Network Controller Forwarding Entry Generation for 5G Slices
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Solution Overview
Problem
5G networks lack a specific technical solution for implementing a flexible packet forwarding manner based on network slice resource isolation, which is essential for providing differentiated quality of service and isolating network slices.
Innovation Solution
A forwarding entry generation method and controller that send resource allocation request messages to network devices, allocate resources, and generate forwarding tables based on segment identifiers to enable flexible packet forwarding within isolated network slices, allowing each network device to allocate and bind resources to the slice, and process packets accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing is implemented to provide differentiated quality of service for different services, then service differentiation and resource isolation are improved, but the complexity of resource allocation and forwarding management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary component that centrally manages resource allocation and forwarding table generation for network slices. The controller receives slice identification information from network devices, generates appropriate forwarding tables, and distributes them to relevant devices. This intermediary approach abstracts the complexity of multi-slice resource management from individual network devices, allowing service differentiation through centralized control while maintaining operational simplicity at the device level.
2Reliability
If dedicated network resources are allocated to different network slices to ensure quality of service, then quality of service guarantee is improved, but the complexity of forwarding entry management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the forwarding table into multiple independent forwarding entries, each associated with a specific network slice through slice identification information. Each forwarding entry contains segment identifiers that correspond to specific resources allocated to particular slices. This segmentation allows the system to manage multiple slices with dedicated resources while keeping each forwarding entry simple and manageable, as each entry only needs to handle one slice's traffic according to its specific forwarding rules.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network devices are configured to process packets based on slice identification information, then flexible packet forwarding is improved, but the processing complexity at each network device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-generating and distributing forwarding tables to network devices before actual packet forwarding begins. The controller proactively pushes forwarding entries to network devices based on slice identification information and resource allocation requirements. This allows network devices to simply look up pre-computed forwarding entries using slice identifiers in incoming packets, rather than performing complex real-time resource allocation and routing decisions. The heavy processing work is done in advance by the controller, reducing per-packet processing complexity at network devices while maintaining flexible slice-specific forwarding.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application discloses a forwarding entry generation method and network device. The method includes: sending, by a controller, a plurality of resource allocation request messages to a plurality of network devices in a network slice, to trigger the plurality of network devices to allocate resources based on the corresponding resource allocation request messages, where the resource allocation request message includes an identifier of the network slice and a resource that needs to be allocated by a corresponding network device to the network slice; receiving, by the controller, a plurality of resource allocation response messages, where the resource allocation response message includes the identifier of the network slice and a segment identifier of a corresponding network device, and a resource allocated by each device belongs to the network slice; and generating, by the controller based on the resource allocation response messages, a forwarding table corresponding to the network slice, where the forwarding table includes a forwarding entry for arriving at a network device in the network slice, and the forwarding entry includes a segment identifier of arriving at a destination network device. The forwarding entry helps provide a flexible packet forwarding manner based on network slice resource isolation for a user.