Hierarchical Network Slice Selector for Traffic Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks lack the adaptability to differentiate and prioritize various types of traffic effectively, such as those from mobile phones, IoT devices, and self-driving automobiles, which requires more advanced traffic differentiation and handling based on application types and device types, beyond what 4G and 5G standards provide.
Innovation Solution
The establishment of a virtual service network across datacenters, utilizing network slice selectors to assign data messages to specific network slices, which provide tailored network services, including service chaining and context management, implemented through virtual machines, containers, or hardware forwarding elements, ensuring correct processing and quality of service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If 4G and 5G standards are used for traffic differentiation, then basic network service is provided, but adaptability to different device types and application types is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into multiple network slices, each tailored to specific device types or application types. The system divides the network infrastructure into isolated logical segments that can independently handle different traffic requirements, enabling specialized optimization for IoT devices, mobile phones, self-driving automobiles, and other device categories without requiring complete network redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The network slice selector is designed as a universal component that can handle multiple device types and application types through a single platform. This multi-functional selector uses machine learning models to adaptively route various traffic types (streaming video, web browsing, telephone calls, autonomous vehicle data) through appropriate network slices, eliminating the need for separate specialized routing systems for each device category
2Productivity
If network slice selectors are configured at each cellular tower and edge cloud, then traffic differentiation is improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary classification of data messages at the network slice selector before they enter the complex service chaining infrastructure. By pre-categorizing traffic into appropriate network slices using machine learning models, the system prepares traffic for efficient processing downstream, reducing the complexity burden on individual cellular towers and edge clouds while maintaining high traffic processing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The network slice selector acts as an intermediary component between the access network and the core network services. This mediator uses machine learning to intelligently route traffic between different network slices, reducing the processing complexity at individual network nodes by centralizing the decision-making function in a dedicated selector that can be implemented as a virtual machine, container, or software forwarding element
3Reliability
If service chaining is implemented to ensure correct network service processing, then quality of service is improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs service chaining operations in advance by pre-establishing service paths and caching routing information for common traffic patterns. When data messages arrive, the network slice selector can quickly redirect them along pre-configured service chains, reducing the time required for real-time service processing while maintaining correct service ordering and quality of service requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements differentiated service chaining strategies for different network slices based on their specific requirements. For latency-sensitive applications like self-driving automobile traffic, the system uses simplified service chains with minimal processing steps, while for less time-critical services like streaming video, more comprehensive service chaining is applied. This local optimization of service chain complexity reduces overall latency while maintaining quality of service
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide a method for a first network slice selector that assigns data messages to a first set of network slices that each comprises an ordered set of network services. The method receives a data message originating from an electronic endpoint device. A second network slice selector previously (i) assigned the data message to a first network slice of a second set of network slices and, (ii) based on the assignment of the data message to the first network slice, provided the data message to the first network slice selector. The method assigns the data message to a second network slice from the first et of network slices. The method provides the data message to a first network service of the selected second network slice.