Shareable Network Slice Instance Modification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network slicing technologies in virtual telecommunications networks face limitations in dynamically adjusting resources to accommodate additional similar services without terminating existing network slice instances (NSIs), leading to inefficiencies in resource utilization and service expansion.

Innovation Solution

A method that allows for the addition of new services to an existing shareable NSI without terminating it, by modifying the NSI to include new services and adjusting resource allocations, enabling multiplexing gains and efficient resource management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a new NSI is created for each additional VN service, then service capability is ensured, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice capabilityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple similar VN services into a single shareable NSI. When a new service request arrives, the system checks if an existing NSI can accommodate it, and if so, adds the service to the existing NSI rather than creating a new instance. This combining approach maintains service capability while improving resource utilization by eliminating redundant NSIs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes NSIs multi-functional by enabling them to serve multiple VN services simultaneously. A single NSI is designed to be universal and can be shared across different services that have similar resource requirements, thereby reducing the total number of NSIs needed and improving overall resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of energy

If network resources are virtualized and shared, then resource utilization improves, but service isolation and reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidservice isolation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments services into categories based on their resource requirements and characteristics. Services with similar profiles are grouped together and can share the same NSI, while maintaining logical isolation through service-specific configurations and resource allocation policies within the shared NSI.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different services within a shared NSI to have service-specific resource allocations, priority levels, and configuration parameters. Each service maintains its own service level agreement (SLA) and quality of service (QoS) parameters, ensuring that while resources are shared, each service receives appropriate isolation and reliability guarantees tailored to its specific needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3527017B1Creation and modification of shareable slice instances
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3527017B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3527017B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3527017B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for providing a service in a telecommunications network comprising a plurality of resources and at least one slice of resources. The method comprises actions of receiving, creating and modifying. A request is received from a customer to serve a group of user devices by a first service. A new NSI is created to provide the first service, if it is determined that there is no existing NSI, shareable between a plurality of services, that can provide the first service. An existing NSI, shareable between a plurality of services, is modified to serve the group of user devices by that first service in addition to at least one second service that is already provided by the existing NSI, if it is determined that the existing NSI can provide the first service.