SR Gateway Packet Conversion for Slice-Aware Route Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for managing network slices in mobile networks are complex and cumbersome, particularly in setting route information, which complicates the integration of IP networks.

Innovation Solution

A communication system incorporating an N4 border gateway protocol controller (N4BGPC) and segment routing gateway (SRGW) that facilitates the conversion between SRv6 and GTP-U compliant packets, enabling efficient route setting and management of network slices by using Segment Identifiers (SID) for precise VRF identification and slice-specific attributes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing techniques for managing network slices are used, then network slice management is possible, but the setting of route information becomes complex and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroute setting complexityVSAvoidnetwork slice management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an N4BGPC (N4 Border Gateway Protocol Packet Classifier) as an intermediary device that sits between the IP network and the mobile network. This N4BGPC performs packet classification and routing functions, converting complex network slice management operations into simpler IP-based routing operations. By using this intermediary, the system maintains slice-specific routing capabilities while operating within the simpler IP network framework, thus reducing route setting complexity without sacrificing network slice management functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If network slices are managed within the mobile network, then slice-specific routing is maintained, but integration with IP networks becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIP network integration capabilityVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The N4BGPC acts as a mediator that translates between mobile network slice routing requirements and IP network routing protocols. It classifies packets based on network slice identifiers and applies appropriate routing policies, enabling seamless integration between IP networks and mobile network slices without requiring complex configurations in either network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The N4BGPC performs multiple functions including packet classification, routing decision-making, and protocol conversion. This multi-functional device handles both IP network traffic and mobile network slice traffic through a single interface, reducing the need for separate specialized components and simplifying the overall integration architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250227061A1Communication system, controller, computer-readable storage medium, and information processing method

Publication Date: 2025.07.10 SOFTBANK CORPORATION

AI summary

A communication system includes a controller; and an SR gateway which converts an SRv6-compliant packet received from an IP network into a GTP-U-compliant packet, wherein the controller includes an advertisement unit which advertises route information of the UE including slice identification information which allows identification of a slice corresponding to the UE and an address of a gNB to which the UE is connected to the SR gateway; and the SR gateway includes a route table which receives the route information of the UE and registers a route destined for the UE.