System and method for dynamic network function management

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12532255-B2
Application number	US-202318480605-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 4, 2023
Priority date	Oct 4, 2023
Publication date	Jan 20, 2026
Grant date	Jan 20, 2026

Abstract

Systems and methods enable dynamic network function management, including obtaining user input data identifying network slice provisioning parameters for a creation of a network slice in a network; sending a request for a network repository function (NRF) instance for the network slice, to an orchestrator; receiving, from the NRF instance, a verification message of the creation of the network slice; sending, to the orchestrator, a request for a creation of multiple network function (NF) instances according to the network slice provisioning parameters; receiving, from the orchestrator, a verification message of the creation of the NF instances for the network slice; receiving, from the NRF, a confirmation message of a registration of the NF instances for the network slice; sending slice-specific subscriber provisioning data to a user data instance provisioned for the network slice; and generating a network slice creation confirmation message identifying the network slice.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A network device comprising:
one or more processors configured to:
obtain user input data identifying network slice provisioning parameters for a creation of a network slice in a network;
send a request for a network repository function (NRF) instance for the network slice, to an orchestrator in the network;
receive, from the NRF instance, a verification message of the creation of the network slice;
send, to the orchestrator, a request for a creation of multiple network function (NF) instances according to the network slice provisioning parameters;
receive, from the orchestrator, a verification message of the creation of the multiple NF instances for the network slice;
receive, from the NRF, a confirmation message of a registration of the multiple NF instances for the network slice;
send slice-specific subscriber provisioning data to a user data instance provisioned for the network slice; and
generate a network slice creation confirmation message identifying the network slice implemented in the network.

2 . The network device of claim 1 , wherein the network slice provisioning parameters include at least one of Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI), user equipment route selection policies (URSPs), or an access point name (APN).

3 . The network device of claim 1 , wherein the network slice provisioning parameters include at least one of a type of the multiple NF instances, a forecasted number of subscribers, a dimension of the network slice, or a lifespan of the network slice.

4 . The network device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine at least one of:
an NF type of the multiple NF instances, a number of the multiple NF instances, or a size and geographic service location of the multiple NF instances per NF type.

5 . The network device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to compare the verification message against the request for an NRF instance.

6 . The network device of claim 1 , wherein, when sending slice-specific subscriber provisioning data, the one or more processors are further configured to send the user input data.

7 . The network device of claim 1 , wherein the multiple NF instances include at least one of a unified data repository (UDR) device, a unified data management (UDM) device, a user plane function (UPF), an access and management mobility function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a network slice selection function (NSSF), or a policy control function (PCF).

8 . A method comprising:
obtaining user input data identifying network slice provisioning parameters for a creation of a network slice in a network; sending a request for a network repository function (NRF) instance for the network slice, to an orchestrator in the network; receiving, from the NRF instance, a verification message of the creation of the network slice; sending, to the orchestrator, a request for a creation of multiple network function (NF) instances according to the network slice provisioning parameters; receiving, from the orchestrator, a verification message of the creation of the multiple NF instances for the network slice; receiving, from the NRF, a confirmation message of a registration of the multiple NF instances for the network slice; sending slice-specific subscriber provisioning data to a user data instance provisioned for the network slice; and generating a network slice creation confirmation message identifying the network slice implemented in the network.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the network slice provisioning parameters include at least one of Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI), user equipment route selection policies (URSPs), or an access point name (APN).

10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the network slice provisioning parameters include at least one of a type of the multiple NF instances, a forecasted number of subscribers, a dimension of the network slice, or a lifespan of the network slice.

11 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising determining at least one of:
an NF type of the multiple NF instances, a number of the multiple NF instances, or a size and geographic service location of the multiple NF instances per NF type.

12 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising comparing the verification message against the request for an NRF instance.

13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein, when sending slice-specific subscriber provisioning data, the method further comprising sending the user input data.

14 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the multiple NF instances include at least one of a unified data repository (UDR) device, a unified data management (UDM) device, a user plane function (UPF), an access and management mobility function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a network slice selection function (NSSF), or a policy control function (PCF).

15 . A non-transitory, computer-readable storage media storing instructions, which, when executed by one or more processors of a network device, cause the network device to:
obtain user input data identifying network slice provisioning parameters for a creation of a network slice in a network; send a request for a network repository function (NRF) instance for the network slice, to an orchestrator in the network; receive, from the NRF instance, a verification message of the creation of the network slice; send, to the orchestrator, a request for a creation of multiple network function (NF) instances according to the network slice provisioning parameters; receive, from the orchestrator, a verification message of the creation of the multiple NF instances for the network slice; receive, from the NRF, a confirmation message of a registration of the multiple NF instances for the network slice; send slice-specific subscriber provisioning data to a user data instance provisioned for the network slice; and generate a network slice creation confirmation message identifying the network slice implemented in the network.

16 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of claim 15 , wherein the network slice provisioning parameters include at least one of Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI), user equipment route selection policies (URSPs), an access point name (APN), a type of the multiple NF instances, a forecasted number of subscribers, a dimension of the network slice, or a lifespan of the network slice.

17 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of claim 15 , wherein the instructions further cause the network device to determine at least one of:
an NF type of the multiple NF instances, a number of the multiple NF instances, or a size and geographic service location of the multiple NF instances per NF type.

18 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of claim 15 , wherein the instructions further cause the network device to compare the verification message against the request for an NRF instance.

19 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of claim 15 , wherein, to send slice-specific subscriber provisioning data, the instructions further cause the network device to send the user input data.

20 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of claim 15 , wherein the multiple NF instances include at least one of a unified data repository (UDR) device, a unified data management (UDM) device, a user plane function (UPF), an access and management mo

Assignees

• Verizon Patent & Licensing Inc
• Verizon Patent And Lic Ensing Inc

Inventors

• Delos Reyes Emerando M
• Vasamsetti Satish S
• Ferreira Tony
• Kondratiuk Michael

Classifications

• H04W60/04

  using triggered events · CPC title

• H04W24/02

  Arrangements for optimising operational condition · CPC title

• H04W48/18 Primary

  Selecting a network or a communication service · CPC title