DNS Discoverer Micro-service for 5G Service Endpoint Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G telecommunications networks, consumer NFs and SCPs often lack sufficient information to load balance traffic among service endpoints due to insufficient registration of IP addresses or IP endpoints by producer NFs, and there is no automated process to notify service consumers of changes in IP addresses or IP endpoints associated with service endpoints.
Innovation Solution
A DNS discoverer micro-service that actively discovers and tracks address information for 5G and non-5G service endpoints by querying DNS servers and monitoring FQDNs for changes, providing this information to consumer NFs and SCPs, enabling them to maintain accurate load balancing and routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If producer NFs only register FQDN at NF service or NF instance level without individually registering IP addresses or IP endpoints, then the registration process is simplified, but consumer NFs and SCPs lack sufficient information to perform load balancing among service endpoints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (DNS discoverer/monitor) that bridges the gap between simplified NF registration and the need for detailed endpoint address information. This intermediary actively queries DNS servers to discover and track IP addresses associated with registered FQDNs, providing consumers with the necessary address information without complicating the original registration process
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary DNS queries and address discovery actions in advance of when consumers need the information. By proactively monitoring DNS changes and maintaining an updated registry of service endpoint addresses, the system ensures address information is available when needed for load balancing, rather than requiring consumers to perform their own discovery
2Device complexity
If there is no automated process to notify service consumers of IP address changes, then the notification system remains simple, but consumer NFs and SCPs cannot maintain accurate load balancing when service endpoint addresses change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the DNS monitor continuously queries DNS servers for changes in service endpoint addresses and automatically notifies subscribed consumers of any changes. This closed-loop feedback system ensures consumers receive timely updates about address changes, enabling them to maintain accurate load balancing without requiring complex manual monitoring or reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The DNS monitor performs continuous or periodic DNS queries to track service endpoint addresses over time. This ongoing monitoring ensures that address changes are detected promptly and consumers are notified in a timely manner, maintaining the reliability of load balancing operations without requiring consumers to continuously perform their own discovery queries
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for discovering and tracking addresses associated with producer network function (NF) service endpoints includes receiving a first domain name system (DNS) resolution request from a requesting node. The method further includes querying a DNS server using a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) extracted from the first DNS resolution request. The method further includes receiving a first response from the DNS server, the first response including an associated with a producer NF service endpoint associated with the FQDN and storing the address associated with the producer NF service endpoint in a database. The method further includes communicating the address associated with the producer NF service endpoint to the requesting node. The method further includes monitoring the FQDN for changes in address associated with the FQDN. The method further includes notifying the requesting node of the changes in address associated with the FQDN.