COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK WITH SUBNETWORK MANAGER FOR MONITORING RESOURCES OF A PLURALITY OF SUBNETWORKS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication network having a plurality of subnetworks, in particular a 5G communication network having a plurality of slices whose communication status is monitored by monitors, and a subnetwork manager for monitoring the communication resources of the subnetworks based on status signals from the monitors.

[0002] The fifth generation of mobile technology (5G) addresses the requirements and technical challenges of future communication networks from around 2020 and beyond. It addresses a fully mobile and networked society characterized by enormous growth in data traffic and interconnectedness at multiple levels.

[0003] 5G will require new radio interfaces to meet the demands of using higher frequencies, for example, for new applications such as the Internet of Things (IoT), and to provide specialized capabilities such as shorter latency that go beyond what 4G communication networks are capable of. 5G is viewed as an end-to-end system that encompasses all network aspects, with a design that enables a high degree of convergence. 5G will fully utilize today's access mechanisms and their potential evolutions, including today's fixed-line access technologies and many other access technologies yet to be developed.

[0004] 5G will operate in a highly heterogeneous environment, i.e., with multiple types of access technologies, multi-layered networks, diverse types of communication devices and user interactions, etc. A wide variety of applications with diametrically opposed requirements must be optimally supported, e.g., fail-safe, robust communication, low-data-rate communication, or broadband communication in densely populated areas. In such an environment, there is a fundamental demand for 5G to provide a seamless and consistent user experience across time and space. The operator of a 5G communication network must optimally and dynamically adapt the resources deployed to the respective requirements in order to be able to support the multitude of applications simultaneously.

[0005] Therefore, 5G requires, on the one hand, increasing communication performance, particularly providing higher data throughput, lower latency, particularly high reliability, significantly higher connection density, and a wider mobility range, but, on the other hand, increasing operational flexibility and providing tailored functions with the least possible use of resources. This increased performance is expected to be combined with the ability to manage highly heterogeneous environments and the ability to ensure user trust, identity, and privacy.

[0006] Document US2013 / 303114 A1 discloses the allocation of resources to network slices while monitoring utilization.

[0007] It is the object of the present invention to create a concept to increase the flexibility and reliability of communication, especially in 5G with regard to the above-mentioned requirements.

[0008] This problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous forms of further training are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] The methods and systems presented below can be of various types. The individual elements described can be implemented by hardware or software components, for example, electronic components that can be manufactured using various technologies and include, for example, semiconductor chips, ASICs, microprocessors, digital signal processors, integrated electrical circuits, electro-optical circuits, and / or passive components.

[0010] The devices, systems, and methods presented below are suitable for transmitting information over a communications network. The term "communications network" refers to the technical infrastructure over which signals are transmitted. The communications network essentially comprises the switching network, in which signals are transmitted and switched between the fixed-location devices and platforms of the mobile or fixed network, as well as the access network, in which signals are transmitted between a network access device and the communications terminal. The communications network can comprise components of both a mobile network and a fixed network.In the mobile network, the access network is also referred to as the air interface and includes, for example, a base station (NodeB, eNodeB, radio cell) with a mobile antenna to establish communication with a communication terminal such as a mobile phone or smartphone, or a mobile device with a mobile adapter. In the fixed network, the access network includes, for example, a DSLAM (digital subscriber line access multiplexer) to connect the communication terminals of multiple subscribers via a wired or cable connection. Communication can be forwarded to other networks, such as those of other network operators, or to international networks, via the switching network.

[0011] The devices, systems and methods presented below are intended to enhance communication in communication networks, in particular in communication networks according to the 5G system architecture presented below. Fig. 1shows a schematic representation of such a 5G system architecture 100. The 5G system architecture 100 comprises an area with 5G communication terminals 101, which are connected via various access technologies 102 to a multi-layered communication structure, which comprises an infrastructure & resource layer 105, an activation layer 104 and an application layer 103, which are managed via a management & instrumentation layer 106.

[0012] The Infrastructure & Resources layer 105 comprises the physical resources of a converged network structure consisting of fixed-network and mobile network components ("Fixed-Mobile Convergence") with access nodes, cloud nodes (consisting of processing and storage nodes), 5G devices such as mobile phones, wearable devices, CPEs, machine communication modules, and others, network nodes, and associated links. 5G devices can comprise diverse and configurable capabilities, for example, acting as a relay or hub, or operating as a computing / storage resource depending on the respective context. These resources are made available to the higher layers 104, 103, and the Management & Instrumentation layer 106 via corresponding APIs (Application Program Interfaces). Monitoring performance and configurations are an inherent part of such APIs.

[0013] The activation layer 104 comprises a library of functions required within a converged network in the form of building blocks of a modular architecture. These include functions implemented by software modules that can be retrieved from a repository at the desired location, and a set of configuration parameters for specific parts of the network, e.g., radio access. These functions and capabilities can be invoked on demand by the management and instrumentation layer 106 using the dedicated APIs. Multiple variants may exist for certain functions, e.g., different implementations of the same functionality with different performance or characteristics.The different levels of performance and capabilities offered can be used to differentiate network functionalities much further than is possible in today's networks, e.g. to offer nomadic mobility, vehicle mobility or air mobility as a mobility function depending on specific needs.

[0014] The application layer 103 includes specific applications and services of the network operator, the enterprise, the vertical operator, or third parties using the 5G network. The interface to the management and instrumentation layer 106 allows, for example, the creation of specific, i.e., dedicated network slices for an application or the assignment of an application to an existing network slice.

[0015] The Management & Instrumentation Layer 106 is the contact point for translating the required use cases (including business models) into actual network functions and slices. It defines the network slices for a given application scenario, concatenates the relevant modular network functions, assigns the relevant performance configurations, and maps everything to the resources of the Infrastructure & Resource Layer 105. The Management & Instrumentation Layer 106 also manages the scaling of the capacity of these functions as well as their geographical distribution. In certain use cases, it may also include capabilities that allow third parties to create and manage their own network slices by leveraging the APIs.Due to the numerous tasks of the Management & Instrumentation Layer 106, it is not a monolithic block of functionality, but rather a collection of modular functions that integrate advances made in various network domains, such as NFV ("network function virtualization"), SDN ("software-defined networking"), or SON ("self-organizing networks"). The Management & Instrumentation Layer 106 uses data-driven intelligence to optimize all aspects of service arrangement and provisioning.

[0016] The devices, systems and methods presented here are intended to improve communication in communication networks, in particular in 5G communication networks with multiple network slices, as described below. Fig. 2shows a schematic representation of a 5G communication network 200 with multiple network slices. The 5G communication network 200 comprises an infrastructure and resource layer 105, an activation layer 104, and an application layer 103.

[0017] The Infrastructure & Resource Layer 105 includes all physical assets assigned to a network operator, i.e. locations, cables, network nodes, etc. This layer 105 forms the basis for all network slices. It is structured to be as generic as possible, without too many specialized physical units. The Infrastructure & Resource Layer 105 conceals any type of user-specific implementation from the upper layers so that the remaining systems can be used in the best possible way for different slices. Components of the Infrastructure & Resource Layer 105 are based on hardware and software or firmware that is required for the respective operation and is made available to the layers above as resource objects in the Infrastructure & Resource Layer 105. For example, objects of the Infrastructure & Resource Layer 105 include virtual machines, virtual links, orConnections and virtual networks, e.g., virtual access nodes 231, 232, 233, virtual network nodes 234, 235, 236, 237, and virtual computer nodes 238, 239, 240. As the term "virtual" suggests, the infrastructure & resource layer 105 provides the objects in the form of an "infrastructure as a service" 251, ie, in an abstracted, virtualized form to the next higher layer 104.

[0018] The activation layer 104 is located above the infrastructure and resource layer 105. It uses the objects of the infrastructure and resource layer 105 and adds additional functionality in the form of (e.g., non-physical) software objects / VNFs to enable the creation of any type of network slices and thus provide a platform as a service to the next higher layer 103.

[0019] Software objects can exist at any granularity and comprise a tiny or a very large fragment of a network slice. To allow the creation of network slices at an appropriate level of abstraction, various abstracted objects 221 can be combined with other abstracted objects and with virtual network functions 222 in the activation layer 104 to form combined objects 223, which can be converted into aggregated objects 224 and made available in an object library 225 of the next higher level. This allows the complexity behind the network slices to be hidden. For example, a user can create a mobile broadband slice and only define KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) without having to specify specific features such as individual local antenna coverage, backhaul connections, and specific parameterization levels.To support an open environment and allow network functions to be added or deleted on demand, an important capability of the activation layer 104 is that it supports the dynamic reordering of functions and connectivities in a network slice, e.g., by using SFC ("Service Function Chaining") or modifying software, so that the functionality of a slice can be fully predefined and can include both approximately static software modules and dynamically addable software modules.

[0020] A network slice can be viewed as a software-defined entity based on a set of objects that define a complete network. The activation layer 104 plays a key role in the success of this concept, as it can encompass all software objects necessary to provide the network slices and the corresponding capabilities for handling the objects. The activation layer 104 can be viewed as a type of network operating system complemented by a network creation environment. A key task of the activation layer 104 is to define the appropriate abstraction levels. This gives network operators sufficient freedom to design their network slices while the platform operator can still maintain and optimize the physical nodes. For example, the execution of day-to-day tasks such as adding or replacing NodeBs, etc.without the intervention of the network customers. The definition of suitable objects that model a complete telecommunications network is one of the essential tasks of the activation layer 104 in developing the network slices environment.

[0021] A network slice, also known as a 5G slice, supports the communication services of a specific connection type with a specific way of handling the C (Control) and U (User Data) layers. A 5G slice consists of a collection of different 5G network functions and specific radio access technology (RAT) settings that are combined to benefit the specific use case. Therefore, a 5G slice can span all domains of the network, e.g., software modules running on cloud nodes, specific transport network configurations that support flexible function location, a specific radio configuration, or even a specific access technology as well as a configuration of 5G devices.Not all slices contain the same features; some features that are considered essential for a mobile network today may even be missing from some slices. The intention of the 5G Slice is to provide only the features necessary for the specific use case and avoid all other unnecessary functionality. The flexibility behind the slice concept is key for both extending existing use cases and creating new ones. Third-party devices can thus be granted permission to control certain aspects of slicing via appropriate APIs, enabling the provision of tailored services.

[0022] The application layer 103 comprises all generated network slices 210b, 211b, 212b and offers them as a "network as a service" to various network users, e.g., different customers. This concept allows the reuse of defined network slices 210b, 211b, 212b for different users, e.g., customers, for example, as a new network slice instance 210a, 211a, 212a. This means that a network slice 210b, 211b, 212b that is assigned to an automotive application, for example, can also be used for applications of various other industrial applications. The slice instances 210a, 211a, 212a generated by a first user can, for example, be independent of the slice instances generated by a second user, even though the overall network slice functionality may be the same.

[0023] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a communication network having a plurality of subnetworks with a first subnetwork and a second subnetwork, wherein a first communication entity with a first network function is assigned to the first subnetwork, wherein a second communication entity with a second network function is assigned to the second subnetwork, comprising: a subnetwork manager for monitoring communication resources of the first subnetwork and the second subnetwork; a first monitor which is designed to monitor a communication status of the first network function of the first network entity of the first subnetwork and to send a first status signal to the subnetwork manager, wherein the first status signal comprises the communication status of the first network function;a second monitor configured to monitor a communication status of the second network function of the second network entity of the second subnetwork and to send a second status signal to the subnetwork manager, wherein the second status signal comprises the communication status of the second network function; wherein the subnetwork manager is configured to monitor the communication resources of the first subnetwork and the second subnetwork based on the first status signal and the second status signal;

[0024] The subnetwork structure of the communication network enables increased communication performance. In particular, higher data throughput, lower latency, exceptionally high reliability, a significantly higher connection density, and a wider mobility range can be achieved. Communication reliability is ensured by monitoring the respective communication status messages via the monitors and monitoring the communication resources via the subnetwork manager. This allows highly heterogeneous environments to be controlled and monitored, thus ensuring network user trust.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the communication network, the first network function defines an assignment of communication resources of the first subnetwork to the first communication entity, and the second network function defines an assignment of communication resources of the second subnetwork to the second communication entity.

[0026] This has the advantage that the first communication entity in the first subnetwork can be operated and monitored independently of the second communication entity in the second subnetwork. If the subnetwork manager detects an error in the first network function, this only affects the first subnetwork, not the second subnetwork.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the communication network, the first status signal indicates a utilization of the communication resources of the first subnetwork; and the second status signal indicates a utilization of the communication resources of the second subnetwork.

[0028] This has the advantage that the first subnetwork and the second subnetwork can be operated independently of each other with different workloads. This allows the subnetworks to be assigned to different communication environments that, for example, require different resources.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the communication network, the communication network is a fifth generation (5G) or further generation communication system, and the subnetworks are slices of the communication network.

[0030] This will enable the full benefits of the 5G network architecture to be realized, such as higher radio frequencies with higher data throughput, new applications such as the Internet of Things, and special capabilities such as reduced latency that go beyond what 4G communication networks are capable of. The communication network can offer an end-to-end system that encompasses all network aspects with a high degree of convergence. Furthermore, existing access mechanisms and their potential further developments can be fully utilized.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the communication network, the subnetwork manager is configured to control the communication resources of the first subnetwork and the second subnetwork based on the first status signal and the second status signal.

[0032] This has the advantage that both subnetworks can be controlled independently of each other, depending on the information provided by the monitors assigned to the subnetworks.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the communication network, the subnetwork manager is designed to define the first network function and / or the second network function on the basis of an identification of a communication terminal for establishing a communication connection to the communication terminal.

[0034] This offers the advantage that the communications terminal can be assigned to a subnetwork based on its identification or identifier, such as IMSI, IMEI, or eID. Subnetworks can be assigned to different applications or services, so that the communications terminal can be assigned to the corresponding subnetwork or to multiple subnetworks based on its identification. The subnetworks differ from one another, for example, in terms of different functions, services, or applications. The assignment of communications terminal to subnetwork can advantageously be quickly located because the subnetwork manager can be located on the same communication level as the subnetworks, e.g., on the application layer according to the 5G layer model.Furthermore, this offers the advantage that the respective subnetwork has the identification of the communication terminal and can therefore identify and authenticate the communication terminal.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the communication network, the subnetwork manager is designed to establish the communication connection to the communication terminal according to the first network function and / or the second network function.

[0036] This offers the advantage that the control of the network resources of the respective subnetworks is determined by the corresponding network functions, allowing for rapid provision of network resources to the subnetworks based on the respective network function. This enables the communications network to quickly respond to a communication request from a communications terminal for a communication connection, quickly provide the communication resources of the corresponding subnetworks, and thus enable rapid and flexible communication establishment. In addition to quickly establishing the communication connection, the respective monitors can also quickly detect errors in the communication resources and thus enable rapid and efficient switching of the communication path.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the communication network, the subnetwork manager is designed to assemble and configure access devices, network devices, processor devices and / or memory devices of the first subnetwork according to the first network function for establishing the communication connection to the communication terminal.

[0038] This has the advantage that the subnetwork manager can select and compile the subnetwork resources required to establish the communication connection with the communication terminal from a plurality of existing subnetwork resources, such as access devices, network devices, processor devices and / or memory devices, based on the network function. This enables flexible resource planning, in which the communication resources are only allocated at the time the communication connection is established, i.e. at the latest possible time. The monitors can advantageously monitor the resources used to establish communication and inform the subnetwork manager which subnetwork resources are already in use and which are still available. This enables very efficient resource utilization.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the communication network, the subnetwork manager is designed to configure bandwidths, data rates, service types and / or service quality of communication resources of the first subnetwork according to the first network function for establishing the communication connection to the communication terminal.

[0040] This offers the advantage that the corresponding physical parameters of the communication resources of the first subnetwork, such as bandwidths, data rates, service types, and / or service quality, can be set via the first network function. The resources available in the first subnetwork can therefore be allocated in a targeted manner and used for the communication connection.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the communication network, the subnetwork manager is designed to detect an error in the communication resources of the first subnetwork based on the first status signal.

[0042] This has the advantage that the subnetwork manager is always informed about the status of the communication resources of the respective subnetworks, enabling flexible communication setup with error-free communication resources. This increases the reliability of the entire communication network.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the communication network, the subnetwork manager is designed, upon detection of an error in the communication resources of the first subnetwork, to modify the first network function such that it defines an assignment of error-free communication resources of the first subnetwork to the first communication entity.

[0044] This offers the advantage that if an error is detected, the faulty resources can be removed from the communication path and replaced with fault-free components by simply changing the first network function. The communication connection can continue to run via the same subnetwork, so the effort required to rebuild the communication is very minimal.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the communication network, the subnetwork manager is designed to reconfigure the communication connection to the communication terminal according to the modified first network function and / or the second network function upon detection of an error in the communication resources of the first subnetwork.

[0046] This offers the advantage that if an error is detected due to a change in the first network function and / or the second network function, the faulty resources can be removed from the communication path and replaced with fault-free components. The communication connection can either continue via the same subnetwork or be rearranged via a second subnetwork, depending on the specifications of the respective network function. This enables flexible communication paths that can be reconfigured very quickly in the event of an error.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the communication network, a third communication entity with a third network function is assigned to the first subnetwork; and the subnetwork manager is configured to establish the communication connection to the communication terminal using the first communication entity according to the first network function and the third communication entity according to the third network function.

[0048] This offers the advantage that the communication connection in the first subnetwork can be routed via various communication entities, each of which can be configured or controlled via corresponding network functions. For example, the first network function of the first communication entity can be used for a multitude of communication connections via the first subnetwork, while the third network function of the third communication entity provides a special configuration of additional resources for specific communication connections. This offers the advantage that a large number of communication connections can be configured and monitored efficiently, quickly, and reliably.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the communication network, the second subnetwork is a test subnetwork isolated from the first subnetwork; and the second monitor is configured to monitor the communication status of the second network function of the second network entity depending on different test versions of the second network function.

[0050] This offers the advantage that the second subnetwork can be operated independently of the first subnetwork, so that test code for network functions loaded on the second subnetwork does not affect the functionality of the first subnetwork. This allows sub-subnetworks of the communications network to be tested in real time without affecting the operation of the remaining subnetworks. Furthermore, third-party code from a third-party network operator can run on specially provided subnetworks of the communications network without (negatively) affecting the operation of subnetworks of the network operator's own or home network operator.

[0051] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for monitoring a communication network having a plurality of subnetworks with a first subnetwork and a second subnetwork, wherein a first communication entity having a first network function is assigned to the first subnetwork, and wherein a second communication entity having a second network function is assigned to the second subnetwork, the method comprising the following steps: monitoring a communication status of the first network function of the first network entity of the first subnetwork by a first monitor and sending a first status signal to a subnetwork manager, wherein the first status signal indicates the communication status of the first network function;Monitoring a communication status of the second network function of the second network entity of the second subnetwork by a second monitor and sending a second status signal to the subnetwork manager, the second status signal indicating the communication status of the second network function; and monitoring communication resources of the first subnetwork and the second subnetwork by the subnetwork manager based on the first status signal and the second status signal;

[0052] The subnetwork structure of the communication network enables increased communication performance. In particular, higher data throughput, lower latency, exceptionally high reliability, a significantly higher connection density, and a wider mobility range can be achieved. Communication reliability is ensured by monitoring the respective communication status messages via the monitors and monitoring the communication resources via the subnetwork manager. This allows highly heterogeneous environments to be controlled and monitored, thus ensuring network user trust.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the method, the communication network is a fifth generation (5G) or further generation communication system, and the subnetworks are slices of the communication network.

[0054] This will enable the full benefits of the 5G network architecture to be realized, such as higher radio frequencies with higher data throughput, new applications such as the Internet of Things, and special capabilities such as reduced latency that go beyond what 4G communication networks are capable of. The communication network can offer an end-to-end system that encompasses all network aspects with a high degree of convergence. Furthermore, existing access mechanisms and their potential further developments can be fully utilized.

[0055] Further embodiments are explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a 5G system architecture 100; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a 5G communication network with multiple slices (network slices) 200; Fig. 3a schematic representation of a communication network 300 with a plurality of subnetworks 310, 320, monitors 312, 322 assigned to the subnetworks and a subnetwork manager 330 according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a communication network 400 with multiple monitors for monitoring the subnetworks 310, 320 and a subnetwork manager 330 for monitoring and controlling the subnetworks according to an exemplary embodiment; and Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a method 500 for monitoring a communication network with a plurality of subnetworks according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0056] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense. Further, it is to be understood that the features of the various embodiments described herein may be combined with one another unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0057] The aspects and embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals generally refer to like elements. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects of the invention. However, it may be apparent to one skilled in the art that one or more aspects or embodiments may be practiced with a lesser level of specific detail. In other instances, well-known structures and elements are shown in schematic form to facilitate describing one or more aspects or embodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the concept of the present invention.

[0058] Furthermore, although a particular feature or aspect of an embodiment may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature or aspect may be combined with one or more other features or aspects of the other implementations, as may be desired and advantageous for a given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "include," "having," "with," or other variations thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising." The terms "coupled" and "connected" may have been used together with derivatives thereof.It is understood that such terms are used to indicate that two elements cooperate or interact with each other regardless of whether they are in direct physical or electrical contact or not. Furthermore, the term "exemplary" is to be construed merely as an example rather than as a designation of the best or optimal. The following description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0059] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a communication network 300 with a plurality of subnetworks 310, 320, monitors 312, 322 assigned to the subnetworks and a subnetwork manager 330 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0060] The plurality of subnetworks 310, 320 comprise, for example, a first subnetwork (Slice I) 310 and a second subnetwork (Slice II) 320, as in Figure 3Of course, the communication network 300 may include further, for reasons of clarity not shown Fig. 3 illustrated subnetworks. The first subnetwork 310 is assigned a first communication entity with a first network function 311. The second subnetwork 320 is assigned a second communication entity with a second network function 321. The communication network 300 includes a subnetwork manager 330 for monitoring communication resources of the first subnetwork 310 and the second subnetwork 320. The communication network 300 includes a first monitor 312 and a second monitor 322.

[0061] The first monitor 312 serves to monitor a communication status of the first network function 311 of the first network entity of the first subnetwork 310 and to transmit a first status signal 316 to the subnetwork manager 330. The first status signal 316 includes or indicates the communication status of the first network function 311.

[0062] The second monitor 322 serves to monitor a communication status of the second network function 321 of the second network entity of the second subnetwork 320 and to send a second status signal 326 to the subnetwork manager 330. The second status signal 326 includes or indicates the communication status of the second network function 321.

[0063] The subnetwork manager 330 is operable to monitor the communication resources of the first subnetwork 310 and the second subnetwork 320 based on the first status signal 316 and the second status signal 326.

[0064] The first network function 311 can determine an assignment of communication resources of the first subnetwork 310 to the first communication entity. The second network function 321 can determine an assignment of communication resources of the second subnetwork 320 to the second communication entity.

[0065] The first status signal 316 can indicate a utilization of the communication resources of the first subnetwork 310. The second status signal 326 can indicate a utilization of the communication resources of the second subnetwork 320. For example, a utilization can indicate a percentage value relative to a maximum load. The utilization can be specified as a percentage relative to an available bandwidth of the available communication resources.

[0066] The communication network 300 may, for example, be a fifth generation (5G) or further generation communication system, and the subnetworks 310, 320 may be slices of the communication network 300, for example, as shown and described in the Figures 1 and 2 .

[0067] The subnetwork manager 330 may control the communication resources of the first subnetwork 310 and the second subnetwork 320 based on the first status signal 316 and the second status signal 326, as described below. Figure 4 described in more detail.

[0068] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a communication network 400 with multiple monitors for monitoring the subnetworks 310, 320 and a subnetwork manager 330, also referred to herein as "slice management", for monitoring and controlling the subnetworks, also referred to as "slices", according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0069] The basic idea of ​​the communication network 400 is that each slice 310, 320 is assigned its own monitor 312, 322, which monitors the status of the slice functions. This enables, among other things, error detection, dynamic resource control (also for QoS), and slice testing, for example, in a secure environment.

[0070] The first 312 and second 322 monitors (Monitors I and II) monitor the status / functionality of the slice functions and forward their results to the subnetwork manager 330, also referred to here as "Slice Management".

[0071] The Slice Management 330 (operator side) receives the data, validates it and uses it to determine QOS control, resource control, and load balancing, which can occur within the slices (intra-slice) and between the slices (inter-slice).

[0072] Based on the basic resource requirement profile, the slices 310, 320 can be preconfigured or parameterized at runtime. Using the resource monitor 312, 322 and the comparison with the existing application profile, e.g., a geographical distribution or a mobility profile, the runtime behavior can be checked. Deviations that do not originate from the addition of new UEs, customer endpoints, or services can be detected via a comparison with the slice / service manager 330. In addition to the slice manager 330 or subnetwork manager 330, which can assume control of the supplied functional instances and / or the service topology within the slices 310, 320, the communication network 400 can additionally include an infrastructure resource manager (not included in Fig. 4 shown) that can monitor, for example, infrastructure resources, topology and / or geographical distribution.

[0073] The slices 310, 320 can be regular slices or test slices, the slice manager 330 can trigger an action or wait (test slice) to see what effect a fault has. The slice management 330 can, in the context of the NGMN architecture (see Figure 1 ), in the resource control above the infrastructure layer 105, ie for example in layer 104 of the Figures 1 and 2 , and can take over slice or resource control depending on the statuses detected by the respective monitor.

[0074] Status information 316, 326 can be forwarded to the customer (slice user) via an interface on the slice management 330. The user equipment (UE) can be connected to multiple slices 310, 320 simultaneously via the radio access network (RAN).

[0075] The monitor 312, 322, for example, is responsible for monitoring all functional resources within a slice 310, 320. It is connected to the slice management 330, which controls the functional resources. Fig. 4 There is a separate monitoring instance for each slice 310, 320. Depending on the function type, processor or network resource utilization can be monitored. The monitor 312, 322 enables, in particular: A) service-specific slicing; B) test slices for beta applications; and C) installation and execution of third-party code in slices.

[0076] The communication network 400 corresponds to the above Figure 3described communication network 300, wherein the first subnetwork 310 is also assigned a third communication entity with a third network function 311b and a fourth communication entity with a fourth network function 311c, and wherein the second subnetwork 320 is also assigned a fifth communication entity with a fifth network function 321b and a sixth communication entity with a sixth network function 321c.

[0077] A communication status of the third network function 311b is transmitted to the first monitor 312, and a communication status of the fourth network function 311c is transmitted to the first monitor 312. The first monitor 312 determines the first status signal 316 from the communication status of the individual network functions 311, 311b, 311c, which it transmits to the subnetwork manager 330.

[0078] A communication status of the fifth network function 321b is transmitted to the second monitor 322, and a communication status of the sixth network function 321c is transmitted to the second monitor 322. The second monitor 322 determines the second status signal 326 from the communication status of the individual network functions 321, 321b, 321c, which it transmits to the subnetwork manager 330.

[0079] The communication network 400 may include further subnetworks that may be constructed in a similar manner.

[0080] The subnetwork manager 330 can control the individual network functions 321, 321b, 321c based on an evaluation of the second status signal 326. Similarly, the subnetwork manager 330 can control the individual network functions 311, 311b, 311c of the first subnetwork 310 based on an evaluation of the first status signal 316, which for reasons of simplicity is not described in Figure 4 is shown.

[0081] The communication network may further comprise a communication terminal 401, e.g. a UE, which may establish communication with the communication network, e.g. via the first subnetwork 310 or via the second subnetwork 320 or via both subnetworks 310, 320, as described herein in Figure 4 shown.

[0082] The subnetwork manager 330 can, for example, define the first network function 311 and / or the second network function 321 based on an identification of the communication terminal 401 for establishing a communication connection to the communication terminal 401. For example, the subnetwork manager 330 can establish the communication connection to the communication terminal 401 according to the first network function 311 and / or the second network function 321.

[0083] For this purpose, the subnetwork manager 330 can, for example, compile and configure access devices, network devices, processor devices, and / or memory devices of the first subnetwork 310 according to the first network function 311 for establishing the communication connection to the communication terminal 401. Access devices can, for example, be the access nodes 231, 232, 233 of the 5G communication network 200 according to Figure 2 Processor devices may, for example, correspond to computer nodes 238, 239, 240 of the 5G communication network 200. Network devices may, for example, correspond to virtual network nodes 234, 235, 236, 237 of the 5G communication network 200.

[0084] The subnetwork manager 330 can configure bandwidths, data rates, service types, and / or quality of service of communication resources of the first subnetwork 310 according to the first network function 311 for establishing the communication connection to the communication terminal 401. It can configure the resources of the other subnetworks in the same way.

[0085] The subnetwork manager 330 can detect an error in the communication resources of the first subnetwork 310 based on the first status signal 316. For example, the subnetwork manager 330 can detect an overload of the communication resources of the first subnetwork 310 if the first status signal 316 indicates a utilization of the communication resources above a threshold, for example, a value above 90% or 95%.

[0086] Upon detection of an error in the communication resources of the first subnetwork 310, the subnetwork manager 330 may modify the first network function 311 such that it defines an assignment of error-free communication resources of the first subnetwork 310 to the first communication entity.

[0087] Upon detection of an error in the communication resources of the first subnetwork 310, the subnetwork manager 330 can reconfigure the communication connection to the communication terminal 401 according to the modified first network function (311) and / or the second network function 321.

[0088] The subnetwork manager 330 can alternatively or additionally establish the communication connection to the communication terminal 401 using the first communication entity according to the first network function 311 and the third communication entity according to the third network function 311b. This means that the subnetwork manager 330 can use one or more network functions of the first subnetwork 310 to establish the communication connection. For example, the first network function 311 and the third network function 311b, and optionally additionally the fourth network function 311c and other network functions of the first subnetwork 310, can be connected in series to establish or reconfigure the communication connection.

[0089] In a specific embodiment of the communication network 400, the second subnetwork 320 can be a test subnetwork isolated from the first subnetwork 310. Here, the second monitor 322 can monitor the communication status of the second network function 321 of the second network entity depending on various test versions of the second network function 321, as described in more detail in the four use cases outlined below.

[0090] Use Case 1: Slice Monitor as a crash monitor for an isolated test environment (test slice). For new features or experimental services, validation can be performed in a test environment (test slice) isolated from the real-world environment. A crash, i.e., abnormal resource behavior of one or more functions in the test slice, can be detected by the slice manager at runtime by comparing the standard resource profile with the status measured by the monitor.

[0091] Use Case 2: Slice Monitor for Validating the Service / Requirement Profile for Beta Applications. For functions for which the platform operator is uncertain about the resource requirements profile, e.g., when provided by third-party developers, the resource profile can be validated in the test environment (test slice) by monitoring resource behavior within the slice over a suitable period of time.

[0092] Use Case 3: Slice monitor for determining and defining a service / requirement profile for beta applications. In the case of an unknown resource profile (i.e., one not specified by the function developer) (new application), this can be determined by monitoring resource behavior in the slice. The standard resource requirement profile determined over a suitable period can then be used as a planning basis (policy definition) for the use of the application in the live network (live network slice). This profile determination can also be offered by the operator as a service.

[0093] Use Case 4: Third-party code in a specially protected container within the slice can be monitored by the monitor. This makes it possible to run third-party code from other network operators on the test subnetwork without negatively impacting the other subnetworks.

[0094] Fig. 5shows a schematic representation of a method 500 for monitoring a communication network having a plurality of subnetworks according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0095] The method 500 is used to monitor a communication network with a plurality of subnetworks, for example the one described above. Figure 3 described communication network 300 or the one described above Figure 4 described communication network 400, comprising a first subnetwork (slice I) and a second subnetwork (slice II), wherein a first communication entity having a first network function is assigned to the first subnetwork, and wherein a second communication entity having a second network function is assigned to the second subnetwork.

[0096] The method comprises a first step 501: monitoring a communication status of the first network function of the first network entity of the first subnetwork by a first monitor and sending a first status signal to a subnetwork manager, wherein the first status signal indicates the communication status of the first network function.

[0097] The method comprises a second step 502: monitoring a communication status of the second network function of the second network entity of the second subnetwork by a second monitor and sending a second status signal to the subnetwork manager, wherein the second status signal indicates the communication status of the second network function.

[0098] The method comprises a third step 503: monitoring 503 communication resources of the first subnetwork and the second subnetwork by the subnetwork manager on the basis of the first status signal and the second status signal.

[0099] One aspect of the invention also includes a computer program product that can be loaded directly into the internal memory of a digital computer and includes software code sections that can be used to Fig. 5 described procedures 500 or those to the Figures 3 and 4 described operations when the product is running on a computer. The computer program product may be stored on a computer-suitable non-transitory medium and may include computer-readable program means that cause a computer to execute the method 500 or to use the network components of the Figures 1 to 5 to implement or control the communication networks described.

[0100] The computer may be a PC, for example a PC of a computer network. The computer may be implemented as a chip, an ASIC, a microprocessor or a signal processor and may be used in a computer network, for example in a communication network as in the Figures 1 to 5 described, arranged.

[0101] It is to be understood that the features of the various embodiments described herein by way of example may be combined with one another, unless specifically stated otherwise. As illustrated in the description and the drawings, individual elements shown in connection need not be directly connected to one another; intermediate elements may be provided between the connected elements. Furthermore, it is to be understood that embodiments of the invention may be implemented in individual circuits, partially integrated circuits, or fully integrated circuits or programming means. The term "for example" is intended merely as an example and not as the best or optimal.While certain embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of alternative and / or similar implementations may be made in place of the embodiments shown and described without departing from the concept of the present invention. List of reference symbols

[0102] 100:5G System Architecture 101:Access Device, Communication Terminal, UE 102:Access Technology 103:Application Layer 104:Activation Layer 105:Infrastructure & Resource Layer 106:Management & Instrumentation Layer 200:5G communication network with multiple slices 210a:first slice instance 210b:first network slice 211a:second slice instance 211b:second network slice 212a:third slice instance 212b:third network slice 213:slice composition 221:abstracted objects 222:virtual network functions 223:combined objects 224:aggregated objects 225:object library 231:access node 232:access node 233:access node 234:virtual network node 235:virtual network node 236:virtual network node 237:virtual network node 238:computer node 239:computer node 240:computer node 251:infrastructure services 300:communication network or communication system 310:first Subnetwork or Slice I 311: first communication entity with first network function 312: first monitor assigned to the first subnetwork 313: communication status of the first network function 316: first status signal from first monitor 320: second subnetwork orSlice II 321:second communication entity with second network function 322:second monitor assigned to the second subnetwork 323:communication status of the second network function 326:second status signal from second monitor 330:subnetwork manager . 400:Communication network or communication system 401:Communication terminal, e.g. UE 402:Communication access of the UE to the first subnetwork, e.g. via RAN 404:Communication access of the UE to the second subnetwork, e.g.via RAN 311b: third communication entity with third network function (in first subnetwork) 311c: fourth communication entity with fourth network function (in first subnetwork) 321b: fifth communication entity with fifth network function (in second subnetwork) 321c: sixth communication entity with sixth network function (in second subnetwork) 313b: communication status of the third network function (in first subnetwork) 313c: communication status of the fourth network function (in first subnetwork) 323b: communication status of the fifth network function (in second subnetwork) 323c: communication status of the sixth network function (in second subnetwork) 431: control signal of the second network function (in second subnetwork) 432: control signal of the fifth network function (in second subnetwork) 433: control signal of the sixth network function (in second subnetwork). 500: Method for monitoring a communication network with multiple subnetworks 501: First step: Monitoring the communication status of the 1st network function in the 1st subnetwork 502: Second step: Monitoring the communication status of the 2nd network function in the 2nd subnetwork 503: Third step: Monitoring communication resources based on the 1st status signal and the 2nd status signal

Claims

1. Communications network (300, 400) having a plurality of network slices (310, 320) with a first network slice (slice I, 310) and a second network slice (slice II, 320), wherein a first communication entity with a first network function (311) is assigned to the first network slice (310), wherein a second communication entity with a second network function (321) is assigned to the second network slice (320), with: a sub-network manager (330) for monitoring communication resources of the first network slice (310) and of the second network slice (320), wherein the first network function (311) defines an assignment of communication resources of the first network slice (310) to the first network entity, and wherein the second network function (321) defines an assignment of communication resources of the second network slice (320) to the second communication entity; a first monitor (312) that is designed to monitor a communication status of the first network function (311) of the first communication entity of the first network slice (310) and to send a first status signal (316) to the sub-network manager (330), wherein the first status signal (316) has the communication status of the first network function (311); a second monitor (322) that is designed to monitor a communication status of the second network function (321) of the second communication entity of the second network slice (320) and to send a second status signal (326) to the sub-network manager (330), wherein the second status signal (326) has the communication status of the second network function (321); wherein the sub-network manager (330) is designed to monitor the communication resources of the first network slice (310) and of the second network slice (320) on the basis of the first status signal (316) and the second status signal (326), wherein the first status signal shows a utilisation of the communication resources of the first network slice; and the second status signal shows a utilisation of the communication resources of the second network slice, characterized in that the sub-network manager (330) is designed to define the first network function (311) and / or the second network function (321) on the basis of an identification of a communications terminal (401) in order to establish a communication connection with the communications terminal (401), wherein the sub-network manager (330) is designed to establish the communication connection with the communications terminal (401) corresponding to the first network function (311) and / or the second network function (321), and wherein the sub-network manager (330) is designed to control the communication resources of the first network slice (310) and of the second network slice (320) on the basis of the first status signal (316) and the second status signal (326).

2. Communications network (300, 400) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communications network (300) is a communications system of the fifth generation (5G) or of another generation, and wherein the network slices (310, 320) are slices of the communications network (300).

3. Communications network (300, 400) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sub-network manager (330) is designed to combine and configure access devices, network devices, processor devices and / or storage devices of the first network slice (310) corresponding to the first network function (311) for establishing the communication connection with the communications terminal (401).

4. Communications network (300, 400) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sub-network manager (330) is designed to configure bandwidths, data rates, service types, and / or service quality of communication resources of the first network slice (310) corresponding to the first network function (311) for establishing the communication connection with the communications terminal (401).

5. Communications network (300, 400) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sub-network manager (330) is designed to detect an error in the communication resources of the first network slice (310) on the basis of the first status signal (316).

6. Communications network (300, 400) according to Claim 5, wherein the sub-network manager (330) is designed to modify the first network function (311) upon detection of an error in the communication resources of the first network slice (310) in such a manner that it defines an assignment of error-free communication resources of the first network slice (310) to the first communication entity.

7. Communications network (300, 400) according to Claim 6, wherein the sub-network manager (330) is designed to reconfigure the communication connection with the communications terminal (401) corresponding to the modified first network function (311) and / or the second network function (321) upon detection of an error in the communication resources of the first network slice (310).

8. Communications network (300, 400) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a third communications entity with a third network function (311b) is assigned to the first network slice (310), and wherein the sub-network manager (330) is designed to establish the communication connection with the communications terminal (401) using the first communications entity in accordance with the first network function (311) and / or using the third network entity in accordance with the third network function (311b), wherein the third network function (311b) assigns a configuration of additional resources to the third communications entity.

9. Communications network (300, 400) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second network slice (320) is isolated from the first network slice (310); and wherein the second monitor (322) is designed to monitor the communication status of the second network function (321) of the second network entity depending on the second network function (321), wherein the second network function (321) is a test version.

10. Method (500) for monitoring a communication network having a plurality of network slices, with a first network slice (slice I) and a second network slice (slice II), wherein a first communication entity with a first network function is assigned to the first network slice, and wherein a second communication entity with a second network function is assigned to the second network slice, wherein the method includes the following steps: Monitoring (501) a communication status of the first network function of the first network entity of the first network slice by a first monitor, and transmitting a first status signal to a sub-network manager, wherein the first status signal indicates the communication status of the first network function; Monitoring (502) a communication status of the second network function of the second network entity of the second network slice by a second monitor, and transmitting a second status signal to the sub-network manager, wherein the second status signal indicates the communication status of the second network function; and Monitoring (503) communication resources of the first network slice and of the second network slice by the sub-network manager based on the first status signal and the second status signal, wherein the first status signal indicates a utilisation of the communication resources of the first network slice; and the second status signal indicates a utilisation of the communication resources of the second network slice, wherein the first network function (311) defines an assignment of communication resources of the first network slice (310) to the first network entity, and wherein the second network function (321) defines an assignment of communication resources of the second network slice (320) to the second communication entity, characterized by definition of the first network function and / or the second network function by the sub-network manager on the basis of an identification of a communications terminal in order to establish a communication connection with the communications terminal, wherein the communications terminal can be assigned to a network slice on the basis of its identification, wherein the sub-network manager (330) establishes the communication connection with the communications terminal (401) corresponding to the first network function (311) and / or the second network function (321), and wherein the sub-network manager (330) is designed to control the communication resources of the first network slice (310) and of the second network slice (320) on the basis of the first status signal (316) and the second status signal (326).