domain controllers for each of the domains (or sub-domains). The domain controllers need to have network sub-slice management functions (NSSMF) implemented for configuring the equipment (whether physical or virtual) for slicing, if such functionality is available.

End-to-end service and network slicing orchestration

The job of orchestrating end-to-end slices and verifying that those slices are being provided with the agreed-to QoS parameters requires a full lifecycle management.

Design

The slices are designed to adhere to the standardized offerings and QoS parameters. They are usually templated, with some parameterization available. These templates describe the equipment, the interconnection of the equipment, and the parameters that must be implemented in the equipment.

Figure 2: Basic architecture of end-to-end slicing managers

Inventory

The available inventory of equipment needs to be up to date to the minute. It then needs to be allocated to the slice.

Provisioning

The slicing manager then creates a set of processes for implementing the slice in each domain, updating the inventory, and then adding the slicing information to the service assurance system. Increasingly, as domain controllers become more intelligent, the provisioning interface to the domain controller is expected to become more intent-based, with some of the design delegated to the domain controller. In the interim, much of the design needs to be done in the slicing manager.

Assurance

After provisioning and acceptance, the slice must be monitored for proper QoS. This is done by the assurance module. As slicing managers become more intelligent, semi-automated and then automated actions will be taken if the QoS guarantees are not being met to bring these back into conformance.

Vendor solutions – end-to-end network slicing orchestrators

Many vendors have their slicing stories to tell. The major vendors and their full slicing lifecycle management offerings include Amdocs 5G Slicing Manager, Ciena Blue Planet Automation Software, Cisco NSO and Crosswork Automation, Ericsson Dynamic Network Slice Selection, Huawei iMaster, Netcracker Digital OSS, Nokia Network Service Platform, and Oracle Service & Network Orchestration & Open Source MANO.

Conclusion

The future of integrated network slicing is bright, with new innovative services on the horizon. To design, implement, and manage these slices will require the application of tightly integrated, highly automated OSS functions. Will these functions be provided by an assemblage of existing OSSs, updated and more tightly integrated to provide the full lifecycle management? Or will the new generation of fully integrated all-in-one OSS slice managers gain market traction? I will be monitoring and reporting on the market evolution.