End-to-end intent definition of network functions for network slice management

• Main Authors: Sadeghi, Bahareh, Brown, Michael Anthony, Parker, Ronald Mark, Libby, Mark Gordon
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 09.04.2024
• Subjects: ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHICCOMMUNICATION

Described are examples for providing end-to-end intent definition of network functions for network slice management. Intents are defined for each level of network constituent including slices, slice subnets, and management functions. A system of intent based network slice management includes a network slice management function (NSMF) configured to receive a service profile from a communication service management function (CSMF) and derive an intent for each desired network slice subnet for a network slice subnet management function (NSSMF). The NSSMF is configured to derive requirements for a plurality of network functions (NFs) and provide an intent defining the requirements of a respective NF to a network function management function (NFMF). The NFMF is configured to receive the intent for the respective NF via an intent-based interface for management of NFs and derive a network resource model (NRM) for the respective NF based on the intent.