Method and device for estimating a reliability of a communication network

Abstract

A device (110) and a for estimating a future reliability method for estimating a future reliability of a communication network (100), in particular a network-link- quality or a network-quality-of-service, wherein the communication network (100) is capable of interconnecting a first application (102) and a second application (104), wherein the method comprises determining an end-to-end network topology of the communication network (100), wherein the end-to-end network topology comprises a first link (106) between the first application (102) and the second application (104), wherein the end-to-end network topology comprises a second link (108) between the first application (102) and the second application (104), wherein the method comprises estimating the future reliability of the communication network (100) for interconnecting the first application (102) and the second application (104) depending on an estimated future reliability of the first link (106) for a determined time period and an estimated future reliability of the second link (108) for the determined time period.

Description

[0001] R.411412

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Description

[0004] Title

[0005] Method and device for estimating a reliability of a communication network

[0006] Background

[0007] Disclosure of the invention

[0008] The invention relates to a method and a device for estimating a reliability of a communication network.

[0009] The communication network is capable of interconnecting applications with a link. The application may require certain capabilities of the link. The link is typically determined by a network entity and provided to the application together with the capabilities of the link. The application may either accept the link based on the capabilities of the link or not. In case the capabilities of the link fail to meet the capabilities that the application requires, the application rejects the link and the network entity provides a different link to the application. The network entity may provide a set of links and their respective capabilities. The application may select the link from the set depending on the capability of the respective link, or reject the links in the set of links.

[0010] This requires sending the requirement of the application from the application to the network entity, and sending the link or the set of links associated with the respective capability from the network node to the application.

[0011] The method and the device according to the independent claims enable determining or estimating the end-to-end reliability of the communication network that is capable of interconnecting a first application and a second application. R.411412

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[0013] The for estimating a future reliability method for estimating a future reliability of a communication network, in particular a network-link-quality or a network-quality- of-service, wherein the communication network is capable of interconnecting the first application and a second application, comprises determining an end-to-end network topology of the communication network, wherein the end-to-end network topology comprises a first link between the first application and the second application, wherein the end-to-end network topology comprises a second link between the first application and the second application, wherein the method comprises estimating the future reliability of the communication network for interconnecting the first application and the second application depending on an estimated future reliability of the first link for a determined time period and an estimated future reliability of the second link for the determined time period.

[0014] The method provides a reliability prediction for a determined time period, i.e., limited time-window, e.g., next 10 seconds. Having the reliability prediction of the future reliability enables to rely on this prediction with a very high confidence for at least the limited time-window. The future reliability is for example expressed in term of network-link-quality or network-quality-of-service.

[0015] The method may comprise sending a request for the estimated future reliability of the first link, receiving the estimated future reliability of the first link, or in that the method comprises sending a request for an indicator of the future reliability of the first link, receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link, and estimating the future reliability of the first link depending on the indicator of the future reliability of the first link. This means either the estimated future reliability of the first link is received, or estimated.

[0016] The method may comprise sending a request for the estimated future reliability of the second link, receiving the estimated future reliability of the second link, or in that the method comprises sending a request for an indicator of the future reliability of the second link, receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the second link, and estimating the future reliability of the second link depending on the indicator of the future reliability of the second link. This means either the estimated future reliability of the second link is received, or estimated. R.411412

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[0018] According to an example, the first link comprises a network node of the communication network, wherein the method comprises sending the request for the indicator of the future reliability of the first link to the network node and receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link from the network node, wherein the indicator of the future reliability of the first link indicates a future reliability of the network node or wherein the method comprises sending the request for the estimated future reliability of the first link to the network node and receiving the estimated future reliability of the first link from the network node, wherein the estimated future reliability of the first link indicates a future reliability of the network node. This means, the network node reports its own future reliability. This enables an interaction with a network node that is configured to report its own future reliability as indicator of the reliability or estimated future reliability of the first link.

[0019] According to an example the first link comprises a network link that starts or ends at a network node of the communication network, wherein the method comprises sending the request for the indicator of the future reliability of the first link to the network node and receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link from the network node, wherein the indicator of the future reliability of the first link indicates a future reliability of the network link, or wherein the method comprises sending the request for the estimated future reliability of the first link to the network node and receiving the estimated future reliability of the first link from the network node, wherein the estimated future reliability of the first link indicates a future reliability of the network link. This means, the network node reports the future reliability of the network link. This enables an interaction with a network node that is configured to report the future reliability of the network link as indicator of the future reliability or estimated future reliability of the first link.

[0020] According to an example the first link comprises a network link, wherein the first link comprises a technology that has an interface for probing the network link, wherein the method comprises sending the request for the indicator of the future reliability of the first link to the interface and receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link from the interface, wherein the indicator of the future reliability of the first link indicates the result of probing the network link upon receipt of the request for the indicator of the future reliability of the first link, or wherein the method comprises sending the request for the estimated future R.411412

[0021] - 4 - reliabil ity of the first link to the interface and receiving the estimated future reliability of the first link from the interface, wherein the estimated future reliability of the first link indicates the result of probing the network link upon receipt of the request for the estimated future reliability of the first link. This means, the interface reports the future reliability of the network link. According to the first alternative, the interface enables receiving the future reliability of the network link as indicator of the future reliability of the first link, for example in case the network node to that the network link connects is unable to determine or report the future reliability of the network link. According to the second alternative, the interface enables receiving the future reliability of the network link as estimated future reliability of the first link, for example in case the network node to that the network link connects is unable to determine or report the estimated future reliability of the network link.

[0022] According to an example the first link comprises a technology that has an interface for probing the first link, wherein the method comprises sending the request for the indicator of the future reliability of the first link to the interface and receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link from the interface, wherein the indicator of the future reliability of the first link indicates the result of probing the first link upon receipt of the request for the indicator of the future reliability of the first link, or wherein the method comprises sending the request for the estimated future reliability of the first link to the interface and receiving the estimated future reliability of the first link from the interface, wherein the estimated future reliability of the first link indicates the result of probing the first link upon receipt of the request for the estimated future reliability of the first link. According to the first alternative, the interface enables receiving the future reliability of the first link as indicator of the future reliability of the first link, for example in case the first link comprises no network node that is able to determine or report the future reliability of the first link. According to the second alternative the interface enables receiving the estimated future reliability of the first link, for example in case the first link comprises no network node that is able to determine or report the estimated future reliability of the first link.

[0023] According to an example, the first link comprises a first sub-link and a second sub-link, wherein receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link comprises receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link associated R.411412

[0024] - 5 - with the first sub-link and receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link associated with the second sub-link, wherein estimating the reliability of the first link comprises estimating the future reliability of the first link depending on the indicator of the future reliability of the first link associated with the first sublink and depending on the indicator of the reliability of the first link associated with the second sub-link, or wherein receiving the estimated future reliability of the first link comprises receiving the estimated future reliability determined depending on the estimated future reliabilities of the first sub-link and the second sub-link. This means, the future reliability of the first link is estimated from the future reliabilities of the sub-links.

[0025] According to an example, the method comprises estimating a degradation of the reliability of the communication network depending on the estimated future reliability of communication network. This means, the end-to-end degradation of the future reliability of the communication network with respect to the interconnection of the first application and the second application is determined.

[0026] According to an example, the method comprises optimizing a configuration of the communication network based on the future reliability requirements of the application and the end-to-end network topology of the communication network and the estimated future reliability of the communication network and the estimated degradation of the future reliability of the communication network.

[0027] According to an example, the method comprises providing a requirement regarding the future reliability of the communication network, and determining whether the estimated future reliability of communication network meets the requirement or not. This means, the method evaluates whether the end-to-end reliability of the communication network with respect to the interconnection of the first application and the second application is met or not.

[0028] A device for estimating a future reliability of a communication network, in particular a network-link-quality or a network-quality-of-service, wherein the communication network is capable of interconnecting a first application and a second application, is configured to execute the method. R.411412

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[0030] A computer program for estimating a future reliability of a communication network in particular a network-link-quality or a network-quality-of-service, may be provided, wherein the communication network is capable of interconnecting a first application and a second application, wherein the computer program comprises computer executable instructions that, when executed by a computer cause the computer to execute the method.

[0031] Further exemplary embodiments relate to a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to the embodiments. As an example, said storage medium SM may comprise or represent a digital storage medium such as a semiconductor memory device (e.g., solid state drive, SSD) and / or a magnetic storage medium such as a disk or harddisk drive (HDD) and / or an optical storage medium such as a compact disc (CD) or DVD (digital versatile disc) or the like.

[0032] Further exemplary embodiments relate to a data carrier signal carrying and / or characterizing the computer program according to the embodiments. The data signal may be sent and / or transmitted and / or received, for example via a wired or a wireless data transmission medium, e.g. over a (virtual) private computer network and / or a public computer network such as e.g. the Internet.

[0033] Further embodiments are derived from the following description and the drawing. In the drawing:

[0034] Fig. 1 schematically depicts a communication network,

[0035] Fig. 2 depicts a sequence diagram,

[0036] Fig. 3 schematically depicts an example of the communication network with links and sub-links,

[0037] Fig 4. schematically depicts an example of the communication network with multiple network nodes, routes and technologies,

[0038] Fig 5. schematically depicts the example of the communication network with multiple network nodes, routes and technologies, and probing possibilities.

[0039] Figure 1 schematically depicts an example of a communication network 100. R.411412

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[0041] The communication network 100 is capable of interconnecting a first application 102 and a second application 104 via a plurality of links. Figure 1 exemplary depicts a first link 106 and a second link 108.

[0042] The communication network 100 comprises a device 110. The device 110 is configured to execute a for estimating a future reliability method for estimating a future reliability of a communication network 100 in particular a network-link- quality or a network-quality-of-service.

[0043] Regarding the future reliability of the communication network 100 for example the following aspects are distinguished:

[0044] Quality of service (QoS) parameters, e.g., a guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR), e.g., as specified in 3GPP’s 5G-NR (Release 16), a supported packet error ratio (PER) as specified in 3GPP TS 23.501 , a maximum flow bit rate (MFBR) as specified in 3GPP TS 23.501 , a maximum latency (MCLT).

[0045] Reliability related parameters, e.g., Rate of Occurrence of Failure (ROCOF), Probability of Failure on Demand (POFOD), Mean Time To Failure (MTTF).

[0046] Parameters that each express a different property of a network-link (QoS, QoS- fault-tolerance, reliability-requirement, time-window).

[0047] The communication network 100 may comprise an application-network-interface (ANI) or an application programable interface (API).

[0048] The application-network-interface (ANI) or application programable interface (API) encompasses the following bundle of information exposed to devices and / or application servers in the communication network 100. The information is in the following also referred to as “application requirements” or “network capabilities”:

[0049] A list of Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters

[0050] QoS Parameters may be defined by a standard. Examples for QoS Parameters are latency, packet error rate - PER, jitter, maximum consecutive loss tolerance. R.411412

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[0052] • A “Fault definition” per QoS Parameter, i.e., deviations in time and amplitude that are still considered acceptable (i.e., not yet a fault) from the specific applications perspective, e.g.: o Max. Target Latency: 100ms o Fault definition: > 100ms in more than 1 out of 5 subsequent transmissions (from application source to application sink)

[0053] • A reliability requirement per QoS Parameter, i.e., a reliability metric expressing a statistical probability with which no fault (according to the “fault definition”) will occur, e.g.: o MTTF of > 1000h o Alternative metrics: Rate of Occurrence of Failure (ROCOF), Probability of Failure on Demand (POFOD)

[0054] • A time-window per tuple (1 tuple is at least one QoS Parameter + fault-definition + reliability requirement), e.g.: o for the next 15 seconds o from date-time [start: 2023 / 05 / 21-09:05:20] to [end: 2023 / 05 / 21-09:05:30]

[0055] Figure 2 depicts a sequence diagram of an example for the method. According to the example, the device 110 provides a central management function 200 for determining or estimating the future reliability of the communication network 100.

[0056] According to the example, the central management function 200 is implemented in the device 110.

[0057] The central management function 200 may be implemented in the first application instead of the device 110.

[0058] According to the example, a network node of the communication network 100 may be configured to estimate the future reliability of a link between the first application 102 and the second application 104.

[0059] The link may comprise the network node. The network node may be outside of the link.

[0060] Figure 2 depicts a network node 202 that is configured for estimating the future reliability of the first link 106 for a determined time period. According to the example, the second link 108 comprises a network node (not depicted in figure 2) R.411412

[0061] - 9 - for estimating the future reliability of the second link 108 for the determined time period.

[0062] According to the example, the method comprises a step 204.

[0063] The step 204 comprises providing a requirement regarding the future reliability of the communication network 100. The requirement is provided in the example by the first application 102.

[0064] The first application 102 is for example configured to provide the requirement according to a need of the first application 102 with respect to the future reliability of the interconnection to the second application 104.

[0065] According to the example, the method comprises a step 206.

[0066] The step 206 comprises sending a request for an estimated future reliability of the communication network 100 for interconnecting the first application 102 and the second application 104 from the first application 102 to the central management function 200.

[0067] According to the example, the method comprises a step 208.

[0068] The step 208 comprises determining an end-to-end network topology of the communication network 100.

[0069] The end-to-end network topology comprises the first link 106 between the first application 102 and the second application 104.

[0070] The end-to-end network topology comprises the second link 108 between the first application 102 and the second application 104.

[0071] The end-to-end network topology is determined in the example by the central management function 200. The central management function 200 is configured to determine the end-to-end topology.

[0072] According to the example, the method comprises a step 210. R.411412

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[0074] The step 210 comprises sending 210 a request for the estimated future reliability of the first link 106 to the network node 202 in the first link 106.

[0075] The step 210 comprises sending a request for the estimated future reliability of the second link 108 to the network node in the second link

[0076] The respective request for the estimated future reliability is in the example sent by the central management function 200. The central management function 200 is configured to send the respective request to the respective network node.

[0077] According to the example, the method comprises a step 212.

[0078] The step 212 comprises determining or estimating, by the network node 202 in the first link 106, the estimated future reliability of the first link 106 for the determined time period.

[0079] The estimated future reliability of the first link 106 may be the estimated future reliability of the network node 202. The estimated future reliability of the first link 106 may be the estimated future reliability of a network link in the first link 106 that starts or ends at the network node 202 in the first link 106. The estimated future reliability of the first link 106 may be determined depending on the estimated reliabilities of the network node 202 and the network link. The estimated future reliability of the first link 106 may be determined depending on the estimated future reliabilities of the network node 202 and other network nodes 202 in the first link 106 and / or of other network links in the first link 106.

[0080] The step 212 comprises determining, by the network node in the second link 108, the estimated future reliability of the second link 108 for the predetermined time period. The estimated future reliability of the second link 108 may be estimated as described for the estimated future reliability of the first link 106.

[0081] According to the example, the method comprises a step 214. R.411412

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[0083] The step 214 comprises sending the estimated future reliability of the first link 106 from the network node 202 in the first link 106 to the central management function 200.

[0084] The step 214 comprises sending the estimated future reliability of the second link 108 from the network node in the second link 108 to the central management function 200.

[0085] According to the example, the method comprises a step 216.

[0086] The step 216 comprises estimating the future reliability of the communication network 100 for interconnecting the first application 102 and the second application 104 depending on the estimated future reliability of the first link 106 and the estimated future reliability of the second link 108.

[0087] The estimated future reliability of the communication network is in the example estimated by the central management function 200. The central management function 200 is configured to estimate the future reliability of the communication network 100 depending on the received estimated future reliabilities. The central management function 200 is configured to determine the estimated future reliability of the communication network 100 depending on the received estimated future reliabilities.

[0088] According to the example, the method comprises a step 218.

[0089] The step 218 comprises estimating a degradation of the future reliability of the communication network 100 depending on the estimated future reliability of communication network 100.

[0090] According to the example, the method comprises a step 220.

[0091] The step 220 comprises optimizing a configuration of the communication network 100 based on the future reliability requirements of the application and the end-to- end network topology of the communication network 100 and the estimated future reliability of the communication network 100 and the estimated degradation of the future reliability of the communication network 100. R.411412

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[0093] According to the example, the method comprises a step 222.

[0094] The step 222 comprises determining whether the estimated future reliability of communication network 100 meets the requirement regarding future reliability of the communication network 100 or not.

[0095] After Step 222, if the determined or estimated reliability does not meet the requirements, the communication network 100 may be configured according to one or more of the following optimization methodologies:

[0096] - Change the QoS flow and the associated priorities in the communication network 100 in order to enhance the QoS flow affected by a degrading reliability.

[0097] - Perform convergence to or with another radio access technology and / or wireline technology to enhance the reliability, e.g., by changing routing, using multi-path TCP, and / or using multi-connectivity in the communication network 100.

[0098] - Changing the topology of the communication network 100, e.g., by allowing multiple physical connections in the communication network 100, changing at least one routing path in the communication network 100, and / or utilizing direct communication instead of Network controlled paths in the communication network 100.

[0099] - Configuring the communication network 100 to perform a resilient mechanism as follows: the communication network 100 may inform the nodes, e.g., end users, devices, application servers, of the communication network 100 that the determined estimated future reliability cannot be met by the communication network 100. Allowing the network nodes to decide whether to continue the service or reduce the required future reliability.

[0100] The method may comprise requesting an indicator of a future reliability of the first link 106 instead of requesting the estimated future reliability of the first link 106. The method may comprise receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106 and estimating the estimated future reliability of the first link 106 depending on the indicator of the reliability of the first link 106. R.411412

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[0102] The indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106 is in the example requested and received by the central management function 200. The estimated future reliability of the first link 106 estimated in the example by the central management function 200 depending on the indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106.

[0103] The method may comprise sending the request for the indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106 to the network node 202 in the first link 106, and receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106 from the network node 202 in the first link 106.

[0104] The indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106 may indicate a future reliability of the network node 202 in the first link 106. The indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106 may indicate a future reliability of the network link that starts or ends at the network node 202 in the first link 106.

[0105] The first link 106 may comprise a technology that has an interface for probing the network link of the first link 106.

[0106] The technology may be configured to probe the network link upon receipt of the request for an estimated future reliability of the first link 106 and output the estimated future reliability of the first link 106. The estimated future reliability of the first link 106 indicates the result of probing the network link.

[0107] The technology may be configured to probe the network link upon receipt of the request for an indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106 and output the indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106. The indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106 indicates the result of probing the network link.

[0108] The first link 106 may comprise a technology that has an interface for probing the first link 106.

[0109] The technology may be configured to probe the first link 106 upon receipt of the request for an estimated future reliability of the first link 106 and output the R.411412

[0110] - 14 - estimated future reliability of the first link 106. The estimated future reliability of the first link 106 indicates the result of probing the first link 106.

[0111] The technology may be configured to probe the first link 106 upon receipt of the request for an indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106 and output the indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106. The indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106 indicates the result of probing the network link.

[0112] The method may comprise sending, by the central management function 200, the request for the estimated future reliability of the first link 106 to the interface and receiving the estimated future reliability of the first link 106 by the central management function 200 from the interface.

[0113] The method may comprise sending, by the central management function 200, the request for the indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106 to the interface and receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106 by the central management function 200 from the interface.

[0114] The method may comprise requesting an indicator of a future reliability of the second link 108 instead of requesting the estimated future reliability of the second link 108. The method may comprise receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the second link 108 and determining the estimated future reliability of the second link 108 depending on the indicator of the future reliability of the second link 108.

[0115] The method may comprise requesting and receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the second link 108 by the central management function 200 as described for the indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106. The indicator of the future reliability of the second link 108 may be requested from, determined by and sent by the network node of the second link 108 as described for the indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106. The method may comprise estimating the estimated future reliability of the second link 108 depending on the indicator of the future reliability of the second link 108 by the central management function 200 as described for the indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106. R.411412

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[0117] Figure 3 schematically depicts an example of the communication network 100 wherein first link 106 comprises a first sub-link 302 and a second sub-link 304. According to the example, the first sub-link 302 ends at the network node 202 of the first link 106. According to the example, the second sub-link 304 starts at the network node 202 of the first link 106.

[0118] The method may estimate the future reliability of the first link 106 depending on the estimated future reliability of the first sub-link 302 and the estimated future reliability of the second sub-link.

[0119] Estimating the future reliability of the first link 106 may comprise estimating the future reliability of the first link 106 by the central management function 200 depending on an indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106 associated with the first sub-link 302 and depending on an indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106 associated with the second sub-link 304.

[0120] For example, receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106 by the central management function 200 may comprise receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106 associated with the first sub-link 302. For example, receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106 may comprise receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link 106 associated with the second sub-link.

[0121] The method is applied to a plurality of technologies providing a respective interface or to a plurality of network nodes providing the estimated future reliability and / or the indicator as described above for the exemplary technology, the exemplary network nodes and the exemplary links and sub-links.

[0122] The communication network 100 may provide multiple links, e.g., communication paths or routes for interconnecting the first application 102 and the second application 104.

[0123] The links can belong to same or different technologies T1, ... , TJ. Technology in this context means, e.g., 4G / 5G / 6G, WiFi, TSN. R.411412

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[0125] In the following exemplary communication networks 100, network nodes within a technology, e.g., T1 , are depicted by blocks N1_1 , ... , N1_x. Examples of nodes in 5G are gNodeB, Core. Examples of network nodes in WiFi are Access Point or client.

[0126] A technology TJ may provide multiple routes in one link. For instance, a wired network with switches / routers in between can select different routes.

[0127] Depending on the technology, probing may be possible per network node, per link per sub-link. Probing may include probing input and output ports of the specific technology. Probing may not be possible at all in certain technologies.

[0128] Figure 4 illustrates an example of the communication network 100 with multiple network nodes, routes and technologies.

[0129] A link of a first technology T 1 for interconnecting the first application 102 and the second application 104 comprises x network nodes N1_1 , N1_2, ... , N1_x.

[0130] A sub-link of a second technology T2 comprises m network nodes N2_1 , ... , N1_m.

[0131] A sub-link of a third technology T3 comprises n network nodes N3_1 , ... , N3_n. The sub-link of the technology T2 and the sub-link of the technology T3 provide a link interconnecting the first application 102 and the second application.

[0132] A sub-link of a fourth technology T4 comprises y network nodes N4_1 , ... , N4_y.

[0133] The sub-link of the technology T2 and the sub-link of the technology T4 provide a link interconnecting the first application 102 and the second application.

[0134] A link of a J-th technology TJ comprises a first route and a second route.

[0135] The first route comprises u network nodes NJ_1, ... , NJ_u. The second route comprises v network nodes NJ_1, ... , NJ_v. In the example, the first route and the second route comprises a common first node NJ_1. The other nodes of the routes are different. R.411412

[0136] - 17 -

[0137] Figure 5 illustrates the example of the communication network 100 with the multiple network nodes, routes and technologies and probing possibilities.

[0138] Probing possibilities are depicted by blocks P1_I1 , P1_l(x-1), P2_1, P2_2, P_3, P_Jin, PJoutl , Pjout2.

[0139] The probing possibilities are implemented in the example as respective interface of the respective technology.

[0140] P1_l 1 provides probing of a first network link that connects a first node N1_1 and a second node N1_2 of the link of the technology T1.

[0141] P1_l (x-1 ) provides probing of a (x-1) network link that connects two nodes between the second node N1_2 and a last node N1_x of the link of the technology T1.

[0142] The network nodes and the network links in the sub link of the technology T 1 are visible and can be individually probed.

[0143] P2_1 provides probing of a first network node of the sub-link of the technology T2.

[0144] P2_2 provides probing of a second network node of the sub-link of a technology T2.

[0145] The network nodes in the sub-link of the technology T2 are visible and can be individually probed.

[0146] P3 provides probing of the sub-link of a technology T3. The topology of the sublink of the technology T3 is not visible and cannot be individually probed.

[0147] The topology of the sub-link of technology T4 is invisible and the sub-link of the technology T4 cannot be probed at all.

[0148] PJIn provides probing of an input of link of the technology TJ for communication from the first application 104. R.411412

[0149] - 18 -

[0150] Pjoutl provides probing of a first output of the link of the technology TJ towards the second application 104.

[0151] Pjout2 provides probing of a second output of the link of the technology TJ towards the second application 104.

Claims

R.411412- 19 -Claims1. A for estimating a future reliability method for estimating a future reliability of a communication network (100), in particular a network-link-quality or a network-quality-of-service, characterized in that the communication network (100) is capable of interconnecting a first application (102) and a second application (104),- wherein the method comprises determining (208) an end-to-end network topology of the communication network (100),- wherein the end-to-end network topology comprises a first link (106) between the first application (102) and the second application (104),- wherein the end-to-end network topology comprises a second link (108) between the first application (102) and the second application (104),- wherein the method comprises estimating (216) the future reliability of the communication network (100) for interconnecting the first application (102) and the second application (104) depending on an estimated future reliability of the first link (106) for a determined time period and an estimated future reliability of the second link (108) for the determined time period.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method comprises sending (210) a request for the estimated future reliability of the first link (106), receiving (214) the estimated future reliability of the first link (106), or in that the method comprises sending a request for an indicator of the future reliability of the first link (106), receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link (106), and estimating the future reliability of the first link (106) depending on the indicator of the future reliability of the first link (106).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the method comprisesR.411412- 20 - sending (210) a request for the estimated future reliability of the second link (108), receiving (214) the estimated future reliability of the second link (108), or in that the method comprises sending a request for an indicator of the future reliability of the second link (108), receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the second link (108), and estimating the future reliability of the second link (108) depending on the indicator of the future reliability of the second link (108).

4. The method according to one of the claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the first link (106) comprises a network node of the communication network (100), wherein the method comprises sending the request for the indicator of the future reliability of the first link (106) to the network node and receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link (106) from the network node, wherein the indicator of the future reliability of the first link (106) indicates a future reliability of the network node, or wherein the method comprises sending (210) the request for the estimated future reliability of the first link (106) to the network node (202) and receiving (214) the estimated future reliability of the first link (106) from the network node (202), wherein the estimated reliability of the first link (106) indicates a future reliability of the network node (202).

5. The method according to one of the claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the first link (106) comprises a network link that starts or ends at a network node of the communication network (100), wherein the method comprises sending the request for the indicator of the future reliability of the first link (106) to the network node and receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link (106) from the network node,R.411412- 21 - wherein the indicator of the reliability of the first link (106) indicates a future reliability of the network link, or wherein the method comprises sending the request for the estimated future reliability of the first link (106) to the network node and receiving the estimated future reliability of the first link (106) from the network node, wherein the estimated future reliability of the first link (106) indicates a future reliability of the network link.

6. The method according to one of the claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the first link (106) comprises a network link, wherein the first link (106) comprises a technology that has an interface for probing the network link, wherein the method comprises sending the request for the indicator of the future reliability of the first link (106) to the interface and receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link (106) from the interface, wherein the indicator of the reliability of the first link (106) indicates the result of probing the network link upon receipt of the request for the indicator of the future reliability of the first link (106), or wherein the method comprises sending the request for the estimated future reliability of the first link(106) to the interface and receiving the estimated future reliability of the first link (106) from the interface, wherein the estimated future reliability of the first link (106) indicates the result of probing the network link upon receipt of the request for the estimated future reliability of the first link (106).

7. The method according to one of the claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the first link (106) comprises a technology that has an interface for probing the first link (106), wherein the method comprises sending the request for the indicator of the future reliability of the first link (106) to the interface andR.411412- 22 - receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link (106) from the interface, wherein the indicator of the reliability of the first link (106) indicates the result of probing the first link (106) upon receipt of the request for the indicator of the future reliability of the first link (106), or wherein the method comprises sending the request for the estimated future reliability of the first link (106) to the interface and receiving the estimated reliability of the first link (106) from the interface, wherein the estimated future reliability of the first link (106) indicates the result of probing the first link (106) upon receipt of the request for the estimated future reliability of the first link (106).

8. The method according to one of the claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the first link (106) comprises a first sub-link and a second sub-link, receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link (106) comprises receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link (106) associated with the first sub-link and receiving the indicator of the future reliability of the first link (106) associated with the second sub-link, wherein estimating the future reliability of the first link (106) comprises estimating the future reliability of the first link (106) depending on the indicator of the future reliability of the first link (106) associated with the first sub-link and depending on the indicator of the future reliability of the first link (106) associated with the second sub-link, or- wherein receiving the estimated reliability of the first link (106) comprises receiving the estimated future reliability comprising the estimated future reliability determined depending on the first sub-link and the second sublink.

9. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that method comprises estimating (218) a degradation of the future reliability of the communication network (100) depending on the estimated future reliability of communication network (100).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the method comprises optimizing (220) a configuration of the communication networkR.411412- 23 -(100) based on the future reliability requirements of the application and the end-to-end network topology of the communication network (100) and the estimated future reliability of the communication network (100) and the estimated degradation of the future reliability of the communication network (100).

11. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that method comprises providing (204) a requirement regarding the future reliability of the communication network (100), and determining (222) whether the estimated future reliability of communication network (100) meets the requirement or not.

12. A device (110) for estimating a future reliability of a communication network (100), in particular a network-link-quality or a network-quality-of-service, characterized in that the communication network (100) is capable of interconnecting a first application (102) and a second application (104), wherein the device (110) is configured to execute the method according to one of the preceding claims.

13. A computer program for estimating a future reliability of a communication network (100), in particular a network-link-quality or a network-quality-of- service, characterized in that the communication network (100) is capable of interconnecting a first application (102) and a second application (104), wherein the computer program comprises computer executable instructions that, when executed by a computer cause the computer to execute the method according to one of the claims 1 to 11.

14. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 11.

15. A data carrier signal carrying and / or characterizing the computer program of claim 13.

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