DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ANALYTICS AT TAX / USER LEVEL

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of mobile communication, and particularly to devices and methods for exposing management plane information. In this technical filed, the invention proposes a device and a method for providing control plane / user plane analytics. This invention also propose a management plane entity that provide information to the device for providing the analytics.BACKGROUND

[0002] In the conventional 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) performs analytics of the Control Plane (CP) / User Plane (UP) entities. The CP / UP entities may be any network function service or link in the CP or the UP. However, the analytics function may be influenced by, for example, the resource on which those planes are running, the links / interconnections between the CP / UP entities, etc. In addition, the Operation, Administration and Management (OAM) may perform changes in the CP / UP entities, such as a relocation of the Network Functions (NFs), scaling up and down the number of the CP and the UP NFs, changing the hosting resource, changing the links / inter-connections between the CP / UP entities, etc. Furthermore, the resource information may only be available at the OAM level. Therefore, if the OAM changes the resources that the CP / UP NF is placed on, the NWDAF analytics of the NF may be influenced. However, if the NWDAF doesn't have this information, then, the analytics information that it provides may be incorrect, for example, in the case that the OAM changes the resources used to host the virtual NFs.

[0003] FIG. 8 schematically illustrate a conventional procedure 800 in which at the first step (step 0), the OAM 810 configures the NWDAF 801 for analytics for a deployed NSI. Moreover, at the second step (step 1) the OAM 810 performs changes in the NSI.

[0004] The prior art is based on the ongoing conventional works. For example, according to the TS 28.531 / TS28.532 (Provisioning Services, Management Data or Management Capability), the OAM Provisioning services does not expose information and changes of that information in the Network Slice Instance (NSI), the network slice subnet instance (NSSI), NFs, network, etc.

[0005] Moreover, according to the TS 28.501 and the TS 29.510, the NF Profile is defined such that it can be queried at the NF Repository Function (NRF) at the CP. For example, the NF locality is a parameter describing the NF, but restricted to the geographical location of the NF. The locality is a high level information and not in-depth implementation detail that may be relevant to the NWDAF. In addition, no explicit definition is provided for how the OAM changes are reflected in the NF profile.

[0006] US2015 / 0382209 A1 discloses a method of adapting operation of self-organizing network functions in a communication network.

[0007] An NWDAF is disclosed in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects; Policy and Charging Control Framework for the 5G System; Stage 2 (Release 15)", (20180129), 3GPP DRAFT; 23503-F00, 3RD GENERATION PARTNERSHIP PROJECT (3GPP), MOBILE COMPETENCE CENTRE; 650, ROUTE DES LUCIOLES; F-06921 SOPHIA-ANTIPOLIS CEDEX; FRANCE, (20180129). Specifically, NWDAF provides slice specific network data analytics to the PCF and NSSF. NWDAF provides network data analytics (i.e., load level information) to PCF and NSSF on a network slice level.SUMMARY

[0008] In view of the above-mentioned problems and disadvantages, the present invention aims to improve the conventional devices and their methods for providing the Control Plane (CP) and / or the User Plane (UP) analytics. In particular, an objective is to provide a device and a method to enhance and / or enable management decisions, performed by the OAM affecting the analytics generation, to be propagated to the Analytics Function (AF) at the control plane.

[0009] The objective of the present invention is achieved by the solution provided in the enclosed independent claims. Advantageous implementations of the present invention are further defined in the dependent claims.

[0010] In order to send information from the OAM to the analytics function, a direct process may be used in which the OAM sends the information directly to the analytics function.

[0011] In order to send information from the OAM to the analytics function, an indirect process may be used, where the analytics function subscribes to receive the information about changes of the NFs / AFs from, for example, a repository, and the OAM updates the repository information.

[0012] The present invention is defined by a device according to independent claim 1, and a method of a device according to independent claim 5.

[0013] A first aspect of the invention provides a device for providing Control Plane (CP) and / or User Plane (UP) analytics according to independent claim 1.

[0014] For example, the analytics function at the control plane may be enhanced to consume the OAM information on e.g., the NSI, the NSSI and the NF, as well as, the associated transport network resource models including their information. The information may be related to the physical resources that the NF is running on or the changes thereof and / or the information related to the physical links a Transport Network (TN) link is running on or the changes thereof.

[0015] The resource may be a physical resource and / or a virtual resource which may be used for hosting the CP and / or the UP entities, for example, a network function service or a link in the CP or the UP, etc. In some embodiments, a resource interest template may be published that may describe the type of the resources or the changes on such resources that the NWDAF is interested in, for a given NF, link, NSSI, etc.

[0016] This is beneficial, since the management plane entity may provide the information which may be related to the change of the resource. Moreover, the device may generate the data (e.g., update the generated data) based on the provided information.

[0017] In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the resource is related to one or more of: A Network Slice, in particular an S-NSSAI. A Network Function, NF. A Network Slice Instance, NSI. A Network Slice Subnet Instance, NSSI. An UP-CP connection. An UP-UP connection. A CP-CP connection. A Transport Network (TN) link, in particular in the CP or UP. A CP and / or an UP-service.

[0018] In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the information comprises one or more of: A level information of the further entity. A physical infrastructure a NF is running on. A change in the physical infrastructure a NF is running on. A physical link a TN link is running on. A change in the physical link a TN link is running on.

[0019] For example, the identifier may be defined as any set of information that may identify a resources, etc.

[0020] In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the NWDAF is further configured to obtain the information from a third entity, in particular a Network Repository Function, NRF, and in particular request the information related to the resource and / or change of the resource from the NRF.

[0021] This is beneficial, since the OAM may, for example, update the NF profile in the NRF. Moreover, the NRF may provide a notification of changes to the NWDAF.

[0022] A second aspect of the invention provides a method of a device comprising a Network Data Analytics Function, NWDAF, for providing Control Plane (CP) and / or User Plane (UP) analytics according to independent claim 5.

[0023] In a further implementation form of the second aspect, the resource is related to one or more of: A Network Slice, in particular an S-NSSAI. A Network Function, NF. A Network Slice Instance, NSI. A Network Slice Subnet Instance, NSSI. An UP-CP connection. AN UP-UP connection. A CP-CP connection. A Transport Network, TN, link, in particular in the CP or UP. A CP and / or an UP-service.

[0024] In a further implementation form of the second aspect, the information comprises one or more of: A level information of the further entity. A physical infrastructure a NF is running on. A change in the physical infrastructure a NF is running on. A physical link a TN link is running on. A change in the physical link a TN link is running on.

[0025] In a further implementation form of the second aspect, the further entity comprises an Operation, Administration and Management (OAM) entity.

[0026] In a further implementation form of the second aspect, the method further comprises obtaining, by the NWDAF, the information from a third entity, in particular a Network Repository Function (NRF), and in particular requesting the information related to the resource and / or change of the resource from the NRF.

[0027] It has to be noted that all devices, elements, units and means described in the present application could be implemented in the software or hardware elements or any kind of combination thereof. All steps which are performed by the various entities described in the present application as well as the functionalities described to be performed by the various entities are intended to mean that the respective entity is adapted to or configured to perform the respective steps and functionalities. Even if, in the following description of specific embodiments, a specific functionality or step to be performed by external entities is not reflected in the description of a specific detailed element of that entity which performs that specific step or functionality, it should be clear for a skilled person that these methods and functionalities can be implemented in respective software or hardware elements, or any kind of combination thereof.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] The above described aspects and implementation forms of the present invention will be explained in the following description of specific embodiments in relation to the enclosed drawings, in which FIG. 1schematically illustrates the device for providing CP / UP analytics, FIG. 2aschematically illustrates an exemplary procedure for obtaining the information related to a resource and / or a change of the resource, according to various embodiments of the invention. FIG. 2b schematically illustrates an exemplary procedure for obtaining the information by a subscription, FIG. 3aschematically illustrates an example of changes in the analytics output by the device, without obtaining the information. FIG. 3bschematically illustrates an example of changes in the analytics output by the device, with obtaining the information, FIG. 4schematically illustrates a procedure for generating data based on the analysis, FIG. 5schematically illustrates an exemplary procedure for generating data by obtaining the information from the third entity, FIG. 6schematically illustrates a method for providing Control Plane, CP, and / or User Plane, UP, analytics, FIG. 7schematically illustrates a method of a management plane entity, FIG. 8schematically illustrates a conventional procedure for performing a change in the resource. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0029] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a device 100 for providing Control Plane (CP) and / or User Plane (UP) analytics. The device 100 is configured to obtain information 111 related to a resource and / or a change of a resource related to CP and / or UP entities.

[0030] The device 100 is further configured to perform an analysis 101 based on the obtained information 111.

[0031] The device 100 is further configured to generate data 102 based on the analysis 101.

[0032] In some embodiments, an entity such as a management plane entity 110 (e.g., an OAM) may provide information 111 related to a resource, wherein the resource is related to a control plane and / or user plane to the device 100 for providing analytics. For example, the OAM may provide a service notifying changes in the resources used to host the CP / UP entities. Moreover, the NWDAF (e.g., included in the device 100) may actively subscribe to that information where it is authorized to view it.

[0033] FIG. 2a schematically illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary procedure 200a for obtaining the information related to a resource and / or a change of the resource, according to various embodiments of the invention. For example, the OAM 110 may configure the NWDAF 201 to receive this information.

[0034] Moreover, the following steps may be performed: 0. The OAM 110 configures the NWDAF 201 for analysis for the deployed NSI. 1. The OAM 110 performs changes in the deployed slice. 2. The OAM 110 send to the NWDAF 201, the notification of changes performed in the deployed slice. 3. The NWDAF 201 updates the generation of the analytics.

[0035] FIG. 2b schematically illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary procedure 200b for obtaining the information by a subscription, according to various embodiments of the invention. For example, the NWDAF 201 may actively sign up to the OAM 110, for obtaining the information.

[0036] Moreover, the following steps may be performed: 0. The OAM 110 configures the NWDAF 201 for analysis for the deployed NSI. 0a. The NWDAF 201 subscribes to the OAM 110, for the resources changes. 1. The OAM 110 performs changes in the deployed slice. 2. The OAM 110 sends to the NWDAF 201, the notification of changes performed in the deployed slice. 3. The NWDAF 201 updates the generation of the analytics.

[0037] In some embodiments, both of the procedures 200a and 200b may be possible together.

[0038] The information may include the OAM level information, such as, the physical infrastructure the virtualized NFs / links are hosted on or an indication of changes thereof. For example, in the current TR23.791 which holds the NF profile, e.g., the NF capacity, the NF load information, the NF status, the NF recovery time, the NF locality. Moreover, in some embodiment of the invention, the physical infrastructure (or changes therein) may also be reported to the NWDAF.

[0039] FIG. 3a illustrates an example of changes in the analytics output 300a by device 100 without obtaining the information of the change of the resource, according to various embodiment of the invention.

[0040] For example, the information of the resource change is not exposed to the NWDAF from the OAM. Moreover, at the time of the t the OAM changes the location of the SMF from A to A'. Furthermore, at the time between the "t" and "t + r" a problem may occur, for example, the incorrect recommendations may be provided.

[0041] FIG. 3b illustrates an example of changes in the analytics output 300b by device 100 based on the obtaining the information of the change of the resource, according to various embodiment of the invention.

[0042] For example, the information may be exposed. Moreover, the effect on the NWDAF analytics may be performed, e.g., the generated data may be updated. For example, at the time of the t the OAM changes the location of the SMF from A to A'. Furthermore, at the time of "t + r" the changed input may be provided (e.g., to the NWDAF). Furthermore, the generated data may be updated and a better recommendation may be provided.

[0043] In the following the embodiment of this invention are exemplarily described according to the 3GPP 5G Systems based on the Rel. 15, without limiting the invention, in which the NWDAF in the 3GPP is enhanced with the analytics function capabilities.

[0044] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an exemplary procedure 400 for generating data 102 by directly obtaining the information 111 from the OAM 110, according to various embodiment of the invention.

[0045] The OAM-NWDAF direct interface may be used and the following steps may be performed: At 0.a: The OAM 110 configures the NWDAF 201 with the information 111 related to the resources, e.g., for the NWDAF 201 data collection for analytics generation. At 0.b: The NWDAF 201 checks the resource information required for this slice, with the indication of a resource belonging to the entities (for example, the NSI, the NSSI, the NFs, the storage or the links (e.g., including the radio)) that it needs to be aware of them. At 0.c: The NWDAF 201 subscribes to the OAM 110 services indicating the list of attributes (for example, as specified in the TS 28.532) being associated with the management of the NSIs that it is interested to consume. At 1: The OAM 110 performs changes in a deployed network slice that affects the attributes NWDAF 201 is subscribed to. At 2: Whenever the OAM 110 performs changes in the NSIs, the NSSIs, the NFs or the links that affect the attributes in which the NWDAF 201 is subscribed to, the OAM 110 notifies the NWDAF 201 of the changed attributes or that fact that it made some, for example, abstracted changes, etc. At 3: Based on the received notification (e.g., obtaining the information 111), the NWDAF 201 adjusts the generation of analytics. The adjustment is restarting the analytics process for the affect entities. In case the resource information or an abstracted identifier is visible to the NWDAF, associating the results from the previous time this combination of resources was used.

[0046] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an exemplary procedure 500 for generating data 102 by obtaining the information 111 from the third entity 501, according to various embodiment of the invention.

[0047] The following steps may be performed: At 0.a: The OAM 110 configures the NWDAF 201 with the information 111 related to the resources for the NWDAF 201 data collection for analytics generation. At 0.b: The OAM 110 configures the NWDAF 201 with information to support notification of changes in the resources used by the NSI, the NSSI, the NF or the links, e.g., the resource interest list. At 0.c: The NWDAF 201 checks the resource interest, with the indication of which changes need to be notified per analytics to be generated. At 0.d: The NWDAF 201 subscribes to another NF, for example, the NRF 501 services in order to receive notifications about changes in the resources. At 1: The OAM 110 performs changes in a deployed network slice that may affect the attributes that the NWDAF 201 is subscribed to. At 2: Whenever the OAM 110 performs changes in the entities that affect the attributes that the NWDAF 201 is subscribed to, the OAM 110 notifies the NRF 501 of the changed attributes. At 3: The NRF 501 notifies the NWDAF 201 of changes in the extended NF profile. At 4: Based on the received notification, the NWDAF 201 adjust the generation of the analytics. The adjustment is restarting the analytics process for the affected NFs. In case the resource details or an abstracted identifier is visible to the NWDAF 201, associating the results from the previous time this combination of the resources was used.

[0048] Alternatively, the step 0.b may be omitted and in the step 0.c the NWDAF 201 may evaluate the entity and may further request the resource or change of resource information from the OAM 110, for example, for the specific entities.

[0049] In some embodiments, a service based architecture may be used. Moreover, the following steps may be performed.

[0050] The OAM 110 has a service that notifies the changes in the resource usage for a given network slice. a. It may be called as "ResourceChangeNotificationService". b. The NWDAF 201 subscribes to this service for a given list of entities. c. The OAM 110 (or the service bus) verifies that the NWDAF is eligible to receive this information. i. The information 111 may be eligible at different abstraction levels. d. The OAM 110 performs a change in a particular hosted resource. e. The "ResourceChangeNotificationService" generates a notify event, for example, over the service bus. f. The NWDAF 201 may receive the notification and may re-evaluate its analytics recommendations.

[0051] In some embodiments, a service based architecture may be used. Moreover, the following steps may be performed. Alternatively, there may be a data Storage and / or a streaming service that both the OAM and the NWDAF are subscribed to. a. The OAM 110 may publish resource change events to this service. b. The NWDAF 201 may subscribe to these events in the data storage service.

[0052] FIG. 6 shows a method 600 according to an embodiment of the invention for providing Control Plane, CP, and / or User Plane, UP, analytics. The method 600 may be carried out by the device 100, as is described above.

[0053] The method 600 comprises a step 601 of obtaining information 111 related to a resource and / or a change of a resource related to CP and / or UP.

[0054] The method 600 further comprises a step 602 of performing an analysis 101 based on the obtained information 111.

[0055] The method 600 further comprises a step 603 of generating data 102 based on the analysis 101.

[0056] FIG. 7 shows a method 700 of a management plane entity 110, in particular an OAM. The method 700 may be carried out by the device 110, as it described above.

[0057] The method 700 comprises a step 701 of providing information 111 related to a resource, wherein the resource is related to a Control Plane, CP, and / or User Plane, UP, to a device 100 for providing analytics.

[0058] The present invention is solely defined in the appended independent claims to which reference should be made. Advantageous features are set out in the appended dependent claims.

Claims

1. Device (100) for providing Control Plane, CP, and / or User Plane, UP, analytics, the device (100) comprising a Network Data Analytics Function, NWDAF (201), the device (100) being configured to obtain, by the NWDAF, information (111) related to a resource and / or a change of a resource related to CP and / or UP, from a management plane entity, in particular an Operation, Administration and Management, OAM, entity (110); perform an analysis (101) based on the obtained information (111); generate data (102) based on the analysis (101); and adjust, by the NWDAF, the generation of the data (102) for analytics based on the obtained information (111), wherein the NWDAF (201) adjusts the generation of the data (102) for analytics based on: restarting the generation of the data analytics process.

2. Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the resource is related to one or more of : - a Network Slice, in particular an S-NSSAI, - a Network Function, NF, - a Network Slice Instance, NSI, - a Network Slice Subnet Instance, NSSI, - an UP-CP connection, - an UP-UP connection, - a CP-CP connection, - a Transport Network, TN, link, in particular in the CP or UP, - a CP and / or an UP-service.

3. Device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information (111) comprises one or more of: - a level information of the further entity (110), - a physical infrastructure a NF is running on, - a change in the physical infrastructure a NF is running on, - a physical link a TN link is running on, - a change in the physical link a TN link is running on.

4. Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the NWDAF (201) is further configured to obtain the information (111) from a third entity, in particular a Network Repository Function, NRF (501), and in particular request the information (111) related to the resource and / or change of the resource from the NRF (501).

5. Method (600) of a device (100) comprising a Network Data Analytics Function, NWDAF (201), for providing Control Plane, CP, and / or User Plane, UP, analytics, the method comprising obtaining (601), by the NWDAF, information (111) related to a resource and / or a change of a resource related to CP and / or UP, from a management plane entity, in particular an Operation, Administration and Management, OAM, entity (110); performing (602) an analysis (101) based on the obtained information; generating (603) data (102) based on the analysis (101); and adjusting, by the NWDAF, the generation of the data (102) for analytics based on the obtained information (111), wherein the adjusting the generation of the data (102) for analytics is based on: restarting, by the NWDAF, the generation of the data analytics process.