System and method for dynamic network slice management

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and a method for dynamic network slice management, in which state information on a network slice is collected to predict usage of the network slice, thereby enabling dynamic management of the network slice on the basis of a prediction result. The system comprises: a plurality of user plane function (UPF) devices for collecting network slice-related information; a session management function (SMF) device for receiving the collected network slice-related information from each of the UPF devices; an integrated intelligence plane collection device for analyzing the network slice-related information received from the SMF device for each network slice to predict whether control is needed for each network slice, and when network slice control is needed on the basis of a prediction result, generating network slice control information; a policy control function (PCF) device for transferring, to a network function virtualization device or the SMF device, the network slice control information received from the integrated intelligence plane collection device; and the network function virtualization device for managing a corresponding network slice according to the network slice control information received from the PCF device.

Description

System and Method for Dynamic Network Slice Management

[0001] [Cross-reference to related applications]

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0008677 filed on January 21, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0003] The present invention relates to a system and method for dynamic network slice management, and more specifically, to a system and method for dynamic network slice management that collects status information regarding network slices to predict network slice usage and enables dynamic management of network slices.

[0004] [National R&D projects that supported this invention]

[0005] [Project ID] 2710008847

[0006] [Project No.] RS-2024-00438156

[0007] [Ministry Name] Ministry of Science and ICT

[0008] [Project Management (Specialized) Agency Name] Korea Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation

[0009] [Research Project Name] Development of Core Source Technologies for Information Security (R&D)

[0010] [Project Title] Development of Security Resilience Technology for Network Slicing-Based Services in a 5G Specialized Network and Integrated Wired-Wireless Environment

[0011] [Name of Project Performing Organization] Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute

[0012] [Research Period] 2024.06.01 ~ 2025.02.28

[0013] Network Slice is a network technology that separates a single physical core network infrastructure into multiple independent virtual networks based on service types, providing various customized services through each slice.

[0014] Network slices can be implemented in a virtualized network environment and are based on Software Defined Network (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) technologies.

[0015] SDN provides flexibility and scalability through centralized control and the OpenFlow protocol, and NFV can increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness by running network functions on general-purpose servers or in cloud computing environments instead of hardware equipment.

[0016] FIGS. 1 and 2 are drawings illustrating a method for managing network slices in a 5G communication network according to the prior art. In the prior art, when there is an overload due to increased usage of the network slice, the operator manually increases the capacity.

[0017] In other words, conventionally, the Operation and Management System continuously monitors the status of each network slice to check for the possibility of overload or failure.

[0018] If the traffic throughput of a specific network slice (e.g., slice #1) exceeds the capacity limit of the User Plane Function (UPF) (e.g., 100Mbps) and causes an overload, the operator directly increases the UPF resources to, for example, 200Mbps.

[0019] In addition, if a network slice fails, the operator manually isolates the slice from network components to prevent the problem from spreading.

[0020] As mentioned above, conventionally, when an overload or failure occurs in a network slice, the operator responds manually, so there is a problem in that if they cannot respond quickly in situations where traffic surges, the service is interrupted or quality deteriorates.

[0021] In addition, there is a problem in that the speed and accuracy of the response may vary depending on the operator's proficiency and experience, and there is a possibility of inefficient use of network resources.

[0022] The present invention was devised to solve the conventional problems described above, and aims to provide a system and method for dynamic network slice management that collects status information regarding network slices to predict the usage of network slices and enables dynamic management of network slices based on the prediction results.

[0023] A system for dynamic network slice management according to the present invention for achieving the aforementioned purpose comprises: a plurality of User Plane Function (UPF) devices for collecting network slice-related information; a Session Management Function (SMF) device for receiving network slice-related information collected from each UPF device; an integrated intelligent plane collection device for analyzing network slice-related information received from the SMF device for each network slice to predict whether control is required for each network slice, and generating network slice control information when network slice control is required based on the prediction result; a Policy Control Function (PCF) device for transmitting network slice control information received from the integrated intelligent plane collection device to a network function virtualization device or the SMF device; and a network function virtualization device for managing the corresponding network slice according to the network slice control information received from the PCF device.

[0024] In addition, in a system for dynamic network slice management according to the present invention, the network slice-related information is characterized by including at least one of information indicating the network slice status, throughput per unit time, delay information, and resource utilization rate.

[0025] In addition, in a system for dynamic network slice management according to the present invention, the integrated intelligent plane collection device is characterized by analyzing information related to the network slice using artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) to predict whether control is required for each network slice.

[0026] In addition, in a system for dynamic network slice management according to the present invention, the network slice control information comprises any one of: control information requesting a change in the Maximum Bit Rate (MBR) or Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR) to increase or decrease the provided capacity of the network slice; control information requesting the addition or deletion of a network slice to increase or decrease the provided capacity of the network slice; control information requesting a network slice restart to restart the network slice; and control information requesting the creation of a new network slice and the deletion of an existing network slice to provide services through the new network slice.

[0027] In addition, in a system for dynamic network slice management according to the present invention, the PCF device transmits the network slice control information received from the integrated intelligent plane collection device to the SMF device if the network slice control information requested by the PCF device is a control information requesting a change in the Maximum Bit Rate (MBR) or Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR); the SMF device transmits the network slice control information received from the PCF device to the UPF device; and the UPF device changes the network slice provision capacity by changing the MBR or GBR for the network slice according to the network slice control information received from the SMF device.

[0028] In addition, in a system for dynamic network slice management according to the present invention, the PCF device transmits the network slice control information received from the integrated intelligent plane collection device to the network function virtualization device when the network slice control information received from the PCF device is any one of the control information requesting the addition or deletion of a network slice, the control information requesting the restart of a network slice, and the control information requesting the creation of a new network slice and the deletion of an existing network slice; and the network function virtualization device changes the provision capacity of the network slice by adding or deleting the network slice when the network slice control information received from the PCF device is the control information requesting the addition or deletion of a network slice, restarts the network slice when the network slice control information received from the PCF device is the control information requesting the restart of a network slice, and creates a new network slice to move the service and then deletes the existing network slice when the network slice control information received from the PCF device is the control information requesting the creation of a new network slice and the deletion of an existing network slice.

[0029] In addition, the system for dynamic network slice management according to the present invention further comprises an orchestration device that performs the role of an interface between a 5G core network and the integrated intelligent plane collection device, receives network slice-related information from the SMF device and transmits it to the integrated intelligent plane collection device, and receives network slice control information from the integrated intelligent plane collection device and transmits it to the network function virtualization device or the PCF device.

[0030] In addition, in a system for dynamic network slice management according to the present invention, the orchestration device transmits the network slice control information received from the integrated intelligent plane collection device to the PCF device if the network slice control information requested by the integrated intelligent plane collection device is control information requesting a change in the Maximum Bit Rate (MBR) or Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR); and transmits the network slice control information to the network function virtualization device if the network slice control information received from the integrated intelligent plane collection device is any one of control information requesting the addition or deletion of a network slice, control information requesting a network slice restart, and control information requesting the creation of a new network slice and the deletion of an existing network slice.

[0031] In addition, a method for dynamic network slice management according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the aforementioned purpose comprises: receiving network slice-related information collected for each network slice from a User Plane Function (UPF) device through a Session Management Function (SMF) device; analyzing the network slice-related information to predict whether control is required for each network slice; generating network slice control information corresponding thereto if network slice control is required based on the prediction result; and transmitting the network slice control information to a network function virtualization device or an SMF device through a Policy Control Function (PCF) device.

[0032] In addition, in the method for dynamic network slice management according to the present invention, the step of transmitting the network slice control information to a network function virtualization device or an SMF device is characterized by transmitting the network slice control information to the SMF device if the network slice control information is network slice control information requesting a change to the MBR or GBR of the network slice, and transmitting the network slice control information to the network function virtualization device if the network slice control information is any one of network slice control information requesting the addition or deletion of a network slice, network slice control information requesting a network slice restart, and network slice control information requesting the creation of a new network slice and the deletion of an existing network slice.

[0033] In addition, the method for dynamic network slice management according to the present invention further comprises: a step of transmitting network slice control information to a UPF device in the SMF device; and a step of changing the network slice provision capacity by changing the MBR or GBR for the network slice in the UPF device according to the network slice control information received from the SMF device.

[0034] In addition, the method for dynamic network slice management according to the present invention further comprises the step of, in the network function virtualization device, changing the provided capacity of the network slice by adding or deleting the network slice if the network slice control information is control information requesting the addition or deletion of the network slice, restarting the network slice if the network slice control information is control information requesting the restart of the network slice, and creating a new network slice and moving the service, and then deleting the existing network slice if the network slice control information is control information requesting the creation of a new network slice and the deletion of an existing network slice.

[0035] In addition, a method for dynamic network slice management according to another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the aforementioned purpose comprises: receiving network slice-related information collected by network slice from a UPF device through an SMF device and an orchestration device; analyzing the network slice-related information to predict whether control is required for each network slice; generating network slice control information corresponding thereto if network slice control is required based on the prediction result; and transmitting the network slice control information to a network function virtualization device or a PCF device through an orchestration device.

[0036] In addition, in the method for dynamic network slice management according to the present invention, the step of transmitting the network slice control information to a network function virtualization device or a PCF device is characterized by transmitting the network slice control information to the PCF device if the network slice control information is network slice control information requesting a change to the MBR or GBR of a network slice, and transmitting the network slice control information to the network function virtualization device if the network slice control information is any one of network slice control information requesting the addition or deletion of a network slice, network slice control information requesting a network slice restart, and network slice control information requesting the creation of a new network slice and the deletion of an existing network slice.

[0037] In addition, the method for dynamic network slice management according to the present invention further comprises: a step of transmitting network slice control information to a UPF device through an SMF device in the PCF device; and a step of changing the network slice provision capacity by changing the MBR or GBR for the network slice in the UPF device according to the network slice control information.

[0038] In addition, the method for dynamic network slice management according to the present invention further comprises the step of, in the network function virtualization device, changing the provided capacity of the network slice by adding or deleting the network slice if the network slice control information is control information requesting the addition or deletion of the network slice, restarting the network slice if the network slice control information is control information requesting the restart of the network slice, and creating a new network slice and moving the service, and then deleting the existing network slice if the network slice control information is control information requesting the creation of a new network slice and the deletion of an existing network slice.

[0039] In addition, in the method for dynamic network slice management according to the present invention, the network slice-related information is characterized by including at least one of information indicating the network slice status, throughput per unit time, delay information, and resource utilization rate.

[0040] In addition, in the method for managing dynamic network slices according to the present invention, the step of predicting whether control is required for each of the network slices is characterized by analyzing information related to the network slices using artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) to predict whether control is required for each of the network slices.

[0041] Specific details of other embodiments are included in "Specific details for implementing the invention" and the attached "drawings".

[0042] The advantages and / or features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the various embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings.

[0043] However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the configurations of each embodiment disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and that each embodiment disclosed in this specification is provided merely to make the disclosure of the present invention complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the present invention, and that the present invention is defined only by the scope of each claim of the claims.

[0044] According to the present invention, status information regarding network slices is collected to predict the usage of network slices, and network slices can be dynamically managed based on the prediction results.

[0045] If the predicted results indicate that the provided capacity of the network slice is insufficient, the provided capacity of the network slice can be increased in advance to ensure that there is no impact on the service.

[0046] If the prediction results show that there is remaining capacity in the network slice, reducing the capacity in advance reduces waste of network resources and enables efficient use of network resources.

[0047] If abnormal behavior of a network slice is detected in advance based on the prediction results, the corresponding network slice is restarted or a new network slice is created to move the service, thereby enabling the provision of continuous service without interruption.

[0048] FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2 are drawings for explaining a method for managing network slices in a 5G communication network according to the prior art.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a 5G mobile communication network including a system for dynamic network slice management according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] FIGS. 4 to 7 are drawings for illustrating a method for managing dynamic network slices according to the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for managing dynamic network slices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for managing dynamic network slices according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Before describing the present invention in detail, it should be understood that the terms and words used in this specification should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, and that the inventor of the present invention may appropriately define and use the concepts of various terms to best describe their invention, and furthermore, that these terms and words should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0054] In other words, it should be understood that the terms used in this specification are used merely to describe preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to specifically limit the content of the present invention, and that these terms are defined in consideration of the various possibilities of the present invention.

[0055] In addition, it should be noted that in this specification, singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning, and that even if they are expressed in a similarly plural form, they may include the meaning of the singular.

[0056] Throughout this specification, where it is stated that a component "includes" another component, unless specifically stated otherwise, this may mean that it does not exclude any other component but may include any other component.

[0057] Furthermore, it should be noted that in cases where it is stated that a component "exists inside or is installed in connection with" another component, this component may be installed in direct connection or contact with the other component, or it may be installed at a certain distance apart, and in the case where it is installed at a certain distance apart, there may be a third component or means for fixing or connecting the component to the other component, and a description of this third component or means may be omitted.

[0058] On the other hand, if it is stated that one component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there is no third component or means.

[0059] Likewise, other expressions describing the relationship between each component, such as “between” and “right between”, or “adjacent to” and “directly adjacent to”, should be interpreted as having the same intent.

[0060] In addition, it should be understood that in this specification, terms such as “one side,” “other side,” “one side,” “other side,” “first,” “second,” etc., are used to clearly distinguish one component from another component, and that the meaning of the component is not restricted by such terms.

[0061] In addition, position-related terms such as "up," "down," "left," and "right" used in this specification should be understood as indicating the relative position of the corresponding component in the drawing, and unless an absolute position is specified, these position-related terms should not be understood as referring to an absolute position.

[0062] Furthermore, it should be understood that in the specification of the present invention, terms such as “…part,” “…unit,” “module,” and “device,” when used, refer to a unit capable of handling one or more functions or operations, and that this may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0063] Furthermore, in specifying the reference numerals for each component of each drawing in this specification, the same component has the same reference numeral even if it is shown in different drawings; that is, the same reference numeral throughout the specification indicates the same component.

[0064] In the drawings attached to this specification, the size, position, connection relationships, etc., of each component constituting the present invention may be described in a partially exaggerated, reduced, or omitted manner for the convenience of explanation or to sufficiently clearly convey the concept of the present invention, and therefore, the proportions or scale may not be strictly accurate.

[0065] In addition, in describing the present invention below, detailed descriptions of components that are deemed to unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention, such as known technologies including prior art, may be omitted.

[0066]

[0067] Hereinafter, a system and method for dynamic network slice management according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0068] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a 5G mobile communication network including a system for dynamic network slice management according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a 5G mobile communication network including a system for dynamic network slice management according to the present invention may include a user terminal (User Equipment, UE) (10), a base station (next generation Node B, gNB) (20), a user plane function (UPF) device (110), an access and mobility management function (AMF) device (120), a session management function (SMF) device (130), a policy control function (PCF) device (140), a network slice selection function (NSSF) device (150), an authentication server function (AUSF) device (160), a unified data management (UDM) device (170), a unified data repository (UDR) device (180), a network function virtualization device (190), an orchestration device (200), an unified intelligent plane collection device (300), etc.

[0070] In this configuration, the user terminal (10) is a terminal connected to a base station (20) and using 5G services, and can be implemented as a smartphone, tablet PC, etc.

[0071] A user terminal (10) can simultaneously connect to one or more network slice instances through a single 5G access connection depending on the service provided.

[0072] The base station (20) exchanges User Plane (UP) and Control Plane (CP) data with the user terminal (10) through NR (New Radio) wireless access technology, is connected to the 5G Core Network through an NG interface, and is connected to other base stations through an Xn interface.

[0073] The UPF device (110) provides network functions for processing user planes, and provides functions for routing and transmitting user packets between a base station (20) and a data network (DN), and connectivity between a user terminal (10) and a DN.

[0074] The aforementioned UPF device (110) forms a 5G core network together with the AMF device (120) and the SMF device (130), and is a node that connects the user terminal (10) and the external data network through a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session, and provides the function of routing and transmitting packets between the user terminal (10) and the external data network (DN).

[0075] Here, the data network (DN) may be a data network through which a user terminal (10) transmits and receives data in order to use the network operator's service or a third party service.

[0076] The aforementioned UPF device (110) can collect relevant information about the network slice it is responsible for in real time or periodically, and transmit the collected network slice relevant information to the SMF device (130).

[0077] Additionally, when the UPF device (110) transmits network slice-related information collected by the SMF device (130), it may also transmit identification information of the network slice.

[0078] Network slice-related information collected by the UPF device (110) may include at least one of information indicating the status of a network slice for each network slice managed by the UPF device (110), throughput per unit time, delay information (e.g., uplink delay time, downlink delay time, round-trip delay time, etc.), and resource utilization (e.g., CPU, memory, bandwidth, etc.).

[0079] Additionally, when the UPF device (110) receives network slice control information from the SMF device (130), it can change the provided capacity (processing capacity) of the network slice based on the network slice control information. This will be explained in more detail below.

[0080] The AMF device (120) provides network functions that manage the mobility of the user terminal (10) through NAS (Non-Access Stratum) signal message processing for network access of the user terminal (10) and terminal location registration.

[0081] Specifically, the AMF device (120) provides an N2 interface with the base station (20) and an N1 interface with the user terminal (10), and provides a NAS signal message exchange function with the user terminal (10), a security function for the NAS signal message, a security control function for the AS (Access Stratum), a signal message exchange function between core network nodes when the terminal moves between 3GPP wireless access networks, a user authentication function, a paging function for the idle mode terminal, a registration area management function for location registration, a network slicing function, etc.

[0082] The SMF device (130) provides network functions that handle the control plane for the session between the user terminal (10) and the data network (DN).

[0083] Specifically, the SMF device (130) assigns an IP address to the user terminal (10) to provide a connection between the user terminal (10) and an external data network (DN) (at this time, it may also receive and provide an IP address from the UPF or the external data network), creates a PDU session tunnel using GTP tunneling at the NG-U interface between the base station (20) and the UPF device (110), and provides a function to create, change, and release the PDU session between the user terminal (10) and the data network (DN).

[0084] Additionally, the SMF device (130) selects the UPF device (110) to be used by the user terminal (10), sets the routing of the UPF device (110) so that the UPF device (110) can deliver packets to the destination, and has an interface with the PCF device (140) for receiving operator policies for Quality of Service (QoS) control.

[0085] Additionally, the SMF device (130) can receive network slice-related information collected from each UPF device (110) and transmit it to the orchestration device (200).

[0086] Meanwhile, if an orchestration device (200) is not provided in the 5G mobile communication network, the SMF device (130) can receive network slice-related information collected from each UPF device (110) and directly transmit it to the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300).

[0087] And when the SMF device (130) receives network slice control information from the PCF device (140), it can transmit the network slice control information to the UPF device (110) responsible for the corresponding network slice based on the network slice identification information included in the received network slice control information.

[0088] The PCF device (140) applies the mobile carrier's service policy, billing policy, and PDU session policy to the user terminal (10).

[0089] The aforementioned PCF device (140) receives network slice control information from the orchestration device (200) and can transmit the received network slice control information to the SMF device (130).

[0090] Meanwhile, if the 5G mobile communication network is not equipped with an orchestration device (200), the PCF device (140) receives network slice control information directly from the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300) and can transmit the received network slice control information to the network function virtualization device (190) or the SMF device (130).

[0091] The NSSF device (150) can perform the function of selecting a network slice instance provided to the user terminal (10).

[0092] The AUSF device (160) performs terminal authentication in the 3GPP access network and the non-3GPP access network.

[0093] The UDM device (170) provides data management functions such as subscriber data and policy control data, and supports the generation of AKA (Authentication and Key Agreement) credentials, user identification processing, access authorization, and subscription management.

[0094] The UDR device (180) stores data of various network functions (NF), such as the UDM device (170), including subscriber information, application-specific data, and policy data.

[0095] The orchestration device (200) can serve as an interface between the 5G core network and the integrated intelligent planar collection device (300).

[0096] Specifically, the orchestration device (200) receives network slice-related information from the SMF device (130) and transmits it to the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300), and when it receives network slice control information from the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300), it can transmit the network slice control information to the network function virtualization device (190) or the PCF device (140) depending on the type of network slice control information received.

[0097] The integrated intelligent planar collection device (300) receives network slice-related information for each network slice from the orchestration device (200), analyzes the network slice-related information received for each network slice to predict whether control is needed for each network slice, and based on the prediction result, if network slice control is needed, transmits network slice control information to the orchestration device (200).

[0098] Meanwhile, if an orchestration device (200) is not provided in the 5G mobile communication network, the integrated intelligent planar collection device (300) receives network slice-related information for each network slice from the SMF device (130), analyzes the network slice-related information received for each network slice to predict whether control is required for each network slice, and based on the prediction result, if network slice control is required, transmits network slice control information to the PCF device (140).

[0099] The aforementioned integrated intelligent planar collection device (300) can predict whether control is required for each network slice by analyzing network slice-related information received for each network slice using artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML).

[0100] If the prediction result from the integrated intelligent planar collection device (300) predicts that the provision capacity (processing capacity) of the network slice will be insufficient or excessive, the integrated intelligent planar collection device (300) may generate network slice control information requesting a change in the maximum bit rate (MBR) or guaranteed bit rate (GBR) of the network slice, as the network slice provision capacity needs to be increased or decreased, and transmit this to the orchestration device (200).

[0101] If the 5G mobile communication network is not equipped with an orchestration device (200), the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300) can transmit network slice control information requesting a change in the MBR or GBR of the network slice to the PCF device (140).

[0102] Additionally, the integrated intelligent planar collection device (300) can generate network slice control information requesting the addition or deletion of network slices to increase or decrease the provision capacity of network slices when it is predicted that the provision capacity of network slices will be insufficient or excessive.

[0103] Additionally, the integrated intelligent planar collection device (300) may generate network slice control information requesting a network slice restart to restart the network slice when an abnormality in the network slice is detected and it is predicted that it will not operate normally, or generate network slice control information requesting the deletion of the existing network slice after creating a new network slice to continuously provide services through the new network slice and moving the services to the newly created network slice.

[0104] When the integrated intelligent planar collection device (300) generates network slice control information, it may include identification information of the network slice that requires control.

[0105] As described above, the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300) that generates network slice control information can transmit the generated network slice control information to the orchestration device (200).

[0106] If the 5G mobile communication network is not equipped with an orchestration device (200), the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300) can transmit the generated network slice control information to the PCF device (140).

[0107] The orchestration device (200), having received network slice control information from the aforementioned integrated intelligent plane collection device (300), transmits network slice control information requesting a change to the MBR or GBR of the network slice to the PCF device (140) according to the type of network slice control information received, and transmits the remaining network slice control information to the network function virtualization device (190). Here, the PCF device (140), having received network slice control information from the orchestration device (200), may transmit the received network slice control information to the SMF device (130).

[0108] Meanwhile, in cases where an orchestration device (200) is not provided in the 5G mobile communication network, the PCF device (140), which receives network slice control information from the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300), transmits network slice control information requesting a change to the MBR or GBR of the network slice to the SMF device (130) according to the type of network slice control information received, and transmits the remaining network slice control information to the network function virtualization device (190).

[0109] The SMF device (130) that receives network slice control information can transmit the received network slice control information to the UPF device (110) responsible for the network slice that requires control.

[0110] A UPF device (110) that receives network slice control information can increase or decrease the network slice provision capacity by changing the MBR or GBR for the network slice according to the received network slice control information (see FIG. 4).

[0111] Meanwhile, the network function virtualization device (190) that receives network slice control information can manage the corresponding network slice according to the received network slice control information.

[0112] Specifically, the network function virtualization device (190) can change the provided capacity of network slices by creating (expanding) additional network slices (UPF Pods) or deleting (reducing) unnecessary network slices (UPF Pods) depending on the type of network slice control information received, if the network slice control information is network slice control information requesting the addition or deletion of network slices (see FIG. 5).

[0113] Here, a UPF Pod is the minimum execution unit that runs a container performing UPF functions; it creates new UPF Pods required for a network slice to gradually accommodate traffic from existing services and deletes existing UPF Pods to enable efficient use of network resources.

[0114] And if the network slice control information is a network slice control information requesting a network slice restart, the network slice (UPF Pod) is restarted so that the service can be continuously provided through the network slice (see Fig. 6).

[0115] And if the network slice control information requests the creation of a new network slice, the moving of services to the newly created network slice, and the deletion of the existing network slice, then the service is moved to the newly created network slice after the creation of the new network slice, and the existing network slice that was providing services is deleted so that services can continue to be provided through the new network slice (see Fig. 7).

[0116] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for dynamic network slice management according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the method for dynamic network slice management according to an embodiment of the present invention can be implemented in a 5G mobile communication network equipped with an orchestration device.

[0117] First, in step S100, each UPF device (110) can collect relevant information for each network slice it is responsible for, and transmit the network slice-related information collected for each network slice to the SMF device (130).

[0118] The network slice-related information collected by the UPF device (110) through the above-described step S100 may include at least one of the following: information indicating the status of the network slice for each network slice managed by the UPF device (110), throughput per unit time, delay information (e.g., uplink delay time, downlink delay time, round-trip delay time, etc.), and resource utilization (e.g., CPU, memory, bandwidth, etc.).

[0119] In step S105, the SMF device (130) can transmit network slice-related information received from each UPF device (110) through the above-mentioned step S100 to the orchestration device (200).

[0120] In step S110, the orchestration device (200) can transmit network slice-related information received from the SMF device (130) through the above-mentioned step S105 to the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300).

[0121] In step S115, the integrated intelligent planar collection device (300) can analyze network slice-related information received from the orchestration device (200) through the above-mentioned step S110 to predict whether control is required for each network slice.

[0122] In the above-mentioned step S115, the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300) can analyze network slice-related information received from the orchestration device (200) using artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) to predict whether control is required for each network slice.

[0123] In step S120, the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300) can generate corresponding network slice control information if network slice control is required based on the prediction result of step S115 described above.

[0124] Specifically, in step S120 above, if the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300) predicts that the provision capacity (processing capacity) of the network slice will be insufficient or excessive based on the prediction result of step S115 above, it may generate network slice control information requesting a change in the maximum bit rate (MBR) or guaranteed bit rate (GBR) of the network slice, as it is necessary to increase or decrease the provision capacity of the network slice.

[0125] Additionally, in step S120 above, if the integrated intelligent planar collection device (300) predicts that the provision capacity of the network slice will be insufficient or excessive based on the prediction result of step S115 above, it may generate network slice control information requesting the addition or deletion of network slices to increase or decrease the provision capacity of the network slice.

[0126] Additionally, in step S120 above, if the integrated intelligent planar collection device (300) detects an abnormality in the network slice based on the prediction result of step S115 above and predicts that it will not operate normally, it may generate network slice control information requesting a network slice restart to restart the network slice.

[0127] Additionally, in step S120 above, if the integrated intelligent planar collection device (300) detects an abnormality in the network slice based on the prediction result of step S115 above and predicts that it will not operate normally, it may generate network slice control information requesting the deletion of the existing network slice, after creating a new network slice to continuously provide services through the new network slice, and moving the services to the newly created network slice.

[0128] Subsequently, in step S125, the integrated intelligent planar collection device (300) can transmit the network slice control information generated through the above-mentioned step S120 to the orchestration device (200).

[0129] In step S130, the orchestration device (200), depending on the type of network slice control information received from the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300) through the above-mentioned step S125, may transmit the corresponding network slice control information to the network function virtualization device (190) if the network slice control information is one of the following: network slice control information requesting the addition or deletion of a network slice, network slice control information requesting the restart of a network slice, or network slice control information requesting the deletion of an existing network slice after creating a new network slice and moving the service to the newly created network slice.

[0130] And in step S135, the orchestration device (200) can transmit the network slice control information to the PCF device (140) if the network slice control information is network slice control information requesting a change to the MBR or GBR of the network slice, depending on the type of network slice control information received from the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300) through the above-mentioned step S125.

[0131] In step S140, the network function virtualization device (190) can manage the corresponding network slice based on the network control information received from the orchestration device (200) through the above-mentioned step S130.

[0132] Specifically, in step S140, the network function virtualization device (190) can change the provided capacity of the network slice by creating (expanding) additional network slices (UPF Pods) or deleting (reducing) unnecessary network slices (UPF Pods) depending on the type of network slice control information received from the orchestration device (200) through the above-mentioned step S130 (see FIG. 5).

[0133] And in step S140, if the network slice control information received from the orchestration device (200) through the above-mentioned step S130 is network slice control information requesting a network slice restart, the network slice (UPF Pod) is restarted so that the service can be continuously provided through the network slice (see FIG. 6).

[0134] And in step S140, the network function virtualization device (190) receives network slice control information from the orchestration device (200) through the above-mentioned step S130, and if the network slice control information requests the creation of a new network slice, the service to be moved to the newly created network slice, and the deletion of the existing network slice, then creates a new network slice, the service to be moved to the newly created network slice, and deletes the existing network slice that was providing the service so that the service can be continuously provided through the new network slice (see FIG. 7).

[0135] Meanwhile, in step S145, the PCF device (140) can transmit network slice control information received from the orchestration device (200) through the above-mentioned step S135 to the SMF device (130).

[0136] And in step S150, the SMF device (130) can transmit the network slice control information received from the PCF device (140) through the above-mentioned step S145 to the UPF device (110) responsible for the network slice requiring control.

[0137] In step S155, the UPF device (110) can increase or decrease the network slice provision capacity by changing the MBR or GBR for the network slice based on the network slice control information received from the SMF device (130) through the above-mentioned step S150 (see FIG. 4).

[0138] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for dynamic network slice management according to another embodiment of the present invention, and the method for dynamic network slice management according to another embodiment of the present invention can be implemented in a 5G mobile communication network that is not equipped with an orchestration device.

[0139] First, in step S200, each UPF device (110) can collect relevant information for each network slice it is responsible for, and transmit the network slice-related information collected for each network slice to the SMF device (130).

[0140] The network slice-related information collected by the UPF device (110) through the above-described step S200 may include at least one of the following: information indicating the status of the network slice for each network slice managed by the UPF device (110), throughput per unit time, delay information (e.g., uplink delay time, downlink delay time, round-trip delay time, etc.), and resource utilization (e.g., CPU, memory, bandwidth, etc.).

[0141] In step S205, the SMF device (130) can transmit network slice-related information received from each UPF device (110) through the above-mentioned step S200 to the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300).

[0142] In step S210, the integrated intelligent planar collection device (300) can analyze network slice-related information received from the SMF device (130) through the above-mentioned step S205 to predict whether control is required for each network slice.

[0143] In the above-mentioned step S210, the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300) can analyze network slice-related information received from the SMF device (130) using artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) to predict whether control is required for each network slice.

[0144] In step S215, the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300) can generate corresponding network slice control information if network slice control is required based on the prediction result of step S210.

[0145] Specifically, in step S215 above, if the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300) predicts that the provision capacity (processing capacity) of the network slice will be insufficient or excessive based on the prediction result of step S210 above, it may generate network slice control information requesting a change in the maximum bit rate (MBR) or guaranteed bit rate (GBR) of the network slice, as it is necessary to increase or decrease the provision capacity of the network slice.

[0146] Additionally, in step S215 above, if the integrated intelligent planar collection device (300) predicts that the provision capacity of the network slice will be insufficient or excessive based on the prediction result of step S210 above, it may generate network slice control information requesting the addition or deletion of network slices to increase or decrease the provision capacity of the network slice.

[0147] Additionally, in step S215 above, if the integrated intelligent planar collection device (300) predicts that an abnormality in the network slice is detected and that it will not operate normally based on the prediction result of step S210 above, it may generate network slice control information requesting a network slice restart to restart the network slice.

[0148] Additionally, in step S215 above, if the integrated intelligent planar collection device (300) detects an abnormality in the network slice based on the prediction result of step S210 above and predicts that it will not operate normally, it may generate network slice control information requesting the deletion of the existing network slice, after creating a new network slice to continuously provide services through the new network slice, and moving the services to the newly created network slice.

[0149] Subsequently, in step S220, the integrated intelligent planar collection device (300) can transmit the network slice control information generated through the above-mentioned step S215 to the PCF device (140).

[0150] In step S225, depending on the type of network slice control information received from the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300) through the above-mentioned step S220, if the network slice control information is one of network slice control information requesting the addition or deletion of a network slice, network slice control information requesting the restart of a network slice, or network slice control information requesting the deletion of an existing network slice after creating a new network slice and moving the service to the newly created network slice, the PCF device (140) can transmit the corresponding network slice control information to the network function virtualization device (190).

[0151] And in step S230, the PCF device (140) can transmit the network slice control information to the SMF device (130) if the network slice control information is network slice control information that requests a change to the MBR or GBR of the network slice, depending on the type of network slice control information received from the integrated intelligent plane collection device (300) through the above-mentioned step S220.

[0152] In step S235, the network function virtualization device (190) can manage the corresponding network slice based on the network control information received from the PCF device (140) through the above-mentioned step S225.

[0153] Specifically, in step S235, the network function virtualization device (190) can change the provided capacity of the network slice by creating (expanding) additional network slices (UPF Pods) or deleting (reducing) unnecessary network slices (UPF Pods) depending on the type of network slice control information received from the PCF device (140) through the above-mentioned step S225 (see FIG. 5).

[0154] And in step S235, if the network slice control information received from the PCF device (140) through the above-mentioned step S225 is network slice control information requesting a network slice restart, the network slice (UPF Pod) is restarted so that the service can be continuously provided through the network slice (see FIG. 6).

[0155] And in step S235, the network function virtualization device (190) receives network slice control information from the PCF device (140) through the above-mentioned step S225, and if the network slice control information requests the creation of a new network slice, the service to be moved to the newly created network slice, and the deletion of the existing network slice, then creates a new network slice, the service to be moved to the newly created network slice, and deletes the existing network slice that was providing the service so that the service can be continuously provided through the new network slice (see FIG. 7).

[0156] Meanwhile, in step S240, the SMF device (130) can transmit the network slice control information received from the PCF device (140) through the above-mentioned step S230 to the UPF device (110) responsible for the network slice requiring control.

[0157] In step S245, the UPF device (110) can increase or decrease the network slice provision capacity by changing the MBR or GBR for the network slice based on the network slice control information received from the SMF device (130) through the above-mentioned step S240 (see FIG. 4).

[0158] As such, according to the present invention, status information, throughput per unit time, latency information, resource utilization rate, etc. regarding a network slice are collected to predict whether control of the network slice is required, and the network slice can be dynamically managed based on the prediction result.

[0159] If the predicted results indicate that the provided capacity of the network slice is insufficient, the provided capacity of the network slice can be increased in advance to ensure that there is no impact on the service.

[0160] If the prediction results show that there is remaining capacity in the network slice, reducing the capacity in advance reduces waste of network resources and enables efficient use of network resources.

[0161] If abnormal behavior of a network slice is detected in advance based on the prediction results, the corresponding network slice is restarted or a new network slice is created to move the service, thereby enabling the provision of continuous service without interruption.

[0162] Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with some examples, the descriptions of various embodiments described in the "Specific details for carrying out the invention" section are merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the present invention can be modified in various ways or equivalent embodiments can be carried out based on the above description.

[0163] Furthermore, since the present invention can be implemented in various other forms, the present invention is not limited by the description above. The above description is provided merely to make the disclosure of the present invention complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the present invention, and it should be understood that the present invention is defined only by each claim of the claims.

[0164] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0165] 10. User terminal,

[0166] 20. Base station,

[0167] 110. UPF device,

[0168] 120. AMF device,

[0169] 130. SMF device,

[0170] 140. PCF device,

[0171] 150. NSSF device,

[0172] 160. AUSF device,

[0173] 170. UDM device,

[0174] 180. UDR device,

[0175] 190. Network Function Virtualization Device,

[0176] 200. Orchestration device,

[0177] 300. Integrated Intelligent Planar Collection Device

Claims

1. Multiple User Plane Function (UPF) devices that collect network slice-related information; A Session Management Function (SMF) device that receives network slice-related information collected from each UPF device; An integrated intelligent planar collection device that analyzes network slice-related information received from the above SMF device for each network slice to predict whether control is required for each network slice, and generates network slice control information if network slice control is required based on the prediction result; A Policy Control Function (PCF) device that transmits network slice control information received from the integrated intelligent plane collection device to a network function virtualization device or the SMF device; and A system for dynamic network slice management, characterized by including a network function virtualization device that manages the corresponding network slice according to network slice control information received from the above-mentioned PCF device.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above network slice related information is, A system for dynamic network slice management characterized by including at least one of information indicating the network slice status, throughput per unit time, latency information, and resource utilization.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above integrated intelligent planar collection device is, A system for dynamic network slice management characterized by analyzing information related to the network slice using artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) to predict whether control is required for each network slice.

4. In Paragraph 1, The above network slice control information is, Control information requesting a change in the Maximum Bit Rate (MBR) or Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR) to increase or decrease the provided capacity of a network slice; Control information requesting the addition or deletion of a network slice to increase or decrease the provided capacity of the network slice; Control information requesting a network slice restart to restart the network slice; and A system for dynamic network slice management characterized by including any one of control information requesting the creation of a new network slice and the deletion of an existing network slice in order to provide services through a new network slice.

5. In Paragraph 1, If the network slice control information received from the integrated intelligent plane collection device is control information requesting a change to the Maximum Bit Rate (MBR) or Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR), the PCF device transmits the network slice control information to the SMF device. The above SMF device transmits network slice control information received from the above PCF device to the UPF device, and A system for dynamic network slice management, characterized in that the above UPF device changes the network slice provision capacity by changing the MBR or GBR for the network slice according to network slice control information received from the above SMF device.

6. In Paragraph 1, If the network slice control information received from the integrated intelligent plane collection device is any one of control information requesting the addition or deletion of a network slice, control information requesting the restart of a network slice, and control information requesting the creation of a new network slice and the deletion of an existing network slice, the PCF device transmits the corresponding network slice control information to the network function virtualization device. A system for dynamic network slice management, characterized in that the network function virtualization device changes the provision capacity of a network slice by adding or deleting a network slice when the network slice control information received from the PCF device is control information requesting the addition or deletion of a network slice, restarts the corresponding network slice when the network slice control information received from the PCF device is control information requesting the restart of a network slice, and creates a new network slice to move the service and deletes the existing network slice when the network slice control information received from the PCF device is control information requesting the creation of a new network slice and the deletion of an existing network slice.

7. In Paragraph 1, A system for dynamic network slice management, further comprising: an orchestration device that performs the role of an interface between a 5G core network and the integrated intelligent plane collection device, receives network slice-related information from the SMF device and transmits it to the integrated intelligent plane collection device, and receives network slice control information from the integrated intelligent plane collection device and transmits it to the network function virtualization device or the PCF device.

8. In Paragraph 7, The above orchestration device is, If the network slice control information received from the integrated intelligent plane collection device is control information requesting a change to the Maximum Bit Rate (MBR) or Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR), the network slice control information is transmitted to the PCF device, and A system for dynamic network slice management, characterized in that if the network slice control information received from the integrated intelligent planar collection device is any one of control information requesting the addition or deletion of a network slice, control information requesting the restart of a network slice, and control information requesting the creation of a new network slice and the deletion of an existing network slice, the corresponding network slice control information is transmitted to the network function virtualization device.

9. A step of receiving network slice-related information collected per network slice from a User Plane Function (UPF) device through a Session Management Function (SMF) device; A step of analyzing the above network slice-related information to predict whether control is required for each network slice; If network slice control is required based on the prediction result, a step of generating corresponding network slice control information; and A method for dynamic network slice management, characterized by including the step of transmitting the above network slice control information to a network function virtualization device or an SMF device through a Policy Control Function (PCF) device.

10. In Paragraph 9, The step of transmitting the above network slice control information to a network function virtualization device or an SMF device is: If the above network slice control information is network slice control information requesting a change to the MBR or GBR of a network slice, the network slice control information is transmitted to the SMF device, and A method for dynamic network slice management, characterized by the step of transmitting the network slice control information to a network function virtualization device when the network slice control information is any one of network slice control information requesting the addition or deletion of a network slice, network slice control information requesting the restart of a network slice, and network slice control information requesting the creation of a new network slice and the deletion of an existing network slice.

11. In Paragraph 10, In the above SMF device, the step of transmitting the network slice control information to the UPF device; and A method for dynamic network slice management, further comprising the step of changing the network slice provision capacity by changing the MBR or GBR for the network slice according to network slice control information received from the SMF device in the above UPF device.

12. In Paragraph 10, In the above network function virtualization device, according to the network slice control information, if the network slice control information is control information requesting the addition or deletion of a network slice, the network slice is added or deleted to change the provided capacity of the network slice, and If the above network slice control information is control information requesting a network slice restart, restart the corresponding network slice, and A method for dynamic network slice management, characterized by further including the step of creating a new network slice and moving the service, and then deleting the existing network slice, when the above network slice control information is control information requesting the creation of a new network slice and the deletion of an existing network slice.

13. A step of receiving network slice-related information collected per network slice from the UPF device through the SMF device and the orchestration device; A step of analyzing the above network slice-related information to predict whether control is required for each network slice; If network slice control is required based on the prediction result, a step of generating corresponding network slice control information; and A method for dynamic network slice management, characterized by including the step of transmitting the above network slice control information to a network function virtualization device or a PCF device through an orchestration device.

14. In Paragraph 13, The step of transmitting the above network slice control information to a network function virtualization device or a PCF device is: If the above network slice control information is network slice control information that requests a change to the MBR or GBR of a network slice, the network slice control information is transmitted to the PCF device, and A method for dynamic network slice management, characterized by the step of transmitting the network slice control information to a network function virtualization device when the network slice control information is any one of network slice control information requesting the addition or deletion of a network slice, network slice control information requesting the restart of a network slice, and network slice control information requesting the creation of a new network slice and the deletion of an existing network slice.

15. In Paragraph 14, In the above PCF device, the step of transmitting the network slice control information to the UPF device through the SMF device; and A method for dynamic network slice management, characterized by further including the step of changing the network slice provision capacity by changing the MBR or GBR for the network slice according to the network slice control information in the above UPF device.

16. In Paragraph 14, In the above network function virtualization device, according to the network slice control information, if the network slice control information is control information requesting the addition or deletion of a network slice, the network slice is added or deleted to change the provided capacity of the network slice, and If the above network slice control information is control information requesting a network slice restart, restart the corresponding network slice, and A method for dynamic network slice management, characterized by further including the step of creating a new network slice and moving the service, and then deleting the existing network slice, when the above network slice control information is control information requesting the creation of a new network slice and the deletion of an existing network slice.

17. In Paragraph 9 or Paragraph 13, The above network slice related information is, A method for dynamic network slice management characterized by including at least one of information indicating the network slice status, throughput per unit time, latency information, and resource utilization.

18. In Paragraph 9 or Paragraph 13, The step of predicting whether control is required for each of the above network slices is, A method for dynamic network slice management, characterized by a step of analyzing information related to the network slice using artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) to predict whether control is required for each network slice.

Images