Network Slice Configuration via Route Control Messages for Fast Failover
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network slice configurations result in service interruptions due to inconsistent path configuration information delivery, particularly during protection path switching scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize route control messages, such as BGP, PCEP, or OpenFlow, to efficiently deliver slice configuration information to network nodes, reducing the need for point-to-point delivery and minimizing message redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If slice configuration information is delivered via netconf in a point-to-point manner, then configuration can be reliably delivered to each network node, but the quantity of messages increases and delivery efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple point-to-point configuration delivery operations into a single multicast operation. The controller sends slice configuration information to multiple network nodes simultaneously through a multicast mechanism, consolidating what would otherwise be multiple separate message transmissions into one efficient operation, thereby reducing message quantity while maintaining reliable delivery to all intended nodes
2Reliability
If slice configuration information is delivered via netconf to network nodes, then configuration can be transmitted, but service interruption occurs during protection path switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing backup paths and pre-configuring network nodes with backup path information before actual failure occurs. When a failure is detected, the network node can immediately switch to the pre-prepared backup path without waiting for configuration delivery, thereby eliminating service interruption time. The controller also proactively sends configuration information to multiple nodes in advance so they are ready for immediate failover
3Productivity
If route control message is used to deliver slice configuration information, then delivery efficiency increases and message quantity reduces, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a route control message as an intermediary mechanism between the controller and network nodes. This intermediary carries slice configuration information in a standardized format that network nodes can process automatically. The route control message acts as a mediator that simplifies the communication protocol by providing a unified message structure for configuration delivery, reducing the complexity of handling multiple different message types while improving delivery efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a slice configuration information processing method. A controller may determine slice configuration information of each link in at least one link included in a first packet forwarding path, and send a route control message including the slice configuration information of each link to a network node in the first packet forwarding path. Compared with delivering the slice configuration information via a network configuration, delivering the slice configuration information via the route control message has higher delivery efficiency. Therefore, efficiency of receiving the slice configuration information by the network node is improved, and correspondingly, efficiency of forwarding a service by the network node based on the slice configuration information is improved. Especially in a protection path switching scenario, according to this solution, a network node can switch a service to a backup path for forwarding as soon as possible, thereby reducing service interruption.