5G Core Network Status Updates via Hypermedia Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for status updates in 5G core networks, such as piggybacking load information in response messages or using the Network Repository Function (NRF) for load/overload information, are inefficient and do not fit well within a service-based 5G core network architecture, leading to outdated load information and inefficient load balancing.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that uses Uniform Resource Locator (URL) notifications for load information, allowing service producers to register and update their load information via the NRF, which can be retrieved by service consumers when needed, and utilizing event exposure services to provide real-time load and overload updates, aligning with REST API design principles and hypermedia as the engine of application state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If piggybacking load information in response messages or using NRF for load/overload information is used, then load information can be provided to service consumers, but the information becomes outdated and load balancing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic status updates by allowing service producers to actively push status information to the NRF using hypermedia links. The NRF then dynamically updates the status information in its database and makes it available to service consumers through service discovery requests, ensuring load information remains current and improving load balancing efficiency.
2Loss of information
If continuous status updates are implemented in service-based architecture, then load information freshness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The NRF acts as an intermediary between service producers and service consumers. Service producers publish their status information to the NRF, which then manages and distributes this information to consumers. This intermediary approach simplifies the system architecture by centralizing status management while maintaining information freshness, avoiding the need for direct continuous communication between all service nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
Service producers perform preliminary actions by actively pushing status updates to the NRF before consumers need this information. This proactive approach ensures that when service consumers perform service discovery, the most current load information is already available in the NRF, eliminating the need for complex real-time synchronization mechanisms.
3Loss of information
If service producers actively push status information to NRF, then load information availability is improved, but notification overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Service producers autonomously manage their own status information by pushing updates to the NRF when their load status changes. This self-service approach allows each service producer to independently control when and what status information is published, avoiding unnecessary notifications and reducing overall system overhead while ensuring information availability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for enabling status updates in a 5G core network. The method is performed in a network function (NF), service producer node and comprises sending (S310) a hypermedia message to an NF repository function (NRF), wherein the hypermedia message comprises an NF status indication and a hypermedia link for query of current NF status of the service producer, receiving (S350) a hypermedia message from a service consumer by the hypermedia link, which hypermedia message request a current NF status of the service producer, and sending (S360) the current NF status to the service consumer in response to the received request.