Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation in Sliced Networks for SLA Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In sliced networks, heavy users can cause breaches of service-level agreements (SLAs) for other users, leading to failed speed tests and reduced peak data rate availability.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for dynamically adjusting bandwidth allocation based on contention situations and historical utilization, using scheduler and shaper parameters to manage bandwidth distribution among virtual network operators (VNOs) and their subscribers, ensuring fair resource allocation and minimizing impact on heavy users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If bandwidth is overbooked to maximize utilization, then network productivity increases, but service reliability deteriorates due to SLA breaches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into multiple slices, each managed by a Virtual Network Operator (VNO). This segmentation allows independent bandwidth allocation and control for different service types, enabling overbooking in some slices while guaranteeing SLAs in others. The physical access node is virtually divided into multiple virtual access nodes, each serving its own subset of subscribers with dedicated resource management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes bandwidth allocation parameters based on network conditions and user behavior. It uses historical bandwidth utilization data and real-time contention parameters to adjust scheduler and shaper parameters, allowing the system to adapt bandwidth distribution dynamically. This enables the network to maintain high utilization while preventing SLA breaches through adaptive parameter adjustment.
2Speed
If bandwidth is allocated to heavy users, then individual user speed improves, but overall network fairness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different bandwidth allocation strategies to different users and slices based on their specific requirements. Normal users receive guaranteed bandwidth allocation to ensure fair access, while premium or enterprise users can be allocated additional bandwidth when available. This local differentiation allows heavy users to achieve high speeds without compromising the basic service quality for other users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a bandwidth management system that acts as an intermediary between users and the physical network resources. This intermediary (managed by VNOs) dynamically adjusts bandwidth allocation based on contention situations and historical usage patterns, mediating between the demands of heavy users and the need for overall network fairness. The system uses scheduler and shaper parameters as control mechanisms to achieve balanced allocation.
3Device complexity
If separate bandwidth allocation is performed for each network controller, then device complexity is reduced, but network reliability deteriorates due to cross-slice interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bandwidth management functions of multiple VNOs under a unified control framework at the physical access node. While each VNO manages its own slice independently to some extent, the overall bandwidth allocation and contention management are coordinated centrally. This merging allows the system to maintain the simplicity of separate control while preventing cross-slice interference through coordinated resource management.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one memory configured to store instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to perform, obtaining, a first parameter indicating a contention situation of a first network including a plurality of virtual network operators, VNOs, as participants; obtaining, a second parameter indicating a historical bandwidth utilization of respective one of the VNOs; determining, based on the first parameter and the second parameter, a first scheduler parameter and/or a first shaper parameter, for being provided to an output of the apparatus, wherein the first scheduler parameter and/or the first shaper parameter is related to allocating bandwidth to the one of the VNOs; transmitting, to a controller of the one of the VNOs, the first scheduler parameter and/or the first shaper parameter.