Central Provisioning Server for Roaming Terminal Onboarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cellular communication systems, there is a challenge in providing subscription data to terminals when they initially access a standalone non-private network, especially when the network does not own the subscription data, requiring a mechanism to obtain and manage subscription information from a central provisioning server.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that determine if a standalone non-private network owns subscription data for a terminal upon initial access, and if not, obtain and provide subscription data from a central provisioning server, which includes identifiers and parameters for establishing packet data unit sessions, facilitating seamless terminal onboarding and service provision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standalone non-private network does not own subscription data for a terminal, then the network cannot directly provide service to the terminal, but the terminal still needs to be onboarded and provided with subscription data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central provisioning server as an intermediary between the standalone non-private network and the terminal. When the local network does not own subscription data, the apparatus queries the central provisioning server which stores and manages subscription data from multiple networks. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by enabling terminal onboarding without requiring the local network to directly own all subscription data, thus maintaining ease of operation while managing data complexity centrally.
2Adaptability or versatility
If subscription data is obtained from a central provisioning server, then the network can provide service to terminals from other networks, but the complexity of the data management system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the provisioning functions of multiple standalone non-private networks into a single central provisioning server. This server consolidates subscription data from different networks, enabling terminals to roam between networks while accessing their subscription information. The merging approach enhances adaptability and versatility by allowing cross-network service provision, while the centralized architecture manages complexity by providing a unified data management point rather than requiring complex distributed data synchronization across networks.
3Speed
If the network stores subscription data locally, then quick access is possible, but the network cannot serve terminals from other networks efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the subscription data storage and access functionality into two parts: local caching for speed and central repository for versatility. The apparatus can store and access subscription data locally when available, providing fast data access speed. Simultaneously, the central provisioning server maintains the complete subscription data for terminals from all networks. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both quick local access and broad network interoperability by querying the central server when local data is unavailable or when serving roaming terminals.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine that an onboarding standalone non private network and/or service provider hosting the apparatus does not own subscription data for a terminal, in response to the terminal performing an initial access to the onboarding standalone non private network and/or service provider; obtain subscription data for the terminal owned by another standalone non private network and/or service provider from a central provisioning server; and provide subscription data to the terminal.