Dynamic slice priority handling

A communication network comprising a plurality of network nodes and configured to enable instantiation of network slices which represent virtual networks, the communication network comprising:

• a slice priority management function configured to:
• receive, from a network services node, data indicating changes in network resources available for maintaining instantiated network slices in the communication network, the network services node configured to enable the instantiation of the network slices, each slice representing a virtual network;
• based on the received data, identify a change in the network services node's ability to maintain the instantiated network slices;
• notify a communication service provider of the change;
• receive, from the communication service provider, slice priority data, the slice priority data indicating a preferred order of a portion of the network slices for allocating the network resources;
• and
• forward an indication of the slice priority data to the network services node.

A method for managing slice priority in a communication network, the method comprising:

• receiving, from a network services node, data indicating changes in network resources available for maintaining instantiated network slices in the communication network, the network services node configured to enable the instantiation of the network slices, each slice representing a virtual network;
• based on the received data, identifying a change in the network services node's ability to maintain the instantiated network slices;
• notifying a communication service provider of the change;
• receiving, from the communication service provider, slice priority data, the slice priority data indicating a preferred order of a portion of the network slices for allocating the network resources;
• and
• forwarding an indication of the slice priority data to the network services node.

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a computer program, the computer program comprising instructions for causing a processor system to:

• receive, from a network services node, data indicating changes in network resources available for maintaining instantiated network slices in the communication network, the network services node configured to enable the instantiation of the network slices, each slice representing a virtual network;
• based on the received data, identify a change in the network services node's ability to maintain the instantiated network slices;
• notify a communication service provider of the change;
• receive, from the communication service provider, slice priority data, the slice priority data indicating a preferred order of a portion of the network slices for allocating the network resources;
• and
• forward an indication of the slice priority data to the network services node.