5G Network Slices for Enterprise Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current enterprise network segmentation and transport services face scalability limitations due to the lack of service policy enforcement and differentiated transport services across heterogeneous networks, particularly with the rise of 5G networks and increased device connectivity, which necessitates end-to-end segmentation and traffic management across multiple network domains.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of 5G network slicing enables the extension of enterprise network segments into service provider 5G slices, allowing for the creation and management of virtual networks with unique connectivity characteristics, enabling differentiated transport services and segmentation through the use of network slice creation, user group policy distribution, and mobile device identity management across service provider networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional enterprise network segmentation is used, then network simplicity is maintained, but scalability and service differentiation are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies network slicing technology to segment the physical 5G network into multiple virtual network slices, each providing differentiated transport services for different enterprise requirements. This enables service differentiation while maintaining the underlying physical network infrastructure, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal network slice management framework that can accommodate multiple enterprise services and requirements through a single standardized interface. The system provides multi-functionality by supporting various transport services (packet latency, packet loss, packet jitter control) through a unified architecture, reducing the need for separate specialized systems.
2Reliability
If network slicing is implemented for service differentiation, then transport service quality is improved, but service policy enforcement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network slice manager as an intermediary component that handles service policy enforcement between the enterprise network and the 5G core network. This mediator translates enterprise service requirements into appropriate network slice selections, simplifying policy enforcement while maintaining high transport service quality through automated slice management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network slice manager continuously monitors transport service quality metrics (packet latency, packet loss, packet jitter) and dynamically adjusts network slice selections accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures reliable service quality while automating policy enforcement, reducing manual complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If end-to-end segmentation is provided across heterogeneous networks, then service consistency is improved, but network complexity and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the segmentation functionality across heterogeneous networks (enterprise network and service provider 5G network) into a unified end-to-end network slice. By combining segmentation policies and characteristics across different network domains, the system achieves service consistency while reducing management overhead through centralized slice management rather than separate management at each network boundary.
Data Source
AI summary
An enterprise controller of an enterprise network sends to a service gateway of a service provider network a request for network slice information about network slices provisioned on a data plane of the service provider network. Responsive to the sending, the enterprise controller receives from the service gateway the network slice information including identifiers of and properties associated with the network slices. Responsive to receiving a request for the network slice information from a network device at a border of a forwarding plane of the enterprise network, the enterprise controller sends the network slice information to the network device to cause the network device to perform configuring network traffic in the forwarding plane with identifiers of ones of the network slices that match the network traffic, and to perform forwarding the network traffic configured with the identifiers to the data plane of the service provider network.