Network Slice Identifier Insertion for Scalable 5G Packet Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for a terminal to provide Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI) have poor scalability and convenience in selecting a network slice in 5G communications.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that involve a wireless access device receiving a service packet, adding a network slice identifier to it, and sending it to a forwarding device, which can then import the packet into the corresponding network slice, using tunnel encapsulation and IPv6 or GTP-U headers to carry the identifier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal provides S-NSSAI directly to the network, then the network can select the proper network slice, but the method has poor scalability and convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless access device as an intermediary between the terminal and the network. The terminal sends service packets to the wireless access device, which then adds the network slice identifier (NSID) to the packet header and forwards it to the forwarding device. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by allowing the terminal to operate simply while the wireless access device handles the complexity of slice identification and routing, thereby improving both scalability and convenience simultaneously
2Adaptability or versatility
If the network uses traditional methods for slice selection, then the terminal can access the matched network slice, but the method lacks scalability for diverse 5G applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network slice identification and routing function from the terminal to the wireless access device. The terminal only needs to send service packets, while the wireless access device segments the task of adding NSID and the forwarding device segments the task of importing packets into appropriate network slices. This segmentation allows the system to scale to diverse 5G applications without increasing terminal complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless access device acts as an intermediary that bridges the simple terminal and the complex network infrastructure. It performs the function of adding network slice identifiers to service packets, thereby reducing terminal complexity while maintaining the ability to support diverse 5G applications through proper slice routing
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a method and an apparatus for obtaining a network slice identifier. In the method, a wireless access device receives a first service packet sent by a terminal; the wireless access device obtains a second service packet based on the first service packet, where the second service packet includes the first service packet and a network slice identifier; and the wireless access device sends the second service packet to a forwarding device.