Network Slice Hibernation for Dynamic RAN Resource Reuse
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Network slicing systems face inefficiencies due to reserved resources going unused when service consumers are not continuously online, leading to operational inefficiencies and increased costs for network operators.
Innovation Solution
Introduce a hibernation state within the network slice life-cycle, where underutilized resources are released for reuse by other slices based on predefined policies, with priority management for resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network slice resources are reserved to fulfill service profiles, then service reliability is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates when service consumers are not continuously online
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic hibernation state that allows network slice resources to transition between active and hibernated states based on service consumer activity. This dynamic state management enables resources to be reserved when needed for reliability while being released when not in use, resolving the contradiction between service reliability and resource utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of network slice resources by introducing a hibernation mode with different resource allocation parameters compared to the active state. This parameter change allows the system to maintain service reliability when active while improving resource utilization efficiency during hibernation by releasing underutilized resources
2Reliability
If RAN resources are reserved for network slice, then quality of service is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates due to underutilized resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring of service consumer activity and resource utilization to determine when to transition network slice resources between active and hibernation states. This periodic action ensures quality of service is maintained when needed while avoiding continuous resource reservation that would reduce operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters by introducing a hibernation state with reduced resource consumption parameters. This allows the system to maintain quality of service through parameter adjustments rather than continuous full-resource allocation, thereby improving operational efficiency
3Reliability
If network slice resources are assigned to original service, then service priority is improved, but resource flexibility deteriorates preventing other services from using underutilized resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation through the hibernation state mechanism. When the original service is active, it receives priority resource allocation. When the service enters hibernation, resources are released for other services to use. This dynamic approach maintains service priority when needed while enabling resource flexibility for multi-service utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes network resources universal by allowing them to serve multiple services through the hibernation mechanism. Resources are allocated to the original service when active, but can be universally reused by other services when the original service is in hibernation, thereby improving both service priority and resource flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides systems, devices, apparatuses, and methods, including computer programs encoded on storage media, for introducing a hibernation state. The method includes receiving a first trigger on a network slice to transition the network slice from an operation state to a hibernation state. The hibernation state includes a full hibernation state and a partial hibernation state. The method includes releasing a first subset of a network resource associated with the network slice while maintaining a second subset of network resources associated with the network slice. The method includes transitioning a state of the network slice to be in the partial hibernation state based on the state of at least one slice subnet. The at least one slice subnet is in a hibernation state while one or more other slice subnets remain active.