5G NF Node Groups for Compute Optimization and Resiliency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G wireless telecommunication networks face challenges in optimizing compute resources and ensuring resiliency, particularly in managing network functions (NFs) across diverse environments, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing NF node groups using containerized network functions (CNFs) within software-defined networks, leveraging Kubernetes and Amazon EKS for automated deployment, management, and scaling of microservices, enabling compute optimization and resilience through node group utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hardware-based network infrastructure is used, then system stability is maintained, but flexibility and scalability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional hardware-based network functions with virtualized software implementations running on commodity hardware. Network functions are containerized and managed through orchestration platforms, substituting physical mechanical infrastructure with virtualized software systems that provide both stability through virtualization layers and flexibility through dynamic deployment capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments network functions into independent, containerized units that can be individually deployed, scaled, and managed. This segmentation allows specific network functions to be modified or updated without affecting the entire system, providing flexibility while maintaining overall system stability through modular architecture.
2Productivity
If more compute resources are allocated to handle high volume connected devices, then network capacity increases, but infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal orchestration platform that manages multiple network functions across diverse hardware platforms. This multi-functional system can handle various network services (IoT, broadband, mobile) through a single infrastructure, increasing network capacity while reducing complexity by providing unified management and abstraction layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses containerization to create portable, copyable instances of network functions that can be rapidly deployed across multiple nodes. These standardized containers can be replicated and distributed to scale network capacity without proportionally increasing infrastructure complexity, as the same managed framework handles all instances.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network functions are virtualized and distributed across multiple nodes, then scalability improves, but system reliability becomes more challenging to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements orchestration systems that continuously monitor the health and performance of distributed network functions. Automated feedback loops detect failures and trigger remediation actions such as restarting failed containers or redistributing workloads, maintaining system reliability while enabling scalable distributed deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs redundancy mechanisms where critical network functions are deployed across multiple nodes with standby instances ready to take over. This prior cushioning through redundant deployment ensures that if one node fails, another can immediately assume its functions, maintaining reliability while supporting scalable architecture.
4Productivity
If containerized network functions are deployed across multiple nodes, then deployment speed increases, but resource management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service orchestration capabilities where the system automatically manages container deployment, scaling, and resource allocation without manual intervention. The orchestration platform autonomously handles workload distribution, resource provisioning, and lifecycle management, accelerating deployment while reducing the operational complexity of resource management through automation.
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments are directed towards utilization of network function (NF) node groups for compute optimization and NF resiliency in a wireless telecommunication network. A plurality of fifth-generation New Radio (5G NR) cellular telecommunication NFs of a telecommunication service provider are implemented as respective containerized network functions (CNFs). Each CNF corresponds to and is implemented by one or more software containers of one or more respective pods for scheduling and execution on one or more respective nodes in a software container orchestration platform that automates deployment, management, and scaling of containerized software applications. The respective nodes of the CNF are deployed in a respective node group of the container orchestration platform. The respective node group is utilized for compute optimization and NF resiliency of the 5G NR cellular telecommunication network at a logical level of the respective pods in the node group.