Network Slice Failover for First Responder Connectivity During Disasters
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Solution Overview
Problem
First responder communication networks face challenges in maintaining reliable and secure connectivity during emergencies due to network congestion, infrastructure damage, and potential denial-of-service attacks, which can compromise the availability of critical services.
Innovation Solution
A network monitoring and reconfiguration system, utilizing an intelligent network slice controller, dynamically identifies and orchestrates alternate network slices to ensure continuous service availability for first responders by reallocating resources on-demand, including unconventional resources like deployable cell sites and satellite terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network resources are allocated to support first responder communications during emergencies, then service availability and reliability are improved, but network congestion and infrastructure damage can compromise the reserved capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes network slices with reserved capacity specifically for first responder communications before emergencies occur. These slices are configured in advance with guaranteed bandwidth and priority handling, ensuring that when emergencies arise, the network can immediately activate the pre-configured paths without needing to dynamically allocate resources under pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The network is divided into multiple independent network slices, each capable of operating autonomously. When a slice is compromised by congestion or damage, other slices can continue to serve first responders or be activated as alternatives. This segmentation isolates failures and prevents widespread disruption of critical communications.
Solution Approach 3:
The network slice controller acts as an intermediary between first responder devices and the underlying network infrastructure. It manages the reserved capacity across multiple slices, coordinates failover between slices, and ensures that first responder traffic receives priority handling even when the network is under stress from other users.
2Reliability
If reserved network capacity is allocated for first responders, then service reliability is improved, but the network may be vulnerable to denial-of-service attacks compromising the reserved capacity
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the network into separate slices with dedicated reserved capacity, the system creates isolated communication paths that are difficult to target with denial-of-service attacks. Each slice can be independently protected and monitored, allowing the network to detect and respond to attack attempts without affecting other slices.
Solution Approach 2:
The network slice controller continuously monitors the status of reserved capacity across all slices and can detect anomalies indicating attack attempts. When compromised conditions are detected, the system receives feedback about the threat and automatically responds by switching first responder traffic to alternative slices or activating additional protective measures.
3Area of stationary object
If the network uses traditional public mobile communication networks, then coverage is improved, but the networks may lack specialized features for emergency communications
Solution Approach 1:
The network slice controller enables public mobile networks to perform multiple functions simultaneously - serving both general public traffic and specialized first responder communications through the same physical infrastructure. By creating virtual slices with dedicated resources and priority handling, the system allows the network to provide emergency communication features without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, monitoring status of a network configured to provide end-to-end delivery of services to priority user equipment authorized according to a prioritized class of service and other user equipment not authorized for the prioritized class of service. The prioritized class of service extends a reserved network capacity for end-to-end delivery of a service via first domain including first network slices and a second domain including second network slices. A network interruption compromising the reserved capacity is determined based on the monitored status and integration of an alternate group of slices into one of the first network domain, the second network domain, or both to replace the compromised group of slices, is orchestrated. Integration of the alternate group of slices restores reserved network capacity according to the prioritized class of service. Other embodiments are disclosed.