Network Slice Management via Inter-Vendor Subnet Negotiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of network slicing management, existing technologies face challenges in effectively managing network slices across different vendors due to the lack of information sharing and coordination between network management systems from different vendors, leading to inefficiencies in inter-vendor scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a method where a first management unit determines subnet requirement information based on network slice requirement information and sends a negotiation request to a second management unit to query its support status, allowing for negotiation and coordination between management units to ensure effective management of network slices in inter-vendor scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an NMS selects NF instances and sends configuration parameters to different EMSs for deployment, then the network slice can be deployed, but in inter-vendor scenarios where NMS and EMS are from different vendors, effective management cannot be achieved due to lack of information sharing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a negotiation mechanism as an intermediary layer between NMS and EMS from different vendors. The NMS sends negotiation requests with NF instance information to the EMS, and the EMS responds with support status. This mediator mechanism enables information exchange and coordination between vendor-specific systems, resolving the information isolation problem in inter-vendor scenarios.
2Reliability
If vendor-specific management systems are used, then each vendor can manage their components effectively, but coordination and information sharing between different vendors' systems cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal negotiation interface that works across different vendor-specific management systems. The negotiation request and response mechanisms are designed to be vendor-agnostic, allowing each vendor to maintain their proprietary EMS/NMS implementations while enabling standardized inter-vendor coordination through the common negotiation protocol.
3Extent of automation
If centralized NMS controls all NF instance selection, then deployment can be automated, but flexibility in inter-vendor scenarios is reduced due to inability to negotiate subnet requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static, centralized NMS control model into a dynamic negotiation-based model. Instead of the NMS unilaterally selecting NF instances, the system dynamically exchanges negotiation requests and responses between NMS and EMS, allowing both sides to adapt their decisions based on real-time capability information and requirements, thus maintaining automation while increasing flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A network slice management method, and a management unit and a system that are based on the method are provided. The method includes: determining, by a first management unit, subnet requirement information based on network slice requirement information, where a network slice includes at least one subnet; sending, by the first management unit, a first negotiation request to a second management unit, where the first negotiation request carries the subnet requirement information, and the first negotiation request is used to query for a support status of the second management unit for the subnet requirement information; and determining, by the second management unit, that the second management unit can support the subnet requirement information, or determining, by the second management unit, that the second management unit cannot support the subnet requirement information.