NSSMF-SB Interface for Faster Network Slice SLA Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network slicing management systems lack support for Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) between South Bound (SB) blocks, leading to intensified load on the Network Slice Subnet Management Function (NSSMF) due to the need for individual FCAPS metric collection and lack of awareness of Network Slice Subnet Instances (NSSIs), resulting in slow SLA violation detection and inefficient resource management.
Innovation Solution
Establishing an interface between the NSSMF and South Bound blocks (SB) to provide network slicing related information, enabling procedures like create slice, delete slice, SLA management, and notification management, allowing SB blocks to correlate metrics and detect SLA violations at the slice-subnet level, thereby distributing the load and reducing detection time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the NSSMF collects individual FCAPS metrics for all SB blocks at resource level management, then comprehensive network monitoring is achieved, but the load on the NSSMF is intensified and detection speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized FCAPS metric collection function into distributed collection at each SB block level. Each SB block independently collects and correlates metrics for its managed xNFs, eliminating the bottleneck at the NSSMF while maintaining comprehensive monitoring coverage across all network elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional approach by implementing FCAPS correlation at the SB block level rather than only at the NSSMF level. This creates a hierarchical monitoring dimension where local correlation occurs at SB blocks and aggregate management occurs at NSSMF, significantly reducing detection time and load on central functions.
2Device complexity
If the NSSMF interfaces with SB blocks at resource level management without slice awareness, then existing system architecture is maintained, but network slicing management efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the SB blocks slice-aware by enabling them to handle multiple functions: traditional resource level management and new network slicing management. The SB blocks now correlate FCAPS metrics with slice information and can detect SLA violations at both resource level and slice level, eliminating the need for separate slice-specific interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables SB blocks to autonomously perform slice management functions including collecting slice-related metrics, correlating them with slice information, and detecting SLA violations locally. This self-service capability at SB block level reduces the burden on NSSMF and accelerates detection without requiring complex centralized processing.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the NSSMF performs all slice management procedures centrally, then unified control is maintained, but the load on NSSMF increases and scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments slice management procedures into two layers: unified slice creation and deletion at NSSMF level, and distributed SLA management and monitoring at SB block level. This segmentation maintains control unity for critical operations while enabling scalable distributed execution for routine management tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces slice information as an intermediary that connects resource level management at SB blocks with network slicing management at NSSMF. The SB blocks use this slice information to correlate metrics and detect violations locally, while NSSMF maintains overall slice configuration and control, achieving both unity and scalability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a method and apparatus for network slicing management by slice subnet management function towards South Bound (SB) blocks. The method may comprise providing network slicing related information to South Bound, SB, blocks of the NSSMF to establish an interface between the NSSMF and the SB blocks; and performing network slice management procedure towards the SB blocks through communication between the NSSMF and the SB blocks via the established interface.