Network Slice Topology Multiplexing to Reduce IGP Route Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing network slice deployment solutions, the need to configure each network slice with an Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) for forming network layer topology information leads to a high resource cost due to the large number of routes required to advertise this information, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method where a first network device determines that a second network slice's topology is included in a first network slice's topology, allowing it to multiplex network layer topology information across multiple slices, reducing the number of routes needed to advertise this information and thereby reducing resource costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each network slice is separately configured with IGP to form network layer topology information, then the network layer topology information of each network slice can be independently established, but a large quantity of routes are required to advertise the network layer topology information, leading to high resource costs for the network device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the network layer topology information of multiple network slices by identifying inclusion relationships between their link layer topologies. When the link layer topology of a second network slice is determined to be included in the link layer topology of a first network slice, the network device merges their network layer topology information, allowing the second network slice to reuse the first network slice's topology data rather than maintaining separate routes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables one network layer topology information structure to serve multiple network slices simultaneously. By establishing that network layer topology information of one network slice can be multiplexed on multiple network slices through inclusion relationship detection, the same topology information fulfills the routing requirements of multiple slices, reducing the overall quantity of routes needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fine-granularity slicing is performed on a physical interface to create multiple logical interfaces for different network slices, then each network slice can have dedicated configuration, but each logical interface requires separate IGP configuration, increasing device complexity and resource consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the IGP configuration requirements of multiple network slices by detecting inclusion relationships between their link layer topologies. When inclusion is detected, the network device merges the topology information processing, allowing multiple slices to share the same IGP configuration rather than requiring separate configurations for each slice, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of inclusion relationships between link layer topologies before finalizing the network layer topology information configuration. By预先 identifying which network slices have included topologies, the system can prepare merged topology information in advance, avoiding the need for separate IGP configurations and reducing overall configuration complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes: A first network device obtains first link layer topology information corresponding to a first network slice; the first network device obtains second link layer topology information corresponding to a second network slice; the first network device determines, based on the first link layer topology information and the second link layer topology information, that a link layer topology of the second network slice is included in a link layer topology of the first network slice; the first network device receives network layer topology information that is of the first network slice and that is sent by a second network device; and the first network device determines network layer topology information of the second network slice based on the second link layer topology information and the network layer topology information of the first network slice.