5G NR Network Slice Addressing via IPv6 Prefix Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current slice construction methods for 5G networks, such as SDN and Edge Overlay, face challenges in efficiently managing multiple communication services with different characteristics on a single physical network, including high header overhead and single points of failure.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus and method that utilize an IPv6 address format with a prefix section for network slices, where high-order bytes represent the slice number and subnet number, enabling efficient communication control across multiple network slices without significant header overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If SDN method is used to split physical network into virtual networks, then network slicing capability is improved, but header overhead increases and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The IPv6 address prefix is segmented into multiple fields including global prefix, NPSI (Network Slice Selection Identifier), and subnet ID. This segmentation allows the network to identify and route packets to different network slices without requiring complex header processing, as the slice information is embedded directly in the address structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The IPv6 address structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides global routing (through the global prefix), network slice identification (through the NPSI field), and subnet routing (through the subnet ID). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate header fields for each purpose, reducing overall header overhead while maintaining slicing capability.
2Reliability
If Edge Overlay method is used to construct slices, then virtual network isolation is improved, but throughput decreases due to header overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the network slice identification function with the existing IPv6 addressing structure by incorporating the NPSI field into the prefix. This combination maintains virtual network isolation through proper address-based routing while avoiding the additional header overhead that would otherwise reduce throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter structure of the IPv6 address prefix to include specific fields for slice identification. By modifying the address parameters rather than adding separate header fields, the system achieves virtual network isolation without the throughput penalty associated with increased header sizes.
3Productivity
If multiple communication services are managed on single physical network, then resource utilization is improved, but service quality differentiation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The IPv6 address prefix is assigned with different local qualities or characteristics for different network slices. Each slice receives a prefix configuration optimized for its specific service requirements (e.g., low latency for URLLC, high bandwidth for eMBB), enabling service quality differentiation while all slices share the same physical network infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a communication apparatus including a communication control section that performs, using a network address configured by m bytes, communication control on one or more network slices, and the network address has a prefix section that includes, in a portion of high-order n bytes, a slice number that identifies the one or more network slices and a subnet number in the one or more network slices.