SliceNet has implemented an innovative framework for management and control of Network Slices (NSs), leveraging Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) technologies, with cognitive techniques and artificial intelligence for 5G networks. SliceNet overall achievements were:
- Achieve an innovative, cognitive, integrated ‘one-stop shop’ 5G slice management framework for vertical businesses and co-designed by vertical sectors:
Integrated SliceNet network slice control, management and orchestration framework for multiple business roles
One-Stop API to allow multiple business roles to access the SliceNet framework to subscribe, instantiate and optimise network slice based services
P&P (Plug & Play) Control to allow exposure of network slicing monitoring and control facilities to verticals to achieve service customisation for verticals
- Enable extensible, end-to-end slice FCAPS (Fault, Configuration, Accounting, Performance and Security) management across multiple planes and operator domains:
End-to-end FCAPS management of network slices in the integrated SliceNet framework for both single and multiple domains
Versatile P&P management framework that provides automated deployment and configuration for per-slice/per-service functions serving the verticals, and also the functions in SliceNet control plane and cognition plane
- Establish cognitive, agile QoE (Quality of Experience) management of slices for service assurance of vertical businesses:
Cognitive network management framework across Verticals, Digital Service Providers, and Network Service Providers (5G Operators)
Cognition-based artificial intelligence algorithms for QoS and QoE optimization
- Enable slicing-friendly infrastructure and coordinated, true provisioning and control of user-definable slices:
ETSI standard-compliant MEC (Mobile/Multi-access Edge Computing) platform and services
Programmable data plane for network slicing over the data path to assure QoS
Slicing-friendly end-to-end infrastructure that allows the SliceNet control plane to optimise/customise network slices at runtime
- Empower orchestration for cross-plane coordination of management, control, service and data planes to achieve system-level slicing control and slice operation:
Multi-level network slice orchestration across resource, slice and service levels
Automatic deployment of end-to-end network slices across multiple network service providers’ domains
- Demonstrate the efficiency and support of the SliceNet framework via the use of the vertical business use cases for validating the technical developments and the capabilities and flexibility of the integrated SliceNet framework
Showcasing use cases representative of the 5G KPI categories defined by 3GPP/ITU
Validate and showcase the technical, societal, and business impacts of the SliceNet system throughout the use of the developed vertical prototypes
- Create a 5G Slicing themed innovation ecosystem
Use cases testbeds for the three vertical sectors: e-Health, Smart Grid, and Smart City
End-to-end multi-domain multi-tenants network slicing framework that fosters collaboration among various business roles
Vertical-in-the-loop R&D based on requirements from the representative verticals in the project
