Network Slice Support via Core Network Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G networks, network devices may not support all requested network slices, leading to user experience issues due to direct rejection of service requests for unsupported slices.
Innovation Solution
An access network node sends identification information of supported network slices to a core network node, allowing the node to update its list and provide services through dual- or multi-connectivity with other nodes that support the requested slices, ensuring seamless service delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the access network node directly rejects service requests for unsupported network slices, then the device complexity is reduced, but the user experience deteriorates and service availability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The core network node acts as an intermediary between the access network node and the user equipment. It receives service requests, determines whether the requested network slice is supported by the access network node, and if not, selects another access network node that supports the requested slice. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining service availability without requiring the access network node to directly handle unsupported slices, thus avoiding increased complexity at the access node.
2Reliability
If the access network node supports all requested network slices locally, then the service availability is improved, but the device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The core network node provides universal functionality by handling multiple network slice types across different access network nodes. Instead of requiring each access network node to support all network slice types locally, the core network node coordinates service delivery across the network, enabling any access network node to serve any network slice through appropriate node selection. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining service availability while avoiding the complexity of making each access node universally capable.
Solution Approach 2:
The network functionality is segmented between the core network node and access network nodes. The core network node handles the complex logic of network slice support determination and access network node selection, while access network nodes focus on providing radio access services. This segmentation allows access network nodes to remain simple while the network as a whole maintains high service availability through the coordinated action of multiple nodes.
3Reliability
If the access network node establishes dual-connectivity with other nodes to provide unsupported slices, then the service availability is improved, but the device complexity and connection management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The core network node serves as a mediator that manages the dual-connectivity relationships between access network nodes. When a user equipment requests a network slice not supported by its current access network node, the core network node selects another access network node that supports the requested slice and coordinates the dual-connectivity setup. This approach improves service availability while avoiding the complexity of having each access network node independently manage connections to multiple other nodes for every possible slice type.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a communication method and a communications apparatus, to help improve user experience. The communication method includes: sending, by a first access network node, a first message to a core network node, where the first message includes identification information of a network slice supported by a second access network node; and receiving, by the first access network node, a first response message sent by the core network node, where the first response message is a response message for the first message.