On-Demand AMF Provisioning for Unsupported Network Slice Combinations
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 5G network architecture lacks a method for efficiently provisioning an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) that can serve a combination of network slices requested by user equipment (UE), especially when the requested network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI) is not supported by existing AMFs, leading to inefficiencies in resource utilization and management.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for automatically provisioning an AMF by using a network slicing selection function (NSSF) and network slice manager (NSM) to identify and allocate a target AMF capable of servicing the requested NSSAI, either through direct or deferred modes, ensuring efficient use of existing AMFs and resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a UE requests a combination of network slices (up to 8 slices) that requires a specific AMF configuration, then the network can support diverse network slice combinations, but the system complexity increases because an AMF with the exact matching configuration must be identified or provisioned
Solution Approach 1:
The NSSF acts as an intermediary between the UE and the AMF provisioning process. It receives the requested NSSAI from the UE, determines the appropriate target AMF configuration, and manages the AMF selection or provisioning process, thereby simplifying the overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability to various network slice combinations
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary determination of the target AMF configuration before actual AMF selection or provisioning. The NSSF evaluates the requested NSSAI and pre-determines which AMF configuration is needed, allowing the network to efficiently handle slice requests without ad-hoc complexity during the connection establishment phase
2Loss of energy
If the NSSF identifies a target AMF that can service the requested NSSAI, then resource utilization is efficient by using existing AMFs, but the process requires additional signaling and time to identify the appropriate AMF
Solution Approach 1:
The NSSF performs preliminary identification and evaluation of suitable target AMFs based on the requested NSSAI before the actual AMF selection process. This advance preparation allows the network to quickly redirect to the appropriate AMF without extensive signaling during the connection establishment phase, balancing resource efficiency with time constraints
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system provisions a new AMF instance when no existing AMF can service the requested NSSAI, then the network can support any slice combination, but resource overhead increases due to creating new AMF instances
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service mechanisms where the NSSF automatically determines whether to reuse an existing AMF or provision a new one based on the requested NSSAI. This automated decision-making process ensures that new AMF instances are created only when absolutely necessary, minimizing resource overhead while maintaining full adaptability to support any valid slice combination
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the disclosure provide a device performing communication and a method for operating the same. According to an embodiment, an operation method comprise receiving, by the AMF, a registration request message from a user equipment (UE) through a base station, the registration request message including network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI) requested from the UE, identifying, by the AMF, whether the requested NSSAI can be serviced, transmitting, by the AMF, a message for requesting a target AMF capable of servicing the requested NSSAI to a network slice manager (NSM) through a network slicing selection function (NSSF) when the requested NSSAI cannot be serviced, and receiving, by the AMF, information regarding the target AMF from the NSM through the NSSF and transmitting the information regarding the target AMF and NSSAI allowed by the target AMF to the base station.