Core Network Configuration via Intermediary Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
The separation of network processing functions from user processing functions in communication systems leads to complexity and errors in configuring user service nodes and radio access network devices, particularly when manual configuration is required, and real-time or quasi-real-time collaborative closed-loops between core and radio access networks are not effectively implemented.
Innovation Solution
A communication method and apparatus that enable a core network device responsible for network processing to configure core network devices processing user plane and/or control plane functions, allowing for direct or indirect configuration of user service nodes and radio access network devices, thereby reducing manual configuration complexity and error rates while enabling real-time or quasi-real-time collaborative closed-loops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration is used for user service nodes and radio access network devices after network processing function separation, then specific sovereign control capability is provided for integrators or users, but configuration complexity and error rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a configuration management network element as an intermediary between the network management system and user service nodes. This intermediary automatically generates and distributes configuration information, reducing manual configuration complexity while maintaining the sovereign control capability provided by network processing function separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables user service nodes to automatically obtain and apply configuration information from the configuration management network element. This self-service mechanism eliminates manual configuration operations, reducing both complexity and error rates while preserving the adaptability benefits of functional separation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration is used for user service nodes and radio access network devices, then specific sovereign control capability is provided, but real-time or quasi-real-time collaborative closed-loops cannot be effectively implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration management network element acts as a real-time intermediary that automatically distributes configuration updates to user service nodes and radio access network devices. This enables real-time or quasi-real-time collaborative closed-loops by eliminating manual configuration delays while maintaining sovereign control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where user service nodes and radio access network devices report status information to the configuration management network element, which then adjusts configuration accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables real-time collaboration while preserving the adaptability benefits of network processing function separation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If core network devices are separated into network processing functions and user processing functions, then adaptability of network to industry is enhanced, but complexity of configuring user service nodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration management network element serves as an intermediary that automatically handles the complexity of configuring user service nodes after functional separation. This maintains network adaptability to industry requirements while eliminating configuration complexity through automated processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the configuration management function into a dedicated configuration management network element, separate from both network processing and user processing functions. This segmentation maintains the adaptability benefits of functional separation while reducing configuration complexity by centralizing automated configuration management.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method includes sending, by a first network device, a first configuration request message to a second network device, and receiving, by the first network device, a first configuration response message from the second network device. The first configuration request message is useable to configure a management and control operation of the second network device. The first network device is a core network device configured to control a network function. The second network device is the core network device configured to process at least one of a user plane function or a control plane function. The first configuration response message includes a first response result of the second network device for the management and control operation.