Network Slice Aggregates for Scalable Resource Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network slicing solutions require storing per-VPN state on every resource in the underlay network, which is inherently unscalable, and do not provide efficient mechanisms for managing network resources across multiple slice aggregates.
Innovation Solution
A network controller generates a slice policy definition for a slice aggregate, which includes a slice selector and resource requirements, configuring network devices to identify and forward packets based on the slice aggregate, allowing for scalable resource management and consistent network connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If per-VPN state is stored on every resource in the underlay network, then network slicing can be implemented, but the system becomes unscalable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges per-VPN state information into a centralized controller that maintains a global view of all VPNs and their resource requirements. Instead of distributing state information to every network resource, the controller aggregates and manages this state centrally, enabling scalable network slicing without the complexity of per-node state storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the centralized management plane and the distributed data plane. It receives high-level network slicing requests, translates them into resource allocation decisions, and configures network resources accordingly, eliminating the need for per-VPN state to be stored at every resource location.
2Manufacturing precision
If network resources are managed at the individual slice level, then precise resource allocation is achieved, but management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network resources into reusable resource pools associated with slice templates rather than allocating specific resources to each individual slice. This allows precise resource allocation through template-based virtualization while simplifying management, as resources are allocated based on template requirements rather than individual slice configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of resource management from individual slice-level allocation to aggregate slice template allocation. By managing resources at the template level and instantiating multiple slices from the same template, the system achieves both precise allocation (through template-defined parameters) and simplified management (through aggregate-level control).
3Reliability
If network resources are allocated to individual network slices, then service level guarantees are provided, but efficient resource sharing across slices is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal resource pools that can serve multiple slice templates and multiple instances of the same template. Resources are allocated to pools rather than dedicated to specific slices, enabling any slice to utilize available resources from shared pools while maintaining service level guarantees through policy-based resource allocation and reservation mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The techniques describe network slicing in computer networks. For example, a node receives a slice policy definition. The slice policy definition comprising a slice selector to identify packets belonging to one or more network slices, referred to as a “slice aggregate,” and one or more network resource requirements for the slice aggregate to meet one or more Service Level Objectives (SLOs). The node configures, based on the slice policy definition, a path for the slice aggregate that complies with the one or more network resource requirements. In response to receiving a packet, the node determines whether the packet is associated with the slice aggregate and, in response to determining that the packet is associated with the slice aggregate, forwards the packet along the path for the slice aggregate.