Automated Network Slice Instance Creation via NSSF and NFVO
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G/NR wireless telecommunications systems lack automation in creating network slice instances (NSIs), leading to inefficiencies, resource wastage, and human subjectivity in network resource management.
Innovation Solution
The Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) is designated to automatically create NSIs based on User Equipment (UE) provided network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI), utilizing the Network Function Virtualization Orchestration (NFVO) to allocate resources, thereby automating the process and improving speed and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual processes are used to create network slice instances, then human control and flexibility are maintained, but resource wastage and inefficiency occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-service creation of network slice instances through the NSSF, which automatically determines location information, selects appropriate network slice instances, and provisions resources without human intervention. This eliminates manual processes while maintaining optimal resource allocation through algorithmic decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The NSSF determines location information and identifies suitable network slice instances in advance before actual resource allocation occurs. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-configure and prepare resources based on predicted needs, reducing wastage by only instantiating resources when and where they are actually required.
2Productivity
If automated processes are implemented for network slice instance creation, then speed and efficiency improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The NSSF is designed as a multi-functional network function that handles multiple tasks including location determination, network slice instance selection, resource allocation coordination, and provisioning management. By consolidating these functions into a single universal component, the system achieves automation without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The NSSF acts as an intermediary between the UE, AMF, and NFVO, translating requirements into automated actions. This intermediary role simplifies the automation architecture by centralizing the intelligence needed for decision-making, rather than distributing complex logic across multiple components.
3Manufacturing precision
If network slice instances are created without location-based determination, then creation speed increases, but resource allocation accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The NSSF determines location information as a preliminary step before selecting network slice instances. This advance determination of location context enables accurate resource allocation decisions to be made quickly when needed, as the location data is already available in the system rather than being determined during the resource allocation process.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method can include receiving, by a device, single-network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) associated with a user equipment. The S-NSSAI can be associated with a network. The method can include determining location information associated with the user equipment, determining that a network slice instance (NSI) is to be created for the S-NSSAI, and creating an NSI based on a network service (NS) associated with the user equipment. The NSI can be created using a network function virtualization orchestrator (NFVO), associated with the network, that allocates resources, of the network, for the NSI according to the NS.