Network Slice Management via Programming Constructs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network management techniques lack a mechanism to efficiently perform specific management tasks on customized logical networks, requiring operators to provide detailed information about multiple network slices and nodes, which is cumbersome and bandwidth-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows a first entity to request a management task on a specific network slice by providing the identity of the slice along with two programming constructs, enabling the identification of supporting slices and nodes, thereby simplifying the task execution and conserving bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If operators provide detailed information about multiple network slices and nodes to perform management tasks, then the management task can be performed accurately, but the procedure becomes cumbersome and bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the request message with programming constructs) that mediates between the operator's simple input (single network slice identifier) and the complex management task execution (identifying multiple supporting slices and nodes). The programming constructs act as automated intermediaries that expand the single identifier into the complete set of required targets, resolving the contradiction between simple operation and accurate task execution.
2Measurement precision
If operators provide detailed information about multiple network slices and nodes to perform management tasks, then the management task can be performed accurately, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information (single network slice identifier) from the complete set of required information (all supporting network slices and nodes), and uses programming constructs to automatically derive the rest. This extraction approach transmits minimal data over the network while maintaining full operational accuracy, thereby reducing bandwidth consumption without sacrificing task precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system requires identification of all supporting network slices and nodes, then complete network coverage is achieved, but the complexity of the management system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the management task into two distinct parts: (1) the operator-provided input (single network slice identifier and programming constructs), and (2) the system-generated output (complete list of supporting slices and nodes). This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple user-facing interfaces while internally handling the complex task of identifying all network components, thus achieving complete coverage without increasing apparent system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method for network management. Transmission of a request for performance of a management task on the network is initiated towards a second entity (20), which is configured to manage network slices of the network. The request comprises information identifying a first network slice (40) of the network and a first programming construct executable to cause the second entity (20) to identify one or more second network slices of the network that are supporting the first network slice (40) and/or one or more first network nodes (60) of the network supporting the first network slice (40). The request comprises a second programming construct executable to cause the second entity (20) to select the first network slice (40), one or more identified second network slices, and/or one or more identified first network nodes (60), on which to perform the management task.