Network Slice Generation via Automated Management Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing technologies lack standardization in logically dividing communication networks for packet delivery and setting up apparatuses for network slices and edge devices, making it costly and cumbersome for network providers to construct and manage these networks.

Innovation Solution

A network system comprising communication facilities and management apparatuses that manage resource information to generate network slices by logically dividing communication processing apparatuses, and set traffic steering functions for edge devices based on specific characteristics of the network slices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network providers manually perform design and setting work for network slices and edge devices, then network customization and quality of service can be achieved, but the complexity and cost of operations increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork customizationVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service through automated generation of network slices and edge device settings. The management apparatus automatically generates configuration information for multiple network slices and edge devices based on service requirements, eliminating the need for manual design and setting work by operators while maintaining network customization capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring network slice templates and edge device settings in advance. The management apparatus stores management information including configuration templates that can be quickly instantiated when service requests are received, avoiding the need for manual setup during actual deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple network slices are manually configured with different settings, then specific service requirements can be met, but the time and resources required for configuration increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice differentiationVSAvoidconfiguration efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses copying by generating configuration information for multiple network slices and edge devices automatically based on stored templates. The management apparatus creates copies of standardized configuration patterns tailored to different service requirements, enabling rapid deployment of multiple differentiated networks without manual configuration for each slice

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The management apparatus provides universal functionality by handling configuration for multiple network slices, edge devices, and different service types through a single automated system. The system can generate configurations for various network slice types (e.g., eMBB, URLLC, mMTC) and edge device settings using unified management information and automated generation processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traffic steering functions are set up for edge devices without standardized processes, then flexible packet routing can be achieved, but errors and inconsistencies in configuration increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket routing flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by having the management apparatus automatically generate and distribute configuration information for traffic steering functions to edge devices. The automated generation process ensures consistency between service requirements and actual configurations, reducing human error while maintaining routing flexibility through programmatic control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The management apparatus acts as an intermediary between service requirements and edge device configurations. It translates high-level service requirements into specific traffic steering configurations for edge devices, ensuring accuracy and consistency while maintaining flexibility through automated rule generation based on stored management information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12309676B2Network system and network slice generation method

Publication Date: 2025.05.20 HITACHI LTD

AI summary

A network system comprises a communication facility, and a management apparatus. The communication facility includes a wireless base station, a data processing apparatus, and communication processing apparatuses. The management apparatus manages resource management information for managing, as a resource, a value of an item to be set for the communication facility to generate a network slice for each of characteristics of the network slice. The management apparatus generates the network slice, refers, based on a characteristic of the network slice, to the resource management information to determine the value of the item and transmits, to the communication facility, first setting information for setting the determined value of the item. The management apparatus generates a transfer rule by associating identification information on a wireless terminal and identification information on the data processing apparatus with each other and transmits, to the communication facility, second setting information for setting the transfer rule.