Network slice selection method and apparatus

A network slice selection method, comprising:

• receiving, by a second network slice selection apparatus, a network slice request message from a first network slice selection apparatus, wherein
• the network slice request message carries first priority information and information about a network requirement of a service of a tenant,
• the first priority information indicates at least one of a priority of the tenant or a priority of the service of the tenant, and
• the first priority information is determined based on the network requirement of the service;
• and
• selecting, by the second network slice selection apparatus, a network slice for the service of the tenant based on the first priority information and the information about the network requirement of the service, to cause the service to be provided over the selected network slice to the tenant, wherein
• said selecting the network slice for the service of the tenant comprises:
• in response to the first priority information indicating the service having a higher priority, carrying the service having the higher priority independently in one network slice, and
• in response to the first priority information indicating the service having a lower priority, carrying the service having the lower priority in a shared network slice in which the service having the lower priority is jointly carried with another service, and
• the method further comprises sending, by the second network slice selection apparatus, a network function configuration message including the first priority information to a first apparatus to cause the first apparatus to select a network function to be accessed for the service of the tenant.

A network slice selection apparatus, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium coupled to the at least one processor and storing programming instructions for execution by the at least one processor to cause the network slice selection apparatus:
• obtain a service request message, wherein
• the service request message is to initiate a service request for a service of a tenant, and
• the service request message includes service requirement information of the service,
• determine a network requirement of the service based on the service requirement information of the service included in the service request message,
• determine priority information based on the network requirement of the service, and
• send a network slice request message to a further network slice selection apparatus based on the service request message, wherein
• the network slice request message carries the priority information and information about the network requirement of the service, and
• the priority information indicates at least one of a priority of the tenant or a priority of the service,
• the priority information and the information about the network requirement of the service are usable by the further network slice selection apparatus to select a network slice for the service of the tenant, to cause the service to be provided over the selected network slice to the tenant, wherein the further network slice selection apparatus is configured to select the network slice for the service of the tenant by:
• in response to the priority information indicating the service having a higher priority, carrying the service having the higher priority independently in one network slice, and
• in response to the priority information indicating the service having a lower priority, carrying the service having the lower priority in a shared network slice in which the service having the lower priority is jointly carried with another service, and
• the further network slice selection apparatus is further configured to send a network function configuration message including the priority information to a further apparatus to cause the further apparatus to select, based on the priority information, a network function to be accessed for the service of the tenant.