EP4646816A1

EP4646816A1 - Configuring application function policies and network slice optimization

Info

Publication number: EP4646816A1
Application number: EP23834006.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ashish S SHARMA; György RÉTHY; Igor PASTUSHOK
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Current assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Priority date: 2023-01-07
Filing date: 2023-12-14
Publication date: 2025-11-12
Also published as: CN120660330A; WO2024146765A1

Abstract

A method performed by a vertical application layer (VAL) server is provided. The method comprises transmitting towards a network slice capability enablement (NSCE) server a request related to one or more application function (AF) policies, and after transmitting the request, receiving from the NSCE server a response to the request.

Description

CONFIGURING APPLICATION FUNCTION POLICIES AND NETWORK SLICE OPTIMIZATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure relates to configuring application function (AF) policies and network slice optimization.

BACKGROUND

[0002] As described in the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Technical Specification (TS) 23.435 Rel-18 v0.4.0, network slice optimization can be performed based on an AF policy. AF policy is a policy configured by a vertical application layer (VAL) server or VAL server applications for slice optimization.

[0003] An AF policy may define triggering event(s), expected action(s), and/or a lifetime of the policy. A network slice capability enablement (NSCE) server may monitor the triggering event(s) defined in an AF policy and optimize network slice(s) according to the expected action(s) defined in the policy. The NSCE server may leverage the underlying service enabler architecture layer for verticals (SEAL) application programming interfaces (APIs) or the 5G system to optimize network slice(s). Thus, AF policy is a core to network slice optimization procedure.

SUMMARY

[0004] As explained above, network slice optimization can be performed based on one or more AF policies. But currently, there is no standardized process of configuring various aspects of an AF policy. For example, there is no standardized process of updating or deleting an AF policy, requesting and receiving AF policy usage reporting data, defining or re-defining the priority level of an AF policy, configuring pre-emption of an AF policy, scheduling application of an AF policy, configuring an AF policy to be a default policy, retrieving network slice optimization report associated with an AF policy, etc. However, these operations are critical for handling dynamic requirements of the VAL server.

[0005] Accordingly, in one aspect of some embodiments of this disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a vertical application layer (VAL) server. The method comprises transmitting towards a network slice capability enablement, NSCE, server a request related to one or more application function, AF, policies; and after transmitting the request, receiving from the NSCE server a response to the request. The request is at least one of: (i) a provisioning request for provisioning said one or more AF policies, further wherein the provisioning request: a. indicates whether an AF policy included in said one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, c. includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, and/or d. indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, (ii) an update request to update said one or more AF policies, (ill) a deletion request to delete said one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage reporting request for requesting to provide information about usage of said one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling said one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different secondary AF policies to be used as fallback policies for performing a network slice optimization procedure in case a network slice optimization procedure based on said one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting to report information about a network slice optimization procedure performed by the NSCE server.

[0006] In another aspect, there is provided a method performed by a network slice capability enablement, NSCE, server. The method comprises receiving a request related to one or more application function, AF, policies, wherein the request was transmitted by a vertical application layer, VAL, server; and after receiving the request, transmitting towards the VAL server a response to the request. The request is at least one of: (I) a provisioning request for provisioning said one or more AF policies, further wherein the provisioning request: a. indicates whether an AF policy included in said one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, c. includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, and/or d. indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, (ii) an update request to update said one or more AF policies, (ill) a deletion request to delete said one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage reporting request for requesting to provide information about usage of said one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling said one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different secondary AF policies to be used as fallback policies for performing a network slice optimization procedure in case a network slice optimization procedure based on said one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting to report information about a network slice optimization procedure performed by the NSCE server.

[0007] In a different aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which when executed by processing circuitry cause the processing circuitry to perform the method of any one of the above embodiments.

[0008] In a different aspect, there is provided a carrier containing the computer program of the above embodiment, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, and a computer readable storage medium. [0009] In a different aspect, there is provided a vertical application layer, VAL, server. The VAL server is configured to: transmit towards a network slice capability enablement, NSCE, server a request related to one or more application function, AF, policies; and after transmitting the request, receive from the NSCE server a response to the request. The request is at least one of: i) a provisioning request for provisioning said one or more AF policies, further wherein the provisioning request: a. indicates whether an AF policy included in said one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, c. includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, and/or d. indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, (ii) an update request to update said one or more AF policies, (iii) a deletion request to delete said one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage reporting request for requesting to provide information about usage of said one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling said one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different secondary AF policies to be used as fallback policies for performing a network slice optimization procedure in case a network slice optimization procedure based on said one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting to report information about a network slice optimization procedure performed by the NSCE server.

[0010] In a different aspect, there is provided a network slice capability enablement, NSCE, server. The NSCE server is configured to: receive a request related to one or more application function, AF, policies, wherein the request was transmitted by a vertical application layer, VAL, server; and after receiving the request, transmit towards the NSCE server a response to the request. The request is at least one of: (i) a provisioning request for provisioning said one or more AF policies, further wherein the provisioning request: a. indicates whether an AF policy included in said one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, c. includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, and/or d. indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, (ii) an update request to update said one or more AF policies, (iii) a deletion request to delete said one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage reporting request for requesting to provide information about usage of said one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling said one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different secondary AF policies to be used as fallback policies for performing a network slice optimization procedure in case a network slice optimization procedure based on said one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting to report information about a network slice optimization procedure performed by the NSCE server.

[0011] In a different aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: a processing circuitry; and a memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry, whereby the apparatus is operative to perform the method of any one of the above embodiments.

[0012] Accordingly, in one aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a vertical application layer, VAL, server. The method comprises transmitting towards a network slice capability enablement, NSCE, server a request related to one or more application function, AF, policies; and after transmitting the request, receiving from the NSCE server a response to the request. The request is any one of: a provisioning request for provisioning said one or more AF policies, an update request to update said one or more AF policies, a deletion request to delete said one or more AF policies, a policy usage reporting request for requesting to provide information about usage of said one or more AF policies, a scheduling request for scheduling said one or more AF policies, a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, or a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting to report information about a network slice optimization procedure performed by the NSCE server. The provisioning request indicates whether an AF policy included in said one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy; includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies; includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, and/or indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies. The network slice optimization message indicates one or more different AF policies to be used for performing a network slice optimization procedure in case a network slice optimization procedure based on said one or more AF policies fails.

[0013] In another aspect, there is provided a method performed by a network slice capability enablement, NSCE, server. The method comprises receiving a request related to one or more application function, AF, policies, wherein the request was transmitted by a vertical application layer, VAL, server; and after receiving the request, transmitting towards the NSCE server a response to the request. The request is any one of: a provisioning request for provisioning said one or more AF policies, an update request to update said one or more AF policies, a deletion request to delete said one or more AF policies, a policy usage reporting request for requesting to provide information about usage of said one or more AF policies, a scheduling request for scheduling said one or more AF policies, a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, or a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting to report information about a network slice optimization procedure performed by the NSCE server. The provisioning request indicates whether an AF policy included in said one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy; includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies; includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, and/or indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies. The network slice optimization message indicates one or more different AF policies to be used for performing a network slice optimization procedure in case a network slice optimization procedure based on said one or more AF policies fails.

[0014] In another aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which when executed by processing circuitry cause the processing circuitry to perform the method of any one of the embodiments described above.

[0015] In another aspect, there is provided a carrier containing the computer program of the embodiment described above, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, and a computer readable storage medium.

[0016] In another aspect, there is provided a vertical application layer, VAL, server. The VAL server is configured to transmit towards a network slice capability enablement, NSCE, server a request related to one or more application function, AF, policies; and after transmitting the request, receive from the NSCE server a response to the request. The request is any one of: a provisioning request for provisioning said one or more AF policies, an update request to update said one or more AF policies, a deletion request to delete said one or more AF policies, a policy usage reporting request for requesting to provide information about usage of said one or more AF policies, a scheduling request for scheduling said one or more AF policies, a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, or a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting to report information about a network slice optimization procedure performed by the NSCE server. The provisioning request indicates whether an AF policy included in said one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy; includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies; includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, and/or indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies. The network slice optimization message indicates one or more different AF policies to be used for performing a network slice optimization procedure in case a network slice optimization procedure based on said one or more AF policies fails.

[0017] In another aspect, there is provided a network slice capability enablement, NSCE, server. The NSCE server is configured to receive a request related to one or more application function, AF, policies, wherein the request was transmitted by a vertical application layer, VAL, server; and after receiving the request, transmit towards the NSCE server a response to the request. The request is any one of: a provisioning request for provisioning said one or more AF policies, an update request to update said one or more AF policies, a deletion request to delete said one or more AF policies, a policy usage reporting request for requesting to provide information about usage of said one or more AF policies, a scheduling request for scheduling said one or more AF policies, a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, or a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting to report information about a network slice optimization procedure performed by the NSCE server. The provisioning request indicates whether an AF policy included in said one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy; includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies; includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, and/or indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies. The network slice optimization message indicates one or more different AF policies to be used for performing a network slice optimization procedure in case a network slice optimization procedure based on said one or more AF policies fails.

[0018] In another aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising a processing circuitry; and a memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry, whereby the apparatus is operative to perform the method of any one of the embodiments described above.

[0019] Embodiments of this disclosure allow configuring various aspects of one or more AF policies, thereby handling dynamic requirements of a system and/or a network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a portion of a system according to some embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the portion of the system according to some embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 3A shows a process of AF policy provisioning.

[0024] FIG. 3B shows a process of AF policy update.

[0025] FIG. 3C shows a process of AF policy deletion.

[0026] FIG. 3D shows a process of AF policy usage reporting.

[0027] FIG. 4A shows a process of AF policy scheduling. [0028] FIG. 4B shows a process of network slice optimization.

[0029] FIG. 4C shows a process of network slice optimization report retrieval.

[0030] FIG. 5 shows a process according to some embodiments.

[0031] FIG. 6 shows a process according to some embodiments.

[0032] FIG. 7 shows an apparatus according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a portion of a system 100 according to some embodiments. In system 100, user equipments (UEs) 108 (e.g., a mobile phone, a computer, a watch, a tablet, a vehicle, an Internet of Thing (loT) device, etc.) are connected to a base station 112 via a wireless network provided by base station 112. Base station 112 is a part of a 3GPP network system 106 which is connected to a VAL server 102 and an NSCE server 104. Note that a number of each of the entities (102, 104, 108, 112, etc.) shown in FIG. 1 is provided for simple explanation purpose only, and does not limit the embodiments of this disclosure in any way. FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the connections between different entities included in system 100.

[0034] A network function/node in this disclosure can be implemented either as a network element on a dedicated hardware, as a software instance running on a dedicated hardware, or as a virtualized function instantiated on an appropriate platform, e.g., on a cloud infrastructure.

[0035] As explained above, in the existing art, there is no standardized process of configuring different aspects of an AF policy. For example, in a network region where many people are expected to use their cell phones to capture and stream a sports event (e.g., FIFA™ World Cup) via a media streaming server (e.g., a server for streaming YouTube™ videos), it is expected that a number of UEs to use a network slice associated with a video streaming may become substantially high. In such scenario, it may be desirable for VAL server 102 to update I adjust an AF policy related to a video streaming such that such high number of UEs can be accommodated in the network slice. However, in the existing art, there is no standardized process of updating the AF policy. Accordingly, embodiments of this disclosure provide various ways of configuring different aspects of one or more AF policies. In this disclosure, AF policy may also be called as "VAL server policy.” As AF policy is a policy configured by a vertical application layer (VAL) server or VAL server applications for slice optimization.

[0036] AF Policy Provisioning

[0037] FIG. 3A shows a process of AF policy provisioning, according to some embodiments. The process may begin by VAL server 102 transmitting towards NSCE server 104 an AF policy provisioning request (a.k.a., "provisioning request”). This AF policy provisioning request is for provisioning one or more AF policies at NSCE server 104. The provisioning request may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0038] As shown above, the AF policy provisioning request may include a policy IE indicating a profile of an AF policy that is requested to be provisioned, and a default policy indication IE indicating whether the AF policy that is requested to be provisioned should be marked as a default policy for network slices that are provisioned without any policy. In some embodiments, the default global policy indication IE is optional. In such embodiments, NSCE server 104 may assume that the AF policy that is requested to be provisioned is not a default AF policy. Alternatively, in the absence of the default global policy indication IE, NSCE server 104 may assume that the AF policy that is requested to be provisioned is a default AF policy. [0039] The policy profile may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0040] As shown above, in some embodiments, the policy profile may include a priority IE indicating a priority level of the AF policy that is requested to be provisioned. However, in other embodiments, the priority IE is optional. In such embodiments, NSCE server 104 may assign a preconfigured priority level to the AF policy that is requested to be provisioned.

[0041] The policy profile may include a scheduling period IE indicating a scheduling period for scheduling the AF policy that is requested to be provisioned. In one example, the scheduling period IE may include a start time IE indicating the scheduled start time and an end time IE indicating the scheduled end time.

[0042] The policy profile may include a preemption IE indicating the preemption capability of the AF policy that is requested to be provisioned. In one example, the preemption IE may identify one or more AF policies that are allowed to preempt the AF policy that is requested to be provisioned. In another example, the preemption IE may identify one or more AF policies that the AF policy that is requested to be provisioned is allowed to preempt.

[0043] One example of the AF policy is a policy for triggering a network slice modification with expected parameters based on monitored performance metric from Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (0AM) when the max number of protocol data unit (PDU) sessions or the max number of user equipments (UEs) is reached. In this example, a policy profile may include any one or more of the following information elements. [0044] Another example of the AF policy is a policy for triggering a network slice modification with expected parameters based on monitored network slice load predictions from Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) when the network slice load predictions (e.g., predicted number of PDU session establishments at the network slice) exceeds a threshold with high confidence. In this example, a policy profile may include any one or more of the following information elements.

[0045] Further example of the AF policy is a policy for triggering a network slice modification with expected parameters based on a monitoring during a time period when getting to a certain time period (e.g., a summer vacation, a spring festival, etc.). In this example, a policy profile may include any one or more of the following information elements. [0046] After receiving the AF policy provisioning request, NSCE server 104 may check whether the AF policy included in the request is in conflict with a service profile and/or another AF policy. If there is a conflict, NSCE server 104 may reject the request.

[0047] Additionally or alternatively, after receiving the AF policy provisioning request, NSCE server 104 may check the validity of the policy (e.g., checking if a policy is active for a specified time period until the specified threshold count of triggering events is achieved) to avoid a ping-pong effect of slice modification. If the AF policy is invalid, the request may be rejected. [0048] After checking the conflict and/or the validity of the AF policy included in the request, NSCE server 104 may transmit towards VAL server 102 an AF policy provisioning response indicating whether the AF policy provisioning requested by the request was successfully performed or not. If the requested AF policy provisioning was successful, the AF policy provisioning response may include a policy identifier (ID) identifying the AF policy that was provisioned.

[0049] The procedure of AF policy (a.k.a., "VAL server policy”) provisioning can be summarized as follows:

[0050] Table 1-1 below describes information elements for the AF policy ("VAL server policy”) provisioning request from the VAL server to the NSCE server.

Table 1-1 : AF policy provisioning Request [0051] Table 1-2 below describes Policy profile of the AF policy ("VAL server policy”) provisioning request.

Table 1-2: Policy profile

[0052] Whether more policies consisting of trigger events and actions could be supported is FFS. The tables provided below list the supported policies.

Table 1-3: Policy of Max number of PDU sessions/ max number of UEs Table 1-4: Policy of Network slice load prediction

Table 1-5: Policy of Time period

[0053] AF Policy Update [0054] FIG. 3B shows a process of AF policy update. The process may begin by VAL server 102 transmitting towards NSCE server 104 an AF policy update request (a.k.a., "update request”). This update request is for updating the AF policy indicated in the request at NSCE server 104. The update request may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0055] As shown above, the update request may include a policy ID IE identifying an AF policy that is requested to be updated and policy modification details IE indicating details of how to update the AF policy. The update request may include a default policy indication IE indicating whether the AF policy that is requested to be updated is a default AF policy or not. In case, the AF policy that is requested to be updated is not a default AF policy, the update request may also include a different policy ID IE identifying a default AF policy.

[0056] Via this update request, one or more lEs (e.g., the scheduling period IE, the preemption IE, etc.) included in the policy profile can be updated. For example, as explained above, the policy profile may include a preemption IE indicating the preemption capability of the AF policy. In this example, via the update request, the preemption capability of the AF policy that is requested to be updated can be updated. In one specific example, if an AF policy's preemption capability was being able to preempt only AF policy #1 and AF policy #2, via this update request, the AF policy's preemption capability can be updated such that the AF policy can preempt AF policy #1 , AF policy #2, and AF policy #3.

[0057] Upon receiving the AF policy update request, NSCE server 104 may determine whether VAL server 102 is authorized to update the AF policy that is requested to be updated. If NSCE server 104 determines that VAL server 102 is authorized to update the AF policy, NSCE server 104 may check the updated policy profile with existing policies to avoid conflict and transmit to VAL server 102 an AF policy update response. The update response may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0058] As shown above, in some embodiments, the update response may include a policy ID IE identifying the AF policy that has been updated (note that, in some scenarios, the updated AF policy may be different from the AF policy that is requested to be updated but in other scenarios, the updated AF policy may be same as the AF policy that is requested to be updated) and an updated default global policy indication IE indicating whether there was an update on the default policy. For example, in case the AF policy that is requested to be updated is a default policy, this IE may indicate that the default AF policy has been updated.

[0059] The procedure of AF policy (a.k.a., "VAL server policy”) update can be summarized as follows:

[0060] Table 2-1 describes the information elements for the AF policy update request from the VAL server to the NSCE server.

Table 2-1 : AF policy update request

[0061] Table 2-2 describes the information elements for the AF policy update response from the NSCE server to the VAL server. Table 2-2: AF policy update response

[0062] AF Policy Deletion

[0063] FIG. 30 shows a process of AF policy deletion. The process may begin by VAL server 102 transmitting towards NSCE server 104 an AF policy delete request (a.k.a., "deletion request”). This AF policy delete request is for deleting the AF policy indicated in the request at NSCE server 104. The AF policy delete request may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0064] As shown above, the deletion request may include a policy ID IE identifying an AF policy that is requested to be deleted. In case the AF policy that is requested to be deleted is a default AF policy, the deletion request may also include another policy ID IE identifying a different AF policy and an update default policy indication IE indicating the different AF policy is a new default policy.

[0065] If VAL server 102 is authorized to delete the AF policy that is requested to be deleted, NSCE server 104 may delete the requested AF policy. In case, the AF policy that is requested to be deleted is a default AF policy, before deleting the AF policy, NSCE server 104 may first update the default policy with the different AF policy indicated in the request and then delete the AF policy (i.e., the old default AF policy) that is requested to be deleted. [0066] NSCE server 104 may report to VAL server 102 the outcome of deleting the requested policy by sending an AF policy deletion response (a.k.a., "AF policy delete response”). The deletion response may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0067] As shown above, the deletion response may indicate whether the requested deletion was successful or not. In case the deleted AF policy is a default AF policy, the deletion response may include an updated default policy IE that identifies a new default AF policy. The updated default policy IE may also include a priority IE indicating a priority level of the new default AF policy.

[0068] The procedure of AF policy (a.k.a., "VAL server policy”) delete can be summarized as follows: [0069] Table 3-1 describes the information elements for the AF policy delete request from the VAL server to the NSCE server.

Table 3-1 : AF policy delete request

[0070] Table 3-2 describes the information elements for the AF policy delete response from the NSCE server to the VAL server. Table 3-2: AF policy delete response

[0071] AF Policy Usage Reporting Data

[0072] FIG. 3D shows a process of AF policy usage reporting. The process may begin by VAL server 102 transmitting towards NSCE server 104 an AF policy usage reporting data subscribe reguest (a.k.a., "policy usage reporting reguest''). This AF policy usage reporting data subscribe reguest is for reguesting to be subscribed to NSCE server 104's service of providing information about usage of the AF policy indicated in the AF policy usage reporting data subscribe reguest. The AF policy usage reporting data subscribe reguest may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0073] As shown above, the AF policy usage reporting data subscribe reguest may include a reguested policy reporting data IE that provides details about usage data to be reported. For example, the reguested policy reporting data IE may include a policy ID IE identifying an AF policy of which the usage is reguested to be reported, and a start time IE indicating the start timing of the policy reporting, an end time IE indicating the end timing of the policy reporting. Additionally or alternatively, the AF policy usage reporting data subscribe reguest may also include a reporting interval IE indicating a time duration during which the usage report needs to be made to VAL server 102. [0074] After receiving the AF policy usage reporting data subscribe reguest, NSCE server 104 may transmit towards VAL server 102 an AF policy usage reporting data subscribe response indicating a success or a failure of the subscription. The AF policy usage reporting data subscribe response may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0075] After transmitting the AF policy telemetry data subscription response, NSCE server 104 may transmit to VAL server 102 AF policy usage reporting data notification. The notification may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0076] As shown above, in some embodiments, the notification may include a policy reporting data IE indicating the requested AF policy reporting data. In one example, the policy reporting data IE may include a policy ID IE identifying an AF policy for which the reporting was made, a policy count IE indicating a number of times that the reported AF policy was active, a policy time spent IE indicating a time duration of using the reported AF policy, a preempt count IE indicating a number of times that the AF policy was preempted by another AF policy or a number of times that the AF policy preempted a different AF policy or AF policies, and/or a pre-empt policy ID IE identifying one or more AF policies that were preempted by the reported AF policy or one or more AF policies that preempted the reported AF policy.

[0077] The procedure of AF policy (a.k.a., "VAL server policy”) usage reporting can be summarized as follows:

[0078] Table 4-1 describes information elements for the AF policy usage reporting data subscribe request from the VAL server to the NSCE server.

Table 4-1: AF policy usage reporting data subscribe request

[0079] Table 4-2 describes information elements for the AF policy usage reporting data subscribe response from the NSCE server to the VAL server.

Table 4-2: AF policy usage reporting data subscribe response

[0080] Table 4-3 describes information elements for the AF policy usage reporting data notification from the NSCE server to the VAL server. Table -31 : AF policy usage reporting data notification

[0081] AF Policy Scheduler

[0082] FIG. 4A shows a process of AF policy scheduling. The process may begin by VAL server 102 transmitting towards NSCE server 104 an AF policy scheduling request (a.k.a., "scheduling request”). This scheduling request is for requesting NSCE server 104 to schedule the AF policy indicated in the scheduling request. The scheduling request may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0083] As shown above, the scheduling request may include a policy ID IE identifying an AF policy to be scheduled, a scheduling period IE indicating the time schedule for the AF policy, and/or a preemption IE indicating the preempt capability of the AF policy. The scheduling period IE may include a start time IE indicating the scheduled start time and an end time IE indicating the scheduled end time. The preemption IE may include policy ID IE(s) indicating one or more AF policies that preempted the AF policy or one or more AF policies that were preempted by the AF policy.

[0084] After receiving the scheduling request, NSCE server 104 may schedule the AF policy according to the request (e.g., according to the time schedule and the preemption capability), and transmit towards VAL server 102 an AF policy scheduling response indicating whether the scheduling was successful or not. The scheduling response may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0085] The procedure of AF policy (a.k.a., "VAL server policy”) scheduler can be summarized as follows:

[0086] Table 5-1 describes the information elements for the AF policy scheduling request from the VAL server to the NSCE server.

Table 5-1 : AF policy scheduling request [0087] Table 5-2 describes the information elements for the AF policy scheduling response from the NSCE server to the VAL server. Table 5-2: AF policy scheduling response

[0088] Network Slice Optimization Based on AF Policy

[0089] FIG. 4B shows a process of network slice optimization that is based on one or more AF policies. The process may begin by VAL server 102 transmitting towards NSCE server 104 a network slice optimization subscription request (a.k.a., "network slice optimization message”). This message is for configuring NSCE server 104 to perform a network slice optimization procedure for optimizing a network slice using one or more AF policies. The message may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0090] As shown above, the message may include requested slice information IE identifying a network slice that is requested to be optimized, a policy ID IE identifying an AF policy (here, this AF policy corresponds to a primary AF policy) that can be used for optimizing the network slice, a proposed expiration time IE indicating proposed expiration time of the subscription, and/or a secondary policy ID IE identifying a secondary AF policy that may be used for optimizing the network slice in case the network slice optimization based on the primary AF policy fails. This means that in case NSCE server 104 fails to perform the network slice optimization based on the primary AF policy, NSCE server 104 may try to perform the network slice optimization using the secondary AF policy. [0091] Upon receiving the network slice optimization subscription request, NSCE server 104 may transmit to VAL server 102 a network slice optimization subscription response indicating whether VAL server 102's subscription of the network slice optimization is confirmed.

[0092] After the network slice optimization (either using the primary AF policy or the secondary AF policy) is performed, NSCE server 104 may transmit to VAL server 102 a network slice optimization notification. The network slice optimization notification may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below. [0093] As shown above, the network slice optimization notification may indicate whether the network slice optimization was successful or not. In some embodiments, the network slice optimization notification may include a network slice information IE indicating a network slice that was optimized, an optimization time IE indicating the time spent for the network slice optimization, and/or an enforced policy ID IE identifying a secondary AF policy that was used for the network slice optimization in case the network slice optimization based on the primary AF policy was failed. [0094] The procedure of network slice optimization based on AF policy ("VAL server policy”) can be summarized as follows:

[0095] Table 6-1 describes information elements for the Network slice optimization subscription request from the VAL server to the NSCE server. Table 6-1 : Network slice optimization subscription request

[0096] The information elements specified in the table 6-2 is used for the Network slice optimization notification sent from the NSCE server to the VAL server.

Table 6-2: Network slice optimization notification [0097] Table 6-3 illustrates the API for Network slice optimization based on AF policy. Table 6-3: Network slice optimization based on AF policy

[0098] Network Slice Optimization Report Retrieval

[0099] FIG. 40 shows a process of network slice optimization report retrieval. The process may begin by VAL server 102 transmitting towards NSCE server 104 a network slice optimization report retrieval request. This report retrieval request is for triggering NSCE server 104 to report information about the result(s) of the network slice optimization performed by NSCE server 104. The report retrieval request may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0100] As shown above, the request may include a subscribe ID IE identifying a network slice optimization subscribe event (to which VAL server 102 is subscribed to), an optimization result filter IE indicating a filter for filtering what to be reported to VAL server 102. For example, the filter may indicate not to report anything in case of a successful network slice optimization.

[0101] The request may include an optimization result sort IE indicating how to sort network slice optimization results (e.g., whether to sort them based on optimization timings or policy IDs, and/or whether to sort them in the ascending order or the descending order). The request may also include an optimization result size IE indicating how many network slice optimization responses NSCE server 104 may transmit to VAL server 102 (e.g., during a given time interval) or a number of network slice optimization results NSCE server 104 may transmit to VAL server 102.

[0102] After receiving the network slice optimization report retrieval request, NSCE server 104 may transmit to VAL server 102 a network slice optimization report retrieval response. The network slice optimization report retrieval response may include any one or more of the information elements included in the table provided below.

[0103] As shown above, in some embodiments, the report retrieval response may include a policy ID IE identifying an AF policy that was used for the network slice optimization performed by NSCE server 104. As discussed above, in case the network slice optimization based on the AF policy failed, NSCE server may perform the network slice optimization using a secondary AF policy (which may be provided by VAL server 102). In such case, the report retrieval response may include an enforce policy ID IE identifying the secondary AF policy that was used for performing the network slice optimization.

[0104] The procedure of network slice optimization report retrieval can be summarized as follows:

[0105] Table 7-1 describes information elements for the Network slice optimization report retrieval request from the VAL server to the NSCE server.

Table 7-1 : Network slice optimization report retrieval request

[0106] Table 7-2 describes information elements for the Network slice optimization report retrieval response from the NSCE server to the VAL server.

Table 7-2: Network slice optimization report retrieval response

[0107] Note that, in this disclosure, the requests, responses, and/or notifications shown in FIGS. 3A-4C are explained using a single AF policy, for simple explanation. However, in some embodiments, any of the requests, responses, and notifications may correspond to more than one AF policy. For example, as explained above, the AF policy update request may include a policy ID IE identifying an AF policy that is requested to be updated and policy modification details IE indicating the details of the AF policy update. In this example, in some embodiments, the AF policy update request may include two policy ID lEs - a first policy ID IE identifying a first policy IE and a second policy ID IE identifying a second policy IE and two policy modification details lEs -- a first policy modification details IE indicating the details of the policy update for the first policy and a second policy modification details IE indicating the details of the policy update for the second policy IE. In other words, in those embodiments where any of the requests, responses, and notifications corresponds to a plurality of AF policies, any one or more information elements included in such requests, responses, and notifications may be provided for each of the plurality of AF policies. In other embodiments, only some (or one) information elements included in such requests, responses, and notifications may be provided for only some (or one) of the plurality of AF policies while other information elements may be provided for other AF policies. For example, in the above example, in case the first AF policy is a default AF policy while the second AF policy is not a default AF policy, the AF policy update request may include the default policy indication IE (indicating whether a certain AF policy is a default policy or not) only for the first AF policy but not for the second AF policy.

[0108] FIG. 5 shows a process 500 performed by a vertical application layer, VAL, server (e.g., 102). The process 500 may begin with step s502. The step s502 comprises transmitting towards a network slice capability enablement, NSCE, server (e.g., 104) a request related to one or more application function, AF, policies. The step s504 comprises, after transmitting the request, receiving from the NSCE server a response to the request. The request is at least one of: (I) a provisioning request for provisioning said one or more AF policies, further wherein the provisioning request: a. indicates whether an AF policy included in said one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, c. includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, and/or d. indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, (II) an update request to update said one or more AF policies, (ill) a deletion request to delete said one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage reporting request for requesting to provide information about usage of said one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling said one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different secondary AF policies to be used as fallback policies for performing a network slice optimization procedure in case a network slice optimization procedure based on said one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting to report information about a network slice optimization procedure performed by the NSCE server.

[0109] In some embodiments, the request related to said one or more AF policies is the provisioning request, and the scheduling information indicates a scheduled start time and a scheduled end time.

[0110] In some embodiments, the request related to said one or more AF policies is the update request, and the update request comprises any one or more of: (I) for each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, a) a policy identifier, ID, identifying the AF policy; b) an updated policy profile for updating the AF policy; c) a priority indicator indicating a priority level of the AF policy; d) one or more network slice identifiers identifying one or more network slices associated with the AF policy; e) scheduling information for scheduling the AF policy; and/or f) preemption information identifying one or more AF policies that the AF policy can preempt and/or one or more AF policies that can preempt the AF policy; (ii) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server; and/or (ill) a default policy indicator indicating whether an AF policy included in said one or more AF policies is a new default policy for network slices provisioned without any policy or network slices mentioned in the update request.

[OHl] In some embodiments, the response is an update response, and the update response comprises any one or more of: (I) an indicator indicating whether a policy update was successful; (ii) a policy ID identifying an updated policy; and/or (ill) a default policy indicator indicating whether the updated AF policy is a default policy.

[0112] In some embodiments, the request related to said one or more AF policies is the deletion request, and the deletion request comprises: a first group of one or more policy IDs identifying said one or more AF policies that are requested to be deleted; and/or a second group of one or more policy IDs identifying a different group of one or more AF policies that are requested to be used.

[0113] In some embodiments, the deletion request comprises a default policy indicator indicating an update of an existing default policy and/or usage of a different policy as a new default policy.

[0114] In some embodiments, the response is a deletion response, and the deletion response comprises any one or more of: (i) an indicator indicating whether a policy deletion was successful; (ii) a policy identifier identifying a new default AF policy in case the deletion request was for deleting a default AF policy; and/or (ill) a priority value indicating an updated priority level of a new default AF policy, further wherein the updated priority level is obtained as a result of performing the policy deletion.

[0115] In some embodiments, the request related to said one or more AF policies is the policy usage reporting request, and the policy usage reporting request comprises any one or more of: (I) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server; (ii) one or more network slice IDs identifying one or more network slices associated with said one or more AF policies; (ill) policy usage reporting data information identifying requested policy usage data related to usage of said one or more AF policies; and/or (iv) for each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, a policy IDs identifying the AF policy; a start time indicating a start timing of collecting the requested policy usage data for usage of the AF policy; an end time indicating an end timing of collecting the requested policy usage data for usage of the AF policy; and/or a reporting interval value indicating a duration or a frequency of reporting the requested policy usage data for usage of the AF policy.

[0116] In some embodiments, the process 500 comprises receiving from the NSCE server a policy usage data report, wherein the policy usage data report comprises any one or more of: (I) subscription ID identifying the policy usage reporting request and/or a subscription to receiving the requested policy usage data; (ii) the requested policy usage data; and/or (ill) for each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, a policy ID identifying the AF policy; a policy count value indicating a number of times that the AF policy is active; a policy time duration value indicating a time duration of using the AF policy; a preemption count value indicating a number of times that the AF policy was preempted and/or a number of times that the AF policy preempted another policy; and/or a different policy ID identifying a different AF policy that was preempted by the AF policy or a different AF policy that preempted the AF policy.

[0117] In some embodiments, the request related to said one or more AF policies is the scheduling request, and the scheduling request comprises any one or more of: (I) a requester ID identifying the VAL server; (ii) slice information identifying one or more network slices associated with said one or more AF policies; (ill) a timestamp indicating a timing of transmitting the scheduling request; and/or (iv) for each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, an AF policy ID identifying the AF policy; a scheduling period value indicating a scheduled period during which the AF policy is to be applied; a start time value indicating a start timing of applying the AF policy; an end time value indicating an end timing of applying the AF policy; preemption data indicating preemption capability of the AF policy; and/or another policy ID identifying another AF policy to pre-empt the AF policy in the scheduled period.

[0118] In some embodiments, the request related to said one or more AF policies is the network optimization request, and the response to the request comprises optimization time indicating time spent for slice optimization by the NSCE server and/or an enforced AF policy ID identifying a secondary AF policy used for the network slice optimization that was performed in case of a failed network slice optimization performed based on said one or more AF policies.

[0119] In some embodiments, the request related to said one or more AF policies is the network slice optimization report retrieval request, and the network slice optimization report retrieval request comprises any one or more of: a subscription ID identifying a network slice optimization procedure; a sort type indicator indicating how to sort results of the network slice optimization procedure; a filter indicator indicating how to filter results of the network slice optimization procedure for reporting to the VAL server; an optimization result size value indicating a number of results the network slice optimization procedure that the NSCE server needs to report to the VAL server; and/or an optimization result window which comprises a start time value indicating a start timing of generating a network slice optimization report and an end time value indicating an end timing of generating the network slice optimization report.

[0120] In some embodiments, the response to the request comprises any one or more of: optimization time indicating time spent in performing the network slice optimization procedure by the NSCE server; optimization response indicating results of performing the network slice optimization procedure, which are filtered based on the filter indicator; a policy ID identifying an AF policy used for performing the network slice optimization procedure; and/or an enforced policy ID identifying a secondary AF policy used for the network slice optimization in case of a failed network slice optimization procedure.

[0121] FIG. 6 shows a process 600 performed by a network slice capability enablement, NSCE, server (e.g., 104). The process 600 may begin with step s602. The step s602 comprises receiving a request related to one or more application function, AF, policies, wherein the request was transmitted by a vertical application layer, VAL, server. The step s604 comprises, after receiving the request, transmitting towards the VAL server a response to the request, wherein the request is at least one of: (I) a provisioning request for provisioning said one or more AF policies, further wherein the provisioning request: a. indicates whether an AF policy included in said one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, c. includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, and/or d. indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, (ii) an update request to update said one or more AF policies, (ill) a deletion request to delete said one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage reporting request for requesting to provide information about usage of said one or more AF policies, (v) a scheduling request for scheduling said one or more AF policies, (vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different secondary AF policies to be used as fallback policies for performing a network slice optimization procedure in case a network slice optimization procedure based on said one or more AF policies fails, or (vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting to report information about a network slice optimization procedure performed by the NSCE server. [0122] In some embodiments, the request related to said one or more AF policies is the provisioning request, and the scheduling information indicates a scheduled start time and a scheduled end time.

[0123] In some embodiments, the request related to said one or more AF policies is the update request, and the update request comprises any one or more of: (i) for each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, a) a policy identifier, ID, identifying the AF policy; b) an updated policy profile for updating the AF policy; c) a priority indicator indicating a priority level of the AF policy; d) one or more network slice identifiers identifying one or more network slices associated with the AF policy; e) scheduling information for scheduling the AF policy; and/or f) preemption information identifying one or more AF policies that the AF policy can preempt and/or one or more AF policies that can preempt the AF policy; (ii) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server; and/or (iii) a default policy indicator indicating whether an AF policy included in said one or more AF policies is a new default policy for network slices provisioned without any policy or network slices mentioned in the update request.

[0124] In some embodiments, the response is an update response, and the update response comprises any one or more of: (i) an indicator indicating whether a policy update was successful; (ii) a policy ID identifying an updated policy; and/or (iii) a default policy indicator indicating whether the updated AF policy is a default policy.

[0125] In some embodiments, the request related to said one or more AF policies is the deletion request, and the deletion request comprises: a first group of one or more policy IDs identifying said one or more AF policies that are requested to be deleted; and/or a second group of one or more policy IDs identifying a different group of one or more AF policies that are requested to be used.

[0126] In some embodiments, the deletion request comprises a default policy indicator indicating an update of an existing default policy and/or usage of a different policy as a new default policy.

[0127] In some embodiments, the response is a deletion response, and the deletion response comprises any one or more of: (i) an indicator indicating whether a policy deletion was successful; (ii) a policy identifier identifying a new default AF policy in case the deletion request was for deleting a default AF policy; and/or (iii) a priority value indicating an updated priority level of a new default AF policy, further wherein the updated priority level is obtained as a result of performing the policy deletion.

[0128] In some embodiments, the request related to said one or more AF policies is the policy usage reporting request, and the policy usage reporting request comprises any one or more of: (i) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server; (ii) one or more network slice IDs identifying one or more network slices associated with said one or more AF policies; (iii) policy usage reporting data information identifying requested policy usage data related to usage of said one or more AF policies; and/or (iv) for each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, a policy IDs identifying the AF policy; a start time indicating a start timing of collecting the requested policy usage data for usage of the AF policy; an end time indicating an end timing of collecting the requested policy usage data for usage of the AF policy; and/or a reporting interval value indicating a duration or a frequency of reporting the requested policy usage data for usage of the AF policy.

[0129] In some embodiments, the process 600 comprises transmitting towards the VAL server a policy usage data report, wherein the policy usage data report comprises any one or more of: (I) subscription ID identifying the policy usage reporting request and/or a subscription to receiving the requested policy usage data; (ii) the requested policy usage data; and/or (ill) for each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, a policy ID identifying the AF policy; a policy count value indicating a number of times that the AF policy is active; a policy time duration value indicating a time duration of using the AF policy; a preemption count value indicating a number of times that the AF policy was preempted and/or a number of times that the AF policy preempted another policy; and/or a different policy ID identifying a different AF policy that was preempted by the AF policy or a different AF policy that preempted the AF policy.

[0130] In some embodiments, the request related to said one or more AF policies is the scheduling request, and the scheduling request comprises any one or more of: (I) a requester ID identifying the VAL server; (ii) slice information identifying one or more network slices associated with said one or more AF policies; (ill) a timestamp indicating a timing of transmitting the scheduling request; and/or (iv) for each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, an AF policy ID identifying the AF policy; a scheduling period value indicating a scheduled period during which the AF policy is to be applied; a start time value indicating a start timing of applying the AF policy; an end time value indicating an end timing of applying the AF policy; preemption data indicating preemption capability of the AF policy; and/or another policy ID identifying another AF policy to pre-empt the AF policy in the scheduled period.

[0131] In some embodiments, the request related to said one or more AF policies is the network optimization request, and the response to the request comprises optimization time indicating time spent for slice optimization by the NSCE server and/or an encored AF policy ID identifying a secondary AF policy used for the network slice optimization that was performed in case of a failed network slice optimization performed based on said one or more AF policies.

[0132] In some embodiments, the request related to said one or more AF policies is the network slice optimization report retrieval request, and the network slice optimization report retrieval request comprises any one or more of: a subscription ID identifying a network slice optimization procedure; a sort type indicator indicating how to sort results of the network slice optimization procedure; a filter indicator indicating how to filter results of the network slice optimization procedure for reporting to the VAL server; an optimization result size value indicating a number of results the network slice optimization procedure that the NSCE server needs to report to the VAL server; and/or an optimization result window which comprises a start time value indicating a start timing of generating a network slice optimization report and an end time value indicating an end timing of generating the network slice optimization report. [0133] In some embodiments, the response to the request comprises any one or more of: optimization time indicating time spent in performing the network slice optimization procedure by the NSCE server; optimization response indicating results of performing the network slice optimization procedure, which are filtered based on the filter indicator; a policy ID identifying an AF policy used for performing the network slice optimization procedure; and/or an enforced policy ID identifying a secondary AF policy used for the network slice optimization in case of a failed network slice optimization procedure.

[0134] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an apparatus 700, according to some embodiments, for implementing VAL server 102 and/or NSCE server 104. As shown in FIG. 7, apparatus 700 may comprise: processing circuitry (PC) 702, which may include one or more processors (P) 755 (e.g., a general purpose microprocessor and/or one or more other processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like), which processors may be co-located in a single housing or in a single data center or may be geographically distributed (i.e., apparatus 700 may be a distributed computing apparatus); a network interface 748 comprising a transmitter (Tx) 745 and a receiver (Rx) 747 for enabling apparatus 700 to transmit data to and receive data from other nodes connected to a network 110 (e.g., an Internet Protocol (IP) network) to which network interface 748 is connected (directly or indirectly) (e.g., network interface 748 may be wirelessly connected to the network 110, in which case network interface 748 is connected to an antenna arrangement); and a local storage unit (a.k.a., "data storage system”) 708, which may include one or more non-volatile storage devices and/or one or more volatile storage devices. In embodiments where PC 702 includes a programmable processor, a computer program product (CPP) 741 may be provided. CPP 741 includes a computer readable medium (CRM) 742 storing a computer program (CP) 743 comprising computer readable instructions (CRI) 744. CRM 742 may be a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as, magnetic media (e.g., a hard disk), optical media, memory devices (e.g., random access memory, flash memory), and the like. In some embodiments, the CRI 744 of computer program 743 is configured such that when executed by PC 702, the CRI causes apparatus 700 to perform steps described herein (e.g., steps described herein with reference to the flow charts). In other embodiments, apparatus 700 may be configured to perform steps described herein without the need for code. That is, for example, PC 702 may consist merely of one or more ASICs. Hence, the features of the embodiments described herein may be implemented in hardware and/or software.

[0135] Summary of Additional Embodiments

A1. A method (500) performed by a vertical application layer, VAL, server (102), the method comprising: transmitting (s502) towards a network slice capability enablement, NSCE, server (104) a request related to one or more application function, AF, policies; and after transmitting the request, receiving (s504) from the NSCE server a response to the request, wherein the request is any one of: (i) a provisioning request for provisioning said one or more AF policies, further wherein the provisioning request: a. indicates whether an AF policy included in said one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, c. includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, and/or d. indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies,

(ii) an update request to update said one or more AF policies,

(ill) a deletion request to delete said one or more AF policies,

(iv) a policy usage reporting request for requesting to provide information about usage of said one or more AF policies,

(v) a scheduling request for scheduling said one or more AF policies,

(vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different AF policies to be used for performing a network slice optimization procedure in case a network slice optimization procedure based on said one or more AF policies fails, or

(vii) a network slice optimization report retrieval request for requesting to report information about a network slice optimization procedure performed by the NSCE server.

AF Policy Provisioning Request

A2. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the provisioning request, and the provisioning request indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies.

AF Policy Update Request

A3. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the update request, and the update request comprises any one or more of:

(I) for each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, a) a policy identifier, ID, identifying the AF policy; b) an updated policy profile for updating the AF policy; c) a priority indicator indicating a priority level of the AF policy; d) one or more network slice identifiers identifying one or more network slices associated with the AF policy; e) scheduling information for scheduling the AF policy; and/or f) preemption information identifying one or more AF policies that the AF policy can preempt and/or one or more AF policies that can preempt the AF policy;

(ii) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server; and/or

(ill) a default policy indicator indicating whether an AF policy included in said one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy.

AF Policy Update Response

A3a. The method of embodiment A3, wherein the response is an update response, and the update response comprises any one or more of:

(I) an indicator indicating whether a policy update was successful;

(ii) a policy ID identifying an updated policy; and/or

(ill) a default policy indicator indicating whether the updated AF policy is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy.

AF Policy Delete Request

A4. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the deletion request, and the deletion request comprises: a first group of one or more policy IDs identifying said one or more AF policies that are requested to be deleted; and/or a second group of one or more policy IDs identifying a different group of one or more AF policies that are requested to be used.

A5. The method of embodiment A4, wherein the deletion request comprises a default policy indicator indicating whether an AF policy in the second group is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy.

AF Policy Delete Response

A5a. The method of embodiment A4 or A5, wherein the response is a deletion response, and the deletion response comprises any one or more of:

(I) an indicator indicating whether a policy deletion was successful;

(ii) a policy identifier identifying a new default AF policy in case the deletion request was for deleting a default AF policy; and/or

(ill) a priority value indicating an updated priority level of a new default AF policy, further wherein the updated priority level is obtained as a result of performing the policy deletion.

AF Policy Usage Reporting Data Subscribe Request

A6. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the policy usage reporting request, and the policy usage reporting request comprises any one or more of:

(I) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server;

(ii) one or more network slice IDs identifying one or more network slices associated with said one or more AF policies;

(ill) policy usage reporting data information identifying requested policy usage data related to usage of said one or more AF policies; and/or

(iv) for each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, a policy IDs identifying the AF policy; a start time indicating a start timing of collecting the requested policy usage data for usage of the AF policy; an end time indicating an end timing of collecting the requested policy usage data for usage of the AF policy; and/or a reporting interval value indicating a duration or a frequency of reporting the requested policy usage data for usage of the AF policy.

AF Policy Usage Reporting Data Notification

A7. The method of embodiment A6, comprising receiving from the NSCE server a policy usage data report, wherein the policy usage data report comprises any one or more of:

(I) subscription ID identifying the policy usage reporting request and/or a subscription to receiving the requested policy usage data;

(ii) the requested policy usage data; and/or

(ill) for each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, a policy ID identifying the AF policy; a policy count value indicating a number of times that the AF policy is active; a policy time duration value indicating a time duration of using the AF policy; a preemption count value indicating a number of times that the AF policy was preempted and/or a number of times that the AF policy preempted another policy; and/or a different policy ID identifying a different AF policy that was preempted by the AF policy or a different AF policy that preempted the AF policy.

AF Policy Scheduling Request

A8. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the scheduling request, and the scheduling request comprises any one or more of:

(I) a requester ID identifying the VAL server;

(ii) slice information identifying one or more network slices associated with said one or more AF policies;

(ill) a timestamp indicating a timing of transmitting the scheduling request; and/or (iv) for each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, an AF policy ID identifying the AF policy; a scheduling period value indicating a period during which the AF policy is to be applied; a start time value indicating a start timing of applying the AF policy; an end time value indicating an end timing of applying the AF policy; preemption data indicating preemption capability of the AF policy; and/or another policy ID identifying another AF policy that is to be active while the AF policy is preempted.

Network Slice Optimization Notification

A9. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the network optimization request, and the response to the request comprises optimization time indicating time spent for slice optimization by the NSCE server and/or an AF policy ID identifying an enforced AF policy used for the network slice optimization that was performed in case of a failed network slice optimization based on said one or more AF policies.

Network Slice Optimization Report Retrieval Request

A10. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the network slice optimization report retrieval request, and the network slice optimization report retrieval request, comprises any one or more of: a subscription ID identifying a network slice optimization procedure; a sort type indicator indicating how to sort results of the network slice optimization procedure; a filter indicator indicating how to filter results of the network slice optimization procedure for reporting to the VAL server; an optimization result size value indicating a number of results the network slice optimization procedure that the NSCE server needs to report to the VAL server; a start time value indicating a start timing of generating a network slice optimization report; and/or an end time value indicating an end timing of generating the network slice optimization report.

Network Slice Optimization Report Retrieval Response

A10a. The method of embodiment A10, wherein the response to the request comprises any one or more of: optimization time indicating time spent in performing the network slice optimization procedure by the NSCE server; optimization response indicating results of performing the network slice optimization procedure, which are filtered based on the filter indicator; and/or one or more policy IDs identifying one or more enforced AF policies used for performing the network slice optimization procedure.

B1 . A method (600) performed by a network slice capability enablement, NSCE, server (104), the method comprising: receiving (s602) a request related to one or more application function, AF, policies, wherein the request was transmitted by a vertical application layer, VAL, server (102); and after receiving the request, transmitting (s604) towards the VAL server a response to the request, wherein the request is any one of:

(i) a provisioning request for provisioning said one or more AF policies, further wherein the provisioning request: a. indicates whether an AF policy included in said one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, c. includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, and/or d. indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies,

(ii) an update request to update said one or more AF policies,

(iii) a deletion request to delete said one or more AF policies,

(v) a scheduling request for scheduling said one or more AF policies,

AF Policy Provisioning Request

B2. The method of embodiment B1 , wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the provisioning request, and the provisioning request indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies.

AF Policy Update Request

B3. The method of embodiment B1, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the update request, and the update request comprises any one or more of:

(i) for each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, a) a policy identifier, ID, identifying the AF policy; b) an updated policy profile for updating the AF policy; c) a priority indicator indicating a priority level of the AF policy; d) one or more network slice identifiers identifying one or more network slices associated with the AF policy; e) scheduling information for scheduling the AF policy; and/or f) preemption information identifying one or more AF policies that the AF policy can preempt and/or one or more AF policies that can preempt the AF policy; (ii) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server; and/or

(iii) a default policy indicator indicating whether an AF policy included in said one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy.

AF Policy Update Response

B3a. The method of embodiment B3, wherein the response is an update response, and the update response comprises any one or more of:

(I) an indicator indicating whether a policy update was successful;

(ii) a policy ID identifying an updated policy; and/or

(iii) a default policy indicator indicating whether the updated AF policy is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy.

AF Policy Delete Request

B4. The method of embodiment B1, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the deletion request, and the deletion request comprises: a first group of one or more policy IDs identifying said one or more AF policies that are requested to be deleted; and/or a second group of one or more policy IDs identifying a different group of one or more AF policies that are requested to be used.

B5. The method of embodiment B4, wherein the deletion request comprises a default policy indicator indicating whether an AF policy in the second group is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy.

AF Policy Delete Response

B5a. The method of embodiment B4 or B5, wherein the response is a deletion response, and the deletion response comprises any one or more of:

(I) an indicator indicating whether a policy deletion was successful;

(ii) a policy identifier identifying a new default AF policy in case the deletion request was for deleting a default AF policy; and/or (iii) a priority value indicating an updated priority level of a new default AF policy, further wherein the updated priority level is obtained as a result of performing the policy deletion.

AF Policy Usage Reporting Data Subscribe Request

B6. The method of embodiment B1 , wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the policy usage reporting request, and the policy usage reporting request comprises any one or more of:

(I) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server;

(iii) policy usage reporting data information identifying requested policy usage data related to usage of said one or more AF policies; and/or

AF Policy Usage Reporting Data Notification

B7. The method of embodiment B6, comprising transmitting towards the VAL server a policy usage data report, wherein the policy usage data report comprises any one or more of:

(ii) the requested policy usage data; and/or

(iii) for each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, a policy ID identifying the AF policy; a policy count value indicating a number of times that the AF policy is active; a policy time duration value indicating a time duration of using the AF policy; a preemption count value indicating a number of times that the AF policy was preempted and/or a number of times that the AF policy preempted another policy; and/or a different policy ID identifying a different AF policy that was preempted by the AF policy or a different AF policy that preempted the AF policy.

AF Policy Scheduling Request

B8. The method of embodiment B1 , wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the scheduling request, and the scheduling request comprises any one or more of:

(I) a requester ID identifying the VAL server;

Network Slice Optimization Notification

B9. The method of embodiment B1, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the network optimization request, and the response to the request comprises optimization time indicating time spent for slice optimization by the NSCE server and/or an AF policy ID identifying an enforced AF policy used for the network slice optimization that was performed in case of a failed network slice optimization based on said one or more AF policies.

Network Slice Optimization Report Retrieval Request

B10. The method of embodiment B1, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the network slice optimization report retrieval request, and the network slice optimization report retrieval request, comprises any one or more of: a subscription ID identifying a network slice optimization procedure; a sort type indicator indicating how to sort results of the network slice optimization procedure; a filter indicator indicating how to filter results of the network slice optimization procedure for reporting to the VAL server; an optimization result size value indicating a number of results the network slice optimization procedure that the NSCE server needs to report to the VAL server; a start time value indicating a start timing of generating a network slice optimization report; and/or an end time value indicating an end timing of generating the network slice optimization report.

Network Slice Optimization Report Retrieval Response

B10a. The method of embodiment B10, wherein the response to the request comprises any one or more of: optimization time indicating time spent in performing the network slice optimization procedure by the NSCE server; optimization response indicating results of performing the network slice optimization procedure, which are filtered based on the filter indicator; and/or one or more policy IDs identifying one or more enforced AF policies used for performing the network slice optimization procedure.

C1. A computer program (700) comprising instructions (744) which when executed by processing circuitry (702) cause the processing circuitry to perform the method of any one of embodiments A1-B10a.

C2. A carrier containing the computer program of embodiment C1, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, and a computer readable storage medium.

D1. A vertical application layer, VAL, server (102), the VAL server being configured to: transmit (s502) towards a network slice capability enablement, NSCE, server (104) a request related to one or more application function, AF, policies; and after transmitting the request, receive (s504) from the NSCE server a response to the request, wherein the request is any one of:

(ii) an update request to update said one or more AF policies,

(iii) a deletion request to delete said one or more AF policies,

(v) a scheduling request for scheduling said one or more AF policies,

D2. The VAL server of embodiment D1, wherein the VAL server is further configured to perform the method of any one of embodiments A2-A10a.

E1. A network slice capability enablement, NSCE, server (104), the NSCE server being configured to: receive (s602) a request related to one or more application function, AF, policies, wherein the request was transmitted by a vertical application layer, VAL, server (102); and after receiving the request, transmit (s604) towards the NSCE server a response to the request, wherein the request is any one of:

(i) a provisioning request for provisioning said one or more AF policies, further wherein the provisioning request: a. indicates whether an AF policy included in said one or more AF policies is a default policy for one or more network slices that are not associated with any AF policy, b. includes scheduling information for scheduling each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, c. includes a list of one or more AF policies that will be preempted by each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies or a list of one or more AF policies that will preempt each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, and/or d. indicates a priority level of each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, (ii) an update request to update said one or more AF policies,

(ill) a deletion request to delete said one or more AF policies,

(v) a scheduling request for scheduling said one or more AF policies,

E2. The NSCE server of embodiment E1 , wherein the NSCE server is further configured to perform the method of any one of embodiments B2-B10a.

F1. An apparatus (700) comprising: a processing circuitry (702); and a memory (741), said memory containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry, whereby the apparatus is operative to perform the method of any one of embodiments A1-B10a.

[0136] Conclusion

[0137] While various embodiments are described herein, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of this disclosure should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

[0138] Additionally, while the processes described above and illustrated in the drawings are shown as a sequence of steps, this was done solely for the sake of illustration. Accordingly, it is contemplated that some steps may be added, some steps may be omitted, the order of the steps may be re-arranged, and some steps may be performed in parallel.

Claims

1. A method (500) performed by a vertical application layer, VAL, server (102), the method comprising: transmitting (s502) towards a network slice capability enablement, NSCE, server (104) a request related to one or more application function, AF, policies; and after transmitting the request, receiving (s504) from the NSCE server a response to the request, wherein the request is at least one of:

(ii) an update request to update said one or more AF policies,

(iii) a deletion request to delete said one or more AF policies,

(v) a scheduling request for scheduling said one or more AF policies,

(vi) a network slice optimization message for a network slice optimization service, further wherein the network slice optimization message indicates one or more different secondary AF policies to be used as fallback policies for performing a network slice optimization procedure in case a network slice optimization procedure based on said one or more AF policies fails, or

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the provisioning request, the scheduling information indicates a scheduled start time and a scheduled end time.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the update request, and the update request comprises any one or more of:

(ii) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server; and/or

(iii) a default policy indicator indicating whether an AF policy included in said one or more AF policies is a new default policy for network slices provisioned without any policy or network slices mentioned in the update request.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the response is an update response, and the update response comprises any one or more of:

(i) an indicator indicating whether a policy update was successful;

(ii) a policy ID identifying an updated policy; and/or

(iii) a default policy indicator indicating whether the updated AF policy is a default policy.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the deletion request, and the deletion request comprises: a first group of one or more policy IDs identifying said one or more AF policies that are requested to be deleted; and/or a second group of one or more policy IDs identifying a different group of one or more AF policies that are requested to be used.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the deletion request comprises a default policy indicator indicating an update of an existing default policy and/or usage of a different policy as a new default policy.

7. The method of claim 5 or 6, wherein the response is a deletion response, and the deletion response comprises any one or more of:

(I) an indicator indicating whether a policy deletion was successful;

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the policy usage reporting request, and the policy usage reporting request comprises any one or more of:

(I) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server;

9. The method of claim 8, comprising receiving from the NSCE server a policy usage data report, wherein the policy usage data report comprises any one or more of:

(ii) the requested policy usage data; and/or

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the scheduling request, and the scheduling request comprises any one or more of:

(I) a requester ID identifying the VAL server;

(ill) a timestamp indicating a timing of transmitting the scheduling request; and/or

(iv) for each AF policy included in said one or more AF policies, an AF policy ID identifying the AF policy; a scheduling period value indicating a scheduled period during which the AF policy is to be applied; a start time value indicating a start timing of applying the AF policy; an end time value indicating an end timing of applying the AF policy; preemption data indicating preemption capability of the AF policy; and/or another policy ID identifying another AF policy to pre-empt the AF policy in the scheduled period.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the network optimization request, and the response to the request comprises optimization time indicating time spent for slice optimization by the NSCE server and/or an enforced AF policy ID identifying a secondary AF policy used for the network slice optimization that was performed in case of a failed network slice optimization performed based on said one or more AF policies.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the network slice optimization report retrieval request, and the network slice optimization report retrieval request comprises any one or more of: a subscription ID identifying a network slice optimization procedure; a sort type indicator indicating how to sort results of the network slice optimization procedure; a filter indicator indicating how to filter results of the network slice optimization procedure for reporting to the VAL server; an optimization result size value indicating a number of results the network slice optimization procedure that the NSCE server needs to report to the VAL server; and/or an optimization result window which comprises a start time value indicating a start timing of generating a network slice optimization report and an end time value indicating an end timing of generating the network slice optimization report.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the response to the request comprises any one or more of: optimization time indicating time spent in performing the network slice optimization procedure by the NSCE server; optimization response indicating results of performing the network slice optimization procedure, which are filtered based on the filter indicator; a policy ID identifying an AF policy used for performing the network slice optimization procedure; and/or an enforced policy ID identifying a secondary AF policy used for the network slice optimization in case of a failed network slice optimization procedure.

14. A method (600) performed by a network slice capability enablement, NSCE, server (104), the method comprising: receiving (s602) a request related to one or more application function, AF, policies, wherein the request was transmitted by a vertical application layer, VAL, server (102); and after receiving the request, transmitting (s604) towards the VAL server a response to the request, wherein the request is at least one of:

(ii) an update request to update said one or more AF policies,

(iii) a deletion request to delete said one or more AF policies, (iv) a policy usage reporting request for requesting to provide information about usage of said one or more AF policies,

(v) a scheduling request for scheduling said one or more AF policies,

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the provisioning request, and the scheduling information indicates a scheduled start time and a scheduled end time.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the update request, and the update request comprises any one or more of:

(ii) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server; and/or

(ill) a default policy indicator indicating whether an AF policy included in said one or more AF policies is a new default policy for network slices provisioned without any policy or network slices mentioned in the update request.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the response is an update response, and the update response comprises any one or more of: (i) an indicator indicating whether a policy update was successful;

(ii) a policy ID identifying an updated policy; and/or

(ill) a default policy indicator indicating whether the updated AF policy is a default policy.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the deletion request, and the deletion request comprises: a first group of one or more policy IDs identifying said one or more AF policies that are requested to be deleted; and/or a second group of one or more policy IDs identifying a different group of one or more AF policies that are requested to be used.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the deletion request comprises a default policy indicator indicating an update of an existing default policy and/or usage of a different policy as a new default policy.

20. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein the response is a deletion response, and the deletion response comprises any one or more of:

(I) an indicator indicating whether a policy deletion was successful;

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the policy usage reporting request, and the policy usage reporting request comprises any one or more of:

(I) a requester identifier identifying the VAL server;

22. The method of claim 21, comprising transmitting towards the VAL server a policy usage data report, wherein the policy usage data report comprises any one or more of:

(ii) the requested policy usage data; and/or

23. The method of claim 14, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the scheduling request, and the scheduling request comprises any one or more of:

(I) a requester ID identifying the VAL server;

24. The method of claim 14, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the network optimization request, and the response to the request comprises optimization time indicating time spent for slice optimization by the NSCE server and/or an encored AF policy ID identifying a secondary AF policy used for the network slice optimization that was performed in case of a failed network slice optimization performed based on said one or more AF policies.

25. The method of claim 14, wherein the request related to said one or more AF policies is the network slice optimization report retrieval request, and the network slice optimization report retrieval request comprises any one or more of: a subscription ID identifying a network slice optimization procedure; a sort type indicator indicating how to sort results of the network slice optimization procedure; a filter indicator indicating how to filter results of the network slice optimization procedure for reporting to the VAL server; an optimization result size value indicating a number of results the network slice optimization procedure that the NSCE server needs to report to the VAL server; and/or an optimization result window which comprises a start time value indicating a start timing of generating a network slice optimization report and an end time value indicating an end timing of generating the network slice optimization report.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the response to the request comprises any one or more of: optimization time indicating time spent in performing the network slice optimization procedure by the NSCE server; optimization response indicating results of performing the network slice optimization procedure, which are filtered based on the filter indicator; a policy ID identifying an AF policy used for performing the network slice optimization procedure; and/or an enforced policy ID identifying a secondary AF policy used for the network slice optimization in case of a failed network slice optimization procedure.

27. A computer program (700) comprising instructions (744) which when executed by processing circuitry (702) cause the processing circuitry to perform the method of any one of claims 1-26.

28. A carrier containing the computer program of claim 27, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, and a computer readable storage medium.

29. A vertical application layer, VAL, server (102), the VAL server being configured to: transmit (s502) towards a network slice capability enablement, NSCE, server (104) a request related to one or more application function, AF, policies; and after transmitting the request, receive (s504) from the NSCE server a response to the request, wherein the request is at least one of:

(ii) an update request to update said one or more AF policies,

(ill) a deletion request to delete said one or more AF policies,

(v) a scheduling request for scheduling said one or more AF policies,

30. The VAL server of claim 29, wherein the VAL server is further configured to perform the method of any one of claims 2-13.

31. A network slice capability enablement, NSCE, server (104), the NSCE server being configured to: receive (s602) a request related to one or more application function, AF, policies, wherein the request was transmitted by a vertical application layer, VAL, server (102); and after receiving the request, transmit (s604) towards the NSCE server a response to the request, wherein the request is at least one of:

(ii) an update request to update said one or more AF policies,

(ill) a deletion request to delete said one or more AF policies,

(v) a scheduling request for scheduling said one or more AF policies,

32. The NSCE server of claim 31, wherein the NSCE server is further configured to perform the method of any one of claims 15-26.

33. An apparatus (700) comprising: a processing circuitry (702); and a memory (741), said memory containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry, whereby the apparatus is operative to perform the method of any one of claims 1-26.