Communication route determination system and communication route determination method

Abstract

Provided are a communication path determining system and a communication path determining method that can prevent a decrease in the communication quality of a network slice as a whole due to a decrease in the communication quality of a communication path established between a pair of network nodes belonging to the network slice. A slice manager unit (82) selects two of the network nodes belonging to a network slice and determines the selected nodes as a pair. The slice manager unit (82) determines an IP address related to the network slice with respect to each of the network nodes of the pair. An SDN controller (60) determines a communication path between the determined IP addresses as a portion or all of the communication path of the network slice. The SDN controller (60) redetermines the communication path between the IP addresses in response to the communication quality of the determined communication path satisfying a predetermined condition.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication route determination system and a communication route determination method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes performing instantiation of a network slice subnet and a transport network in response to a network slice instantiation request. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-536434 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, if a communication path between a pair of network nodes belonging to a network slice is set fixedly, a deterioration in the communication quality of the communication path will cause a deterioration in the communication quality of the entire network slice.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and one of its objectives is to provide a communication path determination system and a communication path determination method that can prevent a deterioration in the communication quality of the entire network slice due to a deterioration in the communication quality of a communication path set between a pair of network nodes belonging to the network slice. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the communication path determination system of the present invention includes a node selection means for selecting two network nodes belonging to a network slice and determining them as a pair, an address determination means for determining an IP address associated with the network slice for each network node of the pair, and a communication path determination means for determining a communication path between the IP addresses as part or all of the communication path of the network slice, and the communication path determination means redetermines the communication path between the IP addresses in response to the communication quality of the determined communication path satisfying a predetermined condition.

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, the communication path determination means redetermines the communication path between the IP addresses in response to detection of congestion of the determined communication path.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the system further includes a node address data storage means for storing, for each of a plurality of network nodes, node address data indicating an IP address to be assigned to the network node, and the address determination means determines the IP address based on the node address data.

[0009] In addition, in one aspect of the present invention, the communication path determination means retains IP address data indicating IP addresses related to the network slice for each of the pairs, and the communication path determination means re-determines the communication path between the IP addresses indicated by the IP address data in response to the communication quality of the communication path to be determined satisfying a predetermined condition.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the system further includes an equipment address data storage means for storing multiple pieces of equipment address data corresponding to each of multiple network devices, the equipment address data including an IP address of the network device and an IP address of a network device capable of IP communication with the network device, a corresponding equipment address identification means for identifying a corresponding equipment address, which is an IP address of a network device corresponding to an IP address related to the network slice, based on the communication path and the equipment address data, and a setting means for setting the identified corresponding equipment address to the network node to which the IP address corresponding to the corresponding equipment address is assigned.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the system further includes a replacement means for replacing at least one of the pair of network nodes in response to the communication quality of the re-determined communication path satisfying a predetermined condition, and in response to the replacement being executed, the address determination means determines an IP address related to the network slice for each network node of the pair after replacement, and the communication path determination means determines the communication path between the IP addresses.

[0012] In addition, in one aspect of the present invention, when a new network slice is constructed, the node selection means selects two network nodes belonging to the network slice and determines them as a pair.

[0013] In addition, in one aspect of the present invention, when a network slice is scaled out, the node selection means selects two of the network nodes that will newly belong to the network slice and determines them as a pair.

[0014] In addition, the communication path determination method of the present invention includes the steps of selecting two network nodes belonging to a network slice and determining them as a pair, determining an IP address related to the network slice for each network node of the pair, determining a communication path between the IP addresses as part or all of the communication path of the network slice, and re-determining the communication path between the IP addresses in accordance with the communication quality of the determined communication path satisfying a predetermined condition. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication between regional data centers and a central data center. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of associations between elements established in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of functions implemented in a platform system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a data structure of physical inventory data. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of node address data. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of AG data. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication path. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of node address data. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication between regional data centers and a central data center. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication path. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of AG data. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication path. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of AG data. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication between regional data centers and a central data center. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing an example of a flow of processing performed in a platform system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0017] Figures 1 and 2 are diagrams showing an example of a communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a diagram focusing on the locations of a group of data centers included in the communication system 1. Figure 2 is a diagram focusing on various computer systems implemented in the group of data centers included in the communication system 1.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the data centers included in the communication system 1 are classified into a central data center 10, a regional data center 12, and an edge data center 14.

[0019] For example, several central data centers 10 are distributed and disposed within an area covered by the communication system 1 (for example, within Japan).

[0020] For example, several tens of regional data centers 12 are distributed in the area covered by the communication system 1. For example, when the area covered by the communication system 1 is the entirety of Japan, one or two regional data centers 12 may be disposed in each prefecture.

[0021] For example, several thousand edge data centers 14 are distributed in an area covered by the communication system 1. Each edge data center 14 is capable of communicating with a communication facility 18 having an antenna 16. As shown in FIG. 1, one edge data center 14 may be capable of communicating with several communication facilities 18. The communication facility 18 may include a computer such as a server computer. The communication facility 18 according to this embodiment performs wireless communication with a UE (User Equipment) 20 via the antenna 16.

[0022] In this embodiment, the central data center 10, the regional data center 12, and the edge data center 14 each have a plurality of servers arranged therein.

[0023] In this embodiment, for example, the central data center 10, the regional data centers 12, and the edge data centers 14 are capable of communicating with each other. In addition, the central data centers 10, the regional data centers 12, and the edge data centers 14 are also capable of communicating with each other.

[0024] 2, the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a platform system 30, a plurality of radio access networks (RANs) 32, a plurality of core network systems 34, and a plurality of UEs 20. The core network systems 34, the RANs 32, and the UEs 20 cooperate with each other to realize a mobile communication network.

[0025] The RAN 32 is a computer system equipped with an antenna 16, which corresponds to an eNB (eNodeB) in a fourth generation mobile communication system (hereinafter referred to as 4G) or a gNB (NR base station) in a fifth generation mobile communication system (hereinafter referred to as 5G). The RAN 32 according to this embodiment is mainly implemented by a server group and communication equipment 18 arranged in an edge data center 14. Note that a part of the RAN 32 (e.g., a distributed unit (DU), a central unit (CU), a virtual distributed unit (vDU), and a virtual central unit (vCU)) may be implemented in the central data center 10 or the regional data center 12, instead of the edge data center 14.

[0026] The core network system 34 is a system equivalent to an EPC (Evolved Packet Core) in 4G and a 5G core (5GC) in 5G. The core network system 34 according to this embodiment is implemented mainly by a group of servers arranged in the central data center 10 and the regional data centers 12.

[0027] The platform system 30 according to the present embodiment is configured on a cloud platform, for example, and includes a processor 30a, a storage unit 30b, and a communication unit 30c, as shown in FIG. 2. The processor 30a is a program-controlled device such as a microprocessor that operates according to a program installed in the platform system 30. The storage unit 30b is, for example, a storage element such as a ROM or RAM, a solid-state drive (SSD), or a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage unit 30b stores programs executed by the processor 30a, etc. The communication unit 30c is, for example, a communication interface such as a network interface controller (NIC) or a wireless local area network (LAN) module. Note that the communication unit 30c may be equipped with software-defined networking (SDN). The communication unit 30c transmits and receives data between the RAN 32 and the core network system 34.

[0028] In this embodiment, the platform system 30 is implemented by a group of servers arranged in the central data center 10. Note that the platform system 30 may also be implemented by a group of servers arranged in the regional data centers 12.

[0029] In this embodiment, for example, in response to a purchase request for a network service (NS) by a purchaser, the network service for which the purchase request has been made is constructed in the RAN 32 and the core network system 34. Then, the constructed network service is provided to the purchaser.

[0030] For example, a purchaser, which is an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator), is provided with network services such as voice communication services and data communication services. The voice communication services and data communication services provided by this embodiment are ultimately provided to a customer (end user) of the purchaser (MVNO in the above example) who uses the UE 20 shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The end user is capable of performing voice communication and data communication with other users via the RAN 32 and the core network system 34. The UE 20 of the end user is also capable of accessing a data network such as the Internet via the RAN 32 and the core network system 34.

[0031] In addition, in this embodiment, an IoT (Internet of Things) service may be provided to an end user who uses a robot arm, a connected car, etc. In this case, for example, the end user who uses the robot arm, the connected car, etc. may become a purchaser of the network service according to this embodiment.

[0032] In this embodiment, a container-type virtualized application execution environment such as Docker (registered trademark) is installed on the servers arranged in the central data center 10, the regional data center 12, and the edge data center 14, so that containers can be deployed and operated on these servers. In these servers, a cluster consisting of one or more containers generated by such virtualization technology may be constructed. For example, a Kubernetes cluster managed by a container management tool such as Kubernetes (registered trademark) may be constructed. Then, a processor on the constructed cluster may execute a container-type application.

[0033] In this embodiment, the network service provided to the purchaser is composed of one or more functional units (for example, network functions (NFs)). In this embodiment, the functional units are implemented in NFs realized by virtualization technology. NFs realized by virtualization technology are called VNFs (Virtualized Network Functions). It does not matter what virtualization technology is used for virtualization. For example, in this description, Containerized Network Functions (CNFs) realized by container-type virtualization technology are also included in VNFs. In this embodiment, the network service is described as being implemented by one or more CNFs. Also, the functional units in this embodiment may correspond to network nodes.

[0034] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication between a regional data center 12a and a central data center 10a in this embodiment. The regional data center 12a is one of the regional data centers 12 illustrated in Fig. 1, and the central data center 10a is one of the central data centers 10 illustrated in Fig. 1. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the regional data center 12a and the central data center 10a can communicate with each other via a transport network 40. The transport network 40 illustrated in Fig. 3 corresponds to a Mobile Back Haul (MBH), which is a communication path between the RAN 32 and the core network system 34.

[0035] In the example of FIG. 3, a central unit-user plane (CU-UP) 42 is established in the regional data center 12a, and a user plane function (UPF) 44a is established in the central data center 10a.

[0036] Furthermore, a plurality of AGs (Aggregation Routers) 46 (AG 46a to AG 46j) are arranged in the transport network 40 shown in FIG. 3, and communication is performed between the CU-UP 42 and the UPF 44a via these AGs 46.

[0037] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of associations between elements established in the communication system 1 in this embodiment. The symbols M and N shown in Fig. 4 represent any integers equal to or greater than 1, and indicate the relationship between the numbers of elements connected by a link. When both ends of a link are a combination of M and N, the elements connected by the link have a many-to-many relationship, and when both ends of a link are a combination of 1 and N or a combination of 1 and M, the elements connected by the link have a one-to-many relationship.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, network services (NS), network functions (NF), CNFCs (Containerized Network Function Components), pods, and containers have a hierarchical structure.

[0039] The NS corresponds to, for example, a network service composed of a plurality of NFs. Here, the NS may correspond to an element of granularity such as 5GC, EPC, 5G RAN (gNB), 4G RAN (eNB), etc.

[0040] In 5G, the NFs correspond to elements of granularity such as DU, CU-CP (Central Unit - Control Plane), CU-UP, AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function), SMF (Session Management Function), and UPF. In 4G, the NFs correspond to elements of granularity such as MME (Mobility Management Entity), HSS (Home Subscriber Server), S-GW (Serving Gateway), vDU, and vCU. In this embodiment, for example, one NS includes one or more NFs. That is, one or more NFs are subordinate to one NS.

[0041] A CNFC corresponds to an element of granularity such as DU mgmt and DU Processing. A CNFC may be a microservice deployed on a server as one or more containers. For example, a certain CNFC may be a microservice that provides some of the functions of DU, CU-CP, CU-UP, etc. Also, a certain CNFC may be a microservice that provides some of the functions of UPF, AMF, SMF, etc. In this embodiment, for example, one NF includes one or more CNFCs. In other words, one NF has one or more CNFCs under it.

[0042] A pod is the smallest unit for managing a Docker container in Kubernetes, for example. In this embodiment, for example, one CNFC includes one or more pods. That is, one or more pods are under the control of one CNFC.

[0043] In this embodiment, for example, one pod includes one or more containers. That is, one or more containers are subordinate to one pod.

[0044] Also, as shown in Figure 4, network slices (NSIs) and network slice subnet instances (NSSIs) have a hierarchical structure.

[0045] The NSI can also be considered as an end-to-end virtual circuit spanning multiple domains (e.g., from the RAN 32 to the core network system 34). The NSI may be a slice for high-speed, large-capacity communication (e.g., for enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB)), a slice for high-reliability and low-latency communication (e.g., for Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC)), or a slice for connecting a large number of terminals (e.g., for massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC)). The NSSI can also be a virtual circuit of a single domain obtained by dividing the NSI. The NSSI may be a slice of the RAN domain, a slice of the Mobile Back Haul (MBH) domain, or a slice of the core network domain.

[0046] In this embodiment, for example, one NSI includes one or more NSSIs. That is, one or more NSSIs are subordinate to one NSI. Note that in this embodiment, multiple NSIs may share the same NSSI.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, NSSI and NS generally have a many-to-many relationship.

[0048] Also, in this embodiment, for example, one NF can belong to one or more network slices. Specifically, for example, one NF can be configured with NSSAI (Network Slice Selection Assistance Information) including one or more S-NSSAI (Sub Network Slice Selection Assist Information). Here, S-NSSAI is information associated with a network slice. Note that an NF does not have to belong to a network slice.

[0049] Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of functions implemented in the platform system 30 according to this embodiment. Note that in the platform system 30 according to this embodiment, it is not necessary to implement all of the functions shown in Fig. 5, and functions other than the functions shown in Fig. 5 may be implemented.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 5, the platform system 30 according to this embodiment functionally includes, for example, an operation support system (OSS) unit 50, an orchestration (E2EO: End-to-End-Orchestration) unit 52, a service catalog storage unit 54, an AI / big data processing unit 56, a monitoring function unit 58, an SDN controller 60, a configuration management unit 62, a container management unit 64, and a repository unit 66. The OSS unit 50 includes an inventory database 70, a ticket management unit 72, a fault management unit 74, and a performance management unit 76. The E2EO unit 52 includes a policy manager unit 80, a slice manager unit 82, and a life cycle management unit 84. These elements are implemented mainly by the processor 30a, the storage unit 30b, and the communication unit 30c.

[0051] The functions shown in Fig. 5 may be implemented by a processor 30a executing a program that is installed in a platform system 30, which is one or more computers, and includes instructions corresponding to the functions. The program may be supplied to the platform system 30 via a computer-readable information storage medium, such as an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical disk, or a flash memory, or via the Internet. The functions shown in Fig. 5 may be implemented by a circuit block, a memory, or other LSI. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the functions shown in Fig. 5 can be realized in various forms, such as hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

[0052] The container management unit 64 executes life cycle management of a container. For example, the life cycle management includes processes related to container construction, such as container deployment and configuration.

[0053] Here, the platform system 30 according to the present embodiment may include a plurality of container management units 64. A container management tool such as Kubernetes and a package manager such as Helm may be installed in each of the plurality of container management units 64. Each of the plurality of container management units 64 may execute container construction, such as container deployment, for a server group (e.g., a Kubernetes cluster) associated with the container management unit 64.

[0054] It should be noted that the container management unit 64 does not need to be included in the platform system 30. The container management unit 64 may be provided, for example, in a server managed by the container management unit 64 (i.e., the RAN 32 or the core network system 34), or may be provided in another server annexed to the server managed by the container management unit 64.

[0055] In this embodiment, the repository unit 66 stores, for example, container images of containers included in a functional unit group (for example, a group of NFs) that realizes a network service.

[0056] The inventory database 70 is a database that stores inventory information. The inventory information includes, for example, information about servers that are installed in the RAN 32 and the core network system 34 and that are managed by the platform system 30.

[0057] In this embodiment, inventory data is stored in the inventory database 70. The inventory data indicates the configuration of the element group included in the communication system 1 and the current state of the association between the elements. The inventory data also indicates the status of the resources managed by the platform system 30 (e.g., the resource usage status). The inventory data may be physical inventory data or logical inventory data. The physical inventory data and logical inventory data will be described later.

[0058] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of physical inventory data. The physical inventory data shown in Fig. 6 is associated with one server. The physical inventory data shown in Fig. 6 includes, for example, a server ID, location data, building data, floor data, rack data, spec data, network data, an operating container ID list, a cluster ID, and the like.

[0059] The server ID included in the physical inventory data is, for example, an identifier of the server associated with the physical inventory data.

[0060] The location data included in the physical inventory data is, for example, data indicating the location (for example, the address of the location) of the server associated with the physical inventory data.

[0061] The building data included in the physical inventory data is, for example, data indicating the building (for example, the building name) in which the server associated with the physical inventory data is located.

[0062] The floor data included in the physical inventory data is, for example, data indicating the floor on which the server associated with the physical inventory data is located.

[0063] The rack data included in the physical inventory data is, for example, an identifier of a rack in which a server associated with the physical inventory data is located.

[0064] The specification data included in the physical inventory data is, for example, data indicating the specifications of the server associated with the physical inventory data, and the specification data indicates, for example, the number of cores, memory capacity, hard disk capacity, and the like.

[0065] The network data included in the physical inventory data is data indicating, for example, the NICs included in the server associated with the physical inventory data, the number of ports included in the NICs, the port IDs of each port, and the like.

[0066] The network data included in the physical inventory data is, for example, data indicating information regarding the network of the server associated with the physical inventory data, and the network data indicates, for example, the NICs that the server has, the number of ports that the NIC has, the port IDs of the ports, etc.

[0067] The operating container ID list included in the physical inventory data is data that indicates, for example, information regarding one or more containers operating on a server associated with the physical inventory data, and the operating container ID list indicates, for example, a list of identifiers (container IDs) of instances of the container.

[0068] The logical inventory data includes topology data indicating the current state of association between multiple elements included in the communication system 1, as shown in Fig. 4. For example, the logical inventory data includes topology data including an identifier of a certain NS and an identifier of one or more NFs under the NS. Also, for example, the logical inventory data includes topology data including an identifier of a certain network slice and an identifier of one or more NFs belonging to the network slice.

[0069] The inventory data may also include data indicating the current status of geographical relationships and topological relationships between elements included in the communication system 1. As described above, the inventory data includes location data indicating the locations where the elements included in the communication system 1 are operating, i.e., the current locations of the elements included in the communication system 1. From this, it can be said that the inventory data indicates the current status of the geographical relationships between the elements (for example, the geographical proximity between the elements).

[0070] The logical inventory data may also include NSI data indicating information about the network slice. The NSI data indicates attributes such as an identifier of an instance of the network slice and a type of the network slice. The logical inventory data may also include NSSI data indicating information about the network slice subnet. The NSSI data indicates attributes such as an identifier of an instance of the network slice subnet and a type of the network slice subnet.

[0071] The logical inventory data may also include NS data indicating information about an NS. The NS data indicates attributes such as an NS instance identifier and a type of NS. The logical inventory data may also include NF data indicating information about an NF. The NF data indicates attributes such as an NF instance identifier and a type of NF. The logical inventory data may also include CNFC data indicating information about a CNFC. The CNFC data indicates attributes such as an instance identifier and a type of CNFC. The logical inventory data may also include pod data indicating information about a pod included in the CNFC. The pod data indicates attributes such as a pod instance identifier and a type of pod. The logical inventory data may also include container data indicating information about a container included in the pod. The container data indicates attributes such as a container ID of a container instance and a type of container.

[0072] The container ID of the container data included in the logical inventory data and the container ID included in the operating container ID list included in the physical inventory data associate a container instance with the server on which the container instance is running.

[0073] In addition, data indicating various attributes such as a host name and an IP address may be included in the above data included in the logical inventory data. For example, the container data may include data indicating an IP address of a container corresponding to the container data. In addition, for example, the NF data may include data indicating an IP address and a host name of the NF indicated by the NF data.

[0074] The logical inventory data may also include data indicating an NSSAI, including one or more S-NSSAIs, configured in each NF.

[0075] Furthermore, the inventory database 70 is able to grasp the resource status as needed in cooperation with the container management unit 64. The inventory database 70 then appropriately updates the inventory data stored in the inventory database 70 based on the latest resource status.

[0076] In addition, in response to actions being performed, such as constructing a new element included in the communication system 1, changing the configuration of an element included in the communication system 1, scaling an element included in the communication system 1, or replacing an element included in the communication system 1, the inventory database 70 updates the inventory data stored in the inventory database 70.

[0077] The inventory database 70 may also store inventory information about multiple network devices, such as switches located in a data center, ACI fabrics, and AGs 46 located in transport networks 40 such as MBHs.

[0078] For example, the inventory database 70 may store inventory data indicating, for example, the topology of AGs placed between data centers, the performance specifications of each AG, the IP addresses set on the ports of each AG, and the like.

[0079] Furthermore, the inventory database 70 may store inventory data indicating the physical capacity (total capacity) of the communication paths.

[0080] In addition, the inventory database 70 may store inventory data indicating, for example, the capacity to which a virtual path in segment routing such as SRv6 has been assigned, and the capacity to which a virtual path has not been assigned (logical free capacity) in a communication path between network devices.

[0081] Furthermore, the inventory database 70 may store, for each NF included in the communication system 1, inventory data indicating a network device (e.g., a default gateway) through which a packet transmitted from the NF to the outside must pass. Here, for example, for each data center, a network device through which a packet transmitted from the NF constructed in the data center to the outside must pass may be determined in advance.

[0082] The service catalog storage unit 54 stores service catalog data. The service catalog data may include, for example, service template data indicating logic used by the life cycle management unit 84. This service template data includes information required to build a network service. For example, the service template data includes information defining NSs, NFs, and CNFCs, and information indicating the correspondence between NSs, NFs, and CNFCs. Also, for example, the service template data includes a workflow script for building a network service.

[0083] An example of service template data is an NSD (NS Descriptor). The NSD is associated with a network service and indicates the types of multiple functional units (e.g., multiple CNFs) included in the network service. The NSD may also indicate the number of each type of functional unit, such as CNF, included in the network service. The NSD may also indicate the file name of a CNFD (described later) related to the CNF included in the network service.

[0084] Also, an example of service template data is CNFD (CNF Descriptor). The CNFD may indicate computer resources (e.g., CPU, memory, hard disk, etc.) required by the CNF. For example, the CNFD may indicate computer resources (e.g., CPU, memory, hard disk, etc.) required by each of multiple containers included in the CNF.

[0085] The service catalogue data may also include information regarding thresholds (eg, anomaly detection thresholds) that are used by the policy manager 80 to compare the calculated performance index values ​​with. The performance index values ​​are described below.

[0086] The service catalog data may also include, for example, slice template data, which includes information necessary to perform instantiation of a network slice, for example, logic utilized by the slice manager unit 82.

[0087] The slice template data includes information on the "Generic Network Slice Template" defined by the GSM Association (GSMA) ("GSM" is a registered trademark). Specifically, the slice template data includes network slice template data (NST), network slice subnet template data (NSST), and network service template data. The slice template data also includes information indicating the hierarchical structure of these elements as shown in FIG. 4.

[0088] In this embodiment, for example, in response to a purchase request for an NS by a purchaser, the life cycle management unit 84 creates a new network service for which a purchase request has been made.

[0089] For example, the life cycle management unit 84 may execute a workflow script associated with the network service to be purchased in response to a purchase request. By executing the workflow script, the life cycle management unit 84 may instruct the container management unit 64 to deploy a container included in the new network service to be purchased. The container management unit 64 may then obtain a container image of the container from the repository unit 66 and deploy a container corresponding to the container image to a server.

[0090] In addition, in this embodiment, the life cycle management unit 84 executes, for example, scaling and replacement of elements included in the communication system 1. Here, the life cycle management unit 84 may output a deployment instruction or a deletion instruction of a container to the container management unit 64. Then, the container management unit 64 may execute processes such as deploying a container or deleting a container according to the instruction. In this embodiment, the life cycle management unit 84 is capable of executing scaling and replacement that cannot be handled by a tool such as Kubernetes of the container management unit 64.

[0091] Furthermore, the life cycle management unit 84 may output an instruction to create a communication path to the SDN controller 60. For example, the life cycle management unit 84 presents two IP addresses at both ends of the communication path to be created to the SDN controller 60, and the SDN controller 60 creates a communication path connecting these two IP addresses. The created communication path may be managed in association with these two IP addresses.

[0092] Furthermore, the life cycle management unit 84 may output to the SDN controller 60 an instruction to create a communication path between the two IP addresses that is associated with the two IP addresses.

[0093] In the present embodiment, for example, the slice manager unit 82 executes instantiation of a network slice. In the present embodiment, for example, the slice manager unit 82 executes logic indicated by a slice template stored in the service catalog storage unit 54 to execute instantiation of a network slice.

[0094] The slice manager unit 82 is configured to include the functions of the Network Slice Management Function (NSMF) and the Network Slice Sub-network Management Function (NSSMF), for example, as described in the 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) specification "TS28 533." The NSMF is a function that generates and manages network slices, and provides management services for NSIs. The NSSMF is a function that generates and manages network slice subnets that constitute part of the network slice, and provides management services for NSSIs.

[0095] Here, the slice manager unit 82 may output a configuration management instruction related to instantiation of the network slice to the configuration management unit 62. Then, the configuration management unit 62 may execute configuration management such as setting in accordance with the configuration management instruction.

[0096] Furthermore, the slice manager unit 82 may present two IP addresses to the SDN controller 60 and output an instruction to create a communication path between these two IP addresses.

[0097] In this embodiment, the configuration management unit 62 executes configuration management such as setting of element groups such as NFs, in accordance with configuration management instructions received from the life cycle management unit 84 and the slice manager unit 82, for example.

[0098] In this embodiment, the SDN controller 60 creates a communication path between two IP addresses associated with a communication path creation instruction received from, for example, the life cycle management unit 84 or the slice manager unit 82. The SDN controller 60 may create a communication path between two IP addresses using, for example, a known path calculation method such as FlexAlgo.

[0099] Here, for example, the SDN controller 60 may use a segment routing technology (e.g., SRv6 (segment routing IPv6)) to construct NSI and NSSI for aggregation routers and servers present between communication paths. The SDN controller 60 may also generate NSI and NSSI across multiple target NFs by issuing a command to configure a common VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) for multiple target NFs and a command to assign a bandwidth and priority indicated by configuration information to the VLAN.

[0100] In addition, the SDN controller 60 may perform operations such as changing the upper limit of the bandwidth available for communication between two IP addresses without constructing a network slice.

[0101] The platform system 30 according to the present embodiment may include a plurality of SDN controllers 60. Each of the plurality of SDN controllers 60 may execute a process such as creating a communication path for a group of network devices such as an AG associated with the SDN controller 60.

[0102] In this embodiment, for example, the monitoring function unit 58 monitors the group of elements included in the communication system 1 in accordance with a given management policy. Here, the monitoring function unit 58 may monitor the group of elements in accordance with a monitoring policy designated by a purchaser when purchasing a network service, for example.

[0103] In this embodiment, the monitoring function unit 58 performs monitoring at various levels, such as the slice level, the NS level, the NF level, the CNFC level, and the hardware level of a server or the like.

[0104] For example, in order to perform monitoring at the various levels described above, the monitoring function unit 58 may set a module that outputs metric data in hardware such as a server or a software element included in the communication system 1. Here, for example, an NF may output metric data indicating metrics measurable (identifiable) in the NF to the monitoring function unit 58. Also, a server may output metric data indicating metrics related to hardware measurable (identifiable) in the server to the monitoring function unit 58.

[0105] Also, for example, the monitoring function unit 58 may deploy a sidecar container on the server that aggregates metric data indicating metrics output from multiple containers on a CNFC (microservice) basis. This sidecar container may include an agent called an exporter. The monitoring function unit 58 may repeatedly execute a process of acquiring metric data aggregated on a microservice basis from the sidecar container at a given monitoring interval by using a mechanism of a monitoring tool such as Prometheus that can monitor a container management tool such as Kubernetes.

[0106] The monitoring function unit 58 may monitor performance index values ​​for performance indicators described in, for example, "TS 28.552, Management and orchestration; 5G performance measurements" or "TS 28.554, Management and orchestration; 5G end to end Key Performance Indicators (KPI)." The monitoring function unit 58 may then obtain metric data indicating the monitored performance index values.

[0107] Then, when the monitoring function unit 58 acquires, for example, the above-mentioned metric data, it outputs the metric data to the AI / big data processing unit 56.

[0108] In addition, elements such as network slices, NSs, NFs, CNFCs, and hardware such as servers included in the communication system 1 notify the monitoring function unit 58 of various alerts (for example, notifying an alert triggered by the occurrence of a failure).

[0109] Then, for example, when the monitoring function unit 58 receives the above-mentioned alert notification, it outputs the notification to the AI ​​& big data processing unit 56.

[0110] In this embodiment, for example, the AI / big data processing unit 56 accumulates metric data and alert notifications output from the monitoring function unit 58. In addition, in this embodiment, for example, a trained machine learning model is stored in advance in the AI / big data processing unit 56.

[0111] Then, in this embodiment, for example, based on the accumulated metric data and the above-mentioned machine learning model, the AI / big data processing unit 56 executes estimation processing such as future prediction processing of the usage status and service quality of the communication system 1. The AI / big data processing unit 56 may generate estimation result data indicating the result of the estimation processing.

[0112] In this embodiment, for example, the performance management unit 76 calculates a performance index value (e.g., KPI) based on a plurality of metric data and on the metrics indicated by these metric data. The performance management unit 76 may calculate a performance index value that is an overall evaluation of a plurality of types of metrics (e.g., a performance index value related to an end-to-end network slice) that cannot be calculated from a single metric data. The performance management unit 76 may generate overall performance index value data that indicates the performance index value that is the overall evaluation.

[0113] 5, the performance management unit 76 may obtain the metric data from the monitoring function unit 58 via the AI ​​& big data processing unit 56, or may obtain the metric data directly from the monitoring function unit 58. The performance management unit 76 may also calculate a performance index value based on the above-mentioned estimation result data.

[0114] In this embodiment, the fault management unit 74 detects the occurrence of a fault in the communication system 1 based on at least one of the above-mentioned metric data, the above-mentioned alert notification, the above-mentioned estimation result data, and the above-mentioned overall performance index value data. The fault management unit 74 may detect the occurrence of a fault that cannot be detected from a single metric data or a single alert notification based on a predetermined logic, for example. The fault management unit 74 may generate detected fault data indicating the detected fault.

[0115] The fault management unit 74 may obtain the metric data and the alert notification directly from the monitoring function unit 58, or may obtain them via the AI / big data processing unit 56 or the performance management unit 76. The fault management unit 74 may obtain the estimation result data directly from the AI / big data processing unit 56, or may obtain them via the performance management unit 76.

[0116] In this embodiment, the policy manager unit 80 executes a predetermined determination process based on at least one of the above-mentioned metric data, the above-mentioned alert notification, the above-mentioned estimation result data, the above-mentioned overall performance index value data, and the above-mentioned detected fault data, for example.

[0117] The policy manager unit 80 may then execute an action according to the result of the determination process. For example, the policy manager unit 80 may output an instruction to construct a network slice to the slice manager unit 82. The policy manager unit 80 may also output an instruction to scale or replace an element to the life cycle management unit 84 according to the result of the determination process.

[0118] In this embodiment, for example, the ticket management unit 72 generates a ticket indicating the contents to be notified to the administrator of the communication system 1. The ticket management unit 72 may generate a ticket indicating the contents of the occurred fault data. The ticket management unit 72 may also generate a ticket indicating the values ​​of performance index data or metric data. The ticket management unit 72 may also generate a ticket indicating the result of the determination made by the policy manager unit 80.

[0119] Then, the ticket management unit 72 notifies the administrator of the communication system 1 of the generated ticket. The ticket management unit 72 may, for example, send an email with the generated ticket attached to the email address of the administrator of the communication system 1.

[0120] In this embodiment, for example, the policy manager unit 80 may output a scale-out instruction of the network slice to the slice manager unit 82 depending on the result of a predetermined determination process. Then, the slice manager unit 82 may execute the scale-out of the network slice depending on the reception of the scale-out instruction. At this time, the slice manager unit 82 may cooperate with the life cycle management unit 84 to execute the scale-out of the network slice involving the scale-out of elements such as the UPF.

[0121] Hereinafter, a further description will be given of the process in which the slice manager unit 82, in cooperation with the life cycle management unit 84, executes a scale-out of the transport slice accompanied by a scale-out of the UPF in response to a scale-out instruction received from the policy manager unit 80. The transport slice means a part of the network slice spanning from the RAN to the core network that is related to the transport network.

[0122] 7 is a diagram showing an example of node address data according to the present embodiment. The node address data according to the present embodiment is, for example, data indicating an IP address assigned to each of a plurality of network nodes (e.g., NFs) included in the communication system 1.

[0123] The node address data shown in FIG. 7 includes an NF ID, which is information for identifying an NF, NF type data indicating the type of the NF, and IP address data indicating the IP address of the NF.

[0124] For example, it is assumed here that the NFID value of the CU-UP 42 shown in Fig. 3 is 101, and the NFID value of the UPF 44a is 501. It is also assumed that "a0.a0.a0.a0" is set as the IP address of the CU-UP 42, and "b0.b0.b0.b0" is set as the IP address of the UPF 44a, as shown in Fig. 7.

[0125] 8 is a diagram showing an example of AG data according to the present embodiment. The AG data according to the present embodiment is data indicating information on each of a plurality of AGs included in the communication system 1, for example.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 8, the AG data according to this embodiment includes an AG ID, a port ID, IP address data, connection port data, and an assigned slice ID.

[0127] The AG data is data associated with the ports that the AG has. The AGID included in the AG data is identification information for the AG. For example, it is assumed here that the AGID value of AG46a shown in FIG. 3 is 1001, the AGID value of AG46b is 1002, and the AGID value of AG46c is 1003. It is also assumed here that the AGID value of AG46h shown in FIG. 3 is 1008, the AGID value of AG46i is 1009, and the AGID value of AG46j is 1010.

[0128] The port ID included in the AG data is identification information of a port included in the AG associated with the AG data.

[0129] The IP address data included in the AG data is data indicating the IP address assigned to the port associated with the AG data.

[0130] The connection port data included in the AG data is data that indicates the port to which the port associated with the AG data is connected. In the example of Fig. 8, the value of the connection port data is expressed as a combination of the AGID value of the destination AG and the port ID value of the destination port.

[0131] 8 shows that ports in AG46a (AGID value 1001 as described above) with port IDs 1 to 3 are connected to ports in AG46b (AGID value 1002 as described above) with port IDs 1 to 3, respectively. It also shows that ports in AG46a with port IDs 4 and 5 are connected to ports in AG46c (AGID value 1003 as described above) with port IDs 1 and 2, respectively.

[0132] It also shows that ports in AG46j (AGID value 1010 as mentioned above) with port IDs 1 to 3 are connected to ports in AG46h (AGID value 1008 as mentioned above) with port IDs 1 to 3, respectively. It also shows that ports in AG46j with port IDs 4 and 5 are connected to ports in AG46i (AGID value 1009 as mentioned above) with port IDs 1 and 2, respectively.

[0133] The assigned slice ID included in the AG data is a slice ID assigned to a port associated with the AG data. Here, the slice ID according to the present embodiment refers to the identification information of a network slice (e.g., S-NSSAI).

[0134] The example of Figure 8 shows that a network slice with a slice ID of 11 is assigned to a communication path including a port in AG46a (AGID value 1001 as described above) with a port ID of 1 and a port in AG46j (AGID value 1010 as described above) with a port ID of 1. Note that in the example of Figure 8, for ports to which a network slice is not assigned, the assigned slice ID value is blank.

[0135] The node address data and the AG data may be stored in the inventory database 70 as inventory data, for example.

[0136] Also, in this embodiment, the communication path 90a shown in FIG. 9 is configured as a network slice (transport slice) with a slice ID of 11. In other words, the communication path 90a configures a communication path of a transport slice. The communication path 90a is a communication path that passes through CU-UP42, AG46a, AG46b, AG46d, AG46f, AG46h, AG46j, and UPF44a shown in FIG. 3. More specifically, the communication path 90a passes through at least a port of AG46a with a port ID of 1, a port of AG46b with a port ID of 1, a port of AG46h with a port ID of 1, and a port of AG46j with a port ID of 1.

[0137] In addition, communication path 90a forms part of an end-to-end network slice communication path in a network service including CU-UP42 and UPF44a.

[0138] For example, communication between AG46a, AG46b, AG46d, AG46f, AG46h, and AG46j is performed by packet forwarding using segment routing.

[0139] In this embodiment, for example, the slice manager unit 82 recognizes that a transport slice is configured between CU-UP42 and UPF44a, but does not need to recognize which AG46 the communication path through which the transport slice passes.

[0140] On the other hand, in this embodiment, for example, the SDN controller 60 recognizes the IP address of the endpoint of the transport slice and that the transport slice corresponds to communication path 90a passing through AG46a, AG46b, AG46d, AG46f, AG46h, and AG46j, but does not need to recognize which NF the transport slice is configured between.

[0141] In this embodiment, as described above, the default gateway of the NF constructed in the regional data center 12a is determined in advance, and packets transmitted from the CU-UP 42 to the UPF 44a always pass through the AG 46a. Also, the default gateway of the NF constructed in the central data center 10a is determined in advance, and packets transmitted from the UPF 44a to the CU-UP 42 always pass through the AG 46j.

[0142] Then, in this embodiment, for example, the slice manager unit 82 outputs an instruction to the life cycle management unit 84 to construct a UPF 44b, which is a new UPF 44, in the central data center 10a.

[0143] Then, the life cycle management unit 84 registers inventory data related to UPF 44b in the inventory database 70. Here, the inventory database 70 may assign an IP address of UPF 44b. Then, as shown in Fig. 10, the inventory database 70 may generate node address data including IP address data indicating the assigned IP address, and store it in the inventory database 70. Here, as shown in Fig. 10, the NFID value of UPF 44b is 502, and the IP address assigned to UPF 44b is "c0.c0.c0.c0".

[0144] Then, the life cycle management unit 84 cooperates with the container management unit 64 and the configuration management unit 62 to construct a UPF 44b in the central data center 10a, as shown in Fig. 11. Here, "c0.c0.c0.c0" is set as the IP address of the UPF 44b.

[0145] Then, in this embodiment, the slice manager unit 82 selects two of the network nodes belonging to the network slice and determines them as a pair. For example, in a situation where a network slice is scaled out, the slice manager unit 82 determines a pair of network nodes that will newly belong to the network slice. Here, for example, a pair of CU-UP42 and UPF44b is determined. Hereinafter, the pair of network nodes determined in this manner will be referred to as a target node pair.

[0146] In this embodiment, for example, the slice manager unit 82 determines an IP address associated with the network slice for each of the target node pairs. Here, the slice manager unit 82 may determine an IP address associated with the transport slice for each of the target node pairs based on the node address data shown in FIG. 10. Here, for example, "a0.a0.a0.a0" is determined as the IP address of the CU-UP 42. Also, "c0.c0.c0.c0" is determined as the IP address of the UPF 44b. Hereinafter, the IP address determined in this manner will be referred to as the target address.

[0147] Then, the slice manager unit 82 outputs an instruction to the SDN controller 60 associated with the transport network 40 to create a communication path associated with the pair of target addresses.

[0148] In this embodiment, for example, the SDN controller 60 is notified of the IP address that is the endpoint of the transport slice, but is not notified of information regarding the network node in which the IP address is set.

[0149] Then, in this embodiment, the SDN controller 60 determines a communication path between IP addresses related to the network slice, which is determined as described above, as a part or all of the communication path of the network slice. Here, for example, as described above, the communication path is determined using a known path calculation method such as Flex Algo.

[0150] In this manner, for example, a communication path 90b shown in Fig. 12 is determined. The communication path 90b is a communication path that passes through CU-UP42, AG46a, AG46c, AG46e, AG46g, AG46i, AG46j, and UPF 44b. More specifically, the communication path 90b passes through at least a port of AG46a whose port ID is 4, a port of AG46c whose port ID is 1, a port of AG46i whose port ID is 1, and a port of AG46j whose port ID is 4.

[0151] Then, the SDN controller 60 sets segment routing for the determined communication path 90b. In this manner, for example, packets are transferred by segment routing in communications between AG46a, AG46c, AG46e, AG46g, AG46i, and AG46j.

[0152] Then, the SDN controller 60 updates the AG data as shown in Fig. 13. In the example of Fig. 13, the value of the allocated slice ID is set to 11 for the AG data associated with the port having the port ID of 4 in AG46a (the AGID value is 1001 as described above) and for the AG data associated with the port having the port ID of 4 in AG46j (the AGID value is 1010 as described above).

[0153] In this manner, the communication path 90b is added to the transport slice with a slice ID of 11.

[0154] After determining the communication path, the SDN controller 60 monitors whether the communication quality of the communication path satisfies a predetermined condition. The calculation of the communication quality may be performed in the same manner as the monitoring function unit 58, and information required for calculating the communication quality may be acquired from the monitoring function unit 58 or the AI / big data processing unit 56. In this embodiment, for example, the communication quality of the communication path 90a and the communication path 90b is monitored. Then, the SDN controller 60 re-determines the communication path between the target addresses in response to the communication quality of the communication path between the target addresses satisfying a predetermined condition.

[0155] For example, it is assumed that the communication quality of the communication path 90b determined to be added to a transport slice having a slice ID of 11 satisfies a predetermined condition. For example, it is assumed that the SDN controller 60 detects congestion of the communication path 90b.

[0156] Then, in response to the detection of the communication congestion in the communication path 90b, the SDN controller 60 uses a known path calculation method such as FlexAlgo to re-determine the communication path between the IP addresses that are the end points of the communication path 90b. For example, it is assumed here that the communication path 90c shown in FIG. 14 is determined as a communication path to replace the communication path 90b.

[0157] The communication path 90c is a communication path that passes through CU-UP 42, AG 46a, AG 46c, AG 46e, AG 46g, AG 46h, AG 46j, and UPF 44b. More specifically, the communication path 90b passes through at least a port with a port ID of 4 in AG 46a, a port with a port ID of 1 in AG 46c, a port with a port ID of 2 in AG 46h, and a port with a port ID of 2 in AG 46j.

[0158] Then, the SDN controller 60 sets segment routing for the determined communication path 90c. Then, the SDN controller 60 releases the segment routing setting for the communication path 90b. In this way, for example, packets are transferred by segment routing in communications between AG46a, AG46c, AG46e, AG46g, AG46h, and AG46j.

[0159] Then, the SDN controller 60 updates the AG data as shown in Fig. 15. In the example of Fig. 15, the value of the allocation slice ID of the AG data associated with the port of AG46j whose port ID is 4 is deleted, and 11 is set as the value of the allocation slice ID of the AG data associated with the port of AG46j whose port ID is 2.

[0160] In this way, the communication path 90b is deleted from the transport slice with slice ID 11, and the communication path 90c is added.

[0161] In the above explanation, the AG through which the communication path passes is changed by re-determining the communication path, but it is also possible to change the port through which the communication path passes without changing the AG through which the communication path passes by re-determining the communication path.

[0162] As described above, in this embodiment, when the communication quality of a communication path set between a pair of network nodes belonging to a network slice is degraded, the communication path between the pair is changed. As a result, the SDN controller 60 autonomously changes the communication path constituting the network slice without going through the E2EO unit 52.

[0163] In this way, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent a deterioration in the communication quality of the entire network slice due to a deterioration in the communication quality of a communication path established between a pair of network nodes belonging to the network slice.

[0164] In this embodiment, the SDN controller 60 may output to the policy manager unit 80 a notification indicating that a redetermining of the communication path has been performed.

[0165] Then, the policy manager unit 80 may determine whether or not the communication quality of the re-determined communication path (for example, the communication path 90c in the above example) satisfies a predetermined condition based on, for example, metric data collected by the monitoring function unit 58. For example, the policy manager unit 80 may determine whether or not the network slice including the communication path is congested.

[0166] Then, when the communication quality of the communication path satisfies a predetermined condition, the policy manager unit 80 may output an instruction to the slice manager unit 82 and the life cycle management unit 84 to replace at least one of the pair of network nodes included in the communication path.

[0167] Then, the life cycle management unit 84 may replace at least one of the pair of network nodes included in the re-determined communication path in response to the communication quality of the re-determined communication path satisfying a predetermined condition. That is, a new pair may be determined. For example, the life cycle management unit 84 may replace at least one of the pair of network nodes included in the communication path in response to an instruction output from the policy manager unit 80.

[0168] Then, in response to the execution of the replacement, the slice manager unit 82 may determine, as a target address, an IP address related to the network slice for each of the new target node pairs, which are pairs of network nodes after the replacement. Then, the SDN controller 60 may determine a communication path between the target addresses.

[0169] For example, as shown in Fig. 16, UPF 44b may be replaced from the central data center 10a to the central data center 10b in response to the communication quality of communication path 90c satisfying a predetermined condition. For example, as shown in Fig. 16, UPF 44b may be deleted, and a new UPF, UPF 44c, may be established in the central data center 10b. Then, for each pair of CU-UP 42 and UPF 44c, an IP address related to a network slice with a slice ID of 11 may be determined.

[0170] Then, a communication path 90d between the determined IP addresses may be determined. Then, the communication path 90c may be deleted from the transport slice having a slice ID of 11, and the communication path 90d may be added. For example, segment routing may be released from the communication path 90c, and segment routing may be set for the communication path 90d.

[0171] In addition, in this embodiment, the SDN controller 60 may hold IP address data indicating an IP address (target address) related to a network slice for each of the target node pairs. Then, the SDN controller 60 may re-determine a communication path between the IP addresses indicated by the IP address data in response to the communication quality of the communication path to be monitored satisfying a predetermined condition.

[0172] Furthermore, the inventory database 70 according to the present embodiment may store a plurality of device address data, each of which corresponds to a plurality of network devices included in the communication system 1, including an IP address of the network device and an IP address of a network device capable of IP communication with the network device. The above-mentioned AG data corresponds to an example of device address data.

[0173] The SDN controller 60 may then identify a corresponding device address, which is an IP address of a network device corresponding to the target address, based on the communication path determined based on the target address and the device address data. For example, in a situation where the communication path 90b is configured, a corresponding device address in the AG 46a that can communicate with the CU-UP 42a via IP may be identified. Also, for example, a corresponding device address in the AG 46j that can communicate with the UPF 44b via IP may be identified.

[0174] The SDN controller 60 may then set the identified compatible device address to a network node to which an IP address corresponding to the compatible device address is assigned. For example, the compatible device address identified for AG46a may be set to the CU-UP42 as the next hop address of the communication path 90b. Also, the compatible device address identified for AG46j may be set to the UPF44b as the next hop address of the communication path 90b.

[0175] For example, in cases where a default gateway of an NF is not predetermined, the corresponding device address may be set in a network node to which an IP address corresponding to the corresponding device address is assigned in this manner.

[0176] Furthermore, when the slice manager unit 82 outputs an instruction to the SDN controller 60 to create a communication path associated with a target address pair, the slice manager unit 82 may also output identification information of a default gateway of the target node pair. Then, the SDN controller 60 may determine a communication path based on the identification information of the default gateway received from the slice manager unit 82. In this manner, the SDN controller 60 can determine a communication path without referring to inventory data in which the default gateway is indicated.

[0177] Here, an example of the processing flow regarding the scale-out of a network slice performed in the platform system 30 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow diagram illustrated in FIG.

[0178] First, the slice manager unit 82 determines a target node pair (S101).

[0179] Then, the slice manager unit 82 determines a target address for the network slice for each of the target node pairs determined in the process shown in S101 based on the node address data (S102).

[0180] Then, the slice manager unit 82 outputs an instruction to create a communication path associated with the pair of target addresses determined in the process shown in S102 to the SDN controller 60. Then, the SDN controller 60 accepts the creation instruction (S103).

[0181] Then, the SDN controller 60 determines a communication path between the target addresses associated with the creation instruction received in the process shown in S103 (S104).

[0182] Then, the SDN controller 60 sets segment routing for the communication path determined in the process shown in S104 (S105).

[0183] Then, the SDN controller 60 updates the AG data based on the communication path determined in the process shown in S104 (S106), and the process shown in this processing example is terminated.

[0184] The SDN controller 60 monitors the communication path for which segment routing has been configured in this manner.

[0185] Then, in response to the communication quality of the communication path satisfying a predetermined condition, the SDN controller 60 redetermines the communication path between the target addresses associated with the creation instruction received in the process shown in S103. Then, the SDN controller 60 sets segment routing for the redetermined communication path and updates the AG data for the communication path. In this way, the SDN controller 60 autonomously performs healing of the communication path under its own supervision, in addition to healing in a broad range such as the NSI level, NSSI level, NS level, and NF level through cooperation with the policy manager unit 80 and the E2EO unit 52. This makes it possible to manage even the finer details of the network slice, and further reduce the risk of the communication quality of the network slice deteriorating. In addition, the burden on the E2EO unit 52 can be reduced.

[0186] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0187] The scope of application of the present invention is not limited to situations in which scale-out of network slices is performed.

[0188] For example, the policy manager unit 80 may output a construction instruction for a network slice to the slice manager unit 82 in response to a result of a predetermined determination process. Then, the slice manager unit 82 may instantiate a new network slice in response to receipt of the construction instruction.

[0189] Also, in this embodiment, for example, in response to a purchase request for an NS by a purchaser, the slice manager unit 82 may instantiate a new network slice.

[0190] The present invention is also applicable in a situation where the slice manager unit 82 instantiates a new network slice, for example, as described above. For example, in a situation where a new network slice is constructed, the slice manager unit 82 may determine a pair of network nodes belonging to the network slice as a target node pair. Then, the slice manager unit 82 may determine a target address based on the target node pair thus determined. Then, the SDN controller 60 may determine a communication path between the target addresses thus determined.

[0191] Furthermore, the functional units according to this embodiment are not limited to those shown in Fig. 3. For example, the functional units according to this embodiment may be network nodes such as an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) or a Session Management Function (SMF).

[0192] In addition, the functional unit according to the present embodiment does not need to be a NF in 5G. For example, the functional unit according to the present embodiment may be a network node in 4G, such as an eNodeB, a vDU, a vCU, a P-GW (Packet Data Network Gateway), an S-GW (Serving Gateway), an MME (Mobility Management Entity), or an HSS (Home Subscriber Server).

[0193] Furthermore, the functional units according to the present embodiment may be realized using a hypervisor-type or host-type virtualization technology instead of a container-type virtualization technology. Furthermore, the functional units according to the present embodiment do not need to be implemented by software, and may be implemented by hardware such as an electronic circuit. Furthermore, the functional units according to the present embodiment may be implemented by a combination of an electronic circuit and software.

Claims

1. A node selection means for selecting two network nodes belonging to the network slice and determining them as a pair; address determination means for determining, for each network node of the pair, an IP address associated with the network slice; A communication path determination means for determining a communication path between the IP addresses as a part or all of the communication path of the network slice, the communication path determination means redetermines the communication path between the IP addresses in response to a communication quality of the determined communication path satisfying a predetermined condition. A communication path determination system comprising:

2. the communication path determination means, in response to detection of congestion of the determined communication path, re-determines the communication path between the IP addresses; 2. The communication path determination system according to claim 1.

3. a node address data storage means for storing, for each of the plurality of network nodes, node address data indicating an IP address assigned to the network node; The address determination means determines the IP address based on the node address data.

3. The communication path determination system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The communication path determination means holds IP address data indicating an IP address associated with the network slice for each of the pairs; the communication path determination means, when a communication quality of the determined communication path satisfies a predetermined condition, re-determines a communication path between the IP addresses indicated by the IP address data.

4. The communication path determination system according to claim 1, wherein the communication path determination system is a communication path determination system for determining a communication path from a first communication path to a second communication path.

5. a device address data storage means for storing a plurality of device address data corresponding to each of a plurality of network devices, the device address data including an IP address of the network device and an IP address of a network device capable of IP communication with the network device; A corresponding device address identification means for identifying a corresponding device address, which is an IP address of a network device corresponding to an IP address related to the network slice, based on the communication path and the device address data; and a setting means for setting the identified corresponding device address in the network node to which the IP address corresponding to the corresponding device address is assigned.

5. The communication path determination system according to claim 1, wherein the communication path determination system is a communication path determination system for determining a communication path from a first communication path to a second communication path.

6. a replacement unit configured to replace at least one of the pair of network nodes when the communication quality of the re-determined communication path satisfies a predetermined condition; In response to the replacement being executed, the address determination means determines an IP address related to the network slice for each network node of the pair after the replacement, and the communication path determination means determines a communication path between the IP addresses.

6. The communication path determination system according to claim 1,

7. The node selection means, in a situation where a new network slice is constructed, selects two network nodes belonging to the network slice and determines them as a pair.

7. The communication path determination system according to claim 1,

8. The node selection means, in a situation where a network slice is scaled out, selects two network nodes from among the network nodes newly belonging to the network slice and determines them as a pair.

7. The communication path determination system according to claim 1,

9. A step of selecting two network nodes belonging to the network slice and determining them as a pair; determining, for each network node of the pair, an IP address associated with the network slice; determining a communication path between the IP addresses as a part or all of the communication path of the network slice; redetermining a communication path between the IP addresses in response to a communication quality of the determined communication path satisfying a predetermined condition; 1. A method for determining communications routing implemented by one or more computers, comprising:

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