Congestion avoidance in a slice-based network

A non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform stages for avoiding congestion in a slice-based network, the stages comprising:

• receiving data from multiple switches for a plurality of slices;
• determining, based on the data from at least first and second switches, that a service level agreement (“SLA”) is not met for a slice that uses the first and second switches;
• selecting an alternate slice path for the slice, the alternate path including a third switch that is not in the existing path for the slice;
• and
• dynamically implementing the alternate slice path, including:
• after selecting the alternate slice path, instantiating a virtual network function on the third switch for use with the slice;
• and
• causing the first switch to send traffic for the slice to the third switch instead of the second switch.

A system for avoiding congestion in a slice-based network, comprising:

• a non-transitory, computer-readable medium containing instructions for a monitoring module;
• and
• a processor that executes the monitoring module to perform stages comprising:
• receiving data from multiple switches for a plurality of slices;
• determining, based on the data from at least first and second switches, that a service level agreement (“SLA”) is not met for a slice that uses the first and second switches;
• selecting an alternate slice path for the slice, the alternate path including a third switch that is not in the existing path for the slice;
• and
• dynamically implementing the alternate slice path, including;
• after selecting the alternate slice path, instantiating a virtual network function on the third switch for use with the slice;
• and
• causing the first switch to send traffic for the slice to the third switch instead of the second switch.