AMF Provisioning for Unsupported 5G Network Slice Requests
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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 a user equipment (UE), particularly when the requested Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (NSSAI) is not supported by existing AMFs, leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation and management.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for automatically provisioning an AMF that involves the AMF, Network Slicing Selection Function (NSSF), and Network Slice Manager (NSM) to identify and allocate a target AMF capable of servicing the requested NSSAI, using direct or deferred modes, and methods such as instantiating new AMFs, reconfiguring existing AMFs, or using pre-instantiated AMF pools, ensuring efficient resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a UE requests a combination of network slices (NSSAI) that is not supported by existing AMFs, then the system can support diverse network slice requirements, but no appropriate AMF can be found to service the UE
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically provisions AMF instances based on real-time network slice requirements. When a UE requests an unsupported NSSAI combination, the NSM automatically creates or reconfigures an AMF instance to support that specific combination, making the AMF pool adaptable rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary AMF provisioning actions before UE registration. The NSM pre-creates AMF instances with specific NSSAI combinations based on anticipated or received requests, ensuring AMF availability before actual service delivery is needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system provisions AMF instances on-demand for every unique NSSAI combination, then all UE requests can be satisfied, but the complexity of AMF management and provisioning increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The NSM performs multiple functions including AMF lifecycle management, NSSAI validation, target AMF selection, and coordination with NSSF. This centralized multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity compared to distributed provisioning across multiple entities.
Solution Approach 2:
The NSM acts as an intermediary between the NSSF and AMF pool, managing the complexity of AMF provisioning internally while presenting a simplified interface to the NSSF. This mediator role encapsulates complexity within the NSM rather than propagating it throughout the system.
3Productivity
If existing AMFs are reused for new NSSAI combinations through reconfiguration, then resource utilization improves, but the time required to service UE requests increases due to reconfiguration delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary reconfiguration of AMF instances before UE registration completes. The NSM initiates reconfiguration processes in advance, allowing AMFs to be prepared and ready before actual service delivery, thereby reducing perceived delay for UE requests.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects between reusing existing AMFs and creating new instances based on current load and reconfiguration time requirements. When reconfiguration would cause excessive delay, the system creates new AMF instances instead, optimizing the trade-off between resource utilization and response time.
4Reliability
If manual planning and deployment of AMFs is used to ensure coverage for all possible NSSAI combinations, then AMF availability is guaranteed, but the system loses flexibility and requires significant human resources
Solution Approach 1:
The NSM implements self-service automation for AMF provisioning. When the NSSF indicates no appropriate AMF is available for a requested NSSAI, the NSM automatically creates or reconfigures AMF instances without human intervention, maintaining high availability while maximizing automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from NSSF about unavailable AMF matches to trigger automatic provisioning actions. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures AMF availability is maintained while eliminating manual planning, as the system continuously adapts based on actual service requests.
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.