CN109314696A

CN109314696A - Manage the method and device thereof of network slice

Info

Publication number: CN109314696A
Application number: CN201680086729.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杨水根; 谭巍; 张伟
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-06-30
Filing date: 2016-06-30
Publication date: 2019-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 2036-06-30
Also published as: CN109314696B; WO2018000389A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the present invention provides method and device, the system of a kind of management network slice, this method comprises: first network equipment, which sends first network to second network equipment, is sliced the demand information that corresponding first network is sliced, wherein, the demand information of the first network slice is for describing first network demand, the first network demand is the corresponding network demand of the first business demand, and the first network slice provides service for first business demand；The first network equipment receives the confirmation message that second network equipment is sent, and for informing the first network equipment, second network equipment is sliced demand according to the first network and completes the configuration being sliced to the first network confirmation message.Therefore it can be realized the management for networks slices such as creation, update or the terminations of first network slice of the first business demand.

Description

Manage the method and device thereof of network slice

Technical field

The present embodiments relate to the communications fields, more particularly, to the method and apparatus in the communications field for managing network slice.

Background technique

With the development of communication technology, communication network will support more diversified business demand and scene, and logic-based function is further abstracted as network slice (Network Slicing) by communication network.Network slice is that the logical network function of specific use-case traffic demands is supported to combine.Such as, in the 5th third-generation mobile communication (The 5th Generation, referred to as " 5G ") in network, it can be needed to customize enhancing mobile broadband (enhanced Mobile BroadBand according to business, referred to as " eMBB ") network slice, magnanimity machine type connection (massive Machine Type Communication, referred to as " mMTC ") network slice connected with superelevation reliable machine type (ultra reliable Machine Type Communication, referred to as " uMTC ") network be sliced etc..

But, existing network management scheme does not support the management being sliced to network, and due to being mutually indepedent, mutual equity between networks multiple in network slice, it realizes and independent management is carried out to the Internet resources of network slice each in multiple network slice respectively, be a urgent problem to be solved.

Summary of the invention

The embodiment of the present invention provides method and device thereof, the system of a kind of management network slice, can be realized the management to network slice.

First aspect, a kind of method of management network slice is provided, it include: the demand information that first network equipment is sliced corresponding first network slice to second network equipment transmission first network, wherein, the demand information of the first network slice is for describing first network demand, the first network demand is the corresponding network demand of the first business demand, and the first network slice provides service for first business demand；The first network equipment receives the confirmation message that second network equipment is sent, and for informing the first network equipment, second network equipment is sliced demand according to the first network and completes the configuration being sliced to the first network confirmation message.

Therefore, first network equipment is sliced the demand information that corresponding first network is sliced by sending first network to second network equipment, and the demand information of first network slice is corresponding with the first business demand , the demand information that second network equipment is sliced according to the first network completes the configuration being sliced to the first network, therefore can be realized the first network slice management for the first business demand, generation, update or termination etc. including network slice.

With reference to first aspect, in the first possible implementation of the first aspect, first network demand includes network resource requirement.

With reference to first aspect, in the second possible implementation of the first aspect, first network demand includes network resource requirement and network function demand.

With reference to first aspect, in three kinds of possible implementations of first aspect, method further include: the first network equipment obtains first business demand；The first network equipment determines the corresponding first network demand of first business demand, wherein the first network demand includes network function demand and network resource requirement according to first business demand.

That is, after first network equipment obtains the first business demand, it is also necessary to first business demand be converted into first network demand, which just includes the demand of network function and the demand of Internet resources.

The method of management network slice provided in an embodiment of the present invention can dynamically manage the life cycle of network slice according to business demand.

With reference to first aspect and its above-mentioned implementation, in a fourth possible implementation of the first aspect, the method also includes: the first network equipment receives the first network that second network equipment is sent and is sliced feedback information, and the first network slice feedback information is used to indicate the Internet resources and network function that current network can provide for the first net slice；The first network equipment is sliced feedback information according to the first network, determines that the slice information of first network slice, the slice information of the first network slice are used to describe the Internet resources and network function of the first network slice actual use.

That is, second network equipment is it needs to be determined that the Internet resources and network function that actually provide can be sliced for the first network when first network equipment proposes a kind of first network slice demand to second network equipment.Preferably, second network equipment is determined as the first network Internet resources that actually provide of slice and network function is identical as first network slice demand, then the slice information that first network is sliced is identical as the demand information that first network is sliced.

Optionally, when second network equipment is determined as the Internet resources that first network slice actually provides and network function is unsatisfactory for first network slice demand, so feedback information for will being sent according to second network equipment of first network equipment, determine the slice information of first network slice, the i.e. Internet resources and network function of first network slice actual use.

With reference to first aspect and its above-mentioned implementation, in the fifth possible implementation of the first aspect, the method also includes: the first network equipment sends first network to second network equipment and is sliced confirmation message, and the first network slice confirmation message is used to indicate that the first network equipment to receive Internet resources and network function that second network equipment provides.

That is, first network equipment will notify second network equipment, first network equipment receives the network function and Internet resources that second network equipment is sliced institute's layout for first network.

With reference to first aspect and its above-mentioned implementation, in the sixth possible implementation of the first aspect, the method also includes: the first network equipment receives the network state parameters for the current network that the third network equipment is sent, and the network state parameters are used to characterize the operating status of the current network；The first network equipment updates the first network slice or the first network slice that terminates according to the network state parameters.

The third network equipment can be from the network manager, obtain the state parameter of current network, including network bandwidth etc., when current network state changes, the state parameter of current network can be sent to first network equipment, in order to which first network equipment is according to the network state parameters, the management of first network slice is carried out.

With reference to first aspect and its above-mentioned implementation, in a seventh possible implementation of the first aspect, the method also includes: the first network equipment sends the slice information that the first network is sliced to the third network equipment.

Since first network equipment sends the slice information that first network is sliced to the third network equipment, so the third network equipment knows that current network state changes, when required network function in the slice information that can not meet first network slice and Internet resources, it will to timely to first network equipment return current network state information.

In present example, the above method can realize the automatic management and layout of network slice according to business demand；Further, this method supports the life cycle management of network slice.In the management of network slice and layout framework, the dynamic need according to service/application is needed, dynamic manages the life cycle of network slice, generation, update, termination etc. including network slice example；It realizes and independent management is carried out to network function, the Internet resources etc. in the slice according to network slice demand.

Second aspect, a kind of method of management network slice is provided, it include: the demand information that second network equipment receives the first network slice that first network equipment is sent, wherein, the demand information of the first network slice is for describing first network demand, the first network demand is obtained by the first business demand, and first network slice is for providing service for first business demand；Second network equipment is according to The demand information of first network slice, determines the Internet resources that current network is capable of providing；According to the Internet resources that the demand information of first network slice and the current network are capable of providing, the Internet resources of the first network slice are determined.

It should be understood that the demand information that second network equipment is sliced according to the first network, can determine the network function and Internet resources that current network is capable of providing；According to network function and Internet resources that the demand information of first network slice and the current network are capable of providing, the network function and Internet resources of the first network slice are determined.

Therefore, the network function and Internet resources that second network equipment can be improved by the demand information and current network that are sliced according to first network, it can determine and be sliced the network function and Internet resources for including in the corresponding first network of demand information of first network slice, to realize the management of first network slice.

In conjunction with second aspect, in the first possible implementation of the second aspect, the demand information that second network equipment is sliced according to the first network, determine the network function and Internet resources that current network is capable of providing, include: the demand information that second network equipment is sliced according to the first network, network function and Internet resources that current network is capable of providing are obtained from the third network equipment.

It should be understood that the third network equipment includes network management NM function, or is connected by interface with NM, Internet resources or network function can be requested into current network.

In conjunction with second aspect and its above-mentioned implementation, in a second possible implementation of the second aspect, the demand information that second network equipment is sliced according to the first network, network function and Internet resources that current network is capable of providing are obtained from the third network equipment, it include: second network equipment to third network equipment transmission first network resource reservation request, the first network resource reservation request is obtained according to the demand information that the first network is sliced；Second network equipment receives the first network resource confirmation message that the third network equipment is sent, and the first network resource confirmation message is for confirming the Internet resources that the current network is capable of providing.

In conjunction with second aspect and its above-mentioned implementation, in the third possible implementation of the second aspect, the demand information that second network equipment is sliced according to the first network, network function and Internet resources that current network is capable of providing are obtained from the third network equipment, it include: second network equipment to third network equipment transmission first network function reservation request, the first network function reservation request is obtained according to the demand information that the first network is sliced；Second network equipment receives the first network function confirmation message that the third network equipment is sent, and the first network function confirmation message is for confirming the network function that the current network is capable of providing.

In conjunction with second aspect and its above-mentioned implementation, in the 4th kind of possible implementation of second aspect In, the network function and Internet resources that the demand information and the current network according to first network slice is capable of providing, determine the network function and Internet resources of the first network slice, including: second network equipment sends first network slice feedback information to the first network equipment, the first network slice feedback information is for informing that the first network equipment, the current network can be sliced the Internet resources and network function that provide for the first network.

In conjunction with second aspect and its above-mentioned implementation, in a fifth possible implementation of the second aspect, the network function and Internet resources that the demand information and the current network according to first network slice is capable of providing, determine the network function and Internet resources of the first network slice, it include: that second network equipment receives the first network slice confirmation message that the first network equipment is sent, it is the determining Internet resources and network function of first network slice that the first network slice confirmation message, which is used to indicate that the first network equipment to receive second network equipment,.

In conjunction with second aspect and its above-mentioned implementation, in the sixth possible implementation of the second aspect, the method also includes: second network equipment sends the configuration information that the first network is sliced to the third network equipment, it is used to indicate the configuration information that the third network equipment is sliced according to the first network, carry out the configuration of Internet resources and network function, wherein, the configuration information of the first network slice is obtained by the first network demand；Second network equipment receives the configure-ack information for the first network slice that the third network equipment returns, the configure-ack information of the first network slice is for informing second network equipment, the configuration information that the third network equipment is sliced according to the first network completes the configuration of Internet resources and network function.

In conjunction with second aspect and its above-mentioned implementation, in the 7th kind of possible implementation of second aspect, the method also includes: second network equipment sends the confirmation message that first network is sliced to the first network equipment, for the confirmation message of the first network slice for informing the first network equipment, second network equipment has completed the configuration of network function and Internet resources according to the demand information of first network slice.

In conjunction with second aspect and its above-mentioned implementation, in the 8th kind of possible implementation of second aspect, the method also includes: second network equipment receives the second network demand information that the first network equipment is sent, wherein, the second network demand information is for describing the second network demand, second network demand is obtained by the second business demand, and the second network slice is for providing service for second business demand；Second network equipment obtains the network function and Internet resources that the current network is capable of providing according to the second network demand information；The network function and Internet resources that the demand information and the current network that second network equipment is sliced according to the first network are capable of providing determine described The network function and Internet resources of two networks slice, wherein the first network slice shares at least one identical network function with second network slice.

In present example, this method can realize the automatic management and layout of network slice according to business demand, and can support the network function management under sharing mode.One important feature of network slice is that network function is shared, such as mobile management etc., so that the function needed for needing to be sliced network is managed and layout.

The third aspect, a kind of method of management network slice is provided, it include: that the third network equipment receives the reservation request information that second network equipment is sent, wherein, the reservation request information is obtained by the demand information that first network is sliced, the demand information of the first network slice is obtained by the first business demand, and first network slice is for providing service for first business demand；The third network equipment is the first network slice reserving network resources and/or network function in current network according to the reservation request information；The third network equipment sends reservation confirmation information to second network equipment, and for the reservation confirmation information for informing second network equipment, current network can be sliced the Internet resources and/or network function that provide for the first network.

Therefore, the third network equipment is by receiving reservation request information corresponding with first network slice, and reserving network resources and/or network function are sliced for the first network according to the reservation request information, and reservation confirmation information is fed back into second network equipment, therefore, it can be sliced for first network and corresponding Internet resources and/or network function are provided.

In conjunction with the third aspect, in the first possible implementation of the third aspect, the method also includes: the third network equipment receives the configuration information for the first network slice that second network equipment is sent；The configuration information that the third network equipment is sliced according to the first network carries out the configuration of Internet resources and/or network function to the current network, wherein the configuration information of the first network slice is obtained by the demand information that the first network is sliced.

In conjunction with the third aspect and its above-mentioned implementation, in the second possible implementation of the third aspect, the method also includes: the third network equipments to send the network state parameters of the current network to first network equipment, the network state parameters are used to characterize the operating status of the current network, in order to which first network equipment is according to the network state parameters, the first network slice is updated or the first network slice that terminates.

In conjunction with the third aspect and its above-mentioned implementation, in the third possible implementation of the third aspect, the method also includes: the third network equipment receives the slice information for the first network slice that the first network equipment is sent, and the slice information of the first network slice is for describing described first The Internet resources and network function of network slice actual use.

Fourth aspect, provide another method for managing network slice, comprise determining that the demand information of first network slice, the demand information of first network slice is for describing first network demand, the first network demand is the corresponding network demand of the first business demand, and the first network slice provides service for first business demand；According to the demand information that the first network is sliced, determining actually can be sliced the network function and Internet resources that provide for the first network；And actually can be for the network function and Internet resources of first network slice service according to the demand information of first network slice, the configuration that completion is sliced first network.

It should be understood that in embodiments of the present invention, the executing subject of this method can be the network equipment with above-mentioned first network equipment, second network equipment and third network equipment corresponding function.

5th aspect provides a kind of method in any possible implementation for managing the device of network slice, for executing above-mentioned first aspect or first aspect.Specifically, which includes the unit for executing the method in any possible implementation of above-mentioned first aspect or first aspect.

6th aspect provides another for managing the device of network slice, the method in any possible implementation for executing above-mentioned second aspect or second aspect.Specifically, which includes the unit for executing the method in any possible implementation of above-mentioned second aspect or second aspect.

7th aspect provides another for managing the device of network slice, the method in any possible implementation for executing the above-mentioned third aspect or the third aspect.Specifically, which includes the unit for executing the method in any possible implementation of the above-mentioned third aspect or the third aspect.

Eighth aspect, provide it is a kind of for managing the device of network slice, the device include: transceiver, memory, processor and bus system.Wherein, the transceiver, the memory and the processor are connected by the bus system, the memory is for storing instruction, the processor is used to execute the instruction of memory storage, signal is received and/or sent to control transceiver, and when the processor executes the instruction of memory storage, the execution is so that the processor executes the method in any possible implementation of first aspect or first aspect.

9th aspect provides a kind of device being sliced for managing network, which includes: transceiver, memory, processor and bus system.Wherein, the transceiver, the memory and the processor are connected by the bus system, the memory is for storing instruction, the processor is used to execute the instruction of memory storage, signal and/or transmission signal are received to control transceiver, and when the processor executes the instruction of memory storage, the execution is so that the processor executes the method in any possible implementation of second aspect or second aspect.

Tenth aspect provides a kind of device being sliced for managing network, which includes: transceiver, memory, processor and bus system.Wherein, the transceiver, the memory and the processor are connected by the bus system, the memory is for storing instruction, the processor is used to execute the instruction of memory storage, signal and/or transmission signal are received to control transceiver, and when the processor executes the instruction of memory storage, the execution is so that the processor executes the method in any possible implementation of the third aspect or the third aspect.

Tenth on the one hand, a kind of system for managing network slice is provided, which includes the device in any possible implementation in device, the 6th aspect or the 6th aspect in any possible implementation of above-mentioned 5th aspect or the 5th aspect and the device in any possible implementation in the 7th aspect or the 7th aspect；Or

The system includes the device in any possible implementation of above-mentioned eighth aspect or eighth aspect, the device in any possible implementation in terms of the 9th aspect or the 9th and the device in any possible implementation in the tenth aspect or the tenth aspect.

12nd aspect, provides a kind of computer-readable medium, for storing computer program, which includes the instruction for executing the method in any possible implementation of first aspect or first aspect.

13rd aspect, provides a kind of computer-readable medium, for storing computer program, which includes the instruction for executing the method in any possible implementation of second aspect or second aspect.

Fourteenth aspect provides a kind of computer-readable medium, and for storing computer program, which includes the instruction for executing the method in any possible implementation of the third aspect or the third aspect.

Detailed description of the invention

To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention more clearly, attached drawing needed in the embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described below, apparently, drawings described below is only some embodiments of the present invention, for those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, it is also possible to obtain other drawings based on these drawings.

Fig. 1 shows the schematic architectural diagram of third generation partner program 3GPP network.

Fig. 2 shows the schematic flow charts of the method for one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is the schematic flow chart of the method for the management network slice of another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is the schematic flow chart of the method for the management network slice of another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 shows the process interaction figure of the method for one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 shows the process interaction figure of the method for one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 shows network management framework schematic diagram applied by the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 shows network management framework schematic diagram applied by another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is the schematic block diagram of the network equipment of the embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is the schematic block diagram of the network equipment of the embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 is the schematic block diagram of the network equipment of the embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 shows one provided in an embodiment of the present invention for managing the device of network slice.

Figure 13 shows provided in an embodiment of the present invention another for managing the device of network slice.

Figure 14 shows provided in an embodiment of the present invention another for managing the device of network slice.

Specific embodiment

Following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and technical scheme in the embodiment of the invention is clearly and completely described, it is clear that described embodiment is a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than whole embodiments.Based on the embodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the art's every other embodiment obtained without making creative work, all should belong to the scope of protection of the invention.

It should be understood that, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to various communication systems, such as: global system for mobile telecommunications (Global System of Mobile communication, GSM) system, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA) system, wideband code division multiple access (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, WCDMA) system, General Packet Radio Service (General Packet Radio Service, GPRS), long term evolution (Long Term Evolution, LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (Frequency Division Duplex, FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (Time Division Duplex, TDD), Universal Mobile Communication System (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System, UMTS), global interconnection inserting of microwave (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, WiMAX) communication system and the 5G communication system in future etc..

The present embodiments relate to network microtomies.Network microtomy is that network is logically abstracted as to one or more mutually isolated network slice pointedly to meet the differentiated demand of different service types wherein each network slice includes a series of logical network function.Such as in the 5th third-generation mobile communication (The 5th Generation, referred to as " 5G ") network, network slice be it is a kind of by The mode of networking is needed, brings and can be adjusted according to continually changing user demand for operator, and quickly meet the new demand servicing of new application demand.

5G network physical infrastructure resource is abstracted as multiple mutually independent parallel networks according to scene demand and is sliced by network microtomy.Each network slice is cut according to the customization that the needs and business model of business scenario carry out network function and the layout management of corresponding network function.One network slice can be considered as the 5G network of an instantiation.Such network structure allows operator to be supplied to user for network as a kind of service, and physical network can be freely combined according to indexs such as rate, capacity, spreadability, delay, reliability, safety and availabilities, to meet the requirement of different user.

In network slice, network slice life cycle management is one and emphasis is needed to consider the problems of.The life cycle management of network slice includes: generation, update and the termination etc. of network slice.

In network microtomy, network slice life cycle management is one and emphasis is needed to consider the problems of.Network slice life cycle management includes creation, combination, update and the deletion etc. of network slice.Creation, combination and update for network slice, the network equipment should determine available Internet resources for each network slice, and configure specific network function and parameter for it.Deletion for network slice, the network equipment should discharge those specific network functions and Internet resources.

It should be understood that, the above-mentioned network equipment can be the Network Management Equipment in Network Management System, specifically, the network equipment can be the equipment including network slice life cycle management module NS-LCM hereinafter mentioned, the equipment including network slice orchestration module NSO or equipment including network slice control module NSC etc., and the embodiment of the present invention is not construed as limiting this.

Existing 3GPP telecommunication network management framework is as shown in Figure 1.The network management framework 100 includes at least one network element (Network Element, referred to as " NE "), at least one NE management (Element Manager, referred to as " EM ") module, at least one domain manager (Domain Manager, referred to as " DM ") and network management (Network Manager, referred to as " NM ") module.

Wherein, NE module is the minimum unit that can be monitored and manage in the network management framework, is responsible for managing single NE by EM module, provides the function of handling independent NE, including alarm management, notice management, log recording and software and hardware maintenance etc..

Wherein, EM is responsible for managing single network element, provides the function of handling independent network element, including alarm management, notifier processes, log recording and software and hardware maintenance etc.；NM is responsible for managing entire telecommunication network, it provides support by multiple EM, but can also be directly connected in NE, the correlation functions such as the interaction between online management function, management equipment is mainly provided, such as the branch of Internet resources, configuration, control and monitoring Deng.

The life cycle for dynamically managing network slice is not supported in the hand management that network management framework in the prior art only supports network to be sliced.In order to improve the efficiency for managing network and being sliced, a kind of method, apparatus and system of management network slice are proposed, can be used for the management such as the generation of network slice, update, termination.

Fig. 2 shows the schematic flow charts of the method for one embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 2, the party includes:

Step 210, first network equipment sends the demand information that first network is sliced to second network equipment, wherein, the demand information of first network slice is for describing first network demand, first network demand is the corresponding network demand of the first business demand, and first network slice provides service for the first business demand.

Step 220, first network equipment receives the confirmation message that second network equipment is sent, and for informing first network equipment, second network equipment is sliced demand according to first network and completes the configuration being sliced to first network the confirmation message.

Specifically, above-mentioned first business demand can be user or the number of devices that operator needs support or services, the time delay and handling capacity of data flow, coverage area, economic parameters (such as charge method etc.) etc..

Specifically, above-mentioned first network demand may include the demand to network function that the first business demand converts, such as the network function can be the function of bulky grain degree, such as mobile management, connection management, the functions such as access control, it is also possible to atomic function, such as Packet Data Convergence Protocol (Packet Data Convergence Protocol, referred to as " PDCP ") layer steady head compress (Robust Header Compression, referred to as " ROHC "), enciphering/deciphering, the functions such as reorder, wireless spread-spectrum technology (Radio Link Control, referred to as " RLC ") layer automatic repeat request (Automatic Repeat - reQuest, referred to as " ARQ "), message fragment, the functions such as reorder, media access control (Medium Access Control, referred to as " MAC ") functions such as the hybrid automatic repeat-request (Hybrid Automatic Repeat-reQuest, referred to as " HARQ ") of layer, multiplex/demultiplex；Above-mentioned first network demand can also include the demand for the Internet resources that the first business demand converts, such as, if the demand of user is number of devices and coverage area, corresponding network demand is handling capacity/time delay of network connection, required base station number etc..

It specifically, include generation, update, the termination etc. to first network slice when needing to manage to first business demand corresponding first network slice.

In step 210, the demand information of first network slice is just used to describe first network and is sliced corresponding network demand, that is, can be used in describing the information of first network slice, such as network slice needs Ask information that network slice descriptor (Network Slice Descriptor can be generated, referred to as " NSD "), the composition of network slice is described, such as, network is sliced identity (Network Slice Identifier, referred to as " NS-ID "), network function, network slice logic topological (connection type, interface, Key Performance Indicator (Key Performance Indicator, referred to as " KPI ") demand) etc..

In step 210, the demand information that first network is sliced is sent to second network equipment by first network equipment, and the demand information that second network equipment can be sliced according to the first network carries out the layout of Internet resources and network function, configuration.

In a step 220, the demand information that second network equipment is sliced according to the first network, determine first network slice network function and Internet resources and according to the first network slice demand information complete relevant configuration after, confirmation message will be returned to first network equipment, for informing first network equipment, the configuration for being directed to first network slice has been completed, the management being sliced to first network is completed.

It should be understood that the interaction between first network equipment and second network equipment can be the interaction of the information between two autonomous devices when first network equipment and second network equipment are respectively two independent equipment entities；When first network equipment and second network equipment are respectively the functional module in same equipment entity, the information exchange between them can be transmitted for the information of internal system etc., the present invention is without limitation.

Specifically, first network equipment can be sliced life cycle management (Network Slice Lifecycle Management for network, referred to as " NS-LCM ") module, NS-LCM module is mainly responsible for the life cycle management of network slice, creation, combination, update, deletion (termination) etc. including network slice.It specifically includes: (1) application/business demand is received, for example, it is desired to the time delay and handling capacity of the number of devices supported/serviced, data flow, coverage area, economic parameters (such as charge method) etc.；(2) application/business demand is converted into the demand to network, for example, corresponding network demand is handling capacity/time delay of network connection, required base station number etc. if the demand of user is number of devices and coverage area；(3) it generates network and is sliced descriptor (Network Slice Descriptor, referred to as " NSD "), the composition of network slice is described, such as, network is sliced identity (Network Slice Identifier, referred to as " NS-ID "), network function, network slice logic topological (connection type, interface, Key Performance Indicator (Key Performance Indicator, referred to as " KPI ") demand) etc..Specifically, the network function can be the function of bulky grain degree, such as the functions such as mobile management, connection management, access control, it is also possible to atomic function, such as Packet Data Convergence Protocol (Packet Data Convergence Protocol, referred to as " PDCP ") layer steady head compress (Robust Header Compression, referred to as " ROHC "), enciphering/deciphering, the functions such as reorder, automatic repeat request (the Automatic of wireless spread-spectrum technology (Radio Link Control, referred to as " RLC ") layer Repeat-reQuest, referred to as " ARQ "), message fragment, the functions such as reorder, media access control (Medium Access Control, referred to as " MAC ") functions such as the hybrid automatic repeat-request (Hybrid Automatic Repeat-reQuest, referred to as " HARQ ") of layer, multiplex/demultiplex.Connection type, interface, KPI demand (may include bandwidth, time delay, handling capacity) between network function of the network slice logic topology for indicating network slice etc..

Specifically, second network equipment can be sliced layout (Network Slice Orchestration for network, referred to as " NSO ") module, the network slice demand information and the practical Internet resources possessed that NSO module is generated based on NS-LCM module, layout is carried out to Internet resources and network function, that is, the Internet resources and network function that demand information can be sliced according to network and can actually be supported provide corresponding Internet resources and network function for some network slice.The Internet resources may include link circuit resource, storage resource, computing resource etc..

Therefore, first network equipment is sliced the demand information that corresponding first network is sliced by sending first network to second network equipment, the demand information of first network slice is due to being corresponding with the first business demand, the demand information that second network equipment is sliced according to the first network completes the configuration being sliced to the first network, therefore can be realized the management for networks slices such as generation, update or the terminations of first network slice of the first business demand.

Optionally, as one embodiment of the invention, the above method further include: first network equipment obtains first business demand；First network equipment determines the corresponding first network demand of the first business demand, wherein first network demand includes network function demand and network resource requirement according to the first business demand.

Specifically, the mode that first network equipment obtains the first business demand can be able to be the number of devices serviced required for the business, coverage area etc. for reception user or the first business demand information of operator's transmission, the business demand information.

According to the first business demand information, the corresponding demand to Internet resources and network function can be converted into, it namely can determine the corresponding first network demand of the first business demand, in order to generate the demand information of first network slice according to the first network demand, such as network is sliced descriptor, the demand information of first network slice is just able to achieve the configuration of Internet resources and network function for describing first network demand, the demand information that first network slice is sliced by the first network.Specifically, the first business demand includes the number of devices for needing support/servicing, the time delay of data flow and handling capacity, coverage area, economic parameters (such as charge method) etc.；Converting first network demand for the first business demand information includes that demand to network will be converted to using the demand of/business, for example, if the demand of user is number of devices and covers Lid range, then corresponding network demand is handling capacity/time delay of network connection, required base station number etc..

Optionally, as one embodiment of the invention, the above method further include: first network equipment receives the first network that second network equipment is sent and is sliced feedback information, and first network slice feedback information is used to indicate the Internet resources and network function that current network can provide for the first net slice；First network equipment is sliced feedback information according to first network, determines that the slice information of first network slice, the slice information of first network slice are used to describe the Internet resources and network function of first network slice actual use.

That is, after the demand information that first network is sliced is sent to second network equipment by first network equipment, second network equipment will be according to local network resources and network function, or reserved Internet resources and network function are requested into current network, it realizes the layout of the network function and Internet resources that are sliced to first network, that is, the practical network function and Internet resources that can be provided for first network slice is provided.

Preferably, the Internet resources and network function of the second network equipment layout fully meet first network slice demand, then will final first network slice slice information be exactly first network slice demand information, the parameter value of the inside is the same.

Optionally, when second network equipment finds that the Internet resources that current network provides or network function can not fully meet first network slice demand, by unappeasable Internet resources or network function parameter feedback to first network equipment, the Internet resources and network function of the current layout of second network equipment can be received by the judgement of first network equipment.

Therefore, the feedback information that first network equipment will be sent by second network equipment, determine the slice information of first network slice, the slice information may be identical as the demand information that first network is sliced, may also be different, but embody the Internet resources and network function of first network slice actual use.

Optionally, as an embodiment of the present invention, the above method further include: first network equipment sends first network to second network equipment and is sliced confirmation message, and first network slice confirmation message is used to indicate that first network equipment to receive Internet resources and network function that second network equipment provides.

When required network function in the demand information that second network equipment discovery current network can not provide the first network slice of first network equipment transmission or Internet resources, current network will be returned to first network can mention the corresponding parameter information of network function or Internet resources, so when the judgement of first network equipment can receive the Internet resources and network function that current second network equipment layout provides, a first network will be sent to second network equipment be sliced confirmation message, for informing second network equipment, the Internet resources and network function of second network equipment layout are agreed to.

Optionally, the above method further include: first network equipment receives the current of third network equipment transmission The network state parameters of network, network state parameters are used to characterize the operating status of current network；First network equipment updates the first network slice or the first network slice that terminates according to the network state parameters.

Specifically, which includes that parameter informations, the present invention are not construed as limiting whether normal operation etc. for the terminal quantity, network bandwidth, network function of current network operation access.

For example, when the radix quantity in current network is not able to satisfy the first network corresponding first network demand of slice, it may be necessary to update first network slice, or the first network slice that terminates.

Specifically, first network slice is updated to be intended to redefine the demand information that first network is sliced corresponding first network slice；Terminate first network slice, it is meant that will delete the relevant information of first network slice, and is released to the network function and Internet resources of first network slice configuration.

Optionally, the above method further include: first network equipment sends the slice information that the first network is sliced to the third network equipment.

Wherein, the third network equipment is used for the configuration and management of Internet resources, to meet the needs of network slice.Therefore, which may be network slice control (Network Slicing Control, referred to as " NSC ") module

It should be understood that, the third network equipment can be the new functional module for including existing NM function, it may be independent functional module, first network equipment is to allow the third network equipment when judging that current network changes to the purpose that the third network equipment sends the slice information that first network is sliced, the situation of the current network can be timely feedbacked, to first network equipment in order to which the first network equipment determines the relevant network managements such as update or the termination of network slice.

In present example, the above method can realize the automatic management and layout of network slice according to business demand,；Further, this method supports the life cycle management of network slice.In the management of network slice and layout framework, the dynamic need according to service/application is needed, dynamic manages the life cycle of network slice, generation, update, termination etc. including network slice example；It realizes and independent management is carried out to network function, the Internet resources etc. in the slice according to network slice demand.

Fig. 3 is the schematic flow chart of the method for the management network slice of another embodiment of the present invention.As shown in figure 3, this method 300 includes:

Step 310, second network equipment receives the demand information for the first network slice that first network equipment is sent, wherein, the demand information of first network slice is for describing first network demand, first network demand is obtained by the first business demand, and first network slice is for providing service for the first business demand.

Step 320, the demand information that second network equipment is sliced according to first network, determines current network The Internet resources being capable of providing.

Step 330, the network function and Internet resources that the demand information and current network that second network equipment is sliced according to first network are capable of providing determine the Internet resources of the first network slice.

Therefore, the network function and Internet resources that second network equipment is capable of providing by the demand information and current network that are sliced according to first network, it can determine and be sliced the network function and Internet resources for including in the corresponding first network of demand information of first network slice, to realize the management of first network slice.

Specifically, corresponding to the first network demand of the first business demand, first network slice is needed to provide service, the information for describing the first network demand is the demand information of above-mentioned first network slice.

Such as specifically, the demand information of first network slice can be sliced descriptor NSD for network, and the composition of network slice is described, such as, network is sliced identity NS-ID, network function, network slice logic topology, such as connection type, interface, Key Performance Indicator KPI demand etc..

That is, network function and Internet resources that demand information and current network that second network equipment is sliced according to first network are capable of providing, can determine actually can be sliced the network function and Internet resources that provide for first network.

Second network equipment can be according to the Internet resources and network function for having existed or reserving, determine whether to can satisfy first network demand, when discovery local not available Internet resources and network function, the reservation request of network function and Internet resources will be sent into network.

Optionally, as one embodiment of the invention, the demand information that second network equipment is sliced according to first network, determine the network function and Internet resources that current network is capable of providing, include: the demand information that second network equipment is sliced according to first network, network function and Internet resources that current network is capable of providing are obtained from the third network equipment.

The third network equipment includes network management NM function, or is connected by interface with NM, and Internet resources or network function can be requested into current network.

Optionally, as one embodiment of the invention, the demand information that second network equipment is sliced according to first network, network function and Internet resources that current network is capable of providing are obtained from the third network equipment, it include: second network equipment to third network equipment transmission first network resource reservation request, first network resource reservation request is obtained according to the demand information that first network is sliced；Second network equipment receives the first network resource confirmation message that the third network equipment is sent, and first network resource confirmation message is for confirming the Internet resources that current network is capable of providing.

Optionally, composition one embodiment of the invention, the need that second network equipment is sliced according to first network Seek information, network function and Internet resources that current network is capable of providing are obtained from the third network equipment, it include: second network equipment to third network equipment transmission first network function reservation request, first network function reservation request is obtained according to the demand information that the first network is sliced；Second network equipment receives the first network function confirmation message that the third network equipment is sent, and first network function confirmation message is for confirming the network function that the current network is capable of providing.

Specifically, network function is either physical network function, is also possible to virtual network function, and Internet resources include link circuit resource, storage resource, computing resource etc., and the present invention is not construed as limiting.

Optionally, as one embodiment of the invention, the network function and Internet resources being capable of providing according to the demand information of first network slice and the current network, determine the network function and Internet resources of the first network slice, including: second network equipment sends first network slice feedback information to the first network equipment, the first network slice feedback information is for informing that the first network equipment, the current network can be sliced the Internet resources and network function that provide for the first network.

Specifically, when the Internet resources and network function that second network equipment determines meet first network slice demand, then the configuration that demand carries out network function and Internet resources to the third network equipment can be sliced according to first network.

Specifically, when the Internet resources and network function that second network equipment determines are not able to satisfy first network slice demand, above-mentioned first network will be sent to first network equipment be sliced feedback information, the parameter information for being unsatisfactory for first network slice demand is carried in first network slice feedback information, in order to which first network equipment judges whether that the network function and Internet resources that second network equipment is its layout can be received.

Optionally, as one embodiment of the invention, the network function and Internet resources that the demand information and the current network according to first network slice is capable of providing, determine the network function and Internet resources of the first network slice, it include: that second network equipment receives the first network slice confirmation message that the first network equipment is sent, it is the determining Internet resources and network function of first network slice that the first network slice confirmation message, which is used to indicate that the first network equipment to receive second network equipment,.

When it is the determining Internet resources and network function of first network slice that first network equipment, which receives second network equipment, it will above-mentioned confirmation message is sent to second network equipment, in order to which second network equipment carries out the configuration of subsequent network function and Internet resources.

Optionally, as one embodiment of the invention, the method also includes: second network equipment sends the configuration information that the first network is sliced to the third network equipment, it is used to indicate the configuration information that the third network equipment is sliced according to the first network, carries out matching for Internet resources and network function It sets, wherein the configuration information of the first network slice is obtained by the first network demand；Second network equipment receives the configure-ack information for the first network slice that the third network equipment returns, the configure-ack information of the first network slice is for informing second network equipment, the configuration information that the third network equipment is sliced according to the first network completes the configuration of Internet resources and network function.

Specifically, second network equipment will send specific network function configuring request to the third network equipment, corresponding functional parameter is carried in the configuring request, in order to which the third network equipment is according to the functional parameter carried in the network function configuring request, corresponding network function configuration is carried out, and returns to functional configuration confirmation message to second network equipment；Or, second network equipment is by sending the configuration that network connection configuring request is embodied as Internet resources to the third network equipment, the parameters such as internetwork connection mode, interface, KPI are carried in the configuring request, when the third network equipment completes that corresponding determining information will be returned to second network equipment with postponing according to the configuration information.

It should be understood that the sending method of the network function configuring request and Network resource allocation request, the present invention is without limitation.

Optionally, as one embodiment of the invention, the method also includes: second network equipment sends the confirmation message that first network is sliced to the first network equipment, for the confirmation message of the first network slice for informing the first network equipment, second network equipment has completed the configuration of network function and Internet resources according to the demand information of first network slice.

It should be understood that being also achieved that the generation of first network slice after second network equipment completes the configuration of corresponding network function and Internet resources according to the demand information that first network is sliced, first network slice can provide service for the first business.

Optionally, as one embodiment of the invention, the method also includes: second network equipment receives the second network demand information that the first network equipment is sent, wherein, the second network demand information is for describing the second network demand, second network demand is obtained by the second business demand, and the second network slice is for providing service for second business demand；Second network equipment obtains the network function and Internet resources that the current network is capable of providing according to the second network demand information；The network function and Internet resources that the demand information and the current network that second network equipment is sliced according to the first network are capable of providing, determine the network function and Internet resources of the second network slice, wherein, the first network slice shares at least one identical network function with second network slice.

That is, the demand that second network equipment is sliced based on different networks, and the practical network function and Internet resources possessed, layout is carried out to network function and Internet resources, maximized satisfaction is each The demand of a network slice.For example, NSO carries out layout to the mobile management function to ps domain that these networks are sliced when multiple networks slice requires mobile management function to ps domain, it is only necessary to which an identical mobile management can meet the needs of these networks slice simultaneously.

Fig. 4 is the schematic flow chart of the method for the management network slice of another embodiment of the present invention.As shown in figure 4, this method 400 includes:

Step 410, the third network equipment receives the reservation request information that second network equipment is sent, wherein, reservation request information is obtained by the demand information that first network is sliced, the demand information of first network slice is obtained by the first business demand, and first network slice is for providing service for the first business demand.

Step 420, the third network equipment is sliced reserving network resources and/or network function in current network according to reservation request information for first network.

Step 430, the third network equipment sends reservation confirmation information to second network equipment, and for reservation confirmation information for informing second network equipment, current network can be sliced the Internet resources and/or network function that provide for first network.

Optionally, as one embodiment of the invention, the above method further include: the third network equipment receives the configuration information for the first network slice that second network equipment is sent；The configuration information that the third network equipment is sliced according to the first network carries out the configuration of Internet resources and/or network function to the current network, wherein the configuration information of the first network slice is obtained by the demand information that the first network is sliced.

Optionally, as one embodiment of the invention, the method also includes: the third network equipments to send the network state parameters of the current network to first network equipment, the network state parameters are used to characterize the operating status of the current network, in order to which first network equipment is according to the network state parameters, the first network slice is updated or the first network slice that terminates.

Optionally, as one embodiment of the invention, the method also includes: the third network equipment The slice information for the first network slice that the first network equipment is sent is received, the slice information of the first network slice is used to describe the Internet resources and network function of the first network slice actual use.

Fig. 5 shows the process interaction figure of the method for one embodiment of the invention.In Fig. 5, second network equipment can be sliced orchestration module (NSO) for network, first network equipment can be sliced life cycle management module (NS-LCM) for network, the third network equipment can be sliced control function module (NSC) for network, NSC may include the correlation function of network manager NM in Fig. 5, this method comprises:

Step 501, NS-LCM receives application/business demand, such as: the number of devices for needing support/servicing, the application/service related data stream time delay and handling capacity, coverage area needed for the application/business, the relevant economic parameters of application/business (charge method etc.) etc..

Step 502, application/business demand is converted into the demand to network, such as: if the demand of user is number of devices and coverage area, corresponding network demand is handling capacity/time delay of network connection, required base station number etc..

Step 503, creation network is sliced descriptor, namely generates NSD, and the component of network slice is described, such as: NS-ID, network function, network slice logic topological (connection type, interface, KPI demand) etc..

Step 504, network slice demand information is sent to NSO, the network slice descriptor NSD of creation is sent to NSO by specific NS-LCM.

Step 505, whether NSO is checked available network function and Internet resources at present.If so, being then directly entered step 509；If it is not, entering step 506.

Optionally, step 506, NSO sends the reservation request of network function and Internet resources to NSC, and request network is that the slice reserves required network function and Internet resources.The network function is also possible to virtual network function either physical network function.The Internet resources include link circuit resource, storage resource, computing resource etc..

Optionally, step 507, NSC is that network slice reserves required network function and Internet resources.

Optionally, step 508, NSC sends network function and network resource reservation based on moving speed confirmation message to NSO.The message carries NSC and is sliced the network function and Internet resources reserved for the network.The reserved Internet resources are possible to less than Internet resources needed for network slice；Reserved network function is possible to network function needed for cannot fully meeting network slice.

Step 509, the demand based on network slice, and the practical network function and Internet resources possessed, NSO carry out layout to network function and Internet resources, maximumlly meet the needs of network slice. For example, NSO carries out layout to the mobile management function to ps domain that these networks are sliced when multiple networks slice requires mobile management function to ps domain, it is only necessary to which an identical mobile management can meet the needs of these networks slice simultaneously.If layout result meets the network slice demand information of NS-LCM, it is directly entered step 512；If layout result does not meet the network slice demand information of NS-LCM, 510 are entered step.

Step 510, network function and Internet resources layout result are advertised to NS-LCM by NSO, for example, the parameter of the network for not meeting NS-LCM slice demand is sent to NS-LCM by NSO.

Step 511, NS-LCM judges whether to receive the network function of NSO and Internet resources layout result.If received, layout result confirmation message is sent to NSO, expression receives layout result.

Step 512, layout of the NSO based on network function and Internet resources includes the network function parameter to be configured in the request message as a result, to NSC transmission network function configuring request.For example, being sliced the network function of configuration Hypomobility management for the network for the relevant network slice of machine type communication.

Step 513, NSC configures network function, and sends network function configure-ack to NSO.

Step 514, layout of the NSO based on network function and Internet resources is as a result, send network connection configuring request to NSC.For example, connection type, interface, KPI etc. between configuration network of relation function.

Step 515, NSC configures network connection, and sends network connection configure-ack to NSO.

Step 516, NSO sends network slice instantiation confirmation to NS-LCM, and expression has been the good relevant network function of network slice exemplary configuration and Internet resources.

Via step 501-516, for the relevant network slice of the application/service generation.

Optionally, step 517, NS-LCM sends the mirror image of network slice example, the relevant information which is sliced to NM, such as NS-ID, network function, network slice logic topological (connection type, interface, KPI etc.), it is sent to NM, when NSC includes the function that NM has, which can send the mirror image that above-mentioned network is sliced example to NSC for NS-LCM.

In present example, this method can realize the automatic management and layout of network slice according to business demand, and can support the network function management under sharing mode.One important feature of network slice is that network function is shared, such as mobile management etc., so that the function needed for needing to be sliced network is managed and layout；Further, this method supports the life cycle management of network slice.In the management of network slice and layout framework, the dynamic need according to service/application is needed, dynamic manages the life cycle of network slice, generation, update, termination etc. including network slice example；It realizes and is sliced according to network Demand carries out independent management to network function, the Internet resources etc. in the slice.

Fig. 6 shows the process interaction figure of the method for one embodiment of the invention.In Fig. 6, second network equipment can be sliced orchestration module (NSO) for network, first network equipment can be sliced life cycle management module (NS-LCM) for network, the third network equipment can be sliced control function module (NSC) for network, NSC may include the correlation function of network manager NM in Fig. 6, this method comprises:

Step 601-610 is identical with the step in the step 501-510 in embodiment illustrated in fig. 5, and details are not described herein.

Step 611:NS-LCM judges whether to receive the network function of NSO and Internet resources layout result.If do not received, layout result confirmation message is sent to NSO, expression does not receive layout result.When once reserving relevant network function and Internet resources to NSC before NSO, then 612 are entered step；If it is not, being directly entered step 614.

Step 612:NSO sends network function and Internet resources release request to NSC, network function and the Internet resources release that step 606 is reserved.

Step 613:NSC discharges network function and Internet resources, and sends confirmation message to NSO.

Step 614:NSO sends network slice instantiation failed message to NS-LCM.

In present example, this method can realize the automatic management and layout of network slice according to business demand, and can support the network function management under sharing mode.One important feature of network slice is that network function is shared, such as mobile management etc., so that the function needed for needing to be sliced network is managed and layout；Further, this method supports the life cycle management of network slice.In the management of network slice and layout framework, the dynamic need according to service/application is needed, dynamic manages the life cycle of network slice, generation, update, termination etc. including network slice example；It realizes and independent management is carried out to network function, the Internet resources etc. in the slice according to network slice demand.

Fig. 7 shows network management framework 700 applied by the embodiment of the present invention.The network management framework 700 includes at least one network element (Network Element, referred to as " NE "), at least one NE management (Element Manager, referred to as " EM ") module, at least one domain manager (Domain Manager, referred to as " DM "), network slice control (Network Slicing Control, referred to as " NSC ") module, network is sliced layout (Network Slice Orchestration, referred to as " NSO ") module, network is sliced life cycle management (Network Slice Lifecycle Management, referred to as " NS- LCM ") module and network management (Network Manager, referred to as " NM ") module.

Wherein, NE module is the minimum unit that can be monitored and manage in network management framework 700, by EM module is responsible for managing single NE, provides the function of handling independent NE, including alarm management, notice management, log recording and software and hardware maintenance etc..

NM module is responsible for managing whole network, can provide support by multiple EM modules, can also be directly connected in NE, mainly provide the correlation functions, such as branch, configuration, control and the monitoring of Internet resources such as the interaction between Network Management Function, management equipment etc..

NS-LCM module is mainly responsible for the life cycle management of network slice, creation, combination, update, deletion (termination) etc. including network slice.It specifically includes: (1) application/business demand is received, for example, it is desired to the time delay and handling capacity of the number of devices supported/serviced, data flow, coverage area, economic parameters (such as charge method) etc.；(2) application/business demand is converted into the demand to network, for example, corresponding network demand is handling capacity/time delay of network connection, required base station number etc. if the demand of user is number of devices and coverage area；(3) it generates network and is sliced descriptor (Network Slice Descriptor, referred to as " NSD "), the composition of network slice is described, such as, network is sliced identity (Network Slice Identifier, referred to as " NS-ID "), network function, network slice logic topological (connection type, interface, Key Performance Indicator (Key Performance Indicator, referred to as " KPI ") demand) etc..Specifically, the network function can be the function of bulky grain degree, such as mobile management, connection management, the functions such as access control, it is also possible to atomic function, such as Packet Data Convergence Protocol (Packet Data Convergence Protocol, referred to as " PDCP ") layer steady head compress (Robust Header Compression, referred to as " ROHC "), enciphering/deciphering, the functions such as reorder, wireless spread-spectrum technology (Radio Link Control, referred to as " RLC ") layer automatic repeat request (Automatic Repeat-reQuest, referred to as " ARQ "), message fragment, the functions such as reorder, media connect Enter the functions such as the hybrid automatic repeat-request (Hybrid Automatic Repeat-reQuest, referred to as " HARQ "), multiplex/demultiplex of control (Medium Access Control, referred to as " MAC ") layer.Connection type, interface, KPI demand (may include bandwidth, time delay, handling capacity) between network function of the network slice logic topology for indicating network slice etc..

Internet resources are carried out layout by the Internet resources that NSO module is possessed based on the network slice demand that NS-LCM module generates with reality.The Internet resources may include link circuit resource, storage resource, computing resource etc..

NSC module is mainly used for the configuration and management of Internet resources, to meet the needs of network slice.

In Fig. 7, the interface between NS-LCM and NSO is mainly used for transmitting the component of network slice, i.e. network is sliced descriptor NSD, including NS-ID, network function, network slice logic topological (connection type, interface, KPI demand) etc..

In Fig. 7, interface between NSO and NM is mainly used for network function and Internet resources description needed for transmitting supporting network slice, wherein network function is either physical network function, it is also possible to virtual network function, Internet resources include link circuit resource, storage resource, computing resource etc..

Wherein, the interface between NSO and NSC is mainly used for transmitting the description that network is sliced specific network function and Internet resources, for example, network is sliced selection function.

Wherein, the interface between NSC and EM or DM is mainly used for configuring and managing the specific network function of network slice and Internet resources, for example, NS-ID.

Wherein, the interface between NS-LCM and NM is mainly used for NM to NS-LCM report network state, to trigger update and termination of network slice example etc..

Optionally, NSC has the Network Management Function of NM in tradition 3GPP telecommunication network management framework.The management of network slice and layout framework at this time is as shown in Figure 8.

Fig. 8 shows another network management framework 800 applied by the embodiment of the present invention.In fig. 8, NSC module and NM module can be merged into a functional module, which has the institute of NSC module and NM module functional.

Additionally, it should be noted that tri- functional modules of NS-LCM, NSO, NSC of above-mentioned introducing, from the point of view of being the function possessed by them.In practice, NS-LCM module and NSO module can be merged into a functional module, which has the institute of NS-LCM module and NSO module functional, and the embodiment of the present invention is not construed as limiting this.

It should be understood that the first network equipment can be the equipment for including NS-LCM module, which can be the equipment for including NSO module, which can be the equipment for including NSC module, and the 4th equipment can be the equipment for including NM module.

It should be understood that above-mentioned first network equipment, second network equipment, the third network equipment specifically can be Network Management Equipment, in network O&M to the monitoring of network element, manage and maintain, but the embodiment of the present invention is without being limited thereto.

The method and network management framework of the management network slice of the embodiment of the present invention are described in detail above in association with Fig. 1 to Fig. 8, below in conjunction with Fig. 9 to the network equipment of Figure 16 the present invention is described in detail embodiment.

Fig. 9 is the schematic block diagram of the network equipment 900 of the embodiment of the present invention.It should be understood that the network equipment 900 is able to carry out each step executed in the method for Fig. 1 to Fig. 8 by first network equipment, in order to avoid repeating, and will not be described here in detail.The network equipment 900 includes:

Transmission unit 910 is sliced the demand information that corresponding first network is sliced for sending first network to second network equipment, wherein the demand information of the first network slice is needed for describing first network It asks, the first network demand is the corresponding network demand of the first business demand, and the first network slice provides service for first business demand；

Receiving unit 920, the confirmation message sent for receiving second network equipment, for informing described device, second network equipment is sliced demand according to the first network and completes the configuration being sliced to the first network confirmation message.

Therefore, the network equipment is sliced the demand information that corresponding first network is sliced by sending first network to second network equipment, the demand information of first network slice is corresponding with the first business demand, the demand information that second network equipment is sliced according to the first network completes the configuration being sliced to the first network, therefore can be realized for management such as generation, update or the terminations of first network slice of the first business demand.

Figure 10 is the schematic block diagram of the network equipment 1000 of the embodiment of the present invention.It should be understood that the network equipment 1000 is able to carry out each step executed in the method for Fig. 1 to Fig. 8 by second network equipment, in order to avoid repeating, and will not be described here in detail.The network equipment 1000 includes:

Receiving unit 1010, for receiving the demand information of the first network slice of first network equipment transmission, wherein, the demand information of the first network slice is for describing first network demand, the first network demand is obtained by the first business demand, and first network slice is for providing service for first business demand.

Determination unit 1020, the demand information for being sliced according to the first network, determines the network function and Internet resources that current network is capable of providing.

The network function and Internet resources that the demand information and the current network that determination unit 1020 is also used to be sliced according to the first network are capable of providing determine the network function and Internet resources of the first network slice.

Therefore, the network function and Internet resources that the network equipment can be improved by the demand information and current network that are sliced according to first network, it can determine and be sliced the network function and Internet resources for including in the corresponding first network of demand information of first network slice, to realize the management of first network slice.

Figure 11 is the schematic block diagram of the network equipment 1100 of the embodiment of the present invention.It should be understood that the network equipment 1100 is able to carry out each step executed in the method for Fig. 1 to Fig. 8 by the third network equipment, in order to avoid repeating, and will not be described here in detail.The network equipment 1100 includes:

Receiving unit 1110, for receiving the reservation request information of second network equipment transmission, wherein, the reservation request information is obtained by the demand information that first network is sliced, the demand information of the first network slice is obtained by the first business demand, and first network slice is for providing clothes for first business demand Business；

Determination unit 1120, for according to the reservation request information, being the first network slice reserving network resources and/or network function in current network.

Transmission unit 1130, for sending reservation confirmation information to second network equipment, for the reservation confirmation information for informing second network equipment, current network can be sliced the Internet resources and/or network function that provide for the first network.

Therefore, the network equipment is by receiving reservation request information corresponding with first network slice, and reserving network resources and/or network function are sliced for the first network according to the reservation request information, and reservation confirmation information is fed back into second network equipment, therefore, it can be sliced for first network and corresponding Internet resources and/or network function are provided.

Figure 12 shows provided in an embodiment of the present invention another for managing the device 1200 of network slice.It should be understood that device 1200 is able to carry out each step executed in the method for Fig. 1 to Fig. 8 by first network equipment, in order to avoid repeating, and will not be described here in detail.Device 1200 includes:

Memory 1210, for storing program；

Transceiver 1220, for being communicated with other equipment；

Processor 1230, for executing the program in memory 1210, when described program is performed, the processor 1230, which is used to send first network to second network equipment by transceiver 1220, is sliced the demand information that corresponding first network is sliced, wherein, the demand information of first network slice is the corresponding network demand of the first business demand for describing first network demand, first network demand, and first network slice provides service for the first business demand；The confirmation message of second network equipment transmission is received, for informing first network equipment, second network equipment is sliced demand according to first network and completes the configuration being sliced to first network the confirmation message.

It should be understood that device 1200 can be specially the first network equipment in above-described embodiment, and it can be used for executing each step corresponding with first network equipment and/or process in above method embodiment.

Figure 13 shows provided in an embodiment of the present invention another for managing the device 1300 of network slice.It should be understood that the network equipment 1300 is able to carry out each step executed in the method for Fig. 1 to Fig. 8 by second network equipment, in order to avoid repeating, and will not be described here in detail.The network equipment 1300 includes:

Memory 1310, for storing program；

Transceiver 1320, for being communicated with other equipment；

Processor 1330, for executing the program in memory 1310, when described program is performed, the processor 1330 is used to receive the first network that first network equipment is sent by transceiver 1320 and cut The demand information of piece, wherein for describing first network demand, first network demand is obtained the demand information of first network slice by the first business demand, and first network slice is for providing service for the first business demand；According to the demand information that first network is sliced, the network function and Internet resources that current network is capable of providing are determined；According to network function and Internet resources that the demand information of first network slice and current network are capable of providing, the network function and Internet resources of the first network slice are determined.

It should be understood that device 1300 can be specially second network equipment in above-described embodiment, and it can be used for executing each step corresponding with second network equipment and/or process in above method embodiment.

Figure 14 shows provided in an embodiment of the present invention another for managing the device 1400 of network slice.It should be understood that device 1400 is able to carry out each step executed in the method for Fig. 1 to Fig. 8 by the third network equipment, in order to avoid repeating, and will not be described here in detail.Device 1400 includes:

Memory 1410, for storing program；

Transceiver 1420, for being communicated with other equipment；

Processor 1430, for executing the program in memory 1410, when described program is performed, the processor 1430 is used to be used to receive by the transceiver 1430 of transceiver 1420 reservation request information of second network equipment transmission, wherein, reservation request information is obtained by the demand information that first network is sliced, and the demand information of first network slice is obtained by the first business demand, and first network slice is for providing service for the first business demand；According to reservation request information, reserving network resources and/or network function are sliced for first network in current network；Reservation confirmation information is sent to second network equipment, for reservation confirmation information for informing second network equipment, current network can be sliced the Internet resources and/or network function that provide for first network.

It should be understood that, in embodiments of the present invention, the processor of above-mentioned apparatus can be central processing unit (Central Processing Unit, CPU), which can also be other general processors, digital signal processor (DSP), specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA) either other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components etc..General processor can be microprocessor or the processor is also possible to any conventional processor etc..

During realization, each step of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in processor or the instruction of software form.The step of method in conjunction with disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention, can be embodied directly in hardware processor and execute completion, or in processor hardware and software unit combination execute completion.Software unit can be located at random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, in the storage medium of this fields such as programmable read only memory or electrically erasable programmable memory, register maturation.The storage medium is located at memory, and processor executes the instruction in memory, completes above-mentioned side in conjunction with its hardware The step of method.To avoid repeating, it is not detailed herein.

Those of ordinary skill in the art may be aware that, various method steps and unit in conjunction with described in the embodiments described herein, it can be realized with electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of the two, in order to clearly illustrate the interchangeability of hardware and software, the step of according to function having generally described each embodiment in the above description and composition.These functions are implemented in hardware or software actually, the specific application and design constraint depending on technical solution.Those of ordinary skill in the art can use different methods to achieve the described function each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention.

It is apparent to those skilled in the art that for convenience of description and succinctly, system, the specific work process of device and unit of foregoing description can refer to corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiment, details are not described herein.

In several embodiments provided herein, it should be understood that disclosed systems, devices and methods may be implemented in other ways.Such as, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely exemplary, such as, the division of the unit, only a kind of logical function partition, there may be another division manner in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or can be integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed.In addition, shown or discussed mutual coupling, direct-coupling or communication connection can be through some interfaces, the indirect coupling or communication connection of device or unit, be also possible to electricity, the connection of mechanical or other forms.

The unit as illustrated by the separation member may or may not be physically separated, and component shown as a unit may or may not be physical unit, it can and it is in one place, or may be distributed over multiple network units.It can select some or all of unit therein according to the actual needs to realize the purpose of the embodiment of the present invention.

The terms "and/or", only a kind of incidence relation for describing affiliated partner, indicates may exist three kinds of relationships, for example, A and/or B, can indicate: individualism A exists simultaneously A and B, these three situations of individualism B.In addition, character "/" herein, typicallys represent the relationship that forward-backward correlation object is a kind of "or".

In addition, the functional units in various embodiments of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, it is also possible to each unit and physically exists alone, is also possible to two or more units and is integrated in one unit.Above-mentioned integrated unit both can take the form of hardware realization, can also realize in the form of software functional units.

If the integrated unit is realized in the form of SFU software functional unit and as independent product pin It sells or in use, can store in a computer readable storage medium.Based on this understanding, technical solution of the present invention substantially the part that contributes to existing technology in other words, or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of software products, the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, it uses including some instructions so that a computer equipment (can be personal computer, server or the network equipment etc.) it performs all or part of the steps of the method described in the various embodiments of the present invention.And storage medium above-mentioned includes: USB flash disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (Read-Only Memory, referred to as " ROM "), random access memory (Random Access Memory, referred to as " RAM "), the various media that can store program code such as magnetic or disk.

It is described above; only a specific embodiment of the invention; but scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto; anyone skilled in the art is in the technical scope disclosed by the present invention; various equivalent modifications or substitutions can be readily occurred in, these modifications or substitutions should be covered by the protection scope of the present invention.Therefore, protection scope of the present invention should be subject to the protection scope in claims.

Claims

A method of management network slice characterized by comprising

First network equipment sends the demand information that first network is sliced to second network equipment, wherein, the demand information of the first network slice is for describing first network demand, the first network demand is the corresponding network demand of the first business demand, and the first network slice provides service for first business demand；

The first network equipment receives the confirmation message that second network equipment is sent, and for informing the first network equipment, second network equipment is sliced demand according to the first network and completes the configuration being sliced to the first network confirmation message.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the method also includes:

The first network equipment obtains first business demand；

The first network equipment determines the corresponding first network demand of first business demand, wherein the first network demand includes network function demand and network resource requirement according to first business demand.
Method according to claim 1 or 2, which is characterized in that the method also includes:

The first network equipment receives the first network slice feedback information that second network equipment is sent, and the first network slice feedback information is used to indicate the Internet resources and network function that current network can provide for the first net slice；

The first network equipment is sliced feedback information according to the first network, determines that the slice information of first network slice, the slice information of the first network slice are used to describe the Internet resources and network function of the first network slice actual use.
According to the method described in claim 3, it is characterized in that, the method also includes:

The first network equipment sends first network to second network equipment and is sliced confirmation message, and the first network slice confirmation message is used to indicate that the first network equipment to receive Internet resources and network function that second network equipment provides.
According to the method described in claim 4, it is characterized in that, the method also includes:

The first network equipment receives the network state parameters for the current network that the third network equipment is sent, and the network state parameters are used to characterize the operating status of the current network；

The first network equipment updates the first network slice or the first network slice that terminates according to the network state parameters.
According to the method described in claim 5, it is characterized in that, the method also includes:

The first network equipment sends the slice information that the first network is sliced to the third network equipment.
A method of management network slice characterized by comprising

Second network equipment receives the demand information for the first network slice that first network equipment is sent, wherein, the demand information of the first network slice is for describing first network demand, the first network demand is obtained by the first business demand, and the first network slice is for providing service for first business demand；

The demand information that second network equipment is sliced according to the first network determines the Internet resources that current network is capable of providing；

According to the Internet resources that the demand information of first network slice and the current network are capable of providing, the Internet resources of the first network slice are determined.
The method according to the description of claim 7 is characterized in that the demand information that second network equipment is sliced according to the first network, determines the Internet resources that current network is capable of providing, comprising:

The demand information that second network equipment is sliced according to the first network obtains network function and Internet resources that current network is capable of providing from the third network equipment.
According to the method described in claim 8, it is characterized in that, the demand information that second network equipment is sliced according to the first network, obtains network function and Internet resources that current network is capable of providing from the third network equipment, comprising:

Second network equipment sends first network resource reservation request to the third network equipment, and the first network resource reservation request is obtained according to the demand information that the first network is sliced；

Second network equipment receives the first network resource confirmation message that the third network equipment is sent, and the first network resource confirmation message is for confirming the Internet resources that the current network is capable of providing.
Method according to claim 8 or claim 9, which is characterized in that the demand information that second network equipment is sliced according to the first network obtains network function and Internet resources that current network is capable of providing from the third network equipment, comprising:

Second network equipment sends first network function reservation request to the third network equipment, and the first network function reservation request is obtained according to the demand information that the first network is sliced；

Second network equipment receives the first network function confirmation message that the third network equipment is sent, and the first network function confirmation message is for confirming the network function that the current network is capable of providing.
Method according to claim 9 or 10, it is characterized in that, the network function and Internet resources that the demand information and the current network according to first network slice is capable of providing, determine the network function and Internet resources of the first network slice, comprising:

Second network equipment sends first network to the first network equipment and is sliced feedback information, the first network slice feedback information is for informing that the first network equipment, the current network can be sliced the Internet resources and network function that provide for the first network.
The method according to any one of claim 8 to 11, it is characterized in that, the network function and Internet resources that the demand information and the current network according to first network slice is capable of providing, determine the network function and Internet resources of the first network slice, comprising:

Second network equipment receives the first network slice confirmation message that the first network equipment is sent, and it is the determining Internet resources and network function of first network slice that the first network slice confirmation message, which is used to indicate that the first network equipment to receive second network equipment,.
The method according to any one of claim 8 to 12, which is characterized in that the method also includes:

Second network equipment sends the configuration information that the first network is sliced to the third network equipment, it is used to indicate the configuration information that the third network equipment is sliced according to the first network, carry out the configuration of Internet resources and network function, wherein, the configuration information of the first network slice is obtained by the first network demand；

Second network equipment receives the configure-ack information for the first network slice that the third network equipment returns, the configure-ack information of the first network slice is for informing second network equipment, the configuration information that the third network equipment is sliced according to the first network completes the configuration of Internet resources and network function.
Method according to one of claims 8 to 13, which is characterized in that the method also includes:

Second network equipment sends the confirmation message that first network is sliced to the first network equipment, for the confirmation message of the first network slice for informing the first network equipment, second network equipment has completed the configuration of network function and Internet resources according to the demand information of first network slice.
The method according to any one of claim 8 to 14, which is characterized in that the method also includes:

Second network equipment receives the demand information for the second network slice that the first network equipment is sent, wherein and the demand information of the second network slice is for describing the second network demand, and described the Two network demands are obtained by the second business demand, and the second network slice is for providing service for second business demand；

The demand information that second network equipment is sliced according to second network obtains network function and Internet resources that the current network is capable of providing；

The network function and Internet resources that the demand information and the current network that second network equipment is sliced according to the first network are capable of providing, determine the network function and Internet resources of the second network slice, wherein, the first network slice shares at least one identical network function with second network slice.
A method of management network slice characterized by comprising

The third network equipment receives the reservation request information that second network equipment is sent, wherein, the reservation request information is obtained by the demand information that first network is sliced, the demand information of the first network slice is obtained by the first business demand, and first network slice is for providing service for first business demand；

The third network equipment is the first network slice reserving network resources and/or network function in current network according to the reservation request information；

The third network equipment sends reservation confirmation information to second network equipment, and for the reservation confirmation information for informing second network equipment, current network can be sliced the Internet resources and/or network function that provide for the first network.
According to the method for claim 16, which is characterized in that the method also includes:

The third network equipment receives the configuration information for the first network slice that second network equipment is sent；

The configuration information that the third network equipment is sliced according to the first network carries out the configuration of Internet resources and/or network function to the current network, wherein the configuration information of the first network slice is obtained by the demand information that the first network is sliced.
Method according to claim 16 or 17, which is characterized in that the method also includes:

The third network equipment sends the network state parameters of the current network to first network equipment, the network state parameters are used to characterize the operating status of the current network, in order to which first network equipment is according to the network state parameters, the first network slice is updated or the first network slice that terminates.
According to the method for claim 18, which is characterized in that the method also includes:

The third network equipment receives the slice information for the first network slice that the first network equipment is sent, and the slice information of the first network slice is used to describe the Internet resources and network function of the first network slice actual use.
A kind of device being sliced for managing network, which is characterized in that transceiver, memory, for storing instruction；Processor is respectively connected with the memory and the transceiver, for executing the described instruction of the memory storage, to execute following steps when executing described instruction:

Pass through the transceiver: sending first network to second network equipment and be sliced the demand information that corresponding first network is sliced, wherein, the demand information of the first network slice is for describing first network demand, the first network demand is the corresponding network demand of the first business demand, and the first network slice provides service for first business demand；

The confirmation message that second network equipment is sent is received, for informing described device, second network equipment is sliced demand according to the first network and completes the configuration being sliced to the first network confirmation message.
Device according to claim 20, which is characterized in that the transceiver is also used to:

Obtain first business demand；

The processor is specifically used for: according to first business demand, determining the corresponding first network demand of first business demand, wherein the first network demand includes network function demand and network resource requirement.
The device according to claim 20 or 21, which is characterized in that the transceiver is also used to:

The first network slice feedback information that second network equipment is sent is received, the first network slice feedback information is used to indicate the Internet resources and network function that current network can provide for the first net slice；

The processor is also used to: being sliced feedback information according to the first network, is determined that the slice information of first network slice, the slice information of the first network slice are used to describe the Internet resources and network function of the first network slice actual use.
The device according to any one of claim 22, which is characterized in that the transceiver is also used to:

First network is sent to second network equipment and is sliced confirmation message, and the first network slice confirmation message is used to indicate that described device to receive Internet resources and network function that second network equipment provides.
It is a kind of for managing the device of network slice, which is characterized in that including transceiver, memory, for storing instruction；Processor is respectively connected with the memory and the transceiver, for executing the described instruction of the memory storage, to execute following steps when executing described instruction:

The demand information for the first network slice that first network equipment is sent is received by the transceiver, wherein, the demand information of the first network slice is for describing first network demand, the first network demand is obtained by the first business demand, and first network slice is for providing service for first business demand；

The processor is used for: the demand information being sliced according to the first network determines the Internet resources that current network is capable of providing；

The processor is also used to: the network function and Internet resources being capable of providing according to the demand information of first network slice and the current network, determines the Internet resources of the first network slice.
Device according to claim 24, which is characterized in that the transceiver is specifically used for:

First network resource reservation request is sent to the third network equipment, the first network resource reservation request is obtained according to the demand information that the first network is sliced；

The first network resource confirmation message that the third network equipment is sent is received, the first network resource confirmation message is for confirming the Internet resources that the current network is capable of providing.
Device according to claim 25, which is characterized in that the transmitting-receiving implement body is also used to:

First network function reservation request is sent to the third network equipment, the first network function reservation request is obtained according to the demand information that the first network is sliced；

The first network function confirmation message that the third network equipment is sent is received, the first network function confirmation message is for confirming the network function that the current network is capable of providing.
The device according to claim 25 or 26, which is characterized in that the transceiver is also used to:

The configuration information that the first network is sliced is sent to the third network equipment, it is used to indicate the configuration information that the third network equipment is sliced according to the first network, carry out the configuration of Internet resources and network function, wherein, the configuration information of the first network slice is obtained by the first network demand；

Receive the configure-ack information for the first network slice that the third network equipment returns, the configure-ack information of the first network slice is for informing described device, the configuration information that the third network equipment is sliced according to the first network, completes the configuration of Internet resources and network function.
The device according to any one of claim 24 to 27, which is characterized in that the transceiver is also used to:

Receive the second network demand information that the first network equipment is sent, wherein, the second network demand information is obtained for describing the second network demand, second network demand by the second business demand, and the second network slice is for providing service for second business demand；

According to the second network demand information, the network function and Internet resources that the current network is capable of providing are obtained；

The network function and Internet resources being capable of providing according to the demand information of first network slice and the current network, determine the network function and Internet resources of the second network slice, wherein, the first network slice shares at least one identical network function with second network slice.
A kind of device being sliced for managing network, which is characterized in that transceiver, memory, for storing instruction；Processor is respectively connected with the memory and the transceiver, for executing the described instruction of the memory storage, to execute following steps when executing described instruction:

Pass through the transceiver: receiving the reservation request information that second network equipment is sent, wherein, the reservation request information is obtained by the demand information that first network is sliced, the demand information of the first network slice is obtained by the first business demand, first network slice is for providing service for first business demand；

It is the first network slice reserving network resources and/or network function in current network according to the reservation request information；

Reservation confirmation information is sent to second network equipment, for the reservation confirmation information for informing second network equipment, current network can be sliced the Internet resources and/or network function that provide for the first network.
Device according to claim 29, which is characterized in that the transceiver is also used to:

Receive the configuration information for the first network slice that second network equipment is sent；

The processor is used for the configuration information being sliced according to the first network, and the configuration of Internet resources and/or network function is carried out to the current network, wherein the configuration information of the first network slice is obtained by the demand information that the first network is sliced.