system information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

The one or more first categorisations may comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to type of computation model used to derive the analytics provided by the data analytics service; and categorisation relating to the metrics used to describe the performance of the data analytics service.

The at least one memory and computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: perform the directing in response to a request from the component.

The request may comprise a request for notification about what data analytic services are supported at the management data analytics function. The at least one memory and computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to implement the management data analytics function.

The at least one memory and computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to implement a centralised repository function storing information about the management data analytics function.

An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: directing to a component implementing a function of a communications system a request for information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; and receiving information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

The one or more second categorisations may comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to location for which the data analytics service provides analytics; categorisation relating to network object for which the data analytics service provides analytics; and categorisation relating to metrics for which the data analytics service provides analytics. The request may identify one or more analytics services, and the information may comprise information about one or more categorisations of the one or more data analytics services specified in the request.

The function may comprise the management data analytics function.

The function may comprise a centralised repository function storing information about the management data analytics function.

Apparatus, comprising: directing circuitry for directing to a component implementing a function of a communications system information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

Apparatus, comprising: directing circuitry for directing to a component implementing a function of a communications system a request for information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; and receiving circuitry for receiving information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

A computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing: directing from a first component implementing a first function of a communications system to a second component implementing a second function of the communications system information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

A computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing: directing to a first component implementing a first function of a communications system from a second component implementing a second function of the communications system a request for information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; and receiving information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing: directing from a first component implementing a first function of a communications system to a second component implementing a second function of the communications system information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing: directing to a first component implementing a first function of a communications system from a second component implementing a second function of the communications system a request for information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; and receiving information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

A computer program comprising computer executable code which when run on at least one processor is configured to cause an apparatus at least to: direct from a first component implementing a first function of a communications system to a second component implementing a second function of the communications system information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

A computer program comprising computer executable code which when run on at least one processor is configured to cause an apparatus at least to: direct to a first component implementing a first function of a communications system from a second component implementing a second function of the communications system a request for information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; and receive information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

In the above, many different aspects have been described. It should be appreciated that further aspects may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the aspects described above.

Various other aspects are also described in the following detailed description and in the attached claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Some example embodiments will now be described in further detail, by way of example only, with reference to the following examples and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a representation of elements of a communication system according to some example embodiments;

Figure 2 shows a representation of an example of an interaction between a consumer function and a producer function according to some example embodiments; Figure 3 shows a representation of operations at data analytics service producer and consumer functions according to some example embodiments;

Figure 4 shows a representation of operations at data analytics service producer and consumer functions according to some example embodiments;

Figure 5 shows a representation of operations at data analytics service producer and consumer functions according to some example embodiments;

Figure 6 shows a representation of an example of a data analytics service information report according to some example embodiments;

Figure 7 shows a representation of an example of descriptions of attributes of an analytics service information report according to some example embodiments;

Figure 8 shows a representation of an example of operations at data analytics service and consumer functions according to some example embodiments;

Figure 9 shows a representation of apparatus for implementing operations according to some example embodiments; and

Figure 10 shows a representation of non-volatile memory media.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description focusses, by way of example, on management data analytics for a radio communications system having a 3GPP service-based architecture (SBA), but the technique is also applicable to other types of communication systems.

Figure 1 shows a representation of an example of elements of a radio communication system for e.g. providing access via a radio interface to one or more data networks. The communication system includes components 2 providing user equipment (UE) functionality, one or more components 4 (such as base stations) providing radio access network (RAN) functionality; and one or more components providing core network (CN) functionality. The core network functionality 6 provides, for example, connections to one or more data networks (not shown). Each of the components in the UE, RAN and CN domains may generate management data such as performance metrics (PM) and key performance indicators (KPIs) that may be used as the input for one or more computation models of one or more management data analytics services (MDASs). One or more management data analytics functions may be provided, for example, at the management layer of the core network domain 6.

With reference to Figure 2, one or more management data analytics consumer functions may request and receive analytics from a management data analytics service producer function.

Analytics may be defined as: the concept of or the area of work on computing analysis on network/management data to produce insight that helps improve the quality of a hypothesis.

Analytics can be applied to multiple use cases, wherein an analytics use case may be defined as a specific problem for a hypothesis that can be generated and thus for which analysis may be undertaken.

The analytics may be computed using an analytics computation model. The analytics computation model may be e.g. a mathematical function, an artificial intelligence (Al)/machine learning (ML) function or some rule-based procedure.

The output of the analytics computation model may, for example, be one or more statistics, one or more prediction results, or one or more recommendation options.

An Analytics Service Instance (ASI) may be defined as a capability to produce analytics for a specific category of use case.

An Analyticsjob may be defined as the operations/processes related to producing analytics report(s) for a specific use case, including the operations/processes to format and compile the analytics report, and direct the analytics report to a MDA consumer function.

An Analyticsjob instance may represent an MDAS Analytics activity of a particular Analyticsjob for the particular ASI. In order to activate an Analyticsjob, a MDA consumer may create Analyticsjob object instances on the MDAF (MDA producer). When a MDA consumer wishes to deactivate an Analyticsjob, the MDA consumer may delete the corresponding Analyticsjob instance. A management data analytics function (MDAF) may comprise an entity at which one or more software components are executed to provide statistics, and/or prediction analytics and/or recommendation options based on management data to a consumer function. The MDAF may itself perform computations of the analytics, or the MDAF may obtain computed analytics from another entity.

Examples of kinds of management data include e.g. performance measurements (PMs), alarms, and key performance indicators (KPIs). Examples of analytics that may be computed from management data such as PMs and KPIs include: analytics regarding network objects like Network Function (NFs), gNBs, cell and UEs; analytics on network processes such as mobility optimization or load balancing; analytics on faults and alarms; and analytics on user and traffic characteristics like speed. For example, the analytics output may comprise (i) statistics or prediction data for the consumer function, and/or (ii) root cause analysis or recommendation options to inform a decision at the consumer function.

According to one example embodiment illustrated by Table 1 below, the ASI IOC is structured to have three fields: (i) the Analytics Name which is a mandatory unique identifier of the ASI considering a specific analytics, e.g. related to a particular use case; (ii) ASI-agnostic Description information; and (iii) ASI-specific Description information. The ASI-agnostic and ASI-specific description information together provide a complete and thorough description of the analytics provided by a specific ASI.

Table 1 :

The ASI-agnostic information specifies values for one or more general categories relevant to a wide set of ASIs, e.g. all ASIs. On the other hand, the ASI-specific information specifies values for one or more specific categories relevant to a narrower, sub-set of the wide set of ASIs. For example, ASI-agnostic Description information may include information about the category of computational model; and the ASI-specific Description may indicate the location and/or objects for which the analytics is provided.

For example, the ASI-agnostic description information for a ASI may indicate one of the following categories of analytics computation model:

(a) a Mathematical function, e.g., for computing the statistics of the input data like a standard deviation or a range;

(b) a machine learning model, trained to perform a prediction, say for a number or a series;

(c) a reinforcement learning model;

(d) an Al model; and

(e) a rule-based procedure, i.e. threshold crossing analytics.

The ASI Description Information (combination of ASI-agnostic Description information and ASI-specific Description information) lists a combination of general and more-specific features (in pre-defined categories) that together describe the specific ASI. One example of such a feature is the type of object or process (e.g. Random access) that is the subject of the analytics. The ASI Description Information may be a variable length array whose entries are (field, value) tuples. The tuples may be filled differently depending on use case and ASI.

Table 2 below shows one example for the structure of the ASI-agnostic description information and ASI-specific description information of the ASI IOC. Table 2:

Figure 3 illustrates one example of operations at producer and consumer functions. A MDA Consumer function 30 directs (OPERATION 300) to MDAF 32 a request for ASI description information for a specific ASI. The request identifies the ASI by means of an ASI identifier (AS ID). The MDAF 32 produces an ASI report including description information about the specified ASI, including ASI-agnostic description information and ASI-specific description information (OPERATION 302). The MDAF 32 directs the report to the MDA Consumer function 30 (OPERATION 304). In the event that the MDAF 32 does not support the specified ASI, the MDAF 32 may return a notification informing the MDAF consumer function 30 that the specified ASI is not supported. This notification may optionally indicate the full range of ASIs that are supported by the MDAF 32, or a sub-set determined at the MDAF to share some features with the ASI specified in the request. This better allows the MDA consumer function 30 to negotiate an analytics service.

Figure 4 illustrates another example of operations at consumer and producer functions according to another example embodiment. In this example, the request (OPERATION 400) does not identify a specific ASI but instead indicates one or more criteria A (such as values for one more pre-defined categories of the ASI-agnostic description information and/or ASI-specific description information). Example criteria may include: (a) ASIs that apply a particular analytics computation model (i.e. ASIs for which the model category information of the ASI-description information specifies that particular analytics computation model);

(b) ASIs that monitor particular network PMs (i.e. ASIs for which the PM type category of the ASI description information specifies those particular network PMs);

(c) ASIs that monitor a particular analyzed network object (i.e. ASIs for which the network object category information of the ASI-description information specifies that particular network object);

In response to the request, the MDAF 32 identifies one or more supported ASIs meeting the indicated criteria A (OPERATION 402) (e.g. one or more ASIs for which the ASI description information includes category values matching those specified in the request), and compiles a report indicating the one or more identified ASIs (OPERATION 404). The report may include the full ASI description information for the identified ASIs, including information about other categorisations of the ASIs about which the request was silent. The MDAF 32 then directs the report to the MDA consumer function 30 (OPERATION 406). Alternatively, the report may be a shorter format report which simply indicates the names/identifiers of the supported ASIs meeting the criteria specified in the request, without including ASI description information. The request from the MDA consumer function 30 may indicate which report format is required. In the event that the MDAF 32 does not support any ASI meeting all the criteria specified in the request, the MDAF 32 may return a notification informing the MDAF consumer function 30 that the MDAF does not support any ASI meeting all the specified criteria. This notification may optionally indicate the full range of ASIs that are supported by the MDAF 32, or a sub-set of supported ASIs meeting some of the criteria specified in the request. This better allows the MDA consumer to negotiate an analytics service.

Figure 5 illustrates another example of operations at producer and consumer functions. MDA Consumer function 30 directs (OPERATION 500) to MDAF 32 a general request for information about ASIs supported by MDAF 32. The request does not specify any particular ASI, or specify any particular criteria. In response to the request, the MDAF 32 compiles (OPERATION 502) a report including a list of all ASIs supported by the MDAF 32 The MDAF 32 directs the report to the MDA consumer function 30 (OPERATION 504).

The report may include full ASI description information for each of the supported ASIs. Alternatively, the report may have a short format which simply indicates the names/identifiers of the range of supported ASIs, without including ASI description information. The request from the MDA consumer function 30 may indicate which report format is required.

The communication system may comprise a plurality of MDAFs. For each example described above, the MDA consumer 30 may send the requestto one, some or all of the plurality of MDAFs, in order to obtain information about ASIs.

The report sent to the MDA consumer 30 by the MDAF 32 may be referred to as the Supported ASI Report. As mentioned above, the Supported ASI Report may, for example, have one of two formats: a detailed report including full ASI description information for each ASI identified in the report; or a short report simply identifying one or more ASIs (by name and/or identifier) without including ASI description information.

One example of a structure for the detailed report is shown in Table 3 below and Figure

6.

Table 3:

The ASI description information may be specified in the form of a pre-defined (e.g. standardised) datatype. The ASI description information may be referred to as ASIDescriptionlnformation. The ASIDescriptionlnformation may combine both ASI- agnostic description information and ASI-specific description information, such as in the example illustrated by Table 4 below and Figure 7. Table 4 and Figure 7 only show a relatively small number of attributes, but the attributes shown in Table 4 and Figure 7 may be supplemented by many other attributes.

Table 4:

The ASI Report sent from the MDAF 32 to the MDA consumer function 30 may take the form of a standardised datatype. With reference to Table 6 below, each entry may comprise a tuple of ASI identifier and ASIDescriptionlnformation.

Table 6

The examples described above involve the MDA consumer function 30 directing the request for ASI information to the MDAF 32 supporting the ASI(s). According to another example, the MDA consumer function 30 may direct the request to a centralised repository function which stores information about the management services produced by a plurality of management service producer functions (including one or more MDAFs). The information stored at the repository function about a MDAF may include ASI description information about the ASIs supported by the MDAF. The information provided by the repository function to the requestor (consumer) function may include the IP address of the MDAF function providing the ASI(s).

Figure 8 illustrates one example of operations at consumer and producer functions after the MDA consumer function 30 has acquired ASI description information about one or more ASIs supported by the MDAF 32, and determined (from the received ASI description information) to consume a data analytics service supported by the MDAF 32. The MDA consumer function 30 directs to the MDAF 30 a request for the performance of a specific ASI supported by the MDAF 30 (OPERATION 500). In response to receiving the request, the MDAF 32 instantiates an Analyticsjob, and performs the operation of the Analyticsjob (OPERATION 502). The computing of the analytics may be performed at the MDAF 32, or at another function that provided the computed result to the MDAF 32. The MDAF reports the output of the Analyticsjob to the MDA consumer function 30 (OPERATION 504).

The above-described techniques specify how a MDA consumer function receives information about capabilities of supported data analytics services, and in which format. The above-described techniques provide a logical description of analytics instances and specific means to identify the analytics capabilities.

The above-described techniques provide a common description for analytics and a common format to request and identify the different kind of analytics. This facilitates flexibility and scalability. Vendors and operators can define new analytics, and such analytics can be delivered via the standardised mechanism.

The above-described techniques provide a structure and format for describing management data analytics in way that is independent of the specific analytics use case, (for both standardized and/or proprietary analytics). This facilitates the discovery of available analytics by a MDA consumer function. The structure and format can support any new kind of analytics that is provided by a MDAF.

The above-described techniques use a MDA information model that is flexible to allow different ASI to be described in a common way. For example, the description of the analytics is flexible to support the discovery of different kinds of analytics that may be produced by a MDAF regardless of the computational model used for the analytics.

Figure 9 illustrates an example of a hardware component for implementing the operations of the MDA producer function 32 or the MDA consumer function 30 in the embodiments described above. The apparatus may comprise at least one processor 602 coupled to one or more interfaces 608 to the component implementing the other of the two functions (and other components of the communications system implementing other functions). The at least one processor 602 executes a software component implementing the operations described above. The software code may be stored in a memory 606 coupled to the processor 602.

Figure 10 shows a schematic representation of non-volatile memory media 1100a (e.g. computer disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD)) and 1100b (e.g. universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) storing instructions and/or parameters 1102 which when executed by a processor allow the processor to perform one or more of the steps of the methods described previously.

It is to be noted that embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as circuitry, in software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware and application logic. In an example embodiment, the application logic, software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" may be any media or means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as the base stations or user equipment of the above-described embodiments.

As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to all of the following: (a) hardware- only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) to combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as the user equipment or base stations of the above-described embodiments, to perform various functions) and (c) to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of 'circuitry' applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other network device.

The described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages can be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the invention as discussed above may be practiced with steps in a different order, and/or with hardware elements in configurations which are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although the invention has been described based upon these preferred embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1 . A method, comprising: directing from a first component implementing a first function of a communications system to a second component implementing a second function of the communications system information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more categorisations comprise one or more first categorisations relevant to a first set of data analytic services, and one or more second categorisations specific to one or more sub-sets of the first set.

3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the one or more first categorisations comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to type of computation model used to derive the analytics provided by the data analytics service; and categorisation relating to the metrics used to describe the performance of the data analytics service.

4. The method according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the one or more second categorisations comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to location for which the data analytics service provides analytics; categorisation relating to network object for which the data analytics service provides analytics; and categorisation relating to metrics for which the data analytics service provides analytics.

5. The method according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the directing is done in response to a request from the second component.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the request identifies one or more data analytics services, and the directing comprises providing information about one or more categorisations of the one or more data analytics services specified in the request.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the request identifies one or more criteria, and the directing comprises providing information about one or more categorisations of the one or more data analytics services meeting the criteria specified in the request.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the request comprises a request for notification about what data analytic services are supported at the management data analytics function.

9. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the first function comprises the management data analytics function.

10. The method according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first function comprises a centralised repository function storing information about the management data analytics function.

11. A method, comprising: directing to a first component implementing a first function of a communications system from a second component implementing a second function of the communications system a request for information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; and receiving information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the one or more categorisations comprise one or more first categorisations relevant to a first set of data analytic services, and one or more second categorisations specific to one or more sub-sets of the first set.

13. The method according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the one or more first categorisations comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to type of computation model used to derive the analytics provided by the data analytics service; and categorisation relating to metrics used to describe the performance of the data analytics service.

14. The method according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the one or more second categorisations comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to location for which the data analytics service provides analytics; categorisation relating to network object for which the data analytics service provides analytics; and categorisation relating to metrics for which the data analytics service provides analytics.

15. The method according to any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the request identifies one or more analytics services, and the receiving comprises receiving information about one or more categorisations of the one or more data analytics services specified in the request.

16. The method according to any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the request identifies one or more criteria, and the receiving comprises receiving information about one or more categorisations of the one or more analytics services meeting the criteria specified in the request.

17. The method according to any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the request comprises a request for notification about what data analytic services are supported at the management data analytics function.

18. The method according to any of claims 11 to 17, wherein the first function comprises the management data analytics function.

19. The method according to any of claims 11 to 17, wherein the first function comprises a centralised repository function storing information about the management data analytics function.

20. Apparatus, comprising: means for directing to a component implementing a function of a communications system information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the one or more categorisations comprise one or more first categorisations relevant to a first set of data analytic services, and one or more second categorisations specific to one or more sub-sets of the first set.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the one or more first categorisations comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to type of computation model used to derive the analytics provided by the data analytics service; and categorisation relating to the metrics used to describe the performance of the data analytics service.

23. The apparatus according to claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the one or more second categorisations comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to location for which the data analytics service provides analytics; categorisation relating to network object for which the data analytics service provides analytics; and categorisation relating to metrics for which the data analytics service provides analytics.

24. The apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 23, comprising means for performing the directing in response to a request from the component.

25. The apparatus according to 24, wherein the request identifies one or more data analytics services, and the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the one or more data analytics services specified in the request.

26. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the request identifies one or more criteria, and the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the one or more data analytics services meeting the criteria specified in the request.

27. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the request comprises a request for notification about what data analytic services are supported at the management data analytics function.

28. The apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 27, wherein the apparatus comprises means for implementing the management data analytics function.

29. The apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 27, wherein the apparatus comprises means for implementing a centralised repository function storing information about the management data analytics function.

30. Apparatus, comprising: means for directing to a component implementing a function of a communications system a request for information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; and means for receiving information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the one or more categorisations comprise one or more first categorisations relevant to a first set of data analytic services, and one or more second categorisations specific to one or more sub-sets of the first set.

32. The apparatus according to claim 30 or claim 31 , wherein the one or more first categorisations comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to type of computation model used to derive the analytics provided by the data analytics service; and categorisation relating to metrics used to describe the performance of the data analytics service.

33. The apparatus according to claim 31 or claim 32, wherein the one or more second categorisations comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to location for which the data analytics service provides analytics; categorisation relating to network object for which the data analytics service provides analytics; and categorisation relating to metrics for which the data analytics service provides analytics.

34. The apparatus according to any of claims 30 to 33, wherein the request identifies one or more analytics services, and the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the one or more data analytics services specified in the request.

35. The apparatus according to any of claims 30 to 33, wherein the request identifies one or more criteria, and the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the one or more analytics services meeting the criteria specified in the request.

36. The apparatus according to any of claims 30 to 33, wherein the request comprises a request for notification about what data analytic services are supported at the management data analytics function.

37. The apparatus according to any of claims 30 to 36, wherein the first function comprises the management data analytics function.

38. The apparatus according to any of claims 30 to 36, wherein the first function comprises a centralised repository function storing information about the management data analytics function.

39. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: directing to a component implementing a function of a communications system information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

40. The apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the one or more categorisations comprise one or more first categorisations relevant to a first set of data analytic services, and one or more second categorisations specific to one or more sub-sets of the first set.

41. The apparatus according to claim 39 or claim 40, wherein the one or more first categorisations comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to type of computation model used to derive the analytics provided by the data analytics service; and categorisation relating to the metrics used to describe the performance of the data analytics service.

42. The apparatus according to claim 39 or claim 40, wherein the one or more second categorisations comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to location for which the data analytics service provides analytics; categorisation relating to network object for which the data analytics service provides analytics; and categorisation relating to metrics for which the data analytics service provides analytics.

43. The apparatus according to any of claims 39 to 42, wherein the at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: perform the directing in response to a request from the component.

44. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the request identifies one or more data analytics services, and the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the one or more data analytics services specified in the request.

45. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the request identifies one or more criteria, and the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the one or more data analytics services meeting the criteria specified in the request.

46. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the request comprises a request for notification about what data analytic services are supported at the management data analytics function.

47. The apparatus according to any of claims 39 to 46, wherein the at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to implement the management data analytics function.

48. The apparatus according to any of claims 39 to 46, wherein the at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to implement a centralised repository function storing information about the management data analytics function.

49. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: directing to a component implementing a function of a communications system a request for information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; and receiving information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

50. The apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the one or more categorisations comprise one or more first categorisations relevant to a first set of data analytic services, and one or more second categorisations specific to one or more sub-sets of the first set.

51. The apparatus according to claim 49 or claim 50, wherein the one or more first categorisations comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to type of computation model used to derive the analytics provided by the data analytics service; and categorisation relating to metrics used to describe the performance of the data analytics service.

52. The apparatus according to claim 50 or claim 51 , wherein the one or more second categorisations comprise one or more of the following: categorisation relating to location for which the data analytics service provides analytics; categorisation relating to network object for which the data analytics service provides analytics; and categorisation relating to metrics for which the data analytics service provides analytics.

53. The apparatus according to any of claims 49 to 52, wherein the request identifies one or more analytics services, and the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the one or more data analytics services specified in the request.

54. The apparatus according to any of claims 49 to 52, wherein the request identifies one or more criteria, and the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the one or more analytics services meeting the criteria specified in the request.

55. The apparatus according to any of claims 49 to 52, wherein the request comprises a request for notification about what data analytic services are supported at the management data analytics function.

56. The apparatus according to any of claims 49 to 55, wherein the function comprises the management data analytics function.

57. The apparatus according to any of claims 49 to 55, wherein the function comprises a centralised repository function storing information about the management data analytics function.

58. Apparatus, comprising: directing circuitry for directing to a component implementing a function of a communications system information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

59. Apparatus, comprising: directing circuitry for directing to a component implementing a function of a communications system a request for information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; and receiving circuitry for receiving information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

60. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing: directing from a first component implementing a first function of a communications system to a second component implementing a second function of the communications system information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

61. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing: directing to a first component implementing a first function of a communications system from a second component implementing a second function of the communications system a request for information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; and receiving information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

62. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing: directing from a first component implementing a first function of a communications system to a second component implementing a second function of the communications system information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

63. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing: directing to a first component implementing a first function of a communications system from a second component implementing a second function of the communications system a request for information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; and receiving information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

64. A computer program comprising computer executable code which when run on at least one processor is configured to cause an apparatus at least to: direct from a first component implementing a first function of a communications system to a second component implementing a second function of the communications system information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.

65. A computer program comprising computer executable code which when run on at least one processor is configured to cause an apparatus at least to: direct to a first component implementing a first function of a communications system from a second component implementing a second function of the communications system a request for information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; and receive information about at least one data analytics service provided by at least one management data analytic function of the communications system; wherein the information comprises information about one or more categorisations of the data analytics service.