Hierarchical Network Slicing for Multi-Tenant 5G Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G network slicing architectures lack a hierarchical structure, making it difficult to efficiently manage and optimize network resources across multiple tenants in a multi-tenant environment.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a hierarchical network slicing architecture that groups slices associated with a tenant based on Tenant-ID(s), allowing slices to inherit features and be managed at a Tenant Slice-Group level, utilizing the slice differentiator (SD) part of the single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a flat network slicing architecture is used, then the network can support multiple tenants, but the management and optimization of network resources becomes difficult and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the network slicing architecture into hierarchical levels (tenant level, slice level, and network level). This segments the management of network resources into manageable portions, allowing efficient resource allocation at each level while reducing overall system complexity through structured organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the traditional flat network slicing architecture. By adding levels of organization (tenant slice groups, individual slices, and network-wide resources), the system achieves more efficient resource management through multi-dimensional organization while maintaining clarity through the structured hierarchy.
2Reliability
If slices are managed individually without inheritance, then each slice can be independently configured, but service continuity and authentication become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges configuration parameters at the tenant slice group level, allowing individual slices to inherit common settings. This combining approach ensures service continuity through consistent configuration across slices while reducing overall complexity by eliminating redundant configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality through the inheritance mechanism, where tenant slice group configurations serve multiple individual slices. This multi-functional approach allows a single configuration to apply across multiple slices, ensuring service continuity while reducing configuration complexity.
3Productivity
If network resources are not grouped by Tenant-ID, then resource allocation is flexible, but charging and authentication mechanisms become less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network resources by Tenant-ID and organizes them into hierarchical groups. This segmentation enables efficient charging and authentication at the tenant level while maintaining flexibility through the hierarchical structure that allows granular resource allocation within tenant boundaries.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed towards systems and methods for hierarchical network slicing for communication services. An example method includes obtaining a set of single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI); for each S-NSSAI of the set, determining a Tenant Slice-Group based, at least in part, on a slice differentiator (SD) part of the S-NSSAI; and processing the set of S-NSSAI in accordance with a hierarchy of network slicing including a plurality of Tenant Slice-Groups each including one or more network slices. The slices can inherit functionality from their respective root of a corresponding Tenant Slice-Group, geographic granularity or availability of each slice can be based on its Tenant Slice-Group, and Unified Access Control (UAC) can be implemented based, at least in part, on Tenant Slice-Group identification.