Managing secure inter-slice communication in 5g network slice chains

Abstract

Network Slicing is one of the cornerstones for network operators to provide communication services. It is envisioned that in order to provide richer communication services, network slices need to be connected to each other in an orderly fashion, interlacing their functionalities. The challenge is to manage inter-slice communication securely, leveraging on security attributes inherent to the communication service and the constituting network slices. To solve this inter-slice communication problem, we present a mathematical model based on the concept of Network Slice Chains. This concept helps to specify the end-to-end path of network slices that data must follow for the achievement of the communication service. We propose basic attributes and properties that the Network Slice Chain must comply with in order to be chosen as a valid path for the traffic to flow through. This way, it respects security constraints and assures inter-slice communication obeying the rules stated in the policy.