Cross-Slice Resource Reallocation for Network Slice Resiliency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing networks lack an effective mechanism to maintain end-to-end service level agreements (SLAs) during extraordinary operating conditions, such as Fault-Attack-Failure-Outage (FAFO) events that disrupt network segments, leading to potential failure of SLAs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Cross-Slice-Segment Coordinator (CSSC) and Slice-Segment Resource Manager (SS-RM) to proactively manage and reconfigure network resources across segments, predicting and mitigating FAFO events by reallocating resources, suspending low-priority traffic, and employing redundant resources to maintain SLAs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If network resources are allocated for normal operating conditions, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but reliability under extraordinary conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by proactively detecting FAFO events before they fully disrupt service and preemptively reallocating resources. The Cross-Slice-Segment Coordinator monitors network conditions and triggers resource reconfiguration in advance, rather than waiting for SLA violations to occur. This allows the system to maintain high resource utilization during normal operation while preparing contingency allocations that activate only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a flexible, adaptive resource allocation system that continuously adjusts resource distribution based on real-time network conditions. The Slice-Segment Resource Manager dynamically modifies slice configurations, bandwidth allocations, and traffic routing in response to detected FAFO events, transforming the static resource allocation into a dynamic system that can respond to extraordinary conditions while maintaining efficiency during normal operation.
2Reliability
If redundant resources are allocated for FAFO mitigation, then reliability under extraordinary conditions is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges resource pools across multiple network slices and segments, creating a shared resource pool that serves multiple purposes. Instead of dedicating separate redundant resources to each slice, the system combines resources from across the network infrastructure, allowing the same physical resources to support multiple slices during normal operation and provide failover capability when needed, thereby eliminating the need for duplicate redundant allocations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing resource allocations that serve multiple functions. The Cross-Slice-Segment Coordinator allocates resources that can be dynamically assigned to different slices depending on which slice experiences a FAFO event. A single resource pool can provide backup capacity for multiple potential failure scenarios, making the redundant resources multi-functional rather than dedicated to a single slice or failure mode.
3Device complexity
If static resource allocation is used for simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to extraordinary conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the resource management system into distinct functional components with specific responsibilities. The Cross-Slice-Segment Coordinator handles high-level decisions about inter-slice resource redistribution and FAFO detection, while individual Slice-Segment Resource Managers handle local resource allocation and slice configuration. This segmentation allows each component to remain relatively simple while the collective system achieves high adaptability through coordinated operation of multiple specialized units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the Cross-Slice-Segment Coordinator) that mediates between the control plane and data plane, and between different slices. This intermediary handles the complexity of cross-slice coordination and FAFO event response, shielding individual slice managers from complex inter-slice dependencies. The intermediary translates high-level FAFO responses into specific resource allocation actions, maintaining simplicity at the edge while enabling sophisticated overall behavior.
Data Source
AI summary
System and techniques for network slice resiliency are described herein. An indication of a fault-attack-failure-outage (FAFO) event for a network slice may be received. Here, the network slice is one of multiple network slices. A capacity in a slice segment may be estimated to determine whether there is enough capacity to meet a service level agreement (SLA) of the multiple network slices based on the FAFO event. In this case, the slice segment is a set of physical resources shared by the multiple network slices. Operation of the slice segment may then be modified based on results from estimating the capacity in the slice segment to address impacts from the FAFO event.