5G Event Subscription Coordination Across Network Function Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G networks face inefficiencies and potential errors in event subscription management when multiple Network Function (NF) instances provide the same services, leading to redundant and erroneous subscriptions.
Innovation Solution
Implement methods at first and second network function nodes for managing event subscription and un-subscription, including query requests, updating and creating requests, and maintaining subscriber lists to avoid duplicate subscriptions and ensure efficient event management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standalone event subscription management is implemented in 5G networks with multiple UDM instances, then each NF instance can independently manage subscriptions, but redundant and erroneous subscriptions occur leading to inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the subscription management capabilities across multiple UDM instances by introducing a centralized coordination mechanism. When an NF subscriber subscribes to an event, the system checks whether other UDM instances already have active subscriptions for the same event. If so, the subscription is coordinated rather than duplicated, consolidating management across distributed instances while maintaining independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback loops where UDM instances exchange subscription status information. When a subscription is created or terminated in one UDM instance, this information is fed back to other instances through coordination requests. This feedback mechanism prevents redundant subscriptions by providing real-time awareness of existing subscriptions across the distributed system.
2Reliability
If multiple NF instances provide the same services, then service availability and load distribution improve, but duplicate subscriptions and errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing subscription existence checks before creating new subscriptions. When an NF instance receives a subscription request, it proactively queries other UDM instances to determine if the same event is already subscribed. This preliminary verification prevents duplicate subscriptions from being created in the first place, maintaining subscription accuracy across multiple instances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary coordination messages between UDM instances. These intermediary communications serve as mediators that carry subscription status information across the distributed system. Through these intermediary exchange mechanisms, UDM instances can coordinate their subscription management activities, preventing information loss and ensuring all instances have accurate knowledge of active subscriptions.
3Ease of operation
If event subscriptions are managed independently at each NF instance, then operational simplicity is maintained, but redundant subscriptions consume additional network resources and processing power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing selective coordination only when necessary. Instead of requiring all NF instances to constantly communicate about every subscription, the system performs coordination checks only when there is a possibility of duplicate subscriptions. This partial coordination approach maintains operational simplicity for the majority of cases while preventing redundant resource consumption when duplicates would occur.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides methods for event subscription management in a network comprising a set of NF nodes, and corresponding NF nodes. The method comprises receiving a subscription request of an event for a user from an event subscriber, in response to receipt of the subscription request, transmitting, to a second network function node, a query request for querying whether the event for the user has been subscribed; and if a response to the query request from the second network function node indicates that the event for the user has been subscribed, transmitting, to the second network function node, an updating request for updating a subscriber list of the event for the user by the second network function node to include the event subscriber into the subscriber list. The present disclosure further discloses a corresponding method which comprises receiving a query request from a first network function node for querying whether an event for a user has been subscribed, in response to reception of the query request, checking whether an indicator indicating the event for the user has been subscribed has been set, and transmitting a check result to the first network function node. The present disclosure further provides corresponding computer readable medium.