UPF Dynamic Addressing for 5G Network Slice Traffic Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to provide efficient and resource-conserving mechanisms for identifying per slice traffic in 5G transport networks, leading to inefficient management and resource consumption due to the large number of network slices and frequent additions/deletions.
Innovation Solution
A user plane function (UPF) maintains a list of active slice identifiers and dynamically assigns unique network addresses based on slice identifiers, creating new addresses when necessary, thereby eliminating the need for provisioning on other UPFs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed provisioning of network slice addresses on all UPFs is implemented, then network slice traffic identification is achieved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the address provisioning responsibility from individual UPFs and centralizes it in the SMF. Instead of each UPF having pre-provisioned addresses for all slices, the SMF dynamically allocates addresses only when needed, removing the complexity of widespread address provisioning across the network
Solution Approach 2:
The UPF performs self-service by dynamically generating its own slice-specific addresses based on slice identifiers received during session establishment. The UPF maintains a list of active slice identifiers and autonomously creates addresses without requiring external provisioning or configuration from the network operator
2Measurement precision
If unique network addresses are assigned to each network slice, then traffic identification accuracy is improved, but loss of networking resources increases due to frequent address allocations and deletions
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static address provisioning to dynamic address allocation. Addresses are allocated on-demand when a new slice is created and deallocated when a slice is deleted. The UPF dynamically generates addresses by combining its own identifier with the slice identifier, allowing the network to adapt to changing slice requirements without resource waste
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from fixed address assignment to parameter-based address generation. Instead of using predetermined addresses, the system generates addresses by combining UPF identifier parameters with slice identifier parameters, creating unique addresses dynamically based on the current network state and slice requirements
3Adaptability or versatility
If large quantities of network addresses are allocated for network slices, then slice management capability is enhanced, but device complexity and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The UPF's address generation mechanism is universal and can be applied to any slice identifier. The UPF uses a consistent method (combining UPF identifier with slice identifier) that works for all slices, eliminating the need for slice-specific address configurations. This multi-functional approach simplifies management while maintaining full slice management capability
Solution Approach 2:
The UPF receives feedback in the form of slice identifiers from the SMF during session establishment. Based on this feedback, the UPF dynamically determines which addresses to allocate and generates appropriate addresses. This feedback mechanism ensures the system adapts to actual network needs without maintaining unnecessary address inventories
Data Source
AI summary
A network device may maintain a list of existing slice identifiers, associated with slices of a core network, that are in use in active UE sessions, and may receive a slice identifier associated with a slice of the core network and provided in a request to establish a session between a UE and the slice of the core network. The network device may determine whether the slice identifier matches an existing slice identifier included in the list, and may create a new network address, with an address of the network device and the slice identifier, based on the slice identifier failing to match an existing slice identifier included in the list. The network device may utilize the new network address to establish the session between the UE and the slice of the core network.