Network Slice Topology for Consumer Workload Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G slicing systems do not allow slice consumers to run or operate their own, consumer-defined workloads within a network slice tailored to meet their specific application needs, limiting flexibility and revenue potential.
Innovation Solution
Enable slice consumers to instantiate consumer-defined workloads at specific locations within an instantiated network slice using topology information provided by the slice provider, allowing them to operate applications like IoT controllers and DNS servers in proximity to slice resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If slice consumers use predefined network slice resources provided by the slice provider, then network slice functionality is established, but flexibility to run consumer-defined workloads is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network slice into multiple network locations, each with its own slice resources. This allows consumers to selectively deploy workloads at specific locations rather than treating the network slice as a monolithic entity, thereby increasing flexibility while maintaining manageable complexity through modular organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to network slice resource allocation by defining multiple network locations. Consumers can now specify workload deployment along the location dimension, transforming a flat resource allocation model into a multi-dimensional one that enables finer control and customization.
2Ease of operation
If slice consumers deploy workloads at any network location, then workload placement flexibility is improved, but network management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-defining network locations and their associated slice resources before workload deployment. The slice provider function maintains a structured inventory of available locations and resources, allowing consumers to make informed deployment decisions without facing complex real-time management challenges.
Solution Approach 2:
The slice provider function acts as an intermediary between consumers and the physical network infrastructure. It abstracts the complexity of network resource management by providing a standardized interface for querying topology information and requesting workload instantiation, shielding consumers from underlying system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the slice provider provides detailed topology information, then consumer workload placement precision is improved, but information processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing topology information that is specific to each network location rather than a uniform, comprehensive view of the entire network. Consumers receive detailed information about slice resources at their requested location, enabling precise workload placement without being overwhelmed by unnecessary information from other locations.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are techniques to facilitate providing consumer-defined workloads for a network slice of a slice provider network. In at least one example, a method may include transmitting a query to a slice provider function for topology information of an instantiated network slice in which the instantiated network slice includes slice resources provided at a plurality of network locations. The method may further include obtaining the topology information that identifies, at least in part, the plurality of network locations at which the slice resources and identifying, based at least in part on the topology information, at least one network location of the instantiated network slice at which to instantiate a consumer-defined workload, and transmitting a request to instantiate the consumer-defined workload that includes at least one location identifier of the at least one network location and a workload identifier of the consumer-defined workload to be instantiated.