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Slicing Policy Enforcement

This diagram shows the process for enforcing a Slicing Policy via rApp. It shows interactions between the Slicing rApp, Non-RT RIC controllers, OAM, Near-RT RIC (Slicing xApp), and gNB.

Slicing Policy flow

Overview​

A slicing policy is initiated by the Slicing rApp and managed by the Non-RT RIC. The Non-RT RIC validates the policy, identifies the appropriate target Near-RT RIC, and determines which xApps need to be deployed to support the policy enforcement. The identified xApps are dynamically deployed through the DynxApp Controller and executed by the OAM.

Once deployed and operational, the slicing policy is pushed from the Non-RT RIC to the Slicing xApp over the A1 interface. The Slicing xApp, now running on the Near-RT RIC, uses the E2 interface to communicate with the gNB and send RAN Control (RC) requests to configure slice-specific parameters.

The Slicing rApp can query the Non-RT RIC to retrieve the enforcement status of the slicing policy using the PolicyID.

The SLA rApp can query the policy status via the Non-RT RIC to ensure enforcement.

Sequence of Operations​

  1. Create Policy Request

    • Slicing rApp → Non RT RIC (Policy Controller)
    • Interface: R1 - SDK
    • Action: Submit slicing policy request
    • Payload:
      • nearRtRicId
      • policyTypeId
      • policyObject

  2. Policy Controller Processing

    • Validate the policy
    • Generate a unique PolicyID
    • Identify target Near-RT RIC
    • Determine appropriate xApp(s) for enforcement

  3. Return Policy Response

    • Non RT RIC (Policy Controller → Slicing rApp)
    • Action: Return confirmation with PolicyID

  4. Request xApp Deployment

    • Non RT RIC (Policy Controller → DynxApp Controller)
    • Interface: CR
    • Action: Instruct deployment of identified xApp(s)
    • DynxApp Controller monitors xApp startup and readiness

  5. Deploy xApp

    • DynxApp Controller → OAM
    • Action: Request physical deployment of xApp(s)

  6. xApp Operational

    • DynxApp Controller confirms xApp is operational

  7. Send Policy to xApp

    • Policy Controller → Near RT RIC (Slicing xApp)
    • Interface: A1
    • Action: Push policy to Slicing xApp using A1 interface
    • Payload: policyObject

  8. RC Configuration

    • The Slicing xApp sends a RC Request to the gNB to configure RAN slicing.
    • The gNB responds with a RC Response.

  9. A1 Policy Acknowledgement

    • The Slicing xApp returns a Create A1 Policy Response confirming the policy was accepted and applied.

  10. Policy Status Check

    • The Slicing rApp sends a Get Policy Status Request to the Policy Controller using the PolicyID.
    • It receives a response indicating the policy is now Enforced.

You can run the Slicing rApp and observe this workflow in the rApp training lab.