Openslice: An opensource OSS for Delivering Network Slice as a Service

TL;DR

OpenSlice is an open-source operational support system designed to facilitate the deployment and management of Network Slice as a Service (NSaaS) in 5G networks, promoting standard compliance and accessibility.

Contribution

The paper introduces OpenSlice, an open-source OSS platform for delivering NSaaS, enabling easier implementation of complex network slicing scenarios in 5G.

Findings

OpenSlice supports standard-compliant NSaaS deployment.

It simplifies network slicing management for various industry verticals.

OpenSlice enhances accessibility for organizations deploying non-public networks.

Abstract

As the 5G standards mature and awareness of the capabilities of the technology increases, industry verticals are becoming more eager to test new services and develop them to the level of maturity required for market adoption. Network slicing, i.e. multiple virtual networks running on a common infrastructure, is considered a key mechanism to serve the multitude of tenants (e.g. vertical industries) targeted by forthcoming fifth generation (5G) systems, in a flexible and cost-efficient manner. It is predicted that one of the most popular models for customers will be the Network Slice as a Service (NSaaS) model. This model allows a Network Service Customer to order and configure a Network Slice and offered it as a service. This work presents Openlice a Service based, opens-ource OSS for delivering NSaaS following emerging standards from SDOs. We strongly believe that such open source solutions make it easier for organizations to enable complex scenarios especially in the are of Non-Public Networks.