Application Flow Identification via Real-Time Analytics Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing system fails to provide real-time updates of packet flow description (PFD) information, leading to inadequate application analytics by the user plane function (UPF) network element, which cannot detect new data flows and perform analytics effectively.
Innovation Solution
A first data analytics network element receives application information from a first network element, determines additional information such as an application analytics model, characteristics, or description, and sends it to a second network element to enhance the identification of application information in data flows, improving analytics success rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the AF network element provides PFD information to the UPF network element, then application analytics can be performed, but real-time updates of PFD information cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data analytics network element as an intermediary between the AF network element and the UPF network element. This intermediary collects PFD information from the AF, processes it, and provides real-time updates to the UPF, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable analytics and real-time updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The data analytics network element performs preliminary processing of PFD information by collecting, validating, and enriching the data before providing it to the UPF. This preliminary action ensures that the UPF receives ready-to-use, up-to-date information without requiring direct real-time connections to the AF.
2Measurement precision
If the UPF network element waits for PFD information updates from the AF network element, then application analytics can be performed, but new data flows cannot be detected in real time
Solution Approach 1:
The data analytics network element continuously monitors and collects PFD information from the AF network element, maintaining a continuous update mechanism. This continuous action ensures that the UPF always has the most recent application information, enabling immediate detection of new data flows without waiting for periodic updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the data analytics network element receives PFD information from the AF, processes it, and immediately forwards updates to the UPF. This feedback mechanism ensures real-time synchronization and enables the UPF to detect new data flows as soon as they are reported by the AF.
3Reliability
If the AF network element provides application information, then application analytics can be performed, but updated information cannot be provided quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The data analytics network element serves as an intermediary that receives application information from the AF, processes and enriches it, then quickly forwards updated information to the UPF. This intermediary role enables both accurate and fast information transmission by centralizing the processing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the information processing workflow based on the urgency and importance of updates. The data analytics network element can prioritize critical updates and implement flexible processing timelines, enabling fast information propagation when needed while maintaining accuracy through comprehensive processing.
Data Source
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Figure 1c
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application disclose a communication method and a communication apparatus, to identify application information of first data, and improve an application analytics success rate. The method includes: A first data analytics network element receives first information of an application from a first network element, where the first information includes first application description information and/or an application status that correspond/corresponds to the application, the first application description information includes an application identifier and first IP information that correspond to the application, and the application status includes a foreground state or a background state of the application; the first data analytics network element determines second information based on the first information, where the second information includes the application identifier and at least one of the following: an application analytics model, at least one application characteristic, and second application description information; and the first data analytics network element sends the second information to a second network element, where the second information is used by the second network element to identify application information corresponding to first data, and the application information corresponding to the first data includes an application identifier and/or an application status of the first data.