Application Server Selection Using Link Status and Server Parameters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for selecting an application server for a terminal device rely solely on proximity, which may not result in the most appropriate server being chosen, leading to insufficient resources or network status issues that cannot meet the device's requirements.

Innovation Solution

A method that considers both the characteristic parameters of candidate application servers and the network status of the serving link to determine the target application server, using a first network element to obtain and analyze these factors before selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If proximity-based selection is used to determine application server, then selection simplicity is improved, but server execution capability and network status matching deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselection simplicityVSAvoidserver execution capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the single proximity parameter into multiple evaluation parameters including computing capability, storage capacity, and network status. The network element compares these parameters against terminal device requirements to determine the most suitable application server, moving from a simple distance-based metric to a comprehensive multi-parameter assessment that ensures both operational feasibility and execution reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If single selection policy based on proximity is used, then selection process complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different terminal requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselection process complexityVSAvoidadaptability to terminal requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic selection mechanism where the evaluation criteria adapt to different terminal device requirements. The network element retrieves specific computing, storage, and network requirements from the terminal device and dynamically adjusts the server selection process to match these varying needs, enabling the system to handle diverse service types and terminal capabilities through a flexible, requirement-driven approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4429201B1Method and apparatus for determining application server
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4429201B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4429201B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4429201B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a method and apparatus for determining an application server. The method includes: A first network element obtains a characteristic parameter of a candidate application server. The first network element obtains a network status of a serving link, where the serving link is a link from a terminal to a DN in which the candidate application server is located. The first network element determines a target application server from the candidate application server based on the characteristic parameter of the candidate application server and the network status of the serving link. Therefore, compared with an existing method, the method used in this application can better use resources in a network, and the selected target application server can better execute a service of the terminal device, to improve user experience.