Automated Application Server Platform for Offload Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing and configuring traffic routing, security, and availability for multiple applications in offload environments, particularly in 3GPP UTRAN and eUTRAN systems, due to complex integration requirements and lack of automated solutions for unified management across virtualization and networking domains.

Innovation Solution

An automated application server platform with integrated application management agents and virtual networking interfaces enables automated configuration of traffic routing, security, and availability by using offload configuration files and certificates to manage application policies and traffic flows, allowing for secure and efficient deployment of applications in virtualized environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If manual configuration methods are used for application deployment in offload environments, then integration requirements can be met, but deployment complexity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of application deploymentVSAvoiddeployment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-configuration of applications in offload environments through machine-processable format exchange. The application server automatically receives configuration data, validates certificates, and configures traffic routing without manual intervention, allowing the system to service itself rather than requiring operator configuration for each deployment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Configuration data is prepared in advance in a standardized machine-processable format and exchanged between network elements before actual application deployment. This preliminary preparation of configuration information in structured formats enables rapid automated deployment when the application is ready, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual configuration during deployment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If automated configuration is implemented, then deployment efficiency improves, but security risks from misconfiguration may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment efficiencyVSAvoidconfiguration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates validation mechanisms that provide feedback on configuration correctness. Configuration data in machine-processable formats is automatically validated against expected schemas and requirements, ensuring that automated deployments maintain configuration accuracy through systematic verification rather than relying solely on manual review

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Configuration data is standardized into machine-processable formats that can be replicated and validated consistently across different deployment scenarios. This standardization creates reliable templates that reduce misconfiguration risks by ensuring consistent configuration structures are copied and applied across multiple deployments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple applications are deployed in virtualized environments, then service versatility increases, but management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice versatilityVSAvoidmanagement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a universal configuration management approach where a single machine-processable configuration format handles multiple application types and deployment scenarios. This universal format enables diverse applications to be configured through the same standardized process, reducing management complexity while supporting service versatility across different application kinds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Configuration data is segmented into distinct machine-processable components that can be independently validated and managed. This segmentation allows complex multi-application configurations to be broken down into manageable units, each following standardized formats, making overall system management less complex despite supporting multiple diverse applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If certificate validation is performed, then security is enhanced, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Certificate validation is performed as part of the automated configuration process before application deployment begins. By validating certificates in advance during the automated configuration phase rather than during runtime or deployment execution, the system ensures security requirements are met without adding time overhead to the actual deployment process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2850850B1Methods and apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP2850850B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2850850B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP2850850B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method comprises providing to an application environment, offload configuration information for an application and application information, said application information comprising one or more of network properties and operator properties for said application.