Network Slice Bundles Link for Overlay Service Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G slice technologies face challenges in efficiently mapping overlay services to dedicated underlay network resources, particularly due to high implementation overhead and cost associated with IGP multi-topology and IGP Flex-algorithm technologies, which also fail to effectively support Traffic Engineering bandwidth reservation requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for creating network slices by establishing a slice-bundles link between nodes, configuring packet services, and performing constrained shortest path first calculations based on link state databases to efficiently map overlay services to dedicated underlay resources, eliminating the need for complex IGP multi-topology or flexible algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IGP multi-topology technology is used to create network slices, then network slice isolation is achieved, but implementation overhead and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple IGP routing tables into a single unified routing table by introducing a slice identifier (slice-id) field. Instead of maintaining separate routing tables for each topology as in IGP multi-topology technology, the invention combines all slice routing information into one table, using the slice-id field to distinguish different slices. This reduces device complexity and implementation overhead while maintaining network slice isolation through the slice-id based routing differentiation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If IGP Flex-algorithm technology is used for network slicing, then multiple algorithms can be executed in the same topology, but TE bandwidth reservation requirements cannot be effectively supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the routing information by introducing a slice-id field that divides the network into multiple logical slices within a single IGP topology. Each slice can have its own routing requirements and bandwidth reservations. This segmentation approach allows different service types to be isolated in different slices while maintaining a unified underlying network infrastructure, effectively supporting TE bandwidth reservation requirements that IGP Flex-algorithm cannot provide.
3Productivity
If packet network statistical multiplexing is used instead of hard isolation, then resource utilization improves, but strict slice isolation cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces slice-id as an intermediary field that acts as a mediator between the packet network's statistical multiplexing and the requirement for slice isolation. The slice-id field allows the packet network to maintain its efficient statistical multiplexing while providing logical isolation for different slices. This intermediary mechanism enables both high resource utilization and effective slice isolation to coexist in the same network infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for creating network slices. The method for creating network slices comprises: creating a slice-bundles link between a first node and a second node, wherein the slice-bundles link comprises at least one member link created between the first node and the second node; and configuring a packet service for the slice-bundles link.