Hierarchical network slice selection

A non-transitory machine readable medium storing a first network slice selector which when executed by at least one processing unit assigns data messages to a first plurality of network slices that each comprises an ordered set of network services, the first network slice selector comprising sets of instructions for:

• receiving a data message originating from an electronic endpoint device, wherein a second network slice selector previously (i) assigned the data message to a first network slice of a second plurality of network slices and, (ii) based on the assignment of the data message to the first network slice, provided the data message to the first network slice selector;
• assigning the data message to a second network slice from the first plurality of network slices;
• and
• providing the data message to a first network service of the selected second network slice.

A system comprising:

• a first computing device executing a first network slice selector that assigns data messages to a first plurality of network slices;
• and
• a second computing device executing a second network slice selector that assigns data messages to a second plurality of network slices that each comprises an ordered set of network services,
• wherein:
• the first network slice selector receives a data message originating from an endpoint electronic device, assigns the data message to a first network slice of the first plurality of network slices that corresponds to the second network slice selector, and provides the data message to the second network slice selector based on the assignment of the data message to the first network slice;
• and
• the second network slice selector receives the data message from the first network slice selector, assigns the data message to a second network slice of the second plurality of network slices, and provides the data message to a first network service of the selected second network slice.