A Standards-Based, Model-Driven Solution for 5G Transport Slice Automation and Assurance

Abstract

This paper reviews the work of industry organizations that are defining the requirements on, and the details of, transport slicing functionality and models, in support of 5G network slicing automation and assurance. Slicing permits the simultaneous support of multiple service frameworks from a converged infrastructure and is key to the 5G operational vision, but poses challenges related to cross-domain coordination, automation and SLA assurance. Transport network slicing is an important component of the overall network slicing picture, and its mechanics are being defined collaboratively by organizations including 3GPP, ETSI ZSM and NFV, and IETF. Supporting demonstrative implementation is being done in the Linux Foundation ONAP project.