Wireless Network Slice Routing for VPN-Free Private Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless networks face challenges in providing secure and private network connectivity without requiring devices to implement or configure virtual private networks (VPNs), especially for devices that are not network slice-aware, and there is a need for flexible deployment options, including Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) devices.
Innovation Solution
A Forwarding Slice (FSF) device communicates with wireless networks to establish and manage private network slices, routing traffic based on slice forwarding rules, allowing devices to access secure connectivity without VPN configuration, and supporting various connection interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices implement VPN configuration for secure connectivity, then security and privacy features are provided, but device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network slice as an intermediary layer between devices and the core network. This network slice acts as a mediator that provides VPN-like security and privacy features without requiring devices to implement or configure VPN protocols. The network slice encapsulates and secures traffic at the network layer, eliminating the need for device-level VPN configuration while maintaining security requirements.
2Reliability
If discrete physical hardware sets are used for different network slices, then network slice separation and security are improved, but device complexity and resource allocation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple network slices onto shared physical hardware infrastructure. Instead of requiring discrete physical hardware sets for each network slice, the invention allows multiple slices to coexist on the same physical network infrastructure, separated logically through virtualization and network layer protocols. This combining approach maintains slice separation and security while eliminating the complexity of managing separate physical hardware for each slice.
3Reliability
If network slices are implemented with separate resource allocations, then QoS and performance thresholds are improved, but network configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal network slice framework that can accommodate multiple QoS requirements and performance thresholds through a single configurable system. The network slice infrastructure is designed to be multi-functional, supporting different service levels, priority configurations, and performance parameters within the same slice structure. This universality allows operators to configure diverse QoS requirements without increasing overall system complexity, as the same mechanisms handle all slice management tasks.
Data Source
AI summary
A first device described herein may maintain a set of slice forwarding rules that include information associating a particular set of traffic attributes with a particular network slice of a wireless network. The first device may receive, via a particular interface of one or more interfaces of the first device, traffic from a second device. The first device may compare attributes of the traffic to the slice forwarding rules. The first device may determine, based on the comparing, that the attributes of the traffic match the particular set of attributes associated with the particular network slice of the wireless network; and may output, via the particular network slice, the traffic to the wireless network. The first device may include a Fixed Wireless Access (“FWA”) device that communicates with a radio access network (“RAN”) of the wireless network.