Cloud Core Call Tracing Across Distributed NF Pod Instances
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of modern cellular networks, particularly in 5G NR, complicates call tracing due to the use of virtualized components executed on general-purpose hardware, making it difficult to locate, monitor, and test call flows for specific UEs within a cloud-based cellular network core.
Innovation Solution
Implementing call tracing within a cloud-based cellular network core by using Kubernetes for container orchestration to manage and instantiate network functions, allowing for dynamic deployment and monitoring of network components, and utilizing a cloud platform drill engine to identify and configure call traces across multiple instances of network functions and pods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtualized components are used in cellular networks, then adaptability and resource efficiency are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of monitoring increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a trace management system as an intermediary layer between the monitoring entity and the virtualized network functions. This system automatically discovers, configures, and manages traces across multiple NF instances and pods, shielding users from the complexity of the virtualized architecture while enabling comprehensive monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated feedback mechanisms where the trace management system continuously monitors the state of network functions, dynamically adjusts trace configurations based on observed performance and events, and provides feedback loops that enable adaptive monitoring without manual intervention.
2Reliability
If multiple instances of network functions are deployed, then reliability and load balancing are improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring call flows increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trace management system provides universal trace configuration capabilities that work across all types of network functions and their multiple instances. It implements a unified approach to trace management that can detect and measure call flows consistently across different NF types, instances, and deployment scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system acts as an intermediary that automatically discovers and correlates call flows across multiple NF instances by intercepting and analyzing interface communications, thereby simplifying the detection process despite the multiplicity of instances.
3Ease of operation
If manual trace configuration is used in virtualized networks, then ease of operation is maintained for simple cases, but productivity and comprehensiveness of tracing decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The trace management system implements self-service capabilities where it automatically discovers network functions, configures appropriate traces based on observed events and performance metrics, and manages trace lifecycles without requiring manual intervention, thereby significantly improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation through automated decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring trace templates and criteria based on typical network scenarios, allowing it to rapidly deploy comprehensive traces across multiple instances without manual configuration for each case, thus enhancing productivity while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for performing a call trace with a cloud-implemented cellular network core are provided. In one example, a method includes: receiving input of a cloud computing region of a cloud computing platform for call trace, identifying a plurality of instantiations of a pod within a cellular network core function of a cellular network core, the cellular network core function being executed on the cloud-computing platform, and executing a call trace for the plurality of instantiations of the pod within the cellular network core function. The cellular network core of a cellular network is implemented across multiple cloud computing regions, and the cellular network core is implemented on the cloud computing platform that includes a plurality of cloud computing regions that includes the cloud computing region.