Configuring application function policies and network slice optimization

Abstract

A method performed by a vertical application layer (VAL) server is provided. The method includes transmitting a request related to one or more application function (AF) policies to a network slice capability enabled (NSCE) server, and receiving a response to the request from the NSCE server after transmitting the request.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to configuring application function (AF) policies and network slice optimization. Background Art

[0002] As described in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Technical Specification (TS) 23.435 Rel-18 v0.4.0, network slice optimization can be performed based on AF policy. AF policy is a policy for slice optimization configured by a vertical application layer (VAL) server or a VAL server application.

[0003] The AF policy may define (one or more) triggering events, (one or more) expected actions, and / or the lifecycle of the policy. The Network Slice Capability Enablement (NSCE) server may monitor the (one or more) triggering events defined in the AF policy and optimize (one or more) network slices according to the (one or more) expected actions defined in the policy. The NSCE server may utilize the underlying Service Enabler Architecture Layer (SEAL) Application Programming Interface (API) for Verticals or the 5G system to optimize (one or more) network slices. Therefore, the AF policy is the core of the network slice optimization process. Summary of the Invention

[0004] As explained above, network slice optimization can be performed based on one or more AF policies. However, currently, there are no standardized processes for configuring various aspects of AF policies. For example, there are no standardized processes for updating or deleting AF policies, requesting and receiving AF policy usage report data, defining or redefining the priority of AF policies, configuring AF policy preemption, scheduling the application of AF policies, configuring AF policies as the default policy, retrieving network slice optimization reports associated with AF policies, etc. However, these operations are crucial to handling the dynamic requirements of the VAL server.

[0005] Therefore, in one aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method performed by a vertical application layer (VAL) server is provided. The method includes: transmitting a request related to one or more application function AF policies to a network slice capability enabling NSCE server; and after transmitting the request, receiving a response to the request from the NSCE server. The request is at least one of the following: (i) a provisioning request for provisioning the one or more AF policies, further wherein the provisioning request: a. indicates whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is the default policy of one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, c. includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, and / or d. indicates the priority level of each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, (ii) is used to update the one or (iii) an update request for multiple AF policies, (iii) a deletion request for deleting the one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage report request for requesting information about usage of the one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling the one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further, wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different auxiliary AF policies, the auxiliary AF policies to be used as fallback policies to perform a network slice optimization process in the event that the network slice optimization process based on the one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting a report of information about the network slice optimization process performed by the NSCE server.

[0006] On the other hand, a method performed by a network slicing capability enabling NSCE server is provided. The method includes: receiving a request related to one or more application function AF policies, wherein the request is transmitted by a vertical application layer VAL server; and after receiving the request, transmitting a response to the request to the VAL server. The request is at least one of the following: (i) a supply request for supplying the one or more AF policies, further wherein the supply request: a. indicates whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is the default policy of one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, c. includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, and / or d. indicates the priority level of each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, (ii) is used to update the one or (iii) an update request for multiple AF policies, (iii) a deletion request for deleting the one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage report request for requesting information about usage of the one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling the one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further, wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different auxiliary AF policies, the auxiliary AF policies to be used as fallback policies to perform a network slice optimization process in the event that the network slice optimization process based on the one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting a report of information about the network slice optimization process performed by the NSCE server.

[0007] In a different aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a processing circuit, cause the processing circuit to perform the method according to any one of the above embodiments.

[0008] In a different aspect, a carrier containing the computer program according to the above embodiment is provided, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0009] In different aspects, a vertical application layer VAL server is provided. The VAL server is configured to: transmit a request related to one or more application function AF policies to a network slice capability enabling NSCE server; and after transmitting the request, receive a response to the request from the NSCE server. The request is at least one of the following: (i) a supply request for supplying the one or more AF policies, further wherein the supply request: a. indicates whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is the default policy of one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, c. includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, and / or d. indicates the priority level of each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, (ii) is used to update the one or (iii) an update request for multiple AF policies, (iii) a deletion request for deleting the one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage report request for requesting information about usage of the one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling the one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further, wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different auxiliary AF policies, the auxiliary AF policies to be used as fallback policies to perform a network slice optimization process in the event that the network slice optimization process based on the one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting a report of information about the network slice optimization process performed by the NSCE server.

[0010] In different aspects, a network slicing capability enabling NSCE server is provided. The NSCE server is configured to: receive a request related to one or more application function AF policies, wherein the request is transmitted by a vertical application layer VAL server; and after receiving the request, transmit a response to the request to the VAL server. The request is at least one of the following: (i) a supply request for supplying the one or more AF policies, further wherein the supply request: a. indicates whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is the default policy of one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, c. includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, and / or d. indicates the priority level of each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, (ii) is used to update the one or (iii) an update request for multiple AF policies, (iii) a deletion request for deleting the one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage report request for requesting information about usage of the one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling the one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further, wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different auxiliary AF policies, the auxiliary AF policies to be used as fallback policies to perform a network slice optimization process in the event that the network slice optimization process based on the one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting a report of information about the network slice optimization process performed by the NSCE server.

[0011] In a different aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: a processing circuit; and a memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuit, whereby the apparatus is operable to perform the method according to any one of the above embodiments.

[0012] Therefore, in one aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method performed by a vertical application layer VAL server is provided. The method includes: transmitting a request related to one or more application function AF policies to a network slice capability enabling NSCE server; and after transmitting the request, receiving a response to the request from the NSCE server. The request is any one of the following: a provision request for provisioning the one or more AF policies, an update request for updating the one or more AF policies, a deletion request for deleting the one or more AF policies, a policy usage report request for requesting provision of information about the use of the one or more AF policies, a scheduling request for scheduling the one or more AF policies, a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, or a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting a report on information about a network slice optimization process performed by the NSCE server. The provisioning request indicates whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that is not associated with any AF policy; includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies; includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, and / or indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies. The network slice optimization message indicates one or more different AF policies, and the one or more different AF policies are to be used to perform the network slice optimization process in the event that the network slice optimization process based on the one or more AF policies fails.

[0013] On the other hand, a method performed by a network slicing capability enabling NSCE server is provided. The method includes: receiving a request related to one or more application function AF policies, wherein the request is transmitted by a vertical application layer VAL server; and after receiving the request, transmitting a response to the request to the VAL server. The request is any one of the following: a provision request for provisioning the one or more AF policies, an update request for updating the one or more AF policies, a deletion request for deleting the one or more AF policies, a policy usage report request for requesting information about the use of the one or more AF policies, a scheduling request for scheduling the one or more AF policies, a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, or a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting a report on information about a network slice optimization process performed by the NSCE server. The provisioning request indicates whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that is not associated with any AF policy; includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies; includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, and / or indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies. The network slice optimization message indicates one or more different AF policies, and the one or more different AF policies are to be used to perform the network slice optimization process in the event that the network slice optimization process based on the one or more AF policies fails.

[0014] In another aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a processing circuit, cause the processing circuit to perform the method according to any one of the above embodiments.

[0015] In another aspect, a carrier containing the computer program according to the above embodiment is provided, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0016] On the other hand, a vertical application layer VAL server is provided. The VAL server is configured to: transmit a request related to one or more application function AF policies to a network slice capability enabling NSCE server; and after transmitting the request, receive a response to the request from the NSCE server. The request is any one of the following: a provision request for provisioning the one or more AF policies, an update request for updating the one or more AF policies, a deletion request for deleting the one or more AF policies, a policy usage report request for requesting information about the use of the one or more AF policies, a scheduling request for scheduling the one or more AF policies, a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, or a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting a report on information about a network slice optimization process performed by the NSCE server. The provisioning request indicates whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that is not associated with any AF policy; includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies; includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, and / or indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies. The network slice optimization message indicates one or more different AF policies, and the one or more different AF policies are to be used to perform the network slice optimization process in the event that the network slice optimization process based on the one or more AF policies fails.

[0017] On the other hand, a network slicing capability enabling NSCE server is provided. The NSCE server is configured to: receive a request related to one or more application function AF policies, wherein the request is transmitted by a vertical application layer VAL server; and after receiving the request, transmit a response to the request to the VAL server. The request is any one of the following: a provision request for provisioning the one or more AF policies, an update request for updating the one or more AF policies, a deletion request for deleting the one or more AF policies, a policy usage report request for requesting information about the use of the one or more AF policies, a scheduling request for scheduling the one or more AF policies, a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, or a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting a report on information about a network slice optimization process performed by the NSCE server. The provisioning request indicates whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that is not associated with any AF policy; includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies; includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, and / or indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies. The network slice optimization message indicates one or more different AF policies, and the one or more different AF policies are to be used to perform the network slice optimization process in the event that the network slice optimization process based on the one or more AF policies fails.

[0018] In another aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a processing circuit; and a memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuit, whereby the apparatus is operable to perform the method according to any one of the above embodiments.

[0019] Embodiments of the present disclosure allow for configuration of various aspects of one or more AF policies to handle the dynamic requirements of the system and / or network. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various embodiments.

[0021] Figure 1 A portion of a system according to some embodiments is shown.

[0022] Figure 2 Shown is a detailed view of a portion of a system according to some embodiments.

[0023] Figure 3A The process of AF policy provisioning is shown.

[0024] Figure 3B The process of AF policy update is shown.

[0025] Figure 3C The process of deleting an AF policy is shown.

[0026] Figure 3D The process of AF policy usage reporting is shown.

[0027] Figure 4A The process of AF policy scheduling is shown.

[0028] Figure 4B The process of network slicing optimization is shown.

[0029] Figure 4C The process of network slice optimization report retrieval is shown.

[0030] Figure 5 A process according to some embodiments is shown.

[0031] Figure 6 A process according to some embodiments is shown.

[0032] Figure 7 An apparatus according to some embodiments is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Figure 1 FIG1 shows a portion of a system 100 according to some embodiments. In the system 100, a user equipment (UE) 108 (e.g., a mobile phone, a computer, a watch, a tablet, a vehicle, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.) is connected to a base station 112 via a wireless network provided by the base station 112. The base station 112 is part of a 3GPP network system 106 connected to a VAL server 102 and an NSCE server 104. Note that the provided Figure 1 The number of each of the entities ( 102 , 104 , 108 , 112 , etc.) shown in FIG is for simplicity of explanation purposes only and does not limit the embodiments of the present disclosure in any way. Figure 2 A detailed view of the connections between the different entities included in the system 100 is shown.

[0034] The network functions / nodes in this disclosure may be implemented as network elements on dedicated hardware, as software instances running on dedicated hardware, or as virtualized functions instantiated on an appropriate platform (e.g., on a cloud infrastructure).

[0035] As explained above, in the prior art, there is no standardized process for configuring different aspects of AF policies. For example, in the future many people will be expected to use their mobile phones to stream videos via a media streaming server (e.g., for streaming YouTube TM Video server) to capture and stream sports events (e.g., FIFA TM In a network area where a video stream is transmitted (e.g., World Cup), the number of UEs expected to use network slices associated with video streaming may become quite high. In such a scenario, it may be desirable for the VAL server 102 to update / adjust the AF policy related to video streaming so that such a large number of UEs can be accommodated in the network slice. However, in the prior art, there is no standardized process for updating AF policies. Therefore, embodiments of the present disclosure provide various ways of configuring different aspects of one or more AF policies. In the present disclosure, AF policies may also be referred to as "VAL server policies." This is because AF policies are policies configured by a vertical application layer (VAL) server or a VAL server application for slice optimization.

[0036] AF strategy supply

[0037] Figure 3A The process of AF policy provisioning according to some embodiments is shown. The process may begin by the VAL server 102 transmitting an AF policy provisioning request (also referred to as a "provisioning request") to the NSCE server 104. This AF policy provisioning request is used to provision one or more AF policies at the NSCE server 104. The provisioning request may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0038] As shown above, the AF policy provisioning request may include a policy IE indicating the profile of the AF policy being requested to be provisioned and a default policy indication IE indicating whether the AF policy being requested to be provisioned should be marked as the default policy for the network slice being provisioned in the absence of any policy. In some embodiments, the default global policy indication IE is optional. In such an embodiment, the NSCE server 104 may assume that the AF policy being requested to be provisioned is not the default AF policy. Alternatively, in the absence of the default global policy indication IE, the NSCE server 104 may assume that the AF policy being requested to be provisioned is the default AF policy.

[0039] The policy profile may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0040] As shown above, in some embodiments, the policy profile may include a priority IE indicating the priority level of the requested AF policy. However, in other embodiments, the priority IE is optional. In such embodiments, the NSCE server 104 may assign a preconfigured priority level to the requested AF policy.

[0041] The policy profile may include a scheduled time period IE indicating a scheduled time period for scheduling the requested AF policy. In one example, the scheduled time period IE may include a start time IE indicating a scheduled start time and an end time IE indicating a scheduled end time.

[0042] The policy profile may include a preemption IE indicating the preemption capability of the requested AF policy. In one example, the preemption IE may identify one or more AF policies that are allowed to preempt the requested AF policy. In another example, the preemption IE may identify one or more AF policies that are allowed to preempt the requested AF policy.

[0043] An example of an AF policy is a policy for triggering a network slice modification with desired parameters based on monitored performance indicators from operations, administration, and maintenance (OAM) when a maximum number of protocol data unit (PDU) sessions or a maximum number of user equipment (UE) is reached. In this example, the policy profile may include any one or more of the following information elements.

[0044] Another example of an AF policy is a policy for triggering a network slice modification with expected parameters based on a monitored network slice load prediction from a network data analysis function (NWDAF) when the network slice load prediction (e.g., the predicted number of PDU session establishments at the network slice) exceeds a threshold with a high confidence level. In this example, the policy profile may include any one or more of the following information elements.

[0045] Another example of an AF policy is a policy for triggering a network slice modification with expected parameters based on monitoring during a time period when a certain time period is reached (e.g., summer vacation, Spring Festival, etc.). In this example, the policy profile may include any one or more of the following information elements. Information Elements describe Strategy Time period. Trigger event The time / day configuration of the expected capacity of a specific network slice. >Expected Action Modify the slice capacity (increase or decrease in %). Lifecycle or number of events The duration or number of times a policy can take an action. Priority Indicates the priority of the policy. Scheduling time period Indicates the scheduling of the policy in terms of time. >Start Time Indicates the scheduled start time. End time Indicates the scheduled end time. seize Indicates the preemption capability of the policy. >Policy ID Indicates the policy ID to be active in preemption mode.

[0046] After receiving the AF policy provisioning request, the NSCE server 104 may check whether the AF policy included in the request conflicts with the service profile and / or another AF policy. If there is a conflict, the NSCE server 104 may reject the request.

[0047] Additionally or alternatively, upon receiving the AF policy provisioning request, the NSCE server 104 may check the validity of the policy (e.g., checking whether the policy is active within a specified time period until a specified threshold count of triggering events is reached) to avoid a ping-pong effect of slice modification. If the AF policy is invalid, the request may be rejected.

[0048] After checking the conflict and / or validity of the AF policy included in the request, the NSCE server 104 may transmit an AF policy provisioning response to the VAL server 102, the AF policy provisioning response indicating whether the AF policy provisioning requested by the request was successfully performed. If the requested AF policy provisioning is successful, the AF policy provisioning response may include a policy identifier (ID) identifying the provisioned AF policy.

[0049] The provisioning process of AF policy (also called "VAL server policy") can be summarized as follows:

[0050] Table 1-1 below describes the information elements of the AF policy ("VAL server policy") provisioning request from the VAL server to the NSCE server. Table 1-1: AF policy provisioning request

[0051] Table 1-2 below describes the policy profile for the AF policy ("VAL server policy") provisioning request. Table 1-2: Policy Profiles

[0052] Whether more strategies consisting of trigger events and actions can be supported is FFS. The following table lists the supported strategies. Table 1-3: Policy for the maximum number of PDU sessions / maximum number of UEs Table 1-4: Network slicing load prediction strategies Table 1-5: Time period strategies

[0053] AF strategy update

[0054] Figure 3B The process of AF policy update is shown. The process may begin by the VAL server 102 transmitting an AF policy update request (also referred to as an "update request") to the NSCE server 104. This update request is used to update the AF policy indicated in the request at the NSCE server 104. The update request may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0055] As shown above, the update request may include a Policy ID IE identifying the AF policy requested to be updated and a Policy Modification Details IE indicating details of how to update the AF policy. The update request may also include a Default Policy Indication IE indicating whether the AF policy requested to be updated is the default AF policy. If the AF policy requested to be updated is not the default AF policy, the update request may also include a Different Policy ID IE identifying the default AF policy.

[0056] Through this update request, one or more IEs (e.g., a scheduling period IE, a preemption IE, etc.) included in the policy profile may be updated. For example, as explained above, the policy profile may include a preemption IE indicating the preemption capability of the AF policy. In this example, through the update request, the preemption capability of the AF policy for which update is requested may be updated. In a specific example, if the preemption capability of the AF policy is such that only AF policy #1 and AF policy #2 can be preempted through this update request, the preemption capability of the AF policy may be updated so that the AF policy can preempt AF policy #1, AF policy #2, and AF policy #3.

[0057] After receiving the AF policy update request, the NSCE server 104 may determine whether the VAL server 102 is authorized to update the requested AF policy. If the NSCE server 104 determines that the VAL server 102 is authorized to update the AF policy, the NSCE server 104 may check the updated policy profile with the existing policy to avoid conflicts and transmit an AF policy update response to the VAL server 102. The update response may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below. Information Elements describe Successful response Indicates AF policy update response. >Policy ID Identifies the provided policy. >Updated default policy instructions Indicates an update to the default policy. Failure Response Indicates that the AF policy update failed. Cause Indicates the reason why the AF policy update failed.

[0058] As shown above, in some embodiments, the update response may include a Policy ID IE identifying the updated AF policy (note that in some scenarios, the updated AF policy may be different from the AF policy requested to be updated, but in other scenarios, the updated AF policy may be the same as the AF policy requested to be updated) and an Updated Default Global Policy Indication IE indicating whether an update has been made to the default policy. For example, if the AF policy requested to be updated is the default policy, this IE may indicate that the default AF policy has been updated.

[0059] The process of updating the AF policy (also called "VAL server policy") can be summarized as follows:

[0060] Table 2-1 describes the information elements of the AF policy update request from the VAL server to the NSCE server. Table 2-1: AF policy update request

[0061] Table 2-2 describes the information elements of the AF policy update response from the NSCE server to the VAL server. Table 2-2: AF policy update response Information Elements state describe Successful response O Indicates AF policy update response. >Policy ID M Identifies the provided policy. >Updated default policy instructions O Indicates an update to the default policy. Failure Response O Indicates that the AF policy update failed. Cause O Indicates the reason why the AF policy update failed.

[0062] AF policy deletion

[0063] Figure 3C The process of AF policy deletion is shown. The process may begin with the VAL server 102 transmitting an AF policy deletion request (also referred to as a "deletion request") to the NSCE server 104. This AF policy deletion request is used to delete the AF policy indicated in the request at the NSCE server 104. The AF policy deletion request may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below. Information Elements describe Strategy ID Identifies the provided policy for deletion. Update default policy instructions Indicates an update to the default policy. >Policy ID Identifies the provided policy.

[0064] As shown above, the delete request may include a Policy ID IE identifying the AF policy requested to be deleted. In the case where the AF policy requested to be deleted is the default AF policy, the delete request may also include another Policy ID IE identifying a different AF policy and an updated Default Policy Indication IE indicating that the different AF policy is the new default policy.

[0065] If the VAL server 102 is authorized to delete the requested AF policy, the NSCE server 104 may delete the requested AF policy. In the case where the requested AF policy is the default AF policy, before deleting the AF policy, the NSCE server 104 may first update the default policy with a different AF policy indicated in the request, and then delete the requested AF policy (i.e., the old default AF policy).

[0066] The NSCE server 104 may report the result of deleting the requested policy to the VAL server 102 by sending an AF policy delete response (also referred to as an "AF policy prune response"). The delete response may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below. Information Elements describe Successful response Instructs AF policy to delete the response. Updated default policy The policy has the updated priority value. >Policy ID Identifies the provided policy. Priority Indicates the updated priority value. Failure Response Indicates that the AF policy update failed. Cause Indicates the reason why the AF policy update failed.

[0067] As shown above, the delete response may indicate whether the requested deletion was successful. In the case where the deleted AF policy is the default AF policy, the delete response may include an updated default policy IE identifying the new default AF policy. The updated default policy IE may also include a priority IE indicating the priority level of the new default AF policy.

[0068] The process of deleting an AF policy (also called a "VAL server policy") can be summarized as follows:

[0069] Table 3-1 describes the information elements of the AF policy delete request from the VAL server to the NSCE server. Table 3-1: AF policy deletion request Information Elements state describe Strategy ID M Identifies the provided policy for deletion. Update default policy instructions O Indicates an update to the default policy. >Policy ID M Identifies the provided policy.

[0070] Table 3-2 describes the information elements of the AF Policy Delete Response from the NSCE server to the VAL server. Table 3-2: AF Policy Delete Response

[0071] AF Policy Usage Report Data

[0072] Figure 3DThe process of AF policy usage reporting is shown. The process may begin with the VAL server 102 transmitting an AF policy usage report data subscription request (also referred to as a "policy usage report request") to the NSCE server 104. This AF policy usage report data subscription request is used to request a subscription to a service of the NSCE server 104 that provides information about the use of the AF policy indicated in the AF policy usage report data subscription request. The AF policy usage report data subscription request may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below. Information Elements describe Requester Identifier Unique identifier of the requester (i.e., VAL server ID). Requested slice information An indication of the requested slice. Requested policy report data Indicates a request for policy report data. >Policy ID Identifies the provided policy. >Start Time Indicates the start time for policy report data. End time Indicates the end time of the policy report data. Reporting interval Indicates the policy report data reporting interval.

[0073] As described above, the AF policy usage report data subscription request may include a Requested Policy Report Data IE that provides details about the usage data to be reported. For example, the Requested Policy Report Data IE may include a Policy ID IE that identifies the AF policy whose usage is being reported, a Start Time IE that indicates the start timing of the policy report, and an End Time IE that indicates the end timing of the policy report. Additionally or alternatively, the AF policy usage report data subscription request may also include a Report Interval IE that indicates the duration during which usage reports need to be generated to the VAL server 102.

[0074] After receiving the AF policy usage report data subscription request, the NSCE server 104 may transmit an AF policy usage report data subscription response indicating success or failure of the subscription to the VAL server 102. The AF policy usage report data subscription response may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below. Information Elements describe Successful response Instructs the AF policy to report that the subscription request was successful. Subscription ID Identifies the AF policy report subscription event. Failure Response Indicates that the AF policy report subscription request failed. Cause Indicates the reason why the AF policy report subscription request failed.

[0075] After transmitting the AF policy telemetry data subscription response, the NSCE server 104 may transmit an AF policy usage report data notification to the VAL server 102. The notification may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below. Information Elements describe Subscription ID Identifies an AF policy usage report subscription request. Strategy Report Data Indicates the AF policy report data requested. >Policy ID Identifies the provided policy. >Strategy Count Indicates the number of times the policy was active. >Strategy time spent Indicates the duration of use of the policy. > Preemption count Indicates the number of times a policy was preempted by another policy. >Preemption policy ID Indicates the policy used for preemption.

[0076] As indicated above, in some embodiments, the notification may include a Policy Report Data IE indicating the requested AF policy report data. In one example, the Policy Report Data IE may include a Policy ID IE identifying the AF policy for which the report is being made, a Policy Count IE indicating the number of times the reported AF policy was active, a Spent Policy Time IE indicating the duration of time the reported AF policy was used, a Preemption Count IE indicating the number of times the AF policy was preempted by another AF policy or the number of times the AF policy preempted one or more different AF policies, and / or a Preemption Policy ID IE identifying one or more AF policies that were preempted by the reported AF policy or one or more AF policies that preempted the reported AF policy.

[0077] The process of using reports for AF policies (also called "VAL server policies") can be summarized as follows:

[0078] Table 4-1 describes the information elements of the AF policy usage report data subscription request from the VAL server to the NSCE server. Table 4-1: AF policy usage report data subscription request Information Elements state describe Requester Identifier M Unique identifier of the requester (i.e., VAL server ID). Requested slice information M An indication of the requested slice. Requested policy report data M Indicates a request for policy report data. >Policy ID M Identifies the provided policy. >Start Time M Indicates the start time for policy report data. End time M Indicates the end time of the policy report data. Reporting interval O Indicates the policy report data reporting interval.

[0079] Table 4-2 describes the information elements of the AF Policy Usage Report Data Subscription Response from the NSCE server to the VAL server. Table 4-2: AF Policy Usage Report Data Subscription Response Information Elements state describe Successful response M Instructs the AF policy to report that the subscription request was successful. Subscription ID M Identifies the AF policy report subscription event. Failure Response O Indicates that the AF policy report subscription request failed. Cause O Indicates the reason why the AF policy report subscription request failed.

[0080] Table 4-3 describes the information elements of the AF policy usage report data notification from the NSCE server to the VAL server. Table 31: AF Policy Usage Report Data Notification

[0081] AF policy scheduler

[0082] Figure 4A The process of AF policy scheduling is shown. The process may begin with the VAL server 102 transmitting an AF policy scheduling request (also referred to as a "scheduling request") to the NSCE server 104. This scheduling request is used to request the NSCE server 104 to schedule the AF policy indicated in the scheduling request. The scheduling request may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below. Information Elements describe Requester Identifier Unique identifier of the requester (i.e., VAL server ID). Requested slice information An indication of the requested slice. Strategy ID Identifies the provided policy. Scheduling time period Indicates the scheduling of the policy in terms of time. >Start Time Indicates the scheduled start time. End time Indicates the scheduled end time. seize Indicates the preemption capability of the policy. >Policy ID Indicates the policy ID to be active in preemption mode. Timestamp Indicates the timestamp of the policy scheduling request.

[0083] As described above, a scheduling request may include a Policy ID IE identifying the AF policy to be scheduled, a Schedule Time Period IE indicating the schedule of the AF policy, and / or a Preemption IE indicating the preemption capability of the AF policy. The Schedule Time Period IE may include a Start Time IE indicating the scheduled start time and an End Time IE indicating the scheduled end time. The Preemption IE may include (one or more) Policy ID IEs indicating one or more AF policies that preempt the AF policy or one or more AF policies that are preempted by the AF policy.

[0084] After receiving the scheduling request, the NSCE server 104 may schedule the AF policy according to the request (e.g., according to the schedule and preemption capability) and transmit an AF policy scheduling response indicating whether the scheduling is successful to the VAL server 102. The scheduling response may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0085] The process of the AF policy (also called "VAL server policy") scheduler can be summarized as follows:

[0086] Table 5-1 describes the information elements of the AF policy scheduling request from the VAL server to the NSCE server. Table 5-1: AF policy scheduling request Information Elements state describe Requester Identifier M Unique identifier of the requester (i.e., VAL server ID). Requested slice information M An indication of the requested slice. Strategy ID M Identifies the provided policy. Scheduling time period M Indicates the scheduling of the policy in terms of time. >Start Time M Indicates the scheduled start time. End time M Indicates the scheduled end time. seize O Indicates the preemption capability of the policy. >Policy ID O Indicates the policy ID to be active in preemption mode. Timestamp O Indicates the timestamp of the policy scheduling request.

[0087] Table 5-2 describes the information elements of the AF policy dispatch response from the NSCE server to the VAL server. Table 5-2: AF policy scheduling response Information Elements state describe Successful response M Indicates that the AF policy dispatches the response. Failure Response O Indicates that AF policy scheduling failed. Cause O Indicates the reason why AF policy scheduling failed.

[0088] Network slicing optimization based on AF policy

[0089] Figure 4B The network slice optimization process based on one or more AF policies is shown. The process may begin by the VAL server 102 transmitting a network slice optimization subscription request (also referred to as a "network slice optimization message") to the NSCE server 104. This message is used to configure the NSCE server 104 to perform a network slice optimization process for optimizing the network slice using one or more AF policies. The message may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0090] As shown above, the message may include a requested slice information IE identifying the network slice requested for optimization, a policy ID IE identifying an AF policy that can be used to optimize the network slice (here, this AF policy corresponds to the primary AF policy), a proposed expiration time IE indicating the proposed expiration time of the subscription, and / or an auxiliary policy ID IE identifying an auxiliary AF policy that can be used to optimize the network slice in the event that the network slice optimization based on the primary AF policy fails. This means that if the NSCE server 104 fails to perform network slice optimization based on the primary AF policy, the NSCE server 104 may attempt to perform the network slice optimization using the auxiliary AF policy.

[0091] After receiving the network slice optimization subscription request, the NSCE server 104 may transmit a network slice optimization subscription response to the VAL server 102 indicating whether the network slice optimization subscription of the VAL server 102 is confirmed.

[0092] After performing network slice optimization (using the primary AF policy or the secondary AF policy), the NSCE server 104 may transmit a network slice optimization notification to the VAL server 102. The network slice optimization notification may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0093] As shown above, the network slice optimization notification may indicate whether the network slice optimization is successful. In some embodiments, the network slice optimization notification may include a network slice information IE indicating the optimized network slice, an optimization time IE indicating the time taken for network slice optimization, and / or a mandatory policy ID IE identifying a secondary AF policy for network slice optimization in the event that network slice optimization based on the primary AF policy fails.

[0094] The network slicing optimization process based on the AF policy (“VAL server policy”) can be summarized as follows:

[0095] Table 6-1 describes the information elements of the network slice optimization subscription request from the VAL server to the NSCE server. Table 6-1: Network Slicing Optimization Subscription Request

[0096] The information elements specified in Table 6-2 are used for network slice optimization notification sent from the NSCE server to the VAL server. Table 6-2: Network Slicing Optimization Notification

[0097] Table 6-3 describes the APIs for network slicing optimization based on AF policies. Table 6-3: Network slicing optimization based on AF policy

[0098] Network Slicing Optimization Report Retrieval

[0099] Figure 4C The process of network slice optimization report retrieval is shown. The process may start with the VAL server 102 transmitting a network slice optimization report retrieval request to the NSCE server 104. This report retrieval request is used to trigger the NSCE server 104 to report information about the result(s) of the network slice optimization performed by the NSCE server 104. The report retrieval request may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0100] As shown above, the request may include a subscription ID IE identifying a network slice optimization subscription event (to which the VAL server 102 subscribes), and an optimization result filter IE indicating a filter for filtering content to be reported to the VAL server 102. For example, if the network slice optimization is successful, the filter may indicate that no content is to be reported.

[0101] The request may include an optimization result sorting IE that indicates how to sort the network slice optimization results (e.g., whether to sort them based on optimization timing or policy ID, and / or whether to sort them in ascending or descending order). The request may also include an optimization result size IE that indicates how many network slice optimization responses the NSCE server 104 can transmit to the VAL server 102 (e.g., during a given time interval), or the number of network slice optimization results that the NSCE server 104 can transmit to the VAL server 102.

[0102] After receiving the network slice optimization report retrieval request, the NSCE server 104 may transmit a network slice optimization report retrieval response to the VAL server 102. The network slice optimization report retrieval response may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below. Information Elements describe Optimize report results Report results based on network slice optimization requests. Subscription ID Identifies network slice optimization subscription events. >Optimize response Indicates that the response is optimized according to the network slice of the filter in the request. >Optimization time Indicates the time the NSCE server spends on slice optimization. >Policy ID Identifies the AF policy. > Enforcement Policy ID Indicates the strategy used for slice optimization in case network slice optimization fails.

[0103] As shown above, in some embodiments, the report retrieval response may include a policy ID IE identifying the AF policy used for network slice optimization performed by the NSCE server 104. As discussed above, in the event that network slice optimization based on the AF policy fails, the NSCE server may perform network slice optimization using an auxiliary AF policy (which may be provided by the VAL server 102). In such a case, the report retrieval response may include a mandatory policy ID IE identifying the auxiliary AF policy used to perform network slice optimization.

[0104] The process of retrieving the network slicing optimization report can be summarized as follows:

[0105] Table 7-1 describes the information elements of the network slice optimization report retrieval request from the VAL server to the NSCE server. Table 7-1: Network Slicing Optimization Report Retrieval Request

[0106] Table 7-2 describes the information elements of the network slice optimization report retrieval response from the NSCE server to the VAL server. Table 7-2: Network Slice Optimization Report Retrieval Response

[0107] Note that in this disclosure, for simplicity of explanation, a single AF strategy is used to explain Figures 3A-4C, responses, and / or notifications shown in . However, in some embodiments, any one of the requests, responses, and notifications may correspond to more than one AF policy. For example, as explained above, the AF policy update request may include a policy ID IE identifying the AF policy requested to be updated and a policy modification details IE indicating details of the AF policy update. In this example, in some embodiments, the AF policy update request may include two policy ID IEs—a first policy ID IE identifying a first policy IE and a second policy ID IE identifying a second policy IE, and two policy modification details IEs—a first policy modification details IE indicating details of the policy update for the first policy and a second policy modification details IE indicating details of the policy update for the second policy IE. In other words, in those embodiments where any one of the requests, responses, and notifications corresponds to multiple AF policies, any one or more information elements included in such requests, responses, and notifications may be provided for each of the multiple AF policies. In other embodiments, only some (or one) of the information elements included in such requests, responses, and notifications may be provided for only some (or one) of the multiple AF policies, while other information elements may be provided for other AF policies. For example, in the above example, when the first AF policy is the default AF policy and the second AF policy is not the default AF policy, the AF policy update request can include the default policy indication IE (indicating whether a certain AF policy is the default policy) only for the first AF policy but not for the second AF policy.

[0108] Figure 5A process 500 performed by a vertical application layer VAL server (e.g., 102) is shown. The process 500 may start at step s502. Step s502 includes transmitting a request related to one or more application function AF policies to a network slice capability enabling NSCE server (e.g., 104). Step s504 includes receiving a response to the request from the NSCE server after transmitting the request. The request is at least one of: (i) a provisioning request for provisioning the one or more AF policies, further wherein the provisioning request: a. indicates whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, c. includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, and / or d. indicates a priority level for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, (ii) is for updating the one or more AF policies. (iii) an update request for multiple AF policies, (iii) a deletion request for deleting the one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage report request for requesting information about usage of the one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling the one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further, wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different auxiliary AF policies, the auxiliary AF policies to be used as fallback policies to perform a network slice optimization process in the event that the network slice optimization process based on the one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting a report of information about the network slice optimization process performed by the NSCE server.

[0109] In some embodiments, the request associated with the one or more AF policies is the provisioning request, and the scheduling information indicates a scheduled start time and a scheduled end time.

[0110] In some embodiments, the request related to the one or more AF policies is the update request, and the update request includes any one or more of the following: (i) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, a) a policy identifier ID identifying the AF policy; b) an updated policy profile for updating the AF policy; c) a priority indicator indicating a priority level of the AF policy; d) one or more network slice identifiers identifying one or more network slices associated with the AF policy; e) scheduling information for scheduling the AF policy; and / or f) one or more AF policies that the AF policy can preempt and / or preemption information of one or more AF policies that can preempt the AF policy; (ii) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server; and / or (iii) a default policy indicator indicating whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a new default policy for a network slice supplied when no policy or network slice is mentioned in the update request.

[0111] In some embodiments, the response is an update response, and the update response includes any one or more of: (i) an indicator indicating whether the policy update is successful; (ii) a policy ID identifying the updated policy; and / or (iii) a default policy indicator indicating whether the updated AF policy is the default policy.

[0112] In some embodiments, the request associated with the one or more AF policies is the deletion request, and the deletion request includes: a first group of one or more policy IDs identifying the one or more AF policies requested to be deleted; and / or a second group of one or more policy IDs identifying different groups of one or more AF policies requested to be used.

[0113] In some embodiments, the delete request includes a default policy indicator indicating an update of an existing default policy and / or use of a different policy as the new default policy.

[0114] In some embodiments, the response is a deletion response, and the deletion response includes any one or more of: (i) an indicator indicating whether the policy deletion is successful; (ii) a policy identifier identifying the new default AF policy in the case where the deletion request is used to delete the default AF policy; and / or (iii) a priority value indicating an updated priority level of the new default AF policy, further wherein the updated priority level is obtained as a result of performing the policy deletion.

[0115] In some embodiments, the request associated with the one or more AF policies is the policy usage report request, and the policy usage report request includes any one or more of the following: (i) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server; (ii) one or more network slice IDs identifying one or more network slices associated with the one or more AF policies; (iii) policy usage report data information identifying the requested policy usage data related to the use of the one or more AF policies; and / or (iv) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, a policy ID identifying the AF policy; a start time indicating a start timing for collecting the requested policy usage data for the use of the AF policy; an end time indicating an end timing for collecting the requested policy usage data for the use of the AF policy; and / or a reporting interval value indicating a duration or frequency of reporting the requested policy usage data for the use of the AF policy.

[0116] In some embodiments, process 500 includes receiving a policy usage data report from the NSCE server, wherein the policy usage data report includes any one or more of the following: (i) a subscription ID identifying the subscription requesting the policy usage report and / or receiving the requested policy usage data; (ii) the requested policy usage data; and / or (iii) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, a policy ID identifying the AF policy; a policy count value indicating the number of times the AF policy was active; a policy duration value indicating the duration of use of the AF policy; a preemption count value indicating the number of times the AF policy was preempted and / or the number of times the AF policy preempted another policy; and / or different policy IDs identifying different AF policies that were preempted by the AF policy or different AF policies that preempted the AF policy.

[0117] In some embodiments, the request associated with the one or more AF policies is the scheduling request, and the scheduling request includes any one or more of the following: (i) a requester ID identifying the VAL server; (ii) slice information identifying one or more network slices associated with the one or more AF policies; (iii) a timestamp indicating the timing of transmitting the scheduling request; and / or (iv) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, an AF policy ID identifying the AF policy; a scheduling time period value indicating the scheduled time period during which the AF policy is to be applied; a start time value indicating the start timing of applying the AF policy; an end time value indicating the end timing of applying the AF policy; preemption data indicating the preemption capability of the AF policy; and / or another policy ID identifying another AF policy to preempt the AF policy within the scheduled time period.

[0118] In some embodiments, the request related to the one or more AF policies is the network optimization request, and the response to the request includes an optimization time and / or a mandatory AF policy ID, wherein the optimization time indicates the time taken by the NSCE server for slice optimization, and the mandatory AF policy ID identifies an auxiliary AF policy for the network slice optimization performed in the event that the network slice optimization performed based on the one or more AF policies fails.

[0119] In some embodiments, the request related to the one or more AF policies is the network slice optimization report retrieval request, and the network slice optimization report retrieval request includes any one or more of the following: a subscription ID identifying a network slice optimization process; a sorting type indicator indicating how to sort the results of the network slice optimization process; a filter indicator indicating how to filter the results of the network slice optimization process to report to the VAL server; an optimization result size value indicating the number of results of the network slice optimization process that the NSCE server needs to report to the VAL server; and / or an optimization result window including a start time value indicating the start timing of generating a network slice optimization report and an end time value indicating the end timing of generating the network slice optimization report.

[0120] In some embodiments, the response to the request includes any one or more of the following: an optimization time indicating the time spent by the NSCE server in performing the network slice optimization process; an optimization response indicating the result of performing the network slice optimization process filtered based on the filter indicator; a policy ID identifying the AF policy used to perform the network slice optimization process; and / or a mandatory policy ID identifying an auxiliary AF policy for the network slice optimization in the event that the network slice optimization process fails.

[0121] Figure 6A process 600 performed by a network slicing capability enabling NSCE server (e.g., 104) is shown. The process 600 may start at step s602. Step s602 includes receiving a request related to one or more application function AF policies, wherein the request is transmitted by a vertical application layer VAL server. Step s604 includes transmitting a response to the request to the VAL server after receiving the request, wherein the request is at least one of the following: (i) a provisioning request for provisioning the one or more AF policies, further wherein the provisioning request: a. indicates whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, c. includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, and / or d. indicates each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies. (ii) an update request for updating the one or more AF policies, (iii) a deletion request for deleting the one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage report request for requesting information about usage of the one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling the one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further, wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different auxiliary AF policies, and the auxiliary AF policies are to be used as fallback policies to perform a network slice optimization process in case the network slice optimization process based on the one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting a report of information about the network slice optimization process performed by the NSCE server.

[0122] In some embodiments, the request associated with the one or more AF policies is the provisioning request, and the scheduling information indicates a scheduled start time and a scheduled end time.

[0123] In some embodiments, the request related to the one or more AF policies is the update request, and the update request includes any one or more of the following: (i) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, a) a policy identifier ID identifying the AF policy; b) an updated policy profile for updating the AF policy; c) a priority indicator indicating a priority level of the AF policy; d) one or more network slice identifiers identifying one or more network slices associated with the AF policy; e) scheduling information for scheduling the AF policy; and / or f) one or more AF policies that the AF policy can preempt and / or preemption information of one or more AF policies that can preempt the AF policy; (ii) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server; and / or (iii) a default policy indicator indicating whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a new default policy for a network slice supplied when no policy or network slice is mentioned in the update request.

[0124] In some embodiments, the response is an update response, and the update response includes any one or more of: (i) an indicator indicating whether the policy update is successful; (ii) a policy ID identifying the updated policy; and / or (iii) a default policy indicator indicating whether the updated AF policy is the default policy.

[0125] In some embodiments, the request associated with the one or more AF policies is the deletion request, and the deletion request includes: a first group of one or more policy IDs identifying the one or more AF policies requested to be deleted; and / or a second group of one or more policy IDs identifying different groups of one or more AF policies requested to be used.

[0126] In some embodiments, the delete request includes a default policy indicator indicating an update of an existing default policy and / or use of a different policy as the new default policy.

[0127] In some embodiments, the response is a deletion response, and the deletion response includes any one or more of: (i) an indicator indicating whether the policy deletion is successful; (ii) a policy identifier identifying the new default AF policy in the case where the deletion request is used to delete the default AF policy; and / or (iii) a priority value indicating an updated priority level of the new default AF policy, further wherein the updated priority level is obtained as a result of performing the policy deletion.

[0128] In some embodiments, the request associated with the one or more AF policies is the policy usage report request, and the policy usage report request includes any one or more of the following: (i) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server; (ii) one or more network slice IDs identifying one or more network slices associated with the one or more AF policies; (iii) policy usage report data information identifying the requested policy usage data related to the use of the one or more AF policies; and / or (iv) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, a policy ID identifying the AF policy; a start time indicating a start timing for collecting the requested policy usage data for the use of the AF policy; an end time indicating an end timing for collecting the requested policy usage data for the use of the AF policy; and / or a reporting interval value indicating a duration or frequency of reporting the requested policy usage data for the use of the AF policy.

[0129] In some embodiments, process 600 includes transmitting a policy usage data report to the VAL server, wherein the policy usage data report includes any one or more of the following: (i) a subscription ID identifying the subscription requesting the policy usage report and / or receiving the requested policy usage data; (ii) the requested policy usage data; and / or (iii) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, a policy ID identifying the AF policy; a policy count value indicating the number of times the AF policy is active; a policy duration value indicating the duration of use of the AF policy; a preemption count value indicating the number of times the AF policy is preempted and / or the number of times the AF policy preempts another policy; and / or different policy IDs identifying different AF policies that are preempted by the AF policy or different AF policies that preempt the AF policy.

[0130] In some embodiments, the request associated with the one or more AF policies is the scheduling request, and the scheduling request includes any one or more of the following: (i) a requester ID identifying the VAL server; (ii) slice information identifying one or more network slices associated with the one or more AF policies; (iii) a timestamp indicating the timing of transmitting the scheduling request; and / or (iv) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, an AF policy ID identifying the AF policy; a scheduling time period value indicating the scheduled time period during which the AF policy is to be applied; a start time value indicating the start timing of applying the AF policy; an end time value indicating the end timing of applying the AF policy; preemption data indicating the preemption capability of the AF policy; and / or another policy ID identifying another AF policy to preempt the AF policy within the scheduled time period.

[0131] In some embodiments, the request related to the one or more AF policies is the network optimization request, and the response to the request includes an optimization time and / or a mandatory AF policy ID, wherein the optimization time indicates the time taken by the NSCE server for slice optimization, and the mandatory AF policy ID identifies an auxiliary AF policy for the network slice optimization performed in the event that the network slice optimization performed based on the one or more AF policies fails.

[0132] In some embodiments, the request related to the one or more AF policies is the network slice optimization report retrieval request, and the network slice optimization report retrieval request includes any one or more of the following: a subscription ID identifying a network slice optimization process; a sorting type indicator indicating how to sort the results of the network slice optimization process; a filter indicator indicating how to filter the results of the network slice optimization process to report to the VAL server; an optimization result size value indicating the number of results of the network slice optimization process that the NSCE server needs to report to the VAL server; and / or an optimization result window including a start time value indicating the start timing of generating a network slice optimization report and an end time value indicating the end timing of generating the network slice optimization report.

[0133] In some embodiments, the response to the request includes any one or more of the following: an optimization time indicating the time spent by the NSCE server in performing the network slice optimization process; an optimization response indicating the result of performing the network slice optimization process filtered based on the filter indicator; a policy ID identifying the AF policy used to perform the network slice optimization process; and / or a mandatory policy ID identifying an auxiliary AF policy for the network slice optimization in the event that the network slice optimization process fails.

[0134] Figure 7 7 is a block diagram of an apparatus 700 for implementing the VAL server 102 and / or the NSCE server 104 according to some embodiments. Figure 7As shown in , the device 700 may include: a processing circuit (PC) 702, which may include one or more processors (P) 755 (e.g., a general-purpose microprocessor and / or one or more other processors, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.), which may be co-located in a single housing or in a single data center, or may be geographically distributed (i.e., the device 700 may be a distributed computing device); a network interface 748, which includes a transmitter (Tx) 745 and a receiver (Rx) 747, for enabling the device 700 to transmit data to and receive data from other nodes connected to a network 110 (e.g., an Internet Protocol (IP) network), to which the network interface 748 is (directly or indirectly) connected (e.g., the network interface 748 may be wirelessly connected to the network 110, in which case the network interface 748 is connected to an antenna device); and a local storage unit (also referred to as a "data storage system") 708, which may include one or more non-volatile storage devices and / or one or more volatile storage devices. In embodiments where PC 702 includes a programmable processor, a computer program product (CPP) 741 may be provided. CPP 741 includes a computer-readable medium (CRM) 742 storing a computer program (CP) 743 including computer-readable instructions (CRI) 744. CRM 742 may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a magnetic medium (e.g., a hard disk), an optical medium, a memory device (e.g., random access memory, flash memory), or the like. In some embodiments, CRI 744 of computer program 743 is configured such that, when executed by PC 702, CRI causes apparatus 700 to perform the steps described herein (e.g., the steps described herein with reference to the flowcharts). In other embodiments, apparatus 700 may be configured to perform the steps described herein without requiring code. That is, for example, PC 702 may consist solely of one or more ASICs. Thus, features of the embodiments described herein may be implemented in hardware and / or software.

[0135] Overview of Additional Embodiments A1. A method (500) performed by a vertical application layer VAL server (102), the method comprising: transmitting (s502) a request related to one or more application function (AF) policies to a network slicing capability enabling (NSCE) server (104); and After transmitting the request, receiving (s504) a response to the request from the NSCE server, wherein the request is any one of: (i) a provisioning request for provisioning the one or more AF policies, wherein the provisioning request: a. indicating whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. including scheduling information for scheduling each AF strategy included in the one or more AF strategies, c. including a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, and / or d. indicating the priority level of each AF strategy included in the one or more AF strategies, (ii) an update request for updating the one or more AF policies, (iii) a delete request for deleting the one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage report request for requesting information about usage of the one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling the one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different AF policies, the one or more different AF policies to be used to perform a network slice optimization process in the event that a network slice optimization process based on the one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting a report on information about the network slice optimization process performed by the NSCE server. AF policy provision request A2. The method according to embodiment A1, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the provisioning request, and The provisioning request indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies. AF policy update request A3. The method according to embodiment A1, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the update request, and The update request includes any one or more of the following: (i) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, a) a policy identifier ID identifying the AF policy; b) an updated policy profile for updating the AF policy; c) a priority indicator indicating the priority level of the AF policy; d) one or more network slice identifiers identifying one or more network slices associated with the AF policy; e) scheduling information for scheduling the AF strategy; and / or f) identifying one or more AF policies that the AF policy can preempt and / or preemption information of one or more AF policies that can preempt the AF policy; (ii) a requestor identifier identifying the VAL server; and / or (iii) a default policy indicator indicating whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy. AF policy update response A3a. The method of embodiment A3, wherein The response is an update response, and The update response includes any one or more of the following: (i) an indicator indicating whether the policy update was successful; (ii) a policy ID identifying the updated policy; and / or (iii) A default policy indicator indicating whether the updated AF policy is the default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy. AF policy deletion request A4. The method according to embodiment A1, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the delete request, and The deletion request includes: a first set of one or more policy IDs identifying the one or more AF policies requested to be deleted; and / or A second set of one or more policy IDs identifying a different set of one or more AF policies that are requested for use. A5. A method according to embodiment A4, wherein the deletion request includes a default policy indicator, and the default policy indicator indicates that the AF policy in the second group is the default policy of one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy. AF policy deletion response A5a. The method according to embodiment A4 or A5, wherein The response is a delete response, and The delete response includes any one or more of the following: (i) an indicator indicating whether the policy deletion was successful; (ii) if the delete request is for deleting a default AF policy, a policy identifier identifying a new default AF policy; and / or (iii) a priority value indicating an updated priority level of the new default AF policy, further wherein the updated priority level is obtained as a result of performing the policy deletion. AF policy usage report data subscription request A6. The method according to embodiment A1, wherein, The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the policy usage report request, and The policy usage report request includes any one or more of the following: (i) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server; (ii) one or more network slice IDs identifying one or more network slices associated with the one or more AF policies; (iii) policy usage reporting data information identifying the requested policy usage data related to usage of the one or more AF policies; and / or (iv) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, A policy ID identifying the AF policy; a start time indicating a start timing for collecting requested policy usage data for usage of the AF policy; an end time indicating an end timing for collecting requested policy usage data for use of the AF policy; and / or A reporting interval value indicating the duration or frequency of reporting the requested policy usage data for usage of the AF policy. AF policy usage report data notification A7. The method of embodiment A6, comprising receiving a policy usage data report from the NSCE server, wherein the policy usage data report comprises any one or more of the following: (i) a subscription ID identifying the policy usage report request and / or the subscription to receive the requested policy usage data; (ii) the requested policy usage data; and / or (iii) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, A policy ID identifying the AF policy; A policy count value indicating the number of times the AF policy is active; a policy duration value indicating the duration for which the AF policy is to be used; a preemption count indicating the number of times the AF policy has been preempted and / or the number of times the AF policy has preempted another policy; and / or Identifies a different AF policy that is preempted by the AF policy or a different policy ID of a different AF policy that preempts the AF policy. AF policy scheduling request A8. The method according to embodiment A1, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the scheduling request, and The scheduling request includes any one or more of the following: (i) a requester ID identifying the VAL server; (ii) slice information identifying one or more network slices associated with the one or more AF policies; (iii) a timestamp indicating the timing of transmitting the scheduling request; and / or (iv) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, An AF policy ID identifying the AF policy; a scheduled time period value indicating a time period during which the AF policy is to be applied; A start time value indicating the start timing of applying the AF strategy; Indicates the end time value of the end timing of applying the AF policy; preemption data indicating the preemption capability of the AF policy; and / or Another policy ID identifying another AF policy to be effective when the AF policy is preempted. Network Slicing Optimization Notice A9. The method according to embodiment A1, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the network optimization request, and The response to the request includes an optimization time and / or an AF policy ID, wherein the optimization time indicates the time taken by the NSCE server for slice optimization, and the AF policy ID identifies a mandatory AF policy for the network slice optimization performed if the network slice optimization based on the one or more AF policies fails. Network slice optimization report retrieval request A10. The method according to embodiment A1, wherein: The request related to the one or more AF policies is the network slice optimization report retrieval request, and the network slice optimization report retrieval request includes any one or more of the following: Identifies the subscription ID for the network slice optimization process; a sorting type indicator indicating how to sort the results of the network slice optimization process; a filter indicator indicating how to filter the results of the network slice optimization process to report to the VAL server; an optimization result size value indicating the number of results of the network slice optimization process that the NSCE server needs to report to the VAL server; a start time value indicating the start timing of generating a network slice optimization report; and / or Indicates the end time value of the end timing for generating the network slice optimization report. Network Slice Optimization Report Retrieval Response A10a. The method of embodiment A10, wherein the response to the request includes any one or more of the following: an optimization time indicating the time spent by the NSCE server in performing the network slice optimization process; an optimization response indicating a result of performing the network slice optimization process filtered based on the filter indicator; and / or One or more policy IDs identifying one or more mandatory AF policies for performing the network slice optimization process. B1. A method (600) performed by a network slice capability enabling NSCE server (104), the method comprising: receiving (s602) a request related to one or more application function AF policies, wherein the request is transmitted by a vertical application layer VAL server (102); and After receiving the request, transmitting (s604) a response to the request to the VAL server, wherein the request is any one of: (i) a provisioning request for provisioning the one or more AF policies, wherein the provisioning request: a. indicating whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. including scheduling information for scheduling each AF strategy included in the one or more AF strategies, c. including a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, and / or d. indicating the priority level of each AF strategy included in the one or more AF strategies, (ii) an update request for updating the one or more AF policies, (iii) a delete request for deleting the one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage report request for requesting information about usage of the one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling the one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different AF policies, the one or more different AF policies to be used to perform a network slice optimization process in the event that a network slice optimization process based on the one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting a report on information about the network slice optimization process performed by the NSCE server. AF policy provision request B2. The method according to embodiment B1, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the provisioning request, and The provisioning request indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies. AF policy update request B3. The method according to embodiment B1, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the update request, and The update request includes any one or more of the following: (i) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, a) a policy identifier ID identifying the AF policy; b) an updated policy profile for updating the AF policy; c) a priority indicator indicating the priority level of the AF policy; d) one or more network slice identifiers identifying one or more network slices associated with the AF policy; e) scheduling information for scheduling the AF strategy; and / or f) identifying one or more AF policies that the AF policy can preempt and / or preemption information of one or more AF policies that can preempt the AF policy; (ii) a requestor identifier identifying the VAL server; and / or (iii) a default policy indicator indicating whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy. AF policy update response B3a. The method according to embodiment B3, wherein The response is an update response, and The update response includes any one or more of the following: (i) an indicator indicating whether the policy update was successful; (ii) a policy ID identifying the updated policy; and / or (iii) A default policy indicator indicating whether the updated AF policy is the default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy. AF policy deletion request B4. The method according to embodiment B1, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the delete request, and The deletion request includes: a first set of one or more policy IDs identifying the one or more AF policies requested to be deleted; and / or A second set of one or more policy IDs identifying a different set of one or more AF policies that are requested for use. B5. A method according to embodiment B4, wherein the deletion request includes a default policy indicator, which indicates whether the AF policy in the second group is the default policy of one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy. AF policy deletion response B5a. The method according to embodiment B4 or B5, wherein The response is a delete response, and The delete response includes any one or more of the following: (i) an indicator indicating whether the policy deletion was successful; (ii) if the delete request is for deleting a default AF policy, a policy identifier identifying a new default AF policy; and / or (iii) a priority value indicating an updated priority level of the new default AF policy, further wherein the updated priority level is obtained as a result of performing the policy deletion. AF policy usage report data subscription request B6. The method according to embodiment B1, wherein, The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the policy usage report request, and The policy usage report request includes any one or more of the following: (i) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server; (ii) one or more network slice IDs identifying one or more network slices associated with the one or more AF policies; (iii) policy usage reporting data information identifying the requested policy usage data related to usage of the one or more AF policies; and / or (iv) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, A policy ID identifying the AF policy; a start time indicating a start timing for collecting requested policy usage data for usage of the AF policy; an end time indicating an end timing for collecting requested policy usage data for use of the AF policy; and / or A reporting interval value indicating the duration or frequency of reporting the requested policy usage data for usage of the AF policy. AF policy usage report data notification B7. The method of embodiment B6, comprising transmitting a policy usage data report to the VAL server, wherein the policy usage data report comprises any one or more of the following: (i) a subscription ID identifying the policy usage report request and / or the subscription to receive the requested policy usage data; (ii) the requested policy usage data; and / or (iii) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, A policy ID identifying the AF policy; A policy count value indicating the number of times the AF policy is active; a policy duration value indicating the duration for which the AF policy is to be used; a preemption count indicating the number of times the AF policy has been preempted and / or the number of times the AF policy has preempted another policy; and / or Identifies a different AF policy that is preempted by the AF policy or a different policy ID of a different AF policy that preempts the AF policy. AF policy scheduling request B8. The method according to embodiment B1, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the scheduling request, and The scheduling request includes any one or more of the following: (i) a requester ID identifying the VAL server; (ii) slice information identifying one or more network slices associated with the one or more AF policies; (iii) a timestamp indicating the timing of transmitting the scheduling request; and / or (iv) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, An AF policy ID identifying the AF policy; a scheduled time period value indicating a time period during which the AF policy is to be applied; A start time value indicating the start timing of applying the AF strategy; Indicates the end time value of the end timing of applying the AF policy; preemption data indicating the preemption capability of the AF policy; and / or Another policy ID identifying another AF policy to be effective when the AF policy is preempted. Network Slicing Optimization Notice B9. The method of embodiment B1, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the network optimization request, and The response to the request includes an optimization time and / or an AF policy ID, wherein the optimization time indicates the time taken by the NSCE server for slice optimization, and the AF policy ID identifies a mandatory AF policy for the network slice optimization performed if the network slice optimization based on the one or more AF policies fails. Network slice optimization report retrieval request B10. The method according to embodiment B1, wherein: The request related to the one or more AF policies is the network slice optimization report retrieval request, and the network slice optimization report retrieval request includes any one or more of the following: Identifies the subscription ID for the network slice optimization process; a sorting type indicator indicating how to sort the results of the network slice optimization process; a filter indicator indicating how to filter the results of the network slice optimization process to report to the VAL server; an optimization result size value indicating the number of results of the network slice optimization process that the NSCE server needs to report to the VAL server; a start time value indicating the start timing of generating a network slice optimization report; and / or Indicates the end time value of the end timing for generating the network slice optimization report. Network Slice Optimization Report Retrieval Response B10a. The method according to embodiment B10, wherein the response to the request includes any one or more of the following: an optimization time indicating the time spent by the NSCE server in performing the network slice optimization process; an optimization response indicating a result of performing the network slice optimization process filtered based on the filter indicator; and / or Identify one or more policy IDs of one or more mandatory AF policies used to perform the network slice optimization process. C1. A computer program (700) comprising instructions (744) which, when executed by a processing circuit (702), cause the processing circuit to perform the method according to any one of embodiments A1-B10a. C2. A carrier comprising the computer program according to embodiment C1, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, and a computer-readable storage medium. D1. A vertical application layer VAL server (102), wherein the VAL server is configured to: transmitting (s502) a request related to one or more application function (AF) policies to a network slicing capability enabling (NSCE) server (104); and After transmitting the request, receiving (s504) a response to the request from the NSCE server, wherein the request is any one of: (i) a provisioning request for provisioning the one or more AF policies, wherein the provisioning request: a. indicating whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. including scheduling information for scheduling each AF strategy included in the one or more AF strategies, c. including a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, and / or d. indicating the priority level of each AF strategy included in the one or more AF strategies, (ii) an update request for updating the one or more AF policies, (iii) a delete request for deleting the one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage report request for requesting information about usage of the one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling the one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different AF policies, the one or more different AF policies to be used to perform a network slice optimization process in the event that a network slice optimization process based on the one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting a report on information about the network slice optimization process performed by the NSCE server. D2. The VAL server of embodiment D1, wherein the VAL server is further configured to perform the method of any one of embodiments A2-A10a. E1. A network slicing capability enabling NSCE server (104), the NSCE server being configured to: receiving (s602) a request associated with one or more application function (AF) policies, wherein the request is transmitted by a vertical application layer (VAL) server (102); and After receiving the request, transmitting (s604) a response to the request to the VAL server, wherein the request is any one of: (i) a provisioning request for provisioning the one or more AF policies, wherein the provisioning request: a. indicating whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. including scheduling information for scheduling each AF strategy included in the one or more AF strategies, c. including a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, and / or d. indicating the priority level of each AF strategy included in the one or more AF strategies, (ii) an update request for updating the one or more AF policies, (iii) a delete request for deleting the one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage report request for requesting information about usage of the one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling the one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different AF policies, the one or more different AF policies to be used to perform a network slice optimization process in the event that a network slice optimization process based on the one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) A network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting a report of information about a network slice optimization process performed by the NSCE server. E2. The NSCE server of embodiment E1, wherein the NSCE server is further configured to perform the method of any one of embodiments B2-B10a. F1. An apparatus (700), comprising: processing circuitry (702); and A memory (741) containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry, whereby the apparatus is operable to perform the method according to any one of embodiments A1-B10a.

[0136] in conclusion

[0137] Although various embodiments are described herein, it should be understood that they are presented by way of example only and not limitation. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the exemplary embodiments described above. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by the context, any combination of the above elements in all possible variations thereof is included in the present disclosure.

[0138] Furthermore, although the processes described above and shown in the accompanying drawings are shown as a series of steps, this is for illustrative purposes only. It is therefore contemplated that steps may be added, steps may be omitted, the order of steps may be rearranged, and steps may be performed in parallel.

Claims

1. A method (500) performed by a vertical application layer (VAL) server (102), the method comprising: transmitting (s502) a request related to one or more application function AF policies to a network slicing capability enabling NSCE server (104); as well as After transmitting the request, receiving (s504) a response to the request from the NSCE server, wherein the request is at least one of: (i) a provisioning request for provisioning the one or more AF policies, wherein the provisioning request: a. indicating whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. including scheduling information for scheduling each AF strategy included in the one or more AF strategies, c. including a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, and / or d. indicating the priority level of each AF strategy included in the one or more AF strategies, (ii) an update request for updating the one or more AF policies, (iii) a delete request for deleting the one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage report request for requesting information about usage of the one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling the one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different auxiliary AF policies, the auxiliary AF policies to be used as fallback policies so as to perform a network slice optimization process in the event that a network slice optimization process based on the one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting a report of information about a network slice optimization process performed by the NSCE server.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the provisioning request, The schedule information indicates a scheduled start time and a scheduled end time.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the update request, and The update request includes any one or more of the following: (i) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, a) a policy identifier ID identifying the AF policy; b) an updated policy profile for updating the AF policy; c) a priority indicator indicating the priority level of the AF policy; d) one or more network slice identifiers identifying one or more network slices associated with the AF policy; e) scheduling information for scheduling the AF strategy; and / or f) identifying one or more AF policies that the AF policy can preempt and / or preemption information of one or more AF policies that can preempt the AF policy; (ii) a requestor identifier identifying the VAL server; and / or (iii) a default policy indicator indicating whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a new default policy for the network slice provisioned in the absence of any policy or network slice mentioned in the update request.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The response is an update response, and The update response includes any one or more of the following: (i) an indicator indicating whether the policy update was successful; (ii) a policy ID identifying the updated policy; and / or (iii) A default policy indicator indicating whether the updated AF policy is the default policy.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the delete request, and The deletion request includes: a first set of one or more policy IDs identifying the one or more AF policies requested to be deleted; and / or A second set of one or more policy IDs identifying a different set of one or more AF policies that are requested for use.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The delete request includes a default policy indicator that indicates an update of an existing default policy and / or use of a different policy as a new default policy.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The response is a delete response, and The delete response includes any one or more of the following: (i) an indicator indicating whether the policy deletion was successful; (ii) if the delete request is for deleting a default AF policy, a policy identifier identifying a new default AF policy; and / or (iii) a priority value indicating an updated priority level of the new default AF policy, further wherein the updated priority level is obtained as a result of performing the policy deletion.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the policy usage report request, and The policy usage report request includes any one or more of the following: (i) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server; (ii) one or more network slice IDs identifying one or more network slices associated with the one or more AF policies; (iii) policy usage reporting data information identifying the requested policy usage data related to usage of the one or more AF policies; and / or (iv) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, A policy ID identifying the AF policy; a start time indicating a start timing for collecting requested policy usage data for usage of the AF policy; an end time indicating an end timing for collecting requested policy usage data for use of the AF policy; and / or A reporting interval value indicating the duration or frequency of reporting the requested policy usage data for usage of the AF policy.

9. The method of claim 8, comprising receiving a policy usage data report from the NSCE server, wherein the policy usage data report comprises any one or more of: (i) a subscription ID identifying the policy usage report request and / or the subscription to receive the requested policy usage data; (ii) the requested policy usage data; and / or (iii) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, A policy ID identifying the AF policy; A policy count value indicating the number of times the AF policy is active; a policy duration value indicating the duration for which the AF policy is to be used; a preemption count indicating the number of times the AF policy has been preempted and / or the number of times the AF policy has preempted another policy; and / or Identifies a different AF policy that is preempted by the AF policy or a different policy ID of a different AF policy that preempts the AF policy.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the scheduling request, and The scheduling request includes any one or more of the following: (i) a requester ID identifying the VAL server; (ii) slice information identifying one or more network slices associated with the one or more AF policies; (iii) a timestamp indicating the timing of transmitting the scheduling request; and / or (iv) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, An AF policy ID identifying the AF policy; a scheduled time period value indicating a scheduled time period during which the AF policy is to be applied; A start time value indicating the start timing of applying the AF strategy; Indicates the end time value of the end timing of applying the AF policy; Preemption data indicating the preemption capability of the AF policy; and / or Another policy ID identifying another AF policy that is to preempt the AF policy during the scheduled time period.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the network optimization request, and The response to the request includes an optimization time and / or a mandatory AF policy ID, wherein the optimization time indicates the time taken by the NSCE server for slice optimization, and the mandatory AF policy ID identifies an auxiliary AF policy for the network slice optimization performed if the network slice optimization performed based on the one or more AF policies fails.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein The request related to the one or more AF policies is the network slice optimization report retrieval request, and the network slice optimization report retrieval request includes any one or more of the following: Identifies the subscription ID for the network slice optimization process; a sorting type indicator indicating how to sort the results of the network slice optimization process; a filter indicator indicating how to filter the results of the network slice optimization process to report to the VAL server; an optimization result size value indicating the number of results of the network slice optimization process that the NSCE server needs to report to the VAL server; and / or An optimization result window including a start time value indicating the start timing of generating a network slice optimization report and an end time value indicating the end timing of generating the network slice optimization report.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The response to the request includes any one or more of the following: an optimization time indicating the time spent by the NSCE server in performing the network slice optimization process; an optimization response indicating a result of performing the network slice optimization process filtered based on the filter indicator; A policy ID identifying the AF policy used to perform the network slice optimization process; and / or Identifies the mandatory policy ID of the auxiliary AF policy used for the network slice optimization in case the network slice optimization process fails.

14. A method (600) performed by a network slicing capability enabling NSCE server (104), the method comprising: receiving (s602) a request associated with one or more application function (AF) policies, wherein the request is transmitted by a vertical application layer (VAL) server (102); and After receiving the request, transmitting (s604) a response to the request to the VAL server, wherein the request is at least one of: (i) a provisioning request for provisioning the one or more AF policies, wherein the provisioning request: a. indicating whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. including scheduling information for scheduling each AF strategy included in the one or more AF strategies, c. including a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, and / or d. indicating the priority level of each AF strategy included in the one or more AF strategies, (ii) an update request for updating the one or more AF policies, (iii) a delete request for deleting the one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage report request for requesting information about usage of the one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling the one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different auxiliary AF policies, the auxiliary AF policies to be used as fallback policies so as to perform a network slice optimization process in the event that a network slice optimization process based on the one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting a report of information about a network slice optimization process performed by the NSCE server.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the provisioning request, and The schedule information indicates a scheduled start time and a scheduled end time.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the update request, and The update request includes any one or more of the following: (i) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, a) a policy identifier ID identifying the AF policy; b) an updated policy profile for updating the AF policy; c) a priority indicator indicating the priority level of the AF policy; d) one or more network slice identifiers identifying one or more network slices associated with the AF policy; e) scheduling information for scheduling the AF strategy; and / or f) identifying one or more AF policies that the AF policy can preempt and / or preemption information of one or more AF policies that can preempt the AF policy; (ii) a requestor identifier identifying the VAL server; and / or (iii) a default policy indicator indicating whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a new default policy for the network slice provisioned in the absence of any policy or network slice mentioned in the update request.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein The response is an update response, and The update response includes any one or more of the following: (i) an indicator indicating whether the policy update was successful; (ii) a policy ID identifying the updated policy; and / or (iii) A default policy indicator indicating whether the updated AF policy is the default policy.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the delete request, and The deletion request includes: a first set of one or more policy IDs identifying the one or more AF policies requested to be deleted; and / or A second set of one or more policy IDs identifying a different set of one or more AF policies that are requested for use.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the deletion request includes a default policy indicator indicating an update of an existing default policy and / or use of a different policy as a new default policy.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein The response is a delete response, and The delete response includes any one or more of the following: (i) an indicator indicating whether the policy deletion was successful; (ii) if the delete request is for deleting a default AF policy, a policy identifier identifying a new default AF policy; and / or (iii) a priority value indicating an updated priority level of the new default AF policy, further wherein the updated priority level is obtained as a result of performing the policy deletion.

21. The method according to claim 14, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the policy usage report request, and The policy usage report request includes any one or more of the following: (i) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server; (ii) one or more network slice IDs identifying one or more network slices associated with the one or more AF policies; (iii) policy usage reporting data information identifying the requested policy usage data related to usage of the one or more AF policies; and / or (iv) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, A policy ID identifying the AF policy; a start time indicating a start timing for collecting requested policy usage data for usage of the AF policy; an end time indicating an end timing for collecting requested policy usage data for use of the AF policy; and / or A reporting interval value indicating the duration or frequency of reporting the requested policy usage data for usage of the AF policy.

22. The method of claim 21 , comprising transmitting a policy usage data report to the VAL server, wherein the policy usage data report comprises any one or more of: (i) a subscription ID identifying the policy usage report request and / or the subscription to receive the requested policy usage data; (ii) the requested policy usage data; and / or (iii) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, A policy ID identifying the AF policy; A policy count value indicating the number of times the AF policy is active; a policy duration value indicating the duration for which the AF policy is to be used; a preemption count indicating the number of times the AF policy has been preempted and / or the number of times the AF policy has preempted another policy; and / or Identifies a different AF policy that is preempted by the AF policy or a different policy ID of a different AF policy that preempts the AF policy.

23. The method according to claim 14, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the scheduling request, and The scheduling request includes any one or more of the following: (i) a requester ID identifying the VAL server; (ii) slice information identifying one or more network slices associated with the one or more AF policies; (iii) a timestamp indicating the timing of transmitting the scheduling request; and / or (iv) for each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, An AF policy ID identifying the AF policy; a scheduled time period value indicating a scheduled time period during which the AF policy is to be applied; A start time value indicating the start timing of applying the AF strategy; Indicates the end time value of the end timing of applying the AF policy; Preemption data indicating the preemption capability of the AF policy; and / or Another policy ID identifying another AF policy that is to preempt the AF policy during the scheduled time period.

24. The method according to claim 14, wherein The request associated with the one or more AF policies is the network optimization request, and The response to the request includes an optimization time and / or a mandatory AF policy ID, wherein the optimization time indicates the time taken by the NSCE server for slice optimization, and the mandatory AF policy ID identifies an auxiliary AF policy for the network slice optimization performed if the network slice optimization performed based on the one or more AF policies fails.

25. The method according to claim 14, wherein The request related to the one or more AF policies is the network slice optimization report retrieval request, and the network slice optimization report retrieval request includes any one or more of the following: Identifies the subscription ID for the network slice optimization process; a sorting type indicator indicating how to sort the results of the network slice optimization process; a filter indicator indicating how to filter the results of the network slice optimization process to report to the VAL server; an optimization result size value indicating the number of results of the network slice optimization process that the NSCE server needs to report to the VAL server; and / or An optimization result window including a start time value indicating the start timing of generating a network slice optimization report and an end time value indicating the end timing of generating the network slice optimization report.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein The response to the request includes any one or more of the following: an optimization time indicating the time spent by the NSCE server in performing the network slice optimization process; an optimization response indicating a result of performing the network slice optimization process filtered based on the filter indicator; A policy ID identifying the AF policy used to perform the network slice optimization process; and / or Identifies the mandatory policy ID of the auxiliary AF policy used for the network slice optimization in case the network slice optimization process fails.

27. A computer program (700) comprising instructions (744) which, when executed by a processing circuit (702), cause the processing circuit to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 26.

28. A carrier comprising a computer program according to claim 27, wherein The carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal and a computer-readable storage medium.

29. A vertical application layer VAL server (102), wherein the VAL server is configured to: transmitting (s502) a request related to one or more application function (AF) policies to a network slicing capability enabling (NSCE) server (104); and After transmitting the request, receiving (s504) a response to the request from the NSCE server, wherein the request is at least one of: (i) a provisioning request for provisioning the one or more AF policies, further wherein, The supply request: a. indicating whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. including scheduling information for scheduling each AF strategy included in the one or more AF strategies, c. including a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, and / or d. indicating the priority level of each AF strategy included in the one or more AF strategies, (ii) an update request for updating the one or more AF policies, (iii) a delete request for deleting the one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage report request for requesting information about usage of the one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling the one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different auxiliary AF policies, the auxiliary AF policies to be used as fallback policies so as to perform a network slice optimization process in the event that a network slice optimization process based on the one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting a report of information about a network slice optimization process performed by the NSCE server.

30. The VAL server according to claim 29, wherein: The VAL server is further configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 2-13.

31. A network slicing capability enabling NSCE server (104), the NSCE server being configured to: receiving (s602) a request associated with one or more application function (AF) policies, wherein the request is transmitted by a vertical application layer (VAL) server (102); and After receiving the request, transmitting (s604) a response to the request to the VAL server, wherein the request is at least one of: (i) a provisioning request for provisioning the one or more AF policies, further wherein, The supply request: a. indicating whether the AF policy included in the one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. including scheduling information for scheduling each AF strategy included in the one or more AF strategies, c. including a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in the one or more AF policies, and / or d. indicating the priority level of each AF strategy included in the one or more AF strategies, (ii) an update request for updating the one or more AF policies, (iii) a delete request for deleting the one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage report request for requesting information about usage of the one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling the one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different auxiliary AF policies, the auxiliary AF policies to be used as fallback policies so as to perform a network slice optimization process in the event that a network slice optimization process based on the one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting a report of information about a network slice optimization process performed by the NSCE server.

32. The NSCE server according to claim 31, wherein: The NSCE server is further configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 15-26.

33. An apparatus (700), comprising: Processing circuit (702); as well as A memory (741) containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry, whereby the apparatus is operable to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 26.

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