Method and device for providing network slice
The disclosure relates to a communication technique and a system thereof that fuse a 5 th generation (5G) communication system with Internet of Things (IoT) technology to support a higher data transmission rate after a 4 th generation (4G) system. The disclosure is applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car or connected car, healthcare, digital education, retail, security and safety-related service, etc.) based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology. The disclosure is about telecommunication and 5G network slicing technology. A method for defining a network slice template (NST) to provide network slice, for generating a network slice instance (NSI), and a system for managing them are provided.
1 . A method, performed by a server configured as a three-hierarchy structure including a service requirement management unit (SRMU), a network slice management function (NSMF), and at least one network slice subnet management function (NSSMF), for providing a network slice, the method comprising:
receiving, using the SRMU, information related to service requirements;
identifying, using the SRMU, based on the received service requirements, slice requirements including information related to quality of service (QoS), mobility level, and security;
identifying, using the NSMF, based on the slice requirements, whether a network slice template (NST) for the network slice matches one of predefined NSTs;
based on identifying that the NST is distinct from the predefined NSTs, generating, using the NSMF, an NST including information related to a list of the slice requirements and a list of at least one management function for the network slice;
identifying, using the NSMF, the generated NST as the NST for the network slice;
generating, using the NSMF, based on the NST and the slice requirements, at least one network slice subnet template (NSST) including information related to a list of slice subnet requirements and the information related to the list of at least one management function for the network slice;
generating, using the at least one NSSMF, at least one network slice subnet instance (NSSI) corresponding to the at least one NSST; and
allocating, using the NSMF, based on the at least one NSSI, a network slice instance (NSI) for generating the network slice according to the slice requirements, wherein the NSI includes information related to an instantiation state associated with the NSI.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the method comprises,
generating, using the NSMF, based on the at least one NSST, a network service descriptor (NSD) including information related to a virtual network function and information related to a virtual link;
providing, using the NSMF, the NSD to a network function virtualization-management and orchestration (NFV-MANO) of the server;
requesting, using the at least one NSSMF, instantiation of at least one network service subnet based on the NSD, to the NFV-MANO; and
generating, using the at least one NSSMF, based on the instantiation of the at least one network service subnet, at least one NSSI corresponding to the at least one NSST.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein each NSSI of the at least one NSSI includes information related to at least one slice subnet requirement fulfilled by a corresponding NSSI and information related to an operational status of a corresponding network service subnet of the at least one network service subnet.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the method comprises, based on identifying that the NST matches one of predefined NSTs, generating, using the NSMF, the matched NST as the NST.
5 . The method of claim 4 ,
wherein the SRMU is configured for modelling the service requirement,
wherein the NSMF is configured for performing a life cycle management (LCM) of the NSI according to the service requirement, and
wherein each NSSMF of the at least one NSSMF is configured for performing the LCM of a corresponding NSSI.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the at least one NSST corresponds to the at least one NSSI in a one-to-one relationship.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the information related to the service requirements obtained through an input of at least one of graphical user interface (GUI), natural language, voice, text, or photo.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the allocated NSI refers to a network service determined from the obtained NSD.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein a layer of the NFV-MANO corresponds to a layer of the NSMF.
10 . A server configured as a three-hierarchy structure including a service requirement management unit (SRMU), a network slice management function (NSMF), and at least one network slice subnet management function (NSSMF), providing a network slice, the server comprising:
communication circuitry; and
control circuitry configured to:
receive, using the SRMU, information related to service requirements;
identify, using the SRMU, based on the received service requirements, slice requirements including information related to quality of service (QoS), mobility level, and security;
identify, using the NSMF, based on the slice requirements, whether a network slice template (NST) for the network slice matches one of predefined NSTs;
based on identifying that the NST is distinct from the predefined NSTs, generate, using the NSMF, an NST including information related to a list of the slice requirements and a list of at least one management function for the network slice;
identify, using the NSMF, the generated NST as the NST for the network slice;
generate, using the NSMF, based on the NST and the slice requirements, at least one network slice subnet template (NSST) including information related to a list of slice subnet requirements and the information related to the list of at least one management function for the network slice;
generate, using the at least one NSSMF, at least one network slice subnet instance (NSSI) corresponding to the at least one NSST; and
allocate, using the NSMF, based on the at least one NSSI, a network slice instance (NSI) for generating the network slice according to the slice requirements, wherein the NSI includes information related to an instantiation state associated with the NSI.
11 . The server of claim 10 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
generate, using the NSMF, based on the at least one NSST, a network service descriptor (NSD) including information related to a virtual network function and information related to a virtual link;
provide, using the NSMF, the NSD to a network function virtualization-management and orchestration (NFV-MANO) of the server;
request, using the at least one NSSMF, instantiation of at least one network service subnet based on the NSD, to the NFV-MANO; and
generate, using the at least one NSSMF, based on the instantiation of the at least one network service subnet, at least one NSSI corresponding to the at least one NSST.
12 . The server of claim 11 , wherein each NSSI of the at least one NSSI includes information related to at least one slice subnet requirement fulfilled by a corresponding NSSI and information related to an operational status of a corresponding network service subnet of the at least one network service subnet.
13 . The server of claim 12 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
based on the identifying that the NST matches one of predefined NSTs, generate, using the NSMF, the matched NST as the NST.
14 . The server of claim 13 , wherein the SRMU is configured for modelling the service requirement,
wherein the NSMF is configured for performing a life cycle management (LCM) of the NSI according to the service requirement, and
wherein each NSSMF of the at least one NSSMF is configured for performing the LCM of a corresponding NSSI.
15 . The server of claim 14 , wherein the at least one NSST corresponds to the at least one NSSI in a one-to-one relationship.
16 . The server of claim 15 , wherein the information related to the service requirements obtained through an input of at least one of graphical user interface (GUI), natural language, voice, text, or photo.
17 . The server of claim 16 , wherein the allocated NSI refers to a network service determined from the obtained NSD.
18 . The server of claim 17 , wherein a layer of the NFV-MANO corresponds to a layer of the NSMF.