5G Core Network Function Data Path Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 5G Core network's data path discovery for user plane functions (UPFs) is suboptimal due to the failure to consider increased load on previously present UPFs and latency between identified UPFs, leading to non-optimal data paths.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves the Network Repository Function (NRF) obtaining an overview of available optimal paths by registering and periodically updating the load information of each UPF. The Session Management Function (SMF) queries the NRF for the complete optimal path between the Radio Access Network (RAN) and the Packet Data Unit Session Anchor (PSA), considering network topology, load, and relative capacities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If individual UPF discovery and insertion is performed sequentially by SMF querying NRF, then UPF selection is made based on local information, but the data path becomes non-optimal due to failure to consider overall network topology and load distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The NRF is enhanced to act as an intermediary that maintains global knowledge of network topology and UPF load information. When SMF queries NRF for UPF discovery, the NRF uses this global view to compute and return the optimal complete data path rather than just individual UPF selections, thereby resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and path optimality.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from sequential single-UPF selection to holistic multi-UPF path optimization by adding the dimension of global network topology awareness. The NRF computes paths considering multiple UPFs simultaneously and their interconnections, moving beyond the limited local decision-making of individual SMF queries.
2Reliability
If multiple UPFs are inserted sequentially in the data path as UE moves between regions, then service continuity is maintained, but the number of UPFs increases leading to increased GTP overhead and reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary computation of the complete optimal data path at the NRF before UE movement issues arise. By pre-calculating the entire path considering all factors including load and topology, the system avoids reactive sequential UPF insertions that would increase overhead, while still maintaining service continuity through the pre-planned path.
Solution Approach 2:
The NRF continuously maintains updated information about network topology and UPF load conditions. This feedback mechanism allows the NRF to compute optimal paths that minimize the number of UPFs required, thereby reducing GTP overhead while ensuring service continuity is maintained through the optimized path.
3Device complexity
If UPFs are selected without considering their present load, then UPF selection is simplified, but load imbalance occurs with increased load on previously present UPFs
Solution Approach 1:
The solution incorporates UPF load information as a dynamic parameter in the path computation process. The NRF queries UPF load conditions and uses this parameter alongside topology information to compute optimal paths that distribute load efficiently, thereby resolving the contradiction between selection simplicity and load distribution efficiency.
4Productivity
If the complete optimal path is computed by NRF considering overall network topology and load, then data path optimality is improved, but the complexity of path computation and information management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The NRF is enhanced to perform multiple functions: maintaining global topology information, tracking UPF load conditions, computing optimal paths, and providing this information to SMF. By consolidating these functions in a single network entity, the solution achieves path optimality without distributing the computational complexity across multiple nodes.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a method and an apparatus for optimizing network function (NF) data path discovery for 5G Core network operation, each NF registers itself with the NRF and periodically updates the NRF about the NF's present load, thereby giving the NRF complete information regarding the network topology, the NFs' present load, and the relative capacities of the NFs, which information items can be used in determining the complete optimal path from the RAN to the PSA. When an SMF wants to insert an Intermediate UPF (l-UPF) into a data path, instead of querying the NRF for a UPF serving the present geographical area (e.g., of the User Equipment (UE)) and deciding on the UPF insertion locally based on the present geographical area, the SMF queries the NRF for the complete optimal path. The l-UPF load can be taken into consideration in calculating the optimal path between the RAN and the PSA.