Network Slice Management via Segmented Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack efficient and reliable methods for consistently providing network slices to customers in communications networks, particularly in evolving NFV environments, where managing and orchestrating network resources across multiple slices and sub-slices is complex and requires improved management exposure and resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that manages network slices through Communication Service Management Function (CSMF), Network Slice Management Function (NSMF), and Network Slice Subnet Management Function (NSSMF), which enables exposure of limited management capabilities to customers, allowing for service negotiation, resource allocation, and slice instantiation, facilitating end-to-end communication services, network slice instances, and subnet services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network slices are managed through multiple management functions (CSMF, NSMF, NSSMF), then service quality and resource utilization improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network slice management system into three distinct management functions: CSMF (Communication Service Management Function) for service-level management, NSMF (Network Slice Management Function) for slice-level management, and NSSMF (Network Slice Subnet Management Function) for subnet-level management. Each function handles specific aspects of slice management, reducing overall system complexity while improving service quality through specialized management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an exposure function as an intermediary layer between the management functions and external customers. This exposure function manages and controls the interfaces, allowing customers to access and manage their network slices without directly interacting with the complex internal management architecture, thus improving service quality while shielding customers from system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If management capabilities are exposed to customers, then ease of operation improves, but security and control risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The exposure function serves as a secure intermediary between customers and the network slice management system. It provides controlled access to management capabilities, allowing customers to perform operations on their slices while the exposure function enforces security policies, validates requests, and protects the underlying management functions from unauthorized access or malicious actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements selective exposure of management capabilities, where only specific functions and interfaces are made available to customers based on their needs and authorization levels. Not all management functions are exposed to all customers - each customer receives appropriate access to the specific slice management capabilities they require, improving ease of operation while minimizing security risks through localized, controlled exposure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for managing a network comprising at least one network slice instance including at least one network slice subnet instance. The system comprises a network slice management function associated with each network slice instance, the network slice management function configured to expose one or more management functions to a customer such that the customer can effect limited management of its associated network slice instance; and a network slice subnet management function associated with each network slice subnet instance, the network slice management function configured to expose one or more management functions to a customer such that the customer can effect limited management of its associated network slice subnet instance.