Network Slice Management Apparatus for SCEF Element Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack a solution for the service capability exposure function (SCEF) to find network elements within a dedicated core network, or network slice, which is essential for managing diverse network requirements across different applications.
Innovation Solution
A network slice management system that includes a communicator, processor, and memory, capable of receiving network element address queries from the SCEF, obtaining network slice information, and determining the IP address of specific network elements based on feature names or identifiers, allowing the SCEF to communicate effectively with network elements within a core network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the SCEF needs to find network elements in a dedicated core network (network slice), then the adaptability for managing diverse network requirements is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for additional mapping and query mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated core network identifier mapping mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the SCEF and network elements in dedicated core networks. The mapping stores correspondences between dedicated core network identifiers and network element identifiers, enabling the SCEF to query and locate network elements without direct access to internal routing information, thus managing diverse network requirements while controlling complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network identification process into distinct components: network slice identification, mapping storage, and query resolution. By dividing the complex task of finding network elements in specialized networks into manageable segments, the system achieves adaptability for different network types while keeping each component's complexity controlled
2Measurement precision
If network slice information is stored and mapped to enable SCEF queries, then the measurement precision for locating network elements is improved, but the loss of information increases due to the additional mapping layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the network element identification space through the mapping mechanism. Instead of directly accessing complex internal routing information, the system maintains a simplified mapping copy that preserves the essential correspondence between identifiers and network elements, achieving precise location while minimizing information loss through selective abstraction
3Ease of operation
If the SCEF queries network element addresses through a management apparatus, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of time increases due to additional query and resolution steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing and storing mappings between dedicated core network identifiers and network element identifiers before queries are needed. This advance preparation enables the SCEF to quickly resolve network element locations through simple lookups rather than complex real-time routing calculations, improving ease of operation while minimizing query time
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a network slice management apparatus, a service capability exposure function apparatus, and a network slice management method. According to the network slice management apparatus and the service capability exposure function apparatus in the present invention, the service capability exposure function apparatus obtains, based on information provided in an application request, information corresponding to a network slice, and then queries an address of a network element in the network slice and communicates with the network element, so as to ensure that the service capability exposure function apparatus can find a network element in a network slice of a core network.