Network slicing management for the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) domain

1. An Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) slice selection manager configured for implementation at an edge of a plurality of IMS network slices of an IMS network, the IMS slice selection manager comprising:

one or more processors; and

a memory storing instructions;

the one or more processors, configured to access the instructions, to:

receive an IMS slice selection policy that is at least based on input from a unified data management function that is configured to store at least one of the following data: subscription, policy, and session-related context data;

receive an IMS service request for an IMS service;

select an IMS network slice from the plurality of IMS network slices to provide the IMS service based on the IMS slice selection policy; and

initiate routing of the IMS service request to the IMS network slice selected to provide the IMS service.

2. The IMS slice selection manager of claim 1 , wherein:

the IMS slice selection manager is implemented at a session border controller.

3. The IMS slice selection manager of claim 1 , the one or more processors, configured to access the instructions, to:

provide an identifier for the IMS network slice selected to provide the IMS service to a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) of a control plane of a next generation network.

4. The IMS slice selection manager of claim 3 , further comprising:

an interface component configured to directly communicate with the NSSF over a reference point.

5. The IMS slice selection manager of claim 1 , the one or more processors, configured to access the instructions, to:

implement an IMS policy manager configured to:

monitor for a change in network conditions;

modify at least one of the IMS network slices based on the change to the network conditions;

modify the IMS slice selection policy based on modification of the at least one of the IMS network slices; and

provide the IMS slice selection policy to the IMS slice selection manager.

6. The IMS slice selection manager of claim 5 , wherein:

the IMS policy manager is configured to interact with a management and organization element to modify the at least one of the IMS network slices.

7. The IMS slice selection manager of claim 5 , wherein:

the IMS policy manager is implemented in a Policy Control Function of a control plane of a next generation network.

8. A method of performing Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) slice selection, the method comprising:

receiving, at an IMS slice selection manager implemented at an edge of a plurality of IMS network slices of an IMS network, an IMS slice selection policy that is at least based on input from a unified data management function that is configured to store at least one of the following data: subscription, policy, and session-related context data;

receiving, at the IMS slice selection manager, an IMS service request for an IMS service;

selecting, at the IMS slice selection manager, an IMS network slice from the plurality of IMS network slices to provide the IMS service based on the IMS slice selection policy; and

initiating routing of the IMS service request to the IMS network slice selected to provide the IMS service.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

providing an identifier for the IMS network slice selected to provide the IMS service to a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) of a control plane of a next generation network.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

monitoring, at an IMS policy manager, for a change in network conditions;

modifying at least one of the IMS network slices based on the change to the network conditions;

modifying the IMS slice selection policy at the IMS policy manager based on modification of the at least one of the IMS network slices; and

providing the IMS slice selection policy to the IMS slice selection manager.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying programmed instructions executed by one or more processors, wherein the instructions direct the one or more processors to implement:

an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) slice selection manager at an edge of a plurality of IMS network slices of an IMS network;

wherein the IMS slice selection manager is configured to:

receive an IMS slice selection policy that is at least based on input from a unified data management function that is configured to store at least one of the following data, subscription, policy, and session-related context data;

receive an IMS service request for an IMS service;

select an IMS network slice from the plurality of IMS network slices to provide the IMS service based on the IMS slice selection policy; and

initiate routing of the IMS service request to the IMS network slice selected to provide the IMS service.

12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , wherein:

the IMS slice selection manager is implemented at a session border controller.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the instructions direct the one or more processors to implement:

an IMS policy manager configured to:

monitor for a change in network conditions;

modify at least one of the IMS network slices based on the change to the network conditions;

modify the IMS slice selection policy based on modification of the at least one of the IMS network slices; and

provide the IMS slice selection policy to the IMS slice selection manager.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , wherein:

the IMS slice selection manager is configured to provide an identifier for the IMS network slice selected to provide the IMS service to a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) of a control plane of a next generation network.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14 , wherein:

the IMS slice selection manager is configured to directly communicate with the NS SF over a reference point.