Diameter Signaling Response Message Routing via Separate DRA Paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Diameter signaling networks, the inability to route response messages separately leads to temporary suspension of transaction resources, increased network load, and potential Denial of Service (DoS) attacks when a DRA node is out of service, as current solutions like message resending and route reselection cause bottlenecks and excessive load.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that send a service request message with specific identification information to route the response message through a second group of DRA nodes, allowing route analysis and forwarding without transaction or session processing, enabling separate routing of response messages and improving network reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If response messages are routed along the same path as request messages through DRA nodes, then the routing process is simple, but transaction resources are temporarily suspended and network load increases when a DRA node is out of service

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting process complexityVSAvoidnetwork reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the routing process into two independent parts: request message routing and response message routing. Response messages are routed separately from request messages through different path selection mechanisms, allowing independent optimization and failure isolation of each routing path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary route analysis for response messages before actual transmission. By pre-calculating and storing optimal response paths when DRA nodes are available, the system avoids real-time routing decisions during failures, preventing transaction resource suspension and reducing network load during outages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If message resending is used when a DRA node is out of service, then the system can recover from failures, but transaction resources are bottlenecked and network load increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefailure recovery capabilityVSAvoidtransaction processing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary route analysis and stores alternative paths before failures occur. When a DRA node goes out of service, the system immediately switches to pre-calculated alternative routes without needing to resend messages or perform real-time route reselection, thus avoiding transaction resource bottlenecks and excessive network load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary routing analysis mechanism that operates independently of the transaction processing path. This intermediary layer handles route calculation and selection, freeing transaction resources from routing decisions and enabling faster failure recovery without impacting transaction processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If route reselection is performed in real-time when a DRA node fails, then the system adapts to failures, but the process is complex and causes network load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefailure adaptation capabilityVSAvoidrouting control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs route analysis and stores alternative paths in advance, before failures occur. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time route reselection, as the system can immediately switch to pre-calculated alternative routes when failures occur, reducing both complexity and network load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The routing system performs self-service by automatically maintaining and updating alternative route information without external intervention. The route analysis mechanism operates autonomously, continuously optimizing response paths and adapting to network changes without requiring complex external control or manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3203692B1Method, apparatus and system for acquiring response message, and method, apparatus and system for routing response message
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 ZTE CORP
  • EP3203692B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3203692B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3203692B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method and device for acquiring a response message, a method and device for routing the response message, and a system for acquiring the response message and routing the response message are disclosed. The method includes steps that: a source node sends a service request message to a second group of nodes via a first group of DRA nodes, wherein the second group of nodes include: a destination node and a second group of DRA nodes, and first identification information, second identification information and third identification information are carried in the service request message, wherein the first identification information is used for identifying the destination node, the second identification information is used for indicating the first group of DRA nodes to route the service request message according to the first identification information and indicating the destination node to configure first identification information of a service response message to the third identification information, and the third identification information is used for identifying the source node; and the source node acquires the service response message returned by the destination node via the second group of DRA nodes. The disclosure reduces a dependence on a resent message processing capability of a Diameter server.