Network Slice Selection via Cache Inventory
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network slice selection mechanisms in 5G technologies do not optimize for rapid content access, particularly cached content, and lack information to select the most suitable network slice based on user requirements, leading to suboptimal user experience and increased delay in content delivery.
Innovation Solution
A network node functioning as a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) is configured to request and receive cache data from a Cache Inventory Repository (CIR) to identify network slices caching specific content, allowing it to select the most appropriate slice for user equipment (UE) based on cached content, historical, and current content data, thereby optimizing network slice and access network selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If network slice selection is performed based on limited data (subscription information, UE usage type, service type, usage class, and UE capabilities), then the selection process is simple and fast, but the user experience is suboptimal and delay in content delivery is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by caching content data in network slices before user requests arrive. The Cache Inventory Repository pre-populates caches with content that is likely to be requested, based on historical data and predictions, so that when a user requests content, it can be delivered rapidly from the cache without requiring complex real-time slice selection analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The Cache Inventory Repository acts as an intermediary between the content delivery network and the user equipment. It mediates the slice selection process by providing cache status information that guides the selection, allowing the system to make informed decisions without requiring the NSSF to perform complex analysis of all possible factors
2Productivity
If the NSSF lacks information about cached content in network slices, then the slice selection mechanism remains simple, but the system cannot optimize for rapid access to cached content
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having the Cache Inventory Repository continuously monitor and report cache status information to the NSSF. This feedback loop provides real-time information about which content is cached in which network slices, enabling the NSSF to make informed slice selection decisions that optimize for rapid content delivery from localized caches
Solution Approach 2:
The Cache Inventory Repository serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between distributed cache nodes and the central NSSF. It collects information from various cache locations and presents it in a format that the NSSF can use for slice selection, without requiring the NSSF to directly query each cache node
3Ease of operation
If multiple network slices are available for a UE but selection is based on limited criteria, then the system is easier to manage, but the user experience and network efficiency are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The Cache Inventory Repository acts as an intermediary that simplifies management while improving quality of service. It automatically tracks and reports cache status information to the NSSF, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing the operational burden on network administrators, while simultaneously enabling optimized slice selection based on real-time cache availability
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for selecting a network slice to which a User Equipment (UE) can connect in the telecommunications network. A Cache Inventory Repository (CIR) stores cache associations indicating content cached at each of a plurality of Cache Network Functions (Cache NFs) and the network slice in which each Cache NR is located. A Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) transmits to the CIR a request for cache data indicating a particular content cached in one or more network slices. The CIR determines the requested cache data based on the stored cache associations and transmits the requested cache data to the NSSF. The NSSF selects a network slice to which the UE can connect, based at least in part on the received cache data identifying the one or more network slices.