Coordinating Network Function for API Version Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems face inefficiencies in data delivery due to version incompatibilities between network function consumers and data sources, leading to suboptimal data retrieval and processing, especially in 5G networks where multiple API versions are supported but not effectively managed.
Innovation Solution
A coordinating network function that receives data requests from consumers, selects appropriate data sources based on supported API versions, and converts data between different API versions to ensure seamless delivery, utilizing a data collection coordination function, messaging framework, and data repository to manage multiple API versions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple API versions are supported by network function consumers and data sources, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to version management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A coordinating network function is introduced as an intermediary component between data sources and network function consumers. This mediator receives data requests from consumers, identifies the required API version, retrieves the corresponding data using that version from data sources, and ensures proper versioned delivery. The intermediary handles version management complexity centrally, allowing both data sources and consumers to support multiple versions without increasing mutual complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coordinating network function is designed with multi-functionality to handle various API versions universally. It can process requests for different API versions (e.g., v1, v2, v3) and dynamically select the appropriate versioned data from multiple data sources. This universal approach allows a single coordinating function to serve multiple consumers with different version requirements without requiring separate specialized functions for each version.
2Quantity of substance
If data is retrieved from multiple data sources with different API versions, then data availability is improved, but loss of time increases due to version matching and conversion processes
Solution Approach 1:
The coordinating network function performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying the required API version from the data request before initiating data retrieval. It also pre-determines which data source to query based on version compatibility. This preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming version matching and conversion processes during actual data retrieval, as the version and target source are already selected in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the coordinating network function receives data requests containing version information, processes this feedback to identify the correct API version, and uses this information to select appropriate data sources. The feedback loop ensures that versioned data is retrieved efficiently without unnecessary conversion or matching delays, as the version requirement is immediately processed and acted upon.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an apparatus comprising means for: receiving, at a coordinating network function from a network function consumer, at least one data request, wherein the at least one data request indicates at least one version of an application programming interface supported by the network function consumer; and causing, by the coordinating network function, data to be provided to the network function consumer from at least one data source based on the at least one data request and one or more versions of an application programming interface supported by the at least one data source.