Network-initiated slice-based session handover
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for network-initiated slice-based handover in a cellular communications system. In one embodiment, a method in a cellular communications system comprises, at a network node in a core network of the cellular communications system, detecting a triggering event for a network slice handover for a session of a particular wireless communication device. The method further comprises, at the network node and responsive to detecting the triggering event, identifying a target network slice for the network slice handover and sending, to a Policy and Control Function (PCF) in the core network, a message that initiates a network slice handover of the session from a source network slice to the target network slice. The method further comprises, at the PCF, receiving the message that initiates the network slice handover and performing an action to cause the network slice handover.
1 . A method of operation of a network node in a core network of a cellular communications system for network slice handover, the method comprising:
detecting a triggering event for a network slice handover for a session of a particular wireless communication device;
responsive to detecting the triggering event for the network slice handover:
identifying a target network slice for the network slice handover for the session of the particular wireless communication device; and
performing an action that initiates the network slice handover of the session of the particular wireless communication device from a source network slice to the target network slice wherein performing the action comprises sending, to a Policy and Control Function, PCF, in the core network, a message that initiates the network slice handover of the session of the particular wireless communication device from the source network slice to the target network slice;
wherein the message that initiates the network slice handover comprises information that identifies the target network slice;
wherein the information that identifies the target network slice is a Subscribed Network Slice Selection Assistance Information, S-NSSAI, of the target network slice;
wherein the source network slice is associated to a first Subscriber Identity Module, SIM, of the wireless communication device, the target network slice is associated to a second SIM of the wireless communication device, and the first and second SIMs are associated to a same network operator; and
the method further comprises: providing an identity of a Session Management Function, SMF, to another network node to ensure that a same SMF is selected regardless of whether the first SIM or the second SIM is used.
2 . A physical infrastructure node for implementing a network node for a core network of a cellular communications system for network slice handover, the physical infrastructure node comprising:
a network interface; and
processing circuitry associated with the network interface comprising at least one processor and a memory, the memory comprising instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the physical infrastructure node to:
detect a triggering event for a network slice handover for a session of a particular wireless communication device; and
responsive to detecting the triggering event for the network slice handover:
identify a target network slice for the network slice handover for the session of the particular wireless communication device; and
perform an action that initiates the network slice handover of the session of the particular wireless communication device from a source network slice to the target network slice wherein performing the action comprises sending, to a Policy and Control Function, PCF, in the core network, a message that initiates the network slice handover of the session of the particular wireless communication device from the source network slice to the target network slice;
wherein the message that initiates the network slice handover comprises information that identifies the target network slice;
wherein the information that identifies the target network slice is a Subscribed Network Slice Selection Assistance Information, S-NSSAI, of the target network slice;
wherein the source network slice is associated to a first Subscriber Identity Module, SIM, of the wireless communication device, the target network slice is associated to a second SIM of the wireless communication device, and the first and second SIMs are associated to a same network operator; and
the processing circuitry is further configured to cause the physical infrastructure node to: provide an identity of a Session Management Function, SMF, to another network node to ensure that a same SMF is selected regardless of whether the first SIM or the second SIM is used.