Network Slice Upgrade Orchestration Across Multiple NFs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G network slice upgrade technologies fail to perform collaborative upgrades across multiple network functions (NFs) and lack effective end-to-end verification during upgrades, leading to potential service disruptions and failures.
Innovation Solution
A network slice upgrade master control unit coordinates the upgrade of multiple NFs by managing upgrade plans, dial tests, and rollback procedures, ensuring only a portion of service instances are upgraded at a time, with real-time monitoring and verification to ensure minimal disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single NF is upgraded at a time, then the upgrade process is simple to manage, but collaborative upgrade across multiple NFs in network slice cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The network slice upgrade system is segmented into multiple independent NFs, each with its own service instances. The upgrade process divides the network slice into manageable NF units that can be upgraded individually while maintaining overall coordination through the master control unit, enabling both simple management and collaborative upgrade capability
Solution Approach 2:
The master control unit serves multiple functions: it manages upgrade plans, coordinates dial tests, controls rollback procedures, and monitors multiple NFs simultaneously. This multi-functional design enables the system to achieve collaborative upgrade across multiple NFs while maintaining operational simplicity through a single control point
2Productivity
If all service instances are upgraded at once, then the upgrade is completed quickly, but service processing may be affected and risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system upgrades service instances in controlled batches rather than all at once or one at a time. The master control unit manages the upgrade of multiple service instances across different NFs in a coordinated manner, achieving faster upgrade speed while maintaining service stability through partial upgrading with proper coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs dial tests before completing the full upgrade to verify service functionality. This preliminary verification acts as a cushion, ensuring that upgrades do not adversely affect service processing. The rollback mechanism also provides a safety cushion in case verification fails
3Productivity
If upgrade verification is performed after complete upgrade, then the upgrade process is efficient, but risk verification cannot be performed and service disruptions may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs dial tests after upgrading a portion of service instances but before completing the full upgrade. This preliminary verification allows risk assessment early in the process, enabling the system to confirm upgrade effectiveness and detect issues before full deployment, thus maintaining both efficiency and reliability
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple NFs are upgraded cooperatively, then end-to-end network upgrade is achieved, but service processing may be affected during upgrade
Solution Approach 1:
The master control unit receives feedback from each NF regarding upgrade status and service functionality. Based on this feedback, the control unit makes real-time decisions about continuing or stopping the upgrade process. This feedback mechanism ensures that cooperative NF upgrades are performed in a way that maintains service processing continuity
Data Source
AI summary
A network slice upgrading method and device are disclosed. The method may include, acquiring version information of each service instance, and receiving an upgrade instruction; downloading an upgrade package after receiving the upgrade instruction, and simultaneously performing an upgrade to a service instance in each NF according to the upgrade package until each upgrade is completed; wherein, the upgrade instruction comprises a preset upgrade proportion and an upgrade order.