DE102016110424A1 - Communication network with subnetwork manager for monitoring resources of a plurality of subnetworks - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication network (300, 400) having a plurality of subnetworks (310, 320) with a first subnetwork (slice I, 310) and a second subnetwork (slice II, 320), wherein the first subnetwork (310) has a first A second communication entity is associated with a second network function (321), comprising: a subnetwork manager (330) for monitoring communication resources of the first subnetwork (310) and the second subnetwork (320) second subnetwork (320); a first monitor (312) configured to monitor a communication status of the first network function (311) of the first network entity of the first subnetwork (310) and to send a first status signal (316) to the subnetwork manager (330), the first status signal (31) 316) has the communication status of the first network function (311); a second monitor (322) configured to monitor a communication status of the second network function (321) of the second network entity of the second subnetwork (320) and to send a second status signal (326) to the subnetwork manager (330), the second status signal (32) 326) has the communication status of the second network function (321); wherein the subnetwork manager (330) is configured to monitor the communications resources of the first subnetwork (310) and the second subnetwork (320) based on the first status signal (316) and the second status signal (326).

Description

The present invention relates to a communication network having a plurality of subnetworks, in particular a 5G communication network having a plurality of slices, the communication status of which is monitored by monitors, and a subnetwork manager for monitoring the communication resources of the subnetworks based on status signals of the monitors.

The fifth generation of mobile technology (5G) addresses the needs and technical challenges of future communication networks from about 2020 and beyond. It addresses a fully mobile and connected society, characterized by tremendous traffic growth and multi-level interconnectedness.

In 5G, new radio interfaces are needed to meet higher-frequency usage requirements, such as new applications such as Internet of Things (IoT), special skills such as: B. lesser term, which go beyond what 4G communication networks are able to afford. 5G is considered to be an end-to-end system that includes all network aspects with a design that allows a high degree of convergence. 5G will take full advantage of today's access mechanisms and their potential advancements, including today's fixed access technologies of many other access technologies yet to be developed.

5G will operate in a highly heterogeneous environment, i. H. with several types of access technologies, multi-layered networks, multiple types of communication devices and user interactions, etc. A variety of applications with diametrical requirements should be optimally supported, eg. B. fail-safe, robust communication, communication with low data rates or broadband communication in densely populated areas. In such an environment, there is a fundamental desire for 5G to deliver a seamless and consistent user experience over time and space. For the operator of a 5G communication network, there is a need to adapt the resources used optimally and dynamically to the respective requirements in order to be able to support the multitude of applications at the same time.

Therefore, in Fig. 5G, there is a need to increase the performance of the communication, in particular to provide higher data throughput, lower delay, high reliability, far greater connectivity and mobility, but also flexibility in operation Increase and provide customized functions with the least possible use of resources. This increased performance is expected along with the ability to manage highly heterogeneous environments and the ability to secure users' trust, identity and privacy.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a concept to increase the flexibility and reliability of the communication, in particular in Fig. 5G with respect to the above-mentioned requirements.

This object is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous forms of further education are the subject of the dependent claims.

The methods and systems presented below may be of various types. The individual elements described may be realized by hardware or software components, for example electronic components that can be manufactured by various technologies and include, for example, semiconductor chips, ASICs, microprocessors, digital signal processors, integrated electrical circuits, electro-optical circuits and / or passive components.

The devices, systems and methods presented below are capable of transmitting information over a communication network. The term communication network or communication network designates the technical infrastructure on which the transmission of signals takes place. The communication network essentially comprises the switching network, in which the transmission and switching of the signals take place between the stationary devices and platforms of the mobile radio network or fixed network, and the access network, in which the transmission of the signals takes place between a network access device and the communication terminal. The communication network may include both components of a mobile network and components of a fixed network. In the mobile network, the access network is also referred to as an air interface and includes, for example, a base station (NodeB, eNodeB, radio cell) with mobile antenna to establish communication with a communication terminal such as a mobile phone or smartphone or a mobile device with mobile adapter. In the fixed network, the access network includes, for example, a DSLAM (digital subscriber line access multiplexer) to the communication terminals of multiple participants wire or wired. About the switching network, the communication in other networks, such as other network operators, z. For example, foreign networks.

The devices, systems and methods presented below are intended to increase the communication in communication networks, in particular in communication networks according to the 5G system architecture presented below. 1 shows a schematic representation of such a 5G system architecture 100 , The 5G system architecture 100 includes an area with 5G communication terminals 101 that have different access technologies 102 are associated with a multi-layered communication structure, which is an infrastructure & resource layer 105 , an activation layer 104 and an application layer 103 includes, through a management & instrumentation level 106 to get managed.

The infrastructure & resource layer 105 comprises the physical resources of a converged network structure consisting of fixed-mobile convergence networks with access nodes, cloud nodes (consisting of processing and storage nodes), 5G devices such as: Mobile phones, portable devices, CPEs, machine communication modules and others, network nodes and associated links. 5G devices can include a variety of configurable capabilities, such as acting as a relay or hub, or working as a computer / storage resource, depending on the context. These resources become the higher layers 104 . 103 and the management & instrumentation level 106 provided via corresponding APIs (application program interfaces). Monitoring performance and configurations are an inherent part of such APIs.

The activation layer 104 includes a library of functions needed within a converged network in the form of building blocks of a modular architecture. These include functions implemented by software modules that can be retrieved from a repository of the desired location and a set of configuration parameters for particular portions of the network, e.g. B. the radio access. These features and capabilities can be requested by the management & instrumentation level 106 be called by using the appropriate APIs. For certain functions, multiple variants may exist, eg. For example, various implementations of the same functionality have different performance or characteristics. The various levels of performance and capabilities offered can be used to further distinguish network functionality from what is possible in today's networks, e.g. As a mobility function to offer a nomadic mobility, a vehicle mobility or aviation mobility depending on the specific needs.

The application layer 103 includes specific applications and services of the network operator, enterprise, vertical operator, or third parties using the 5G network. The interface to the management & instrumentation level 106 allows, for example, certain, ie dedicated, network slices to be built for an application, or to allocate an application to an existing network slice.

The management & instrumentation level 106 is the contact point for converting the required use cases (use cases, also business models) into actual network functions and slices. It defines the network slices for a given application scenario, concatenates the relevant modular network functions, maps the relevant performance configurations, and maps everything to the infrastructure & resource layer resources 105 from. The management & instrumentation level 106 also manages the scaling of the capacity of these functions as well as their geographical distribution. In certain applications, it may also have capabilities that allow third parties to create and manage their own network slices by using the APIs. Due to the numerous tasks of the management & instrumentation level 106 rather, it is not a monolithic block of functionality but rather a collection of modular functions that integrate advances made in different network domains, such as network function virtualization (NFV), software-defined networking (SDN) "= Software-defined networking) or SON (" self-organizing networks "). The management & instrumentation level 106 uses data-driven intelligence to optimize all aspects of service placement and delivery.

The devices, systems, and methods presented herein are intended to enhance communications in communication networks, particularly in 5G communication networks with multiple network slices, as described below. 2 shows a schematic representation of a 5G communication network 200 with multiple network slices. The 5G communication network 200 includes an infrastructure & resource layer 105 , an activation layer 104 and an application layer 103 ,

The infrastructure & resource layer 105 includes all physical assets that are assigned to a network operator, ie locations, cables, network nodes, etc. This layer 105 forms the basis for all network slices. It is as generic as possible without too many specialized physical units. The infrastructure & resource layer 105 obscures any kind of custom implementation over the upper layers, so that the remaining systems can best be used for different slices. Components of the infrastructure & resource layer 105 are based on hardware and software or firmware required for the respective operation and as an infrastructure & resource layer 105 the layers above are provided as resource objects. For example, objects include the infrastructure & resource layer 105 virtual machines, virtual links or connections, and virtual networks, such as B. virtual access nodes 231 . 232 . 233 , virtual network nodes 234 . 235 . 236 . 237 and virtual computer nodes 238 . 239 . 240 , As the term "virtual" already implies, this constitutes the infrastructure & resource layer 105 the objects in the form of an "infrastructure as a service" 251 that is, in an abstracting, virtualized form of the next higher layer 104 to disposal.

The activation layer 104 is above the infrastructure & resource layer 105 arranged. It uses the objects of the infrastructure & resource layer 105 and adds additional functionality to them in the form of (eg, non-physical) software objects / VNFs to enable generation of any type of network slices and thus a platform as a service of the next higher layer 103 provide.

Software objects can exist in any granularity, and can include a tiny or a very large fragment of a network slice. In order to allow the generation of network slices at an appropriate level of abstraction may be in the activation layer 104 different abstracted objects 221 with other abstracted objects and virtual network features 222 combined to combined objects 223 to form into aggregated objects 224 can be transferred and in an object library 225 the next higher level. This can hide the complexity behind the network slices. For example, a user may create a mobile broadband slice, defining only KPI (Key Performance Indicator) without having to specify specific features such as individual local antenna coverage, backhaul connections, and specific parameterization levels. Supporting an open environment and allowing it to add or delete network functions on demand is an important capability of the activation layer 104 in that it supports the dynamic rearrangement of functions and connectivities in a network slice, e.g. By using SFC (Service Function Chaining) or modifying software so that the functionality of a slice can be completely pre-defined and can include both approximately static software modules and dynamically addable software modules.

A network slice can be viewed as a software-defined entity based on a set of objects that define a complete network. The activation layer 104 plays a key role in the success of this concept as it can include all the software objects necessary to provide the network slices and the appropriate skills to handle the objects. The activation layer 104 can be considered as a type of network operating system complemented by a network creation environment. An essential task of the activation layer 104 is defining the appropriate abstraction levels. This gives network operators sufficient freedom to design their network slices while the platform operator can still maintain and optimize the physical nodes. For example, the execution of everyday tasks such as adding or replacing NodeBs etc. is supported without the intervention of network customers. The definition of suitable objects which model a complete telecommunication network is one of the essential tasks of the activation layer 104 while developing the network slices environment.

A network slice, also referred to as a 5G slice, supports the communication services of a particular type of connection with a particular way of handling the C (Control) and U (User Data) layer. A 5G slice is composed of a collection of different 5G network features and specific Radio Access Technology (RAT) settings, which are combined together to benefit the specific use case. Therefore, a 5G slice can span all domains of the network, e.g. For example, software modules running on cloud nodes have specific configurations of the transport network that support flexible location of the functions, a particular radio configuration, or even a particular access technology as well as a configuration of the 5G devices. Not all slices contain the same features, some features that seem essential today for a mobile network can not even exist in some slices. The intention of the 5G Slice is to provide only those functions that are necessary for the specific use case and to avoid all other unnecessary functionality. The flexibility behind the slice concept is the key to both expanding existing use cases and creating new use cases. Third party devices may be granted permission to control certain aspects of slicing through appropriate APIs to provide tailored services.

The application layer 103 includes all generated network slices 210b . 211b . 212b and offers this as a "network as a service" to different network users, eg. B. different customers. The concept allows the reuse of defined network slices 210b . 211b . 212b for different users, eg For example, customers, for example as a new network slice instance 210a . 211 . 212a , Ie. a network slice 210b . 211b . 212b For example, which is associated with an automotive application, for example, can also be used for applications of various other industrial applications. The slices instances 210a . 211 . 212a For example, the ones created by a first user may be independent of the slice instances created by a second user, even though the overall network slice functionality may be the same.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a communication network having a plurality of subnetworks with a first subnetwork and a second subnetwork, the first subnetwork having a first communication entity associated with a first network function, the second subnetwork having a second communication entity associated with a second network function , comprising: a subnetwork manager for monitoring communication resources of the first subnetwork and the second subnetwork; a first monitor configured to monitor a communication status of the first network function of the first network entity of the first subnetwork and to send a first status signal to the subnetwork manager, the first status signal having the communication status of the first network function; a second monitor configured to monitor a communication status of the second network function of the second network entity of the second subnetwork and to send a second status signal to the subnetwork manager, the second status signal having the communication status of the second network function; wherein the subnetwork manager is configured to monitor the communications resources of the first subnetwork and the second subnetwork based on the first status signal and the second status signal.

Due to the subnetwork design of the communication network, the performance of the communication can be increased. In particular, a higher data throughput, a lower delay, a particularly high reliability, a much higher connection density and a larger mobility range can thus be achieved. The reliability of the communication is ensured by the monitoring of the respective communication status messages by the monitors and the monitoring of the communication resources by the subnetwork manager. This allows highly heterogeneous environments to be controlled and monitored to ensure the confidence of network users.

According to an embodiment of the communication network, the first network function determines an allocation of communication resources of the first subnetwork to the first communication entity, and the second network function determines an assignment of communication resources of the second subnetwork to the second communication entity.

This has the advantage that the first communication entity in the first subnetwork can be operated and monitored independently of the second communication entity in the second subnetwork. If the subnetwork manager detects an error in the first network function, it only affects the first subnetwork, but not the second subnetwork.

According to an embodiment of the communication network, the first status signal indicates a utilization of the communication resources of the first subnetwork; and the second status signal indicates a utilization of the communications resources of the second subnetwork.

This has the advantage that the first subnetwork and the second subnetwork can be operated independently of one another with different utilization rates. Thus, the subnetworks can be assigned to different communication environments that require, for example, different resources.

According to one embodiment of the communication network, the communication network is a fifth generation (5G) or another generation communication system, and the subnetworks are slices of the communication network.

Thus, all advantages of the 5G network structure can be realized, such as higher radio frequencies with higher data throughput, new applications, such as Internet of Things, special skills like B. lower running time, which go beyond what 4G communication networks are able to afford. The communications network can provide an end-to-end system that includes all network aspects with a high degree of convergence. Furthermore, the existing access mechanisms and their possible further developments can be fully utilized.

According to one embodiment of the communication network, the subnetwork manager is configured to control the communication resources of the first subnetwork and the second subnetwork on the basis of the first status signal and the second status signal.

This has the advantage that both subnetworks can be controlled independently of each other, depending on the information provided by the monitors assigned to the subnetworks.

According to one embodiment of the communication network, the subnetwork manager is configured to define the first network function and / or the second network function on the basis of an identification of a communication terminal for setting up a communication connection to the communication terminal.

This offers the advantage that the communication terminal can be assigned to a subnet on the basis of its identification or identifier, such as, for example, IMSI, EMEI, eID. Subnetworks can be assigned to different applications or services, so that the communication terminal can be assigned based on its identification to the corresponding subnetwork or to a plurality of subnetworks. For example, the subnetworks differ from each other in different functions, services, or applications. The assignment of communication terminal to subnetwork can advantageously be found quickly because the subnetwork manager can be located at the same level of communication as the subnetworks, e.g. On the application layer according to the 5G layer model. Furthermore, this offers the advantage that the respective subnetwork thus the identification of the communication terminal is present and thus it can identify and authenticate the communication terminal.

According to one embodiment of the communication network, the subnetwork manager is designed to set up the communication connection to the communication terminal in accordance with the first network function and / or the second network function.

This has the advantage that the control of the network resources of the respective subnetworks is predetermined by the corresponding network functions, so that a rapid provision of network resources to the subnetworks can be made on the basis of the respective network function. Thus, the communication network is able to quickly respond to a communication request of a communication terminal for a communication connection, to quickly provide the communication resources of the corresponding subnetworks and thus to effect a fast and flexible communication setup. In addition to the fast establishment of the communication connection, the respective monitors can also quickly detect errors in the communication resources and thus realize a fast and efficient switching of the communication path.

According to one embodiment of the communication network, the subnetwork manager is configured to assemble and configure access devices, network devices, processor devices and / or memory devices of the first subnetwork in accordance with the first network function for establishing the communication connection to the communication terminal.

This has the advantage that the Subnetzwerkmanager the resources required for establishing the communication link with the communication terminal resources of the subnetwork from a plurality of existing resources of the subnetwork, such. B. access devices, network devices, processor devices and / or storage devices based on the network function can select and assemble. This allows a flexible resource planning, in which the communication resources only at the time of establishing the communication link, d. H. be allocated at the latest possible time. The monitors can advantageously monitor the resources used for the communication setup and tell the subnetwork manager which resources of the subnetwork are already occupied or which are still available. This makes it possible to realize a very efficient use of resources.

According to an embodiment of the communication network, the subnetwork manager is configured to configure bandwidths, data rates, service types and / or service quality of communication resources of the first subnetwork according to the first network function for establishing the communication connection to the communication terminal.

This has the advantage that via the first network function, the corresponding physical parameters of the communication resources of the first subnetwork, such. Bandwidth, data rates, types of service, and / or quality of service. The resources available in the first subnetwork can therefore be purposefully allocated and used for the communication connection.

According to one embodiment of the communication network, the subnetwork manager is configured to detect an error in the communication resources of the first subnetwork based on the first status signal.

This has the advantage that the subnetwork manager is always informed about the state of the communication resources of the respective subnetworks and thus can enable a flexible communication setup with error-free communication resources. This increases the reliability of the entire communication network.

According to an embodiment of the communication network, the subnetwork manager is adapted, upon detection of a fault in the communication resources of the first subnetwork, to modify the first network function to determine an allocation of faultless communication resources of the first subnetwork to the first communication entity.

This has the advantage that if an error is detected by a simple change of the first network function, the faulty resources can be removed from the communication path and can be exchanged by error-free components. The communication connection can continue to run on the same subnetwork, so that the cost of the conversion of the communication is very low.

According to one embodiment of the communication network, the subnetwork manager is configured to reconfigure the communication connection to the communication terminal in accordance with the modified first network function and / or the second network function upon detection of a fault in the communication resources of the first subnetwork.

This has the advantage that upon detection of a fault via a change of the first network function and / or the second network function, the faulty resources can be removed from the communication path and can be exchanged by error-free components. In this case, the communication connection can either continue to run over the same subnetwork or be re-arranged via a second subnetwork, depending on the specification by the respective network function. This allows flexible communication paths to be realized, which can be converted very quickly in the event of a fault.

According to one embodiment of the communication network, the first subnetwork is assigned a third communication entity with a third network function; and the subnetwork manager is configured to set up the communication connection to the communication terminal using the first communication entity according to the first network function and the third communication entity according to the third network function.

This has the advantage that the communication link in the first subnetwork can be routed via different communication entities, which can each be configured or controlled via corresponding network functions. Thus, for example, the first network function of the first communication entity can be used for a plurality of communication connections via the first subnetwork, while the third network function of the third communication entity provides a special configuration of additional resources for certain communication connections. This offers the advantage that a large number of communication links can be configured, configured and monitored efficiently, quickly and reliably.

According to one embodiment of the communication network, the second subnetwork is a test subnetwork isolated from the first subnetwork; and the second monitor is configured to monitor the communication status of the second network function of the second network entity in dependence on different trial versions of the second network function.

This offers the advantage that the second subnetwork can be operated independently of the first subnetwork, so that loaded test code for network functions of the second subnetwork on the second subnetwork does not affect the functioning of the first subnetwork. This allows partial subnetworks of the communication network to be tested in real time without affecting the operation of the remaining subnetworks. Furthermore, foreign code of a foreign network operator can run on specially provided subnetworks of the communication network without affecting the operation of subnetworks of their own or home network operator (negative).

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for monitoring a communication network having a plurality of subnetworks with a first subnetwork and a second subnetwork, the first subnetwork having a first communication entity associated with a first network function, and the second subnetwork having a second communication entity a second network function, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring a communication status of the first network function of the first network entity of the first subnetwork by a first monitor and transmitting a first status signal to a subnetwork manager, the first status signal indicating the communication status of the first network function; Monitoring, by a second monitor, a communication status of the second network function of the second network entity of the second subnetwork and sending a second status signal to the subnetwork manager, the second status signal indicating the communication status of the second network function; and monitoring communication resources of the first subnetwork and the second subnetwork by the subnetwork manager based on the first status signal and the second status signal.

Due to the subnetwork design of the communication network, the performance of the communication can be increased. In particular, a higher data throughput, a lower delay, a particularly high reliability, a much higher connection density and a larger mobility range can thus be achieved. The reliability of the communication is ensured by the monitoring of the respective communication status messages by the monitors and the monitoring of the communication resources by the subnetwork manager. This allows highly heterogeneous environments to be controlled and monitored to ensure the confidence of network users.

According to one embodiment of the method, the communication network is a fifth generation (5G) or another generation communication system, and the subnetworks are slices of the communication network.

Thus all advantages of the 5G network structure can be realized, such as higher radio frequencies with higher data throughput, new applications, such as Internet of Things, special skills such. B. lower running time, which go beyond what 4G communication networks are able to afford. The communications network can provide an end-to-end system that includes all network aspects with a high degree of convergence. Furthermore, the existing access mechanisms and their possible further developments can be fully utilized.

Further embodiments will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

1 a schematic representation of a 5G system architecture 100 ;

2 a schematic representation of a 5G communication network with multiple slices (network slices) 200 ;

3 a schematic representation of a communication network 300 with several subnetworks 310 . 320 , monitors assigned to subnetworks 312 . 322 and a subnetwork manager 330 according to an exemplary embodiment;

4 a schematic representation of a communication network 400 with multiple monitors to monitor subnetworks 310 . 320 and a subnetwork manager 330 for monitoring and controlling the subnetworks according to an example embodiment; and

5 a schematic representation of a method 500 for monitoring a communication network having a plurality of subnetworks according to an example embodiment.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the concept of the present invention. The following detailed description is therefore not to be understood in a limiting sense. Further, it should be understood that the features of the various embodiments described herein may be combined with each other unless specifically stated otherwise.

Aspects and embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals generally refer to like elements. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects of the invention. However, it may be obvious to one skilled in the art that one or more aspects or embodiments are included to a lesser degree of specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and elements are shown in schematic form to facilitate describing one or more aspects or embodiments. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the concept of the present invention.

Furthermore, while a particular feature or aspect of an embodiment may have been disclosed in terms of only one of several implementations, such feature or aspect may be combined with one or more other features or aspects of the other implementations, as for a given or particular one Application may be desirable and advantageous. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "include," "have," "with," or other variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to include such terms in a manner similar to the term "comprising." The terms "coupled" and "connected" may have been used along with derivatives thereof. It should be understood that such terms are used to indicate that two elements independently cooperate or interact with each other, whether they are in direct physical or electrical contact or are not in direct contact with each other. In addition, the term "exemplary" is to be considered as an example only, rather than the term for the best or optimal. The following description is therefore not to be understood in a limiting sense.

3 shows a schematic representation of a communication network 300 with several subnetworks 310 . 320 , monitors assigned to subnetworks 312 . 322 and a subnetwork manager 330 according to an exemplary embodiment.

The majority of subnetworks 310 . 320 include, for example, a first subnetwork (slice I) 310 and a second subnetwork (slice II) 320 , as in 3 shown. Of course, the communication network 300 even more, for reasons of clarity not in 3 include subnetworks shown. The first subnetwork 310 is a first communication entity with a first network function 311 assigned. The second subnetwork 320 is a second communication entity with a second network function 321 assigned. The communication network 300 includes a subnetwork manager 330 for monitoring communication resources of the first subnetwork 310 and the second subnetwork 320 , The communication network 300 includes a first monitor 312 and a second monitor 322 ,

The first monitor 312 serves to indicate a communication status of the first network function 311 the first network entity of the first subnetwork 310 to monitor and a first status signal 316 to the subnetwork manager 330 send out. The first status signal 316 includes or shows the communication status of the first network function 311 at.

The second monitor 322 serves to indicate a communication status of the second network function 321 the second network entity of the second subnetwork 320 to monitor and a second status signal 326 to the subnetwork manager 330 to send out, the second status signal 326 includes or shows the communication status of the second network function 321 at.

The subnetwork manager 330 serves the communications resources of the first subnetwork 310 and the second subnetwork 320 based on the first status signal 316 and the second status signal 326 to monitor.

The first network function 311 may be an allocation of communication resources of the first subnetwork 310 to the first communication entity. The second network function 321 may be an allocation of communication resources of the second subnetwork 320 to the second communication entity.

The first status signal 316 may be a load on the communication resources of the first subnetwork 310 Show. The second status signal 326 may be a load on the communication resources of the second subnetwork 320 Show. For example, a workload can indicate a percentage of a maximum load. The utilization can be expressed as a percentage of an available bandwidth of the communication resources available.

The communication network 300 may be, for example, a fifth generation (5G) or another generation communication system, and subnetworks 310 . 320 can be slices of the communication network 300 be, for example, as shown and the description of the 1 and 2 ,

The subnetwork manager 330 may be the communication resources of the first subnetwork 310 and the second subnetwork 320 based on the first status signal 316 and of second status signal 326 Control as below 4 described in more detail.

4 shows a schematic representation of a communication network 400 with multiple monitors to monitor subnetworks 310 . 320 and a subnetwork manager 330 , also referred to herein as "slice management", for monitoring and controlling the subnetworks, also referred to as "slices," according to an example embodiment.

The basic idea of the communication network 400 Here is that every slice 310 . 320 his own monitor 312 . 322 which monitors the status of the slice functions. As a result, inter alia detection of an error, dynamic resource control (also for QoS), as well as a slice test, for example in a secure environment possible.

The first 312 and second 322 Monitors (monitors I and II) monitor the statuses / functionality of the slices' functions and pass their results to the subnetwork manager 330 , also referred to as "slice management", continues. The slice management 330 (operator side) receives the data, validates it and determines a QOS control, resource control, load balancing, which can be done in the slices (intra-slice) and between the slices (inter-slice).

Based on the basic resource requirement profile, the slices 310 . 320 preconfigured, or parametrized at runtime. Using the resource monitor 312 . 322 and the comparison with the existing application profile, z. As a geographical distribution or a mobility profile, the runtime behavior can be checked. Deviations that are not the result of adding new UEs, customer endpoints or services can be reconciled with the Slice / Service Manager 330 be recognized. Next to the slice manager 330 or subnetwork manager 330 controlling the serviced functional instances and / or the service topology within the slices 310 . 320 can take over the communication network 400 In addition, an infrastructure resource manager (not in 4 shown), which may, for example, monitor infrastructure resources, topology and / or geographical distribution.

The slices 310 . 320 can be regular slices or test slices, the slice manager 330 can trigger an action, or wait (test slice), how a fault affects. The slice management 330 can, in the context of the NGMN architecture (see 1 ), in resource control above the infrastructure layer 105 ie, for example, in the layer 104 of the 1 and 2 , can be located and can take over the slice or resource control depending on the statuses detected by the respective monitor.

Status information 316 . 326 can interface through slice management 330 be passed on to the customer (slice user). The User Equipment (UE) can communicate with multiple slices simultaneously through the Radio Access Network (RAN) 310 . 320 be connected.

The display 312 . 322 For example, it is responsible for monitoring all functional resources within a slice 310 . 320 , Achieved with the slice management 330 which controls the functional resources. In 4 There is a separate monitoring instance per slice 310 . 320 , Depending on the function type, Gemonitort can be processor or network resource utilization. The display 312 . 322 allows in particular: A) service-specific slicing; B) test slices for beta applications; and C) installing and executing foreign code in slices.

The communication network 400 corresponds to the above 3 described communication network 300 , where the first subnetwork 310 a third communication entity with a third network function 311b and a fourth communication entity with a fourth network function 311c is assigned and wherein the second subnetwork 320 a fifth communication entity with a fifth network function 321b and a sixth communication entity with a sixth network function 321c assigned.

A communication status of the third network function 311b becomes the first monitor 312 and a communication status of the fourth network function 311c becomes the first monitor 312 transfer. The first monitor 312 determined from the communication status of the individual network functions 311 . 311b . 311c the first status signal 316 He's becoming a subnetwork manager 330 transfers.

A communication status of the fifth network function 321b becomes the second monitor 322 transmit and a communication status of the sixth network function 321c becomes the second monitor 322 transfer. The second monitor 322 determined from the communication status of the individual network functions 321 . 321b . 321c the second status signal 326 He's becoming a subnetwork manager 330 transfers.

The communication network 400 may include other subnetworks which may be of similar construction.

The subnetwork manager 330 can the individual network functions 321 . 321b . 321c based on an evaluation of the second status signal 326 Taxes. In the same way, the subnetwork manager 330 the individual network functions 311 . 311b . 311c the first subnetwork 310 based on an evaluation of the first status signal 316 control what for the sake of simplicity is not in 4 is shown.

The communication network may further include a communication terminal 401 , z. B. a UE, which can establish a communication to the communication network, for example via the first subnetwork 310 or over the second subnetwork 320 or over both subnetworks 310 . 320 like here in 4 shown.

The subnetwork manager 330 can, for example, the first network function 311 and / or the second network function 321 based on identification of the communication terminal 401 for establishing a communication connection to the communication terminal 401 establish. So can the subnetwork manager 330 for example, the communication connection to the communication terminal 401 according to the first network function 311 and / or the second network function 321 build up.

The subnetwork manager 330 For example, access devices, network devices, processor devices and / or memory devices of the first subnetwork can be used 310 according to the first network function 311 for establishing the communication connection to the communication terminal 401 compile and configure. Access devices may be, for example, the access node 231 . 232 . 233 of the 5G communication network 200 according to 2 correspond. Processor devices may, for example, be the computer node 238 . 239 . 240 of the 5G communication network 200 correspond. Network devices, for example, the virtual network node 234 . 235 . 236 . 237 of the 5G communication network 200 correspond.

The subnetwork manager 330 may determine bandwidths, data rates, service types and / or quality of service of communication resources of the first subnetwork 310 according to the first network function 311 for establishing the communication connection to the communication terminal 401 configure. In the same way, he can configure the resources of the other subnetworks.

The subnetwork manager 330 can based on the first status signal 316 an error in the communication resources of the first subnetwork 310 detect. For example, the subnetwork manager 330 an overload of the communication resources of the first subnetwork 310 detect when the first status signal 316 indicates a utilization of the communication resources above a threshold, for example at a value above 90% or 95%.

The subnetwork manager 330 may occur upon detection of an error in the communications resources of the first subnetwork 310 the first network function 311 to modify it so that it assigns error-free communication resources of the first subnetwork 310 to the first communication entity.

The subnetwork manager 330 may occur upon detection of an error in the communications resources of the first subnetwork 310 the communication connection to the communication terminal 401 according to the modified first network function ( 311 ) and / or the second network function 321 reconfigure.

The subnetwork manager 330 may alternatively or additionally the communication connection to the communication terminal 401 using the first communication entity according to the first network function 311 and the third communication entity according to the third network function 311b build, ie the subnetwork manager 330 can be one or more network functions of the first subnetwork 310 use to build the communication connection. For example, the first network function 311 and the third network function 311b and optionally the fourth network function 311c and other network features of the first subnetwork 310 be connected in series to build or rebuild the communication link.

In a specific embodiment of the communication network 400 can the second subnetwork 320 one from the first subnetwork 310 be isolated test subnetwork. Here is the second monitor 322 the communication status of the second network function 321 the second network entity depending on different trial versions of the second network function 321 monitor, as described in more detail in the four use cases shown below.

Use case 1: slice monitor as a crash monitor for an isolated test environment (test slice). For new features or experimental services, validation may be performed in a test environment isolated from the working environment. A crash, ie abnormal resource behavior of one or more functions in the test slice, can be measured by comparing the default resource profile and the monitor Status at runtime can be determined by the slice manager.

Use case 2: Slice monitor for the validation of the service / requirement profile for beta applications. For functions for which the platform operator is uncertain about the resource requirements profile, e.g. For example, when provided by third-party developers, validation of the resource profile in the test environment (test slice) may be performed by monitoring resource behavior within the slice over a suitable period of time.

Use Case 3: Slice Monitor for Determining and Defining a Service / Requirement Profile for Beta Applications. In case of an unknown, d. H. The resource profile (new application), which is not specified by the functional developer, can be determined by monitoring the resource behavior in the slice. The standard resource requirement profile determined over a suitable period of time can then be used as a planning basis (policy definition) for the use of the application in the active network (active network slice). This profiling can also be offered by the operator as a service.

Use case 4: Foreign code in specially protected container within the slice can be monitored by the monitor. This makes it possible to operate third-party code from other network operators on the test subnetwork without negatively affecting the other subnetworks.

5 shows a schematic representation of a method 500 for monitoring a communication network having a plurality of subnetworks according to an example embodiment.

The procedure 500 is used to monitor a communications network having a plurality of subnetworks, such as those above 3 described communication network 300 or the one above 4 described communication network 400 , with a first subnetwork (slice I) and a second subnetwork (slice II), the first subnetwork having a first communication entity associated with a first network function, and the second subnetwork having a second communication entity associated with a second network function.

The method has a first step 501 monitoring a communication status of the first network function of the first network entity of the first subnetwork by a first monitor and transmitting a first status signal to a subnetwork manager, the first status signal indicating the communication status of the first network function.

The method has a second step 502 monitoring a communication status of the second network function of the second network entity of the second subnetwork by a second monitor and sending a second status signal to the subnetwork manager, the second status signal indicating the communication status of the second network function.

The method has a third step 503 on: monitor 503 of communications resources of the first subnetwork and the second subnetwork by the subnetwork manager based on the first status signal and the second status signal.

One aspect of the invention also includes a computer program product that can be loaded directly into the internal memory of a digital computer and includes software code portions that enable it 5 described method 500 or the to the 3 and 4 can be performed when the product is running on a computer. The computer program product may be stored on a computer-suitable non-transitory medium and include computer readable program means for causing a computer to perform the method 500 or the network components in the 1 to 5 To implement or control described communication networks.

The computer may be a PC, for example a PC of a computer network. The computer may be implemented as a chip, an ASIC, a microprocessor or a signal processor, and may be implemented in a computer network, such as a communications network such as the 1 to 5 described, be arranged.

It is to be understood that the features of the various embodiments described herein by way of example may be combined with each other except as specifically stated otherwise. As shown in the specification and drawings, individual elements that have been shown to be related need not communicate directly with each other; Intermediate elements may be provided between the connected elements. Further, it is to be understood that embodiments of the invention may be implemented in discrete circuits, partially integrated circuits, or fully integrated circuits or programming means. The term "for example" is meant as an example only and not as the baste or optimal. While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of alternative and / or similar implementations may be practiced instead of the illustrated and described embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

5G system architecture

101

Access device, communication terminal, UE

102

access technology

103

application layer

104

activation layer

105

Infrastructure & Resource Layer

106

Management & Instrumentation Layer

200

5G communication network with multiple slices

210a

first slice instance

210b

first network slice

211

second slice instance

211b

second network slice

212a

third slice instance

212b

third network slice

213

Slice composition

221

abstracted objects

222

virtual network functions

223

combined objects

224

aggregated objects

225

object library

231

access node

232

access node

233

access node

234

virtual network node

235

virtual network node

236

virtual network node

237

virtual network node

238

computer nodes

239

computer nodes

240

computer nodes

251

infrastructure services

300

Communication network or communication system

310

first subnetwork or slice I

311

first communication entity with first network function

312

first monitor, assigned to the first subnetwork

313

Communication status of the first network function

316

first status signal from first monitor

320

second subnetwork or slice II

321

second communication entity with second network function

322

second monitor, assigned to the second subnetwork

323

Communication status of the second network function

326

second status signal from second monitor

330

sub-network

400

Communication network or communication system

401

Communication terminal, z. UE

402

Communication access of the UE to the first subnetwork, e.g. Via RAN

404

Communication access of the UE to the second subnetwork, e.g. Via RAN

311b

third communication entity with third network function (in the first subnetwork)

311c

fourth communication entity with fourth network function (in the first subnetwork)

321b

fifth communication entity with fifth network function (in second subnetwork)

321c

Sixth communication entity with sixth network function (in second subnetwork)

313b

Communication status of the third network function (in the first subnetwork)

313c

Communication status of the fourth network function (in the first subnetwork)

323b

Communication status of the fifth network function (in second subnetwork)

323c

Communication status of the sixth network function (in second subnetwork)

431

Control signal of the second network function (in second subnetwork)

432

Control signal of the fifth network function (in second subnetwork)

433

Control signal of the sixth network function (in second subnetwork)

500

Method for monitoring a communication network with multiple subnetworks

501

First step: Monitoring the communication status of the 1st network function in the 1st subnetwork

502

second step: Monitoring the communication status of the 2nd network function in the 2nd subnetwork

503

third step: Monitoring communication resources based on 1. status signal and 2. status signal

Claims (15)

Communication network ( 300 . 400 ) with a plurality of subnetworks ( 310 . 320 ) with a first subnetwork (slice I, 310 ) and a second subnetwork (Slice II, 320 ), whereby the first subnetwork ( 310 ) a first communication entity with a first network function ( 311 ), wherein the second subnetwork ( 320 ) a second communication entity with a second network function ( 321 ), with: a subnetwork manager ( 330 ) for monitoring communication resources of the first subnetwork ( 310 ) and the second subnetwork ( 320 ); a first monitor ( 312 ), which is designed to have a communication status of the first network function ( 311 ) of the first network entity of the first subnetwork ( 310 ) and a first status signal ( 316 ) to the subnetwork manager ( 330 ), the first status signal ( 316 ) the communication status of the first network function ( 311 ) having; a second monitor ( 322 ), which is designed to have a communication status of the second network function ( 321 ) of the second network entity of the second subnetwork ( 320 ) and a second status signal ( 326 ) to the subnetwork manager ( 330 ), the second status signal ( 326 ) the communication status of the second network function ( 321 ) having; where the subnetwork manager ( 330 ), the communication resources of the first subnetwork ( 310 ) and the second subnetwork ( 320 ) based on the first status signal ( 316 ) and the second status signal ( 326 ). Communication network ( 300 . 400 ) according to claim 1, wherein the first network function ( 311 ) an allocation of communication resources of the first subnetwork ( 310 ) to the first communication entity, and wherein the second network function ( 321 ) an allocation of communication resources of the second subnetwork ( 320 ) to the second communication entity. Communication network ( 300 . 400 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first status signal ( 316 ) utilization of the communication resources of the first subnetwork ( 310 ) indicates; and wherein the second status signal ( 326 ) a utilization of the communication resources of the second subnetwork ( 320 ). Communication network ( 300 . 400 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication network ( 300 ) is a fifth generation (5G) or another generation communication system, and wherein the subnetworks ( 310 . 320 ) Slices of the communication network ( 300 ) are. Communication network ( 300 . 400 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the subnetwork manager ( 330 ), the communication resources of the first subnetwork ( 310 ) and the second subnetwork ( 320 ) based on the first status signal ( 316 ) and the second status signal ( 326 ) to control. Communication network ( 300 . 400 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the subnetwork manager ( 330 ), the first network function ( 311 ) and / or the second network function ( 321 ) based on an identification of a communication terminal ( 401 ) for establishing a communication connection to the communication terminal ( 401 ). Communication network ( 300 . 400 ) according to claim 6, wherein the subnetwork manager ( 330 ) is formed, the communication connection to the communication terminal ( 401 ) according to the first network function ( 311 ) and / or the second network function ( 321 ). Communication network ( 300 . 400 ) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the subnetwork manager ( 330 ), access devices, network devices, processor devices and / or memory devices of the first subnetwork ( 310 ) according to the first network function ( 311 ) for establishing the communication connection to the communication terminal ( 401 ) and configure. Communication network ( 300 . 400 ) according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the subnetwork manager ( 330 ), bandwidths, data rates, service types and / or service quality of communication resources of the first subnetwork ( 310 ) according to the first network function ( 311 ) for establishing the communication connection to the communication terminal ( 401 ). Communication network ( 300 . 400 ) according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the subnetwork manager ( 330 ) is formed based on the first status signal ( 316 ) an error in the communication resources of the first subnetwork ( 310 ) to recognize. Communication network ( 300 . 400 ) according to claim 10, wherein the subnetwork manager ( 330 ) is formed upon detection of an error in the communication resources of the first subnetwork ( 310 ) the first network function ( 311 ) in such a way that it allocates error-free communication resources of the first subnetwork ( 310 ) to the first communication entity. Communication network ( 300 . 400 ) according to claim 11, wherein the subnetwork manager ( 330 ) is formed upon detection of an error in the communication resources of the first subnetwork ( 310 ) the communication connection to the communication terminal ( 401 ) according to the modified first network function ( 311 ) and / or the second network function ( 321 ) reconfigure. Communication network ( 300 . 400 ) according to one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the first subnetwork ( 310 ) a third communication entity with a third network function ( 311b ) assigned; and wherein the subnetwork manager ( 330 ) is formed, the communication connection to the communication terminal ( 401 ) using the first communication entity according to the first network function ( 311 ) and the third communication entity according to the third network function ( 311b ). Communication network ( 300 . 400 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second subnetwork ( 320 ) one from the first subnetwork ( 310 ) is an isolated test subnetwork; and wherein the second monitor ( 322 ) is formed, the communication status of the second network function ( 321 ) of the second network entity as a function of different test versions of the second network function ( 321 ). Procedure ( 500 for monitoring a communication network having a plurality of subnetworks with a first subnetwork (slice I) and a second subnetwork (slice II), the first subnetwork having a first communication entity associated with a first network function, and the second subnetwork having a second communication entity associated with a second network function, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring ( 501 ) a communication status of the first network function of the first network entity of the first subnetwork by a first monitor and sending a first status signal to a subnetwork manager, the first status signal indicating the communication status of the first network function; Monitor ( 502 ) a communication status of the second network function of the second network entity of the second subnetwork by a second monitor and sending a second status signal to the subnetwork manager, the second status signal indicating the communication status of the second network function; and monitoring ( 503 ) of communication resources of the first subnetwork and the second subnetwork by the subnetwork manager on the basis of the first status signal and the second status signal.

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