Application Enrollment for 5G Network Slice Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G network slicing technologies lack a standardized process for enrolling applications to securely access specific network slices, leading to complex and costly schemes for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).
Innovation Solution
A system and method for enrolling applications to access network slice services, where User Equipment (UE) registers with a provider network and determines if an application is enrolled. If not, the UE enrolls the application, selects a suitable network slice, and assigns it to the application, enabling secure access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a standardized enrollment process for applications to access network slices is implemented, then device complexity and operational costs are reduced, but the system requires more sophisticated enrollment management mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The UE autonomously determines whether an application is enrolled with the provider network and performs enrollment without external assistance. The system self-manages the enrollment process by automatically selecting and assigning network slices to applications based on their requirements, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs enrollment actions in advance before the application actually needs network slice access. By proactively enrolling applications and pre-assigning network slices, the system avoids complex real-time decision-making and simplifies the overall enrollment process while maintaining automated management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic application enrollment to network slices is enabled, then service flexibility and adaptability are improved, but security requirements and verification complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors and determines whether applications are enrolled with the provider network. This feedback mechanism ensures that only authorized applications gain access to network slices while maintaining flexibility for dynamic enrollment. The ongoing verification process secures access by confirming enrollment status before granting network slice connectivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If application-specific network slice assignment is implemented, then service quality and precision are improved, but system complexity and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The UE autonomously performs application-specific network slice selection and assignment without requiring complex external management systems. By self-determining enrollment status and automatically assigning appropriate network slices based on application requirements, the system achieves precise slice assignment while keeping the enrollment mechanism relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may include a processor. The processor may be configured to: receive, from a User Equipment device (UE) over a wireless connection, a request to enroll an application installed on the UE to receive a service from a network slice; select a network slice to provide the service to the application on the UE; bind the application on the UE to the selected network slice; and send an enrollment reply to the UE. The processor may perform a dynamic, short-term application enrollment or a long-term application enrollment, to enable the application to access the service.