Unified Activation Code Server for Network Slice VNF Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional license management configurations for network slices lack efficiency and flexibility, leading to insufficient granularity, inefficient monitoring and control of Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs), and inability to facilitate multi-operator scenarios, which compromises the isolation and performance of network slices, especially in 5G systems.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system for managing activation codes for VNFs across multiple network slices, using a dedicated activation code management server that assigns unique identifiers and indicators to each slice and VNF, enabling precise monitoring, control, and enforcement of VNF usage, ensuring isolation and improved programmability and modularity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single license server is provided for each network slice, then license management granularity is improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple slice-specific license servers into a single unified license server that serves all network slices. This unified server manages licenses for multiple slices concurrently, reducing the number of separate servers from N (one per slice) to 1, while maintaining the ability to differentiate and control licenses for each individual slice through a standardized interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified license server is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle license management for multiple network slices simultaneously. It provides universal license management services including issuance, renewal, and revocation across different slices, eliminating the need for slice-dedicated servers while preserving fine-grained control through standardized mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If a single license server serves all network slices, then device complexity is reduced, but license management granularity and slice isolation are lost
Solution Approach 1:
While using a single unified license server, the patent segments license management by introducing slice-specific identifiers and parameters. Each slice's license requests are uniquely identified and tracked, allowing the server to differentiate between slices and apply appropriate license policies, thus maintaining granularity without requiring multiple physical servers.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified license server acts as an intermediary between network slices and the license management system. It receives license requests from various slices, processes them according to slice-specific requirements, and manages the underlying license resources. This intermediary role enables both simplified infrastructure and precise license control.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional license management configurations are used, then implementation ease is improved, but automation capability and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated license management where the system self-services license issuance, renewal, and revocation operations. The unified license server automatically processes license requests from network slices without manual intervention, tracks license usage, and enforces license policies programmatically, thereby achieving high automation while maintaining implementation simplicity through standardized interfaces.
4Productivity
If licenses are shared across all network slices, then resource utilization is improved, but slice isolation and performance guarantee are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The unified license server implements local quality control by assigning different license parameters, policies, and constraints to different network slices. While the physical server is shared, each slice receives customized license management tailored to its specific requirements, ensuring that license allocation for one slice does not negatively impact another slice's performance or isolation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses in the field of network slice management are disclosed. A method of managing, by means of an activation code management server (100), a plurality of activation codes (511 562) in a network includes steps of: providing (S31), for each of a plurality of network slices, a network slice identifier (570) in correspondence with a network slice; providing (S32) at least one VNF-product identifier (580), each VNF-product identifier (580) being in correspondence with a VNF; providing (S33) a plurality of activation code indicators (510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560), each activation code indicator (510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560 being indicative of one or more of the plurality of activation codes (511 562); and associating each of the plurality of activation code indicators (510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560) with a corresponding network slice identifier (570) and a corresponding VNF-product identifier (580).