Cloud-Native Cellular Core Test Slicing for Isolated Network Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Testing cellular networks requires significant effort to ensure compatibility and performance without adversely affecting the production environment, especially in public cloud-hosted core networks where scalability is crucial.
Innovation Solution
Creating isolated test environments using specialized hardware, software, and cloud computing resources to perform testing on designated slices of the network, ensuring that production environments remain unaffected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If testing is performed on the production cellular network, then comprehensive testing coverage is achieved, but the production environment is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into production slices and test slices, allowing testing to occur in isolated test slices while production slices remain unaffected. This segmentation enables comprehensive testing coverage without compromising production environment stability.
Solution Approach 2:
A network slice isolation mechanism acts as an intermediary between testing operations and the production environment. This intermediary allows testing traffic to be routed through dedicated test slices, preventing direct interference with production networks while maintaining testing effectiveness.
2Reliability
If isolated test environments are created, then production environment is protected, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network slice architecture provides multi-functionality by enabling the same physical network infrastructure to support both production operations and testing activities through logical segmentation. This universal approach protects production environments while avoiding the need for entirely separate test networks.
Solution Approach 2:
Test environments are nested within the existing network infrastructure as virtualized slices, allowing isolated testing capabilities to be embedded within the broader production network without requiring external or separate physical infrastructure.
3Manufacturing precision
If dedicated test resources are allocated, then testing accuracy is improved, but resource utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Network slice resources are dynamically allocated and configured based on testing requirements. Test slices can be activated, configured with appropriate resources, and deactivated as needed, allowing dedicated test resources to be provisioned only when testing occurs, thereby maintaining high resource utilization efficiency while ensuring testing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Test slice resources are temporarily allocated during testing operations and then released or recovered afterward. This approach ensures that dedicated resources are available when needed for accurate testing while returning them to the general pool for other uses, optimizing overall resource utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
Various arrangements for performing testing using a cellular network are presented. A distributed unit (DU) can be activated to be used exclusively for an isolated test environment. A communication path can be established between the DU and a radio unit (RU) located at a location to where the isolated test environment is located. Communication between the DU and a centralized unit (CU) can be established such that the CU is used as part of the isolated test environment. A test slice can be defined on the cellular network that isolates all traffic on the DU and RU from a production slice. The CU can service both the test slice and the production slice.