Abstract: The invention relates to a communication network which is configured to enable instantiation of network slices which represent virtual networks. The invention further relates to a content application server (CAS) for providing an application service via a network slice to at least one user equipment (UE). A network function (SREF) is provided which on the one hand may have access to one or more slice management network functions (CSMF, NSMF, NSSMF) and on the other hand may be accessible to the CAS. The network function (SREF) may abstract the properties of the network slice using a data structure representing a slice object and expose these abstracted properties to the CAS by providing access to the slice object. The slice object may comprise modifiable properties which represent modifiable properties of the corresponding network slice.

Abstract: A first method comprises transmitting data (83) of a first kind during a first part of a first time slot (ti1) of a plurality of time slots (ti1-ti4) of equal length according to a regular slot schedule, transmitting a preamble (84) in a second part of the first time slot, and transmitting data of the second kind during one or more mini-slots of a first part of a second time slot (ti2) of the time slots according to a mini-slot schedule. The second time slot succeeds the first time slot and the first part of the second time slot comprises a plurality of mini-slots (85). A second method comprises receiving the data of the first kind during the first part of the first time slot, receiving the preamble in the first time slot, and receiving data during a plurality of the mini-slots of the second time slot.

Abstract: Next generation network architectures enable instantiation of network slices in which traffic may be transported via one or more virtual networks overlaying the physical network infrastructure. Multiple of such network slices may share a resource of a particular network function, such as a bandwidth, switching capacity, computing capacity and/or storage capacity of the network function. It may be desirable to provide guarantees on the minimum resource availability of the shared resource per network slice. Accordingly, a slice resource distribution function (SRDF) may be provided which may be configured manage the resource utilization of the shared resource which may safeguard guarantees on the minimum resource availability per network slice.

Abstract: Next generation network architectures enable instantiation of network slices in which traffic may be transported via one or more virtual networks overlaying the physical network infrastructure. To enable a slice management system to be able to obtain information on virtual networks of instantiated network slices, such as utilization data indicative of at least one of: a bandwidth capacity, computing capacity and storage capacity of one or more physical links via which traffic of the virtual networks is routed, an interfacing system is provided. The interfacing system may establish an interface between the slice management system operating in the domain of network slices and the network management system operating in the domain of physical network equipment, and thereby enable the slice management system to take into account such utilization data in its slice management operation.

Abstract: Embodiments provide functionality for dynamic handling of network slice priorities. In an embodiment, a slice priority manager receives, from a network services node, data indicating changes in network resources available for maintaining instantiated network slices in a communication network. Based on the received data, changes in the network services node's ability to maintain the instantiated network slices are identified and a communication service provider is notified of the change. To continue, slice priority data that indicates a preferred order of a portion of the network slices for allocating the network resources is received from the communication service provider. In turn, an indication of the slice priority data is forwarded to the network services node to update allocation of network resources for the slices.

Abstract: A control system enables re-registration of user equipment (UE) on an alternative network in the event of a partial failure of a network (VPLMN) for wireless communication. An access and mobility management function (AMF) manages the communication to user equipment (UE) via network slices (1,2,3). A slice priority management function (SPM) receives data indicative of a change in the network's ability to maintain the instantiated network slices and determines to reduce services via affected network slices. Before said slice reduction, the access and mobility management function is informed and sends a slice reduction message to the user equipment.

Abstract: Embodiments provide functionality for dynamic handling of network slice priorities. In an embodiment, a slice priority manager receives, from a network services node, data indicating changes in network resources available for maintaining instantiated network slices in a communication network. Based on the received data, changes in the network services node's ability to maintain the instantiated network slices are identified and a communication service provider is notified of the change. To continue, slice priority data that indicates a preferred order of a portion of the network slices for allocating the network resources is received from the communication service provider. In turn, an indication of the slice priority data is forwarded to the network services node to update allocation of network resources for the slices.

Abstract: A client device (13) is configured to transmit a relay request to a relay device (14). The relay request comprises a first device identifier identifying the client device and one or more first link identifiers identifying one or more links of which at least one links a further device (12) with a network node via the client device. The client device is further configured to receive an acceptance message accepting the relay request from the relay device and transmit data associated with the one or more links to the relay device in dependence on receipt of the acceptance message. The relay device is configured to receive the relay request from the client device, determine whether the relay request can be accepted, associate the first device identifier with each of the first link identifiers, and transmit the acceptance message upon determining that the relay request can be accepted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a communication network which is configured to enable instantiation of network slices which represent virtual networks. The invention further relates to a content application server (CAS) for providing an application service via a network slice to at least one user equipment (UE). A network function (SREF) is provided which on the one hand may have access to one or more slice management network functions (CSMF, NSMF, NSSMF) and on the other hand may be accessible to the CAS. The network function (SREF) may abstract the properties of the network slice using a data structure representing a slice object and expose these abstracted properties to the CAS by providing access to the slice object. The slice object may comprise modifiable properties which represent modifiable properties of the corresponding network slice.

Abstract: Embodiments provide functionality for dynamic handling of network slice priorities. In an embodiment, a slice priority manager receives, from a network services node, data indicating changes in network resources available for maintaining instantiated network slices in a communication network. Based on the received data, changes in the network services node's ability to maintain the instantiated network slices are identified and a communication service provider is notified of the change. To continue, slice priority data that indicates a preferred order of a portion of the network slices for allocating the network resources is received from the communication service provider. In turn, an indication of the slice priority data is forwarded to the network services node to update allocation of network resources for the slices.

Abstract: A client device (13) is configured to transmit a relay request to a relay device (14). The relay request comprises a first device identifier identifying the client device and one or more first link identifiers identifying one or more links of which at least one links a further device (12) with a network node via the client device. The client device is further configured to receive an acceptance message accepting the relay request from the relay device and transmit data associated with the one or more links to the relay device in dependence on receipt of the acceptance message. The relay device is configured to receive the relay request from the client device, determine whether the relay request can be accepted, associate the first device identifier with each of the first link identifiers, and transmit the acceptance message upon determining that the relay request can be accepted.