Network Slice Isolation Policy Mapping in Transport Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication technologies face challenges in ensuring fine-grained isolation between network slices, which is crucial for supporting diverse services with different mobility, security, policy control, latency, coverage, and reliability requirements in 5G NR networks.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a method for network slice isolation that includes receiving slice isolation policies, mapping them to network resource and traffic isolation policies, and applying these policies to create and manage transport network slice subnets. This method also involves creating data transport channels, collecting and reporting isolation-related data, and monitoring compliance with slice isolation policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing is implemented to support diverse services with different requirements, then service differentiation and resource utilization are improved, but isolation between slices becomes more difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments isolation policies into multiple hierarchical levels (slice isolation policy, network resource isolation policy, traffic isolation policy) and applies segmentation at different network layers (transport network, access network, core network). This multi-level segmentation enables fine-grained isolation while maintaining service differentiation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an isolation control function as an intermediary component that receives high-level slice isolation policies and translates them into detailed network resource and traffic isolation policies. This intermediary layer bridges the gap between high-level service requirements and low-level implementation details, ensuring proper isolation while maintaining versatility.
2Reliability
If fine-grained isolation policies are applied to ensure service requirements, then service quality is improved, but policy complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides complex isolation policies into manageable segments across multiple layers and functions. The isolation control function handles policy translation, while individual network elements implement specific isolation mechanisms. This segmentation reduces the complexity burden on any single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements monitoring functions that collect isolation monitoring data and provide feedback to isolation control functions. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of isolation policies based on actual network conditions, simplifying management through automated response rather than manual configuration of every detail.
3Reliability
If isolation monitoring and data collection are implemented, then compliance verification is improved, but overhead and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-monitoring capabilities where network elements automatically collect and report their own isolation compliance status. The isolation monitoring function leverages existing network data structures and protocols, avoiding the need for separate heavy-duty monitoring infrastructure. Network elements essentially monitor themselves using their operational data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the isolation monitoring function to serve multiple purposes: verifying compliance, collecting statistics, triggering alarms, and providing feedback for policy adjustment. By making the monitoring system multi-functional, the patent reduces overall processing overhead compared to having separate specialized systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method may include receiving slice isolation policy for a network slice subnet (NSS) in a transport network (TN) domain, mapping the slice isolation policy to network resource isolation policy and traffic isolation policy, and mapping the network resource isolation policy and the traffic isolation policy to network resource allocation policy and data traffic forward policy, respectively. The network resource allocation policy and the data traffic forward policy may be applied in creation of the TN NSS.