Method, system, and medium for dynamic slicing
Systems and methods described herein enable user-aware and application-aware dynamic slicing for mobile networks. A network device in a provider network receives a dynamic slice request from a client application. The dynamic slice request includes authorization credentials and a quality of service (QoS) indication for the client application. In response to the dynamic slice request, the network device generates a traffic descriptor value. The traffic descriptor value includes an access token that indicates the QoS authorized for the client application. The network device pushes updated UE Route Selection Policy (URSP) rules to a modem of the UE device, and also separately directs the traffic descriptor value to the client application. The network device receives, from the UE device, a protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment request that includes network slice selection information based on the traffic descriptor value.
1 . A method, comprising:
receiving, by one or more network devices and from a client application on a user equipment (UE) device, a dynamic slice request for a traffic descriptor value, wherein the dynamic slice request includes an application identifier for the client application, authorization credentials, and a quality of service (QoS) parameter for the client application;
generating, by the one or more network devices and in response to the dynamic slice request, an access token for the traffic descriptor value, wherein the access token is secured using a digital signature and indicates the application identifier and the QoS parameter authorized for the client application;
initiating, by the one or more network devices and, in response to the dynamic slice request, push communications by a core network to provide updated UE Route Selection Policy (URSP) rules, including the access token, to a modem of the UE device, wherein the updated URSP rules associate the traffic descriptor value with a network slice identifier;
sending, by the one or more network devices and based on the dynamic slice request and separately from the push communications, the traffic descriptor value, including the access token, to the client application; and
receiving, by the one or more network devices and from the UE device, a protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment request that includes network slice selection information based on the traffic descriptor value.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the traffic descriptor value comprises a custom traffic descriptor value for a URSP framework.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the access token includes a Java Script Object Notation (JSON) formatted structure.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the access token includes a Java Script Object Notation (JSON) Web Token (JWT).
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the traffic descriptor value is included in a designated traffic descriptor for a URSP framework.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the network slice identifier is associated with a network slice that is configured to support the authorized QoS.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the traffic descriptor value is communicable from an operating system (OS) of the UE device to the modem of the UE device.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the client application includes a Network Slice Capability Management (NSCM) client configured to generate the dynamic slice request.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the traffic descriptor value is performed by the one or more network devices outside the core network.
10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
authenticating, prior to the generating, the UE device and the client application based on the dynamic slice request.
11 . A system comprising:
one or more network devices including one or more processors configured to:
receive, from a user equipment (UE) device, a dynamic slice request for a traffic descriptor value, wherein the dynamic slice request includes an application identifier for the client application, authorization credentials, and a quality of service (QoS) parameter for the client application;
generate, in response to the dynamic slice request, an access token for the traffic descriptor value, wherein the access token is secured using a digital signature and indicates the application identifier and the QoS parameter authorized for the client application;
initiate, in response to the dynamic slice request, push communications by a core network to provide updated UE Route Selection Policy (URSP) rules, including the access token, to a modem of the UE device, wherein the updated URSP rules associate the traffic descriptor value with a network slice identifier;
send, based on the dynamic slice request and separately from the push communications, the traffic descriptor value, including the access token, to the UE device; and
receive, from the UE device, a protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment request that includes network slice selection information based on the traffic descriptor value.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the updated URSP includes a network slice identifier corresponding to the authorized QoS.
13 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the access token includes a Java Script Object Notation (JSON) formatted structure.
14 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the updated URSP rules associate the traffic descriptor value with a network slice identifier, and wherein the network slice identifier is associated with a network slice that is configured to support the authorized QoS.
15 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the traffic descriptor value comprises a custom traffic descriptor value for a URSP framework.
16 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the traffic descriptor value is communicable from an operating system (OS) of the UE device to the modem of the UE device.
17 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
receive, from an application service provider, service requirements for the client application to receive dynamic slicing service.
18 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions, executable by one or more processors, for:
receiving, by one or more network devices and from a client application on a user equipment (UE) device, a dynamic slice request for a traffic descriptor value, wherein the dynamic slice request includes an application identifier for the client application, authorization credentials, and a quality of service (QoS) parameter for the client application;
generating, by the one or more network devices and in response to the dynamic slice request, an access token for the traffic descriptor value, wherein the access token is secured using a digital signature and indicates the application identifier and the QoS parameter authorized for the client application;
initiating, by the one or more network devices and in response to the dynamic slice request, push communications by a core network to provide updated UE Route Selection Policy (URSP) rules, including the access token, to a modem of the UE device, wherein the updated URSP rules associate the traffic descriptor value with a network slice identifier;
sending, by the one or more network devices and based on the dynamic slice request and separately from the push communications, the traffic descriptor value, including the access token, to the client application; and
receiving, by the one or more network devices and from the UE device, a protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment request that includes network slice selection information based on the traffic descriptor value.
19 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18 , further comprising instructions for:
verifying authorization for the UE device and the client application based on the dynamic slice request.
20 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18 , wherein the traffic descriptor value comprises a custom traffic descriptor value for a URSP framework.