Network Slice Mapping via Resource Graph Abstraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for mapping network slices onto infrastructure resources face scalability issues due to their reliance on Integer Linear Programming (ILP) or Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) problems, which become NP-complex when dealing with large networks and numerous Virtual Network Functions (VNFs, failing to efficiently allocate resources to meet Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
Innovation Solution
The approach reverses the optimization problem by mapping the network architecture onto a Slice Request Demands (SRD) data structure, aggregating requirements of Service Function Chains (SFCs), and using a Mixed Integer Linear Programming solver to determine a subset of the network infrastructure for provisioning, ensuring SLA compliance without the need for detailed infrastructure data exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If Integer Linear Programming or Mixed Integer Linear Programming is used to map network slices onto infrastructure resources, then resource allocation accuracy is improved, but computational complexity increases and scalability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network slice mapping problem into two distinct phases: (1) a simplified initial mapping phase that provides a feasible solution quickly, and (2) an optimization phase that refines the solution. This segmentation allows the system to avoid the NP-complexity of direct ILP/MILP solving while still achieving accurate resource allocation through iterative improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by first establishing a feasible network slice mapping using simplified algorithms before applying optimization. This preliminary mapping provides a starting point that guarantees basic SLA compliance, and subsequent optimization steps refine the allocation without requiring complete re-computation from scratch.
2Manufacturing precision
If detailed infrastructure data is exposed to the network slice managing entity, then mapping precision is improved, but security and data abstraction are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary infrastructure manager that acts as a mediator between the network slice managing entity and the detailed infrastructure data. The infrastructure manager receives abstract resource requirements, performs the detailed mapping using infrastructure data without exposing it to the slice managing entity, and returns only the necessary mapping results. This intermediary layer maintains mapping precision while protecting infrastructure data security and preserving abstraction boundaries.
Data Source
AI summary
A network slice managing entity, comprising means configured to obtain a service request for a network slice, the service request defining service requirements; request network slice descriptions from a database and selecting at least one network slice which support said service requirements according to the descriptions; generate a resource graph comprising nodes representing infrastructure resources and links representing connections between the nodes, the resource graph depicting resources needed for providing the service, wherein the generating is carried out based on a network slice description of the selected at least one network slice; transmit the resource graph to an infrastructure manager for mapping a topology of said network infrastructure onto said resource graph and determining at least one subset of said network infrastructure; and, receive a mapping result from said infrastructure manager containing said at least one subset of said network infrastructure.