DBNG-UP Redundancy Negotiation for Active/Standby PFCP Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing technologies lack standard specifications for Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) to support UP redundancy capability negotiation between Disaggregated Broadband Network Gateway-User Plane (DBNG-CP) and DBNG-UPs, which is crucial for ensuring operational reliability and flexibility in service deployment.
Innovation Solution
The method and apparatus enhance the PFCP to support UP redundancy capability negotiation by extending information elements in PFCP messages for active/standby election between DBNG-UPs, using a PFCP Node Report mechanism for failure detection and protection switching, and implementing a configuration module and negotiation module on the DBNG-CP to manage redundancy group instances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PFCP protocol is used for DBNG-UP redundancy, then operational reliability is improved, but standard specifications for UP redundancy capability negotiation are missing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the PFCP protocol by adding new information elements (IEs) to modify its parameters. Specifically, it adds 'Redundancy Group ID', 'Redundancy Member ID', and 'Redundancy Capability' IEs to enable redundancy capability negotiation and active/standby election between DBNG-UPs, thereby providing standard specifications while maintaining protocol compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the redundancy management functionality into distinct information elements within the PFCP protocol framework. By dividing redundancy configuration into separate IEs (Redundancy Group ID, Redundancy Member ID, etc.), it enables modular negotiation of redundancy capabilities between DBNG-CP and DBNG-UPs without overwhelming the protocol structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If DBNG-UP pooling technology is used, then service deployment flexibility is improved, but protocol support for redundancy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes redundancy relationships between DBNG-UPs in advance through preliminary configuration of Redundancy Group ID and Redundancy Member ID information elements. This allows the system to pre-define backup relationships and switching policies before failures occur, enabling both flexible service deployment and reliable protocol support
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where DBNG-CP and DBNG-UPs exchange redundancy capability information through extended PFCP messages. The system negotiates and confirms redundancy relationships bidirectionally, ensuring that both parties have consistent understanding of the redundancy configuration before activation
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for DBNG-UP redundancy. The method includes: configuring a redundancy group instance on a DBNG-CP, wherein redundancy group members managed by the DBNG-CP at least include a first DBNG-UP and a second DBNG-UP; and performing, by the DBNG-CP, UP redundancy capability negotiation with the first DBNG-UP and the second DBNG-UP respectively, to complete active/standby election between the first DBNG-UP and the second DBNG-UP. In the present disclosure, a DBNG-CP performs UP redundancy capability negotiation with DBNG-UPs managed by the DBNG-CP, so as to complete active/standby election of the DBNG-UP, thereby solving the problem of UP redundancy capability negotiation, and increasing the flexibility of DBNG-UP redundancy protection.