Communication Control Device for Multi-Slice Path Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
In network systems using virtualization technology, there is a lack of capability to dynamically change communication paths for user terminals accessing multiple slices while maintaining service continuity.
Innovation Solution
A communication control device and method that acquires change requests for communication paths, determines the existence of established paths, and processes changes while maintaining coexistence of old and new paths for each control node across multiple slices, ensuring uninterrupted user data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If communication paths are changed for user terminals accessing multiple slices, then communication flexibility and adaptability are improved, but service continuity and connection stability may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a new communication path before the old path is disconnected. The communication control device receives a path change request, establishes a new communication path for the user terminal, and only then releases the old path. This ensures that the user terminal always has an active communication path, preventing service interruption during the transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that communication paths remain active throughout the transition process. The device manages multiple communication paths simultaneously, allowing user data to continue flowing through the old path while the new path is being established, and then seamlessly switches to the new path without interrupting the communication service.
2Adaptability or versatility
If communication paths are changed while services are being used, then communication adaptability is improved, but path establishment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a communication control device that acts as a mediator between the user terminal and the network infrastructure. This device receives path change requests, manages the establishment and release of communication paths, and coordinates with control nodes in the network. By centralizing the path management function in this intermediary device, the complexity of dynamic path changing is managed systematically rather than ad hoc.
3Reliability
If multiple communication paths are maintained simultaneously during transition, then service continuity is improved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by maintaining only the necessary communication paths during transition rather than all possible paths. The communication control device establishes a new path and maintains both old and new paths temporarily for continuity, then releases the old path once the new path is confirmed working. This minimizes resource consumption by keeping only the essential redundant path during the brief transition period, rather than maintaining excessive paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A common C-Plane control node includes a change request acquiring unit that acquires a change request relating to changing of a communication path relating to a UE, a determination unit that determines whether or not the UE has set up the communication path in each of control nodes of a plurality of slices using information included in the change request acquired by the change request acquiring unit, and a communication processing unit that performs a process relating to changing of a communication path while forming a state in which the communication path before change and the communication path after change coexist for each of a plurality of communication paths in a case in which the determination unit determines that the UE has set up the communication path in each of the plurality of slices.