Network Slice Registrar Virtual Function for 5G Core
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G network slicing is inflexible and lacks efficient management, making it difficult to track and utilize multiple network slices associated with a single user equipment (UE) or enterprise, leading to inefficient resource allocation and increased processing burden.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Network Slice Registrar Function (NSRF) as a virtual network function in the 5G core network, which creates and manages distributed ledgers for each network slice, tracks associations between slices, and provides information to other functions for efficient resource management and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional network slicing management is used, then network slice functionality is provided, but management efficiency is low and tracking multiple slices per UE is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a distributed ledger (a digital copy of network slice information) that replicates and stores network slice allocation data across multiple nodes. This copying mechanism enables efficient tracking of multiple network slices per UE without increasing management complexity, as the ledger automatically maintains consistency across all copies through cryptographic hashing and consensus protocols.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple network slices are allocated to a single UE, then communication with multiple endpoints is enabled, but resource allocation becomes inefficient and processing burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distributed ledger acts as an intermediary between the network slice management functions and the actual network resources. It mediates the allocation process by providing a single source of truth that all network functions can query, eliminating the need for complex inter-function communication and coordination when managing multiple slices per UE. The ledger's immutable record of slice associations simplifies resource allocation decisions.
3Reliability
If network slice information is distributed across multiple functions, then network functionality is maintained, but information consistency and tracking become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the scattered network slice information from multiple network functions into a single consolidated distributed ledger. This combining of previously distributed data into a unified structure maintains the reliability benefits of distributed systems while eliminating the tracking and consistency problems, as all slice allocation information is now accessible from a single immutable record that can be queried by any authorized function.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of communicating over a plurality of network slices concurrently. The method comprises building a distributed ledger by a network slice registrar function (NSRF) application executing on a computer, where the distributed ledger records an association between a first network slice allocated to a user equipment (UE) and a second network slice allocated to the UE, providing information about the association of the UE to the first network slice and the second network slice by the NSRF application to a network slice selector function (NSSF), establishing a first communication link between the UE and a first call end point via the first network slice by a first user plane function (UPF) and establishing a second communication link between the UE and a second call end point via the second network slice by a second UPF based on the information provided by the NSRF application to the NSSF.