SD-WAN Gateway Interlocking 5G Network Slicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems face challenges in guaranteeing end-to-end service level agreements (SLAs) due to the difficulty in interlocking network slicing and software defined wide area networks (SD-WAN) across wireless and data networks, particularly in 5G systems where wireless networks are treated as single connections and data networks struggle to meet SLA requirements.
Innovation Solution
The method involves network nodes with transceivers and processors that receive packets, identify paths and slices based on packet information, and transmit them through appropriate data networks and slices to ensure end-to-end SLA compliance, using SD-WAN controllers to set policies and manage network resources dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network slicing is used in wireless networks, then service level agreement guarantee in wireless network is improved, but end-to-end SLA guarantee across wireless and data networks deteriorates due to inability to interlock with data network slicing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges network slicing functionality into the SD-WAN system, creating a unified architecture where wireless network slicing and data network slicing operate as an integrated end-to-end system. The SD-WAN gateway receives packets from the wireless network, identifies the network slice, and routes them through appropriate data network slices, combining previously separate slicing mechanisms into a cohesive end-to-end solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The SD-WAN gateway acts as an intermediary between the wireless network and data network, translating and coordinating slice identifiers and routing information between the two networks. It receives packets with network slice information from the wireless network, processes this information, and determines appropriate data network paths and slices, serving as a mediator that enables interlocking between the two previously incompatible systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If SD-WAN is used in data networks, then network flexibility and path selection are improved, but service level agreement guarantee in wireless network deteriorates due to treating wireless network as single connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless network connection into multiple virtual connections corresponding to different network slices. Instead of treating the wireless network as a single monolithic connection, the system divides it into slice-specific virtual connections, each with its own SLA parameters and routing policies. This segmentation allows SD-WAN to apply its flexibility and path selection capabilities to each slice independently while maintaining SLA guarantees.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the network configuration by creating and managing multiple virtual wireless network connections based on network slice requirements. The SD-WAN gateway dynamically determines routing paths, selects appropriate data network slices, and adjusts forwarding policies in real-time based on the identified network slice, enabling both flexibility and SLA guarantee simultaneously.
3Productivity
If network slicing and SD-WAN are used separately in wireless and data networks, then individual network performance is improved, but end-to-end service level agreement guarantee deteriorates due to lack of interlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges network slicing and SD-WAN functionalities into a unified end-to-end system. The SD-WAN gateway integrates wireless network slice identification with data network path selection and slicing, combining previously separate mechanisms into a coordinated system that maintains both individual network performance and end-to-end SLA guarantees through unified policy enforcement.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a 5th generation (5G) or pre-5G communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate beyond-4th generation (4G) communication system such as long-term evolution (LTE). The disclosure relates to a method performed by a first network node in a communication system. The method includes the operations of receiving a packet from a user plane function (UPF), identifying a path of a data network on the basis of information included in the packet, and transmitting the packet through the path of the data network.