Dynamic SCP Routing Using Producer NF Reachability Information

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G telecommunications networks, selecting an SCP for forwarding messages to a remote producer NF when multiple SCPs are involved can lead to inefficient routing due to unreachability issues, resulting in processing resource waste and network bandwidth inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for dynamic inter-SCP routing using remote producer NF path reachability information, where producer SCP instances detect unreachability and communicate this to an NRF, which then informs consumer SCP instances, allowing them to select alternate paths, thereby avoiding failed routing attempts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If consumer SCP performs producer SCP selection and forwards service request to producer SCP, then message routing to remote producer NF is achieved, but failed routing attempts occur when producer NF becomes unreachable via selected SCP

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting reliabilityVSAvoidrouting attempt time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having producer SCPs proactively monitor and detect reachability status of producer NF instances before receiving routing requests. Consumer SCPs retrieve this pre-detected reachability information from NRF and use it to make informed routing decisions, thereby avoiding failed routing attempts and reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where producer SCPs communicate reachability status of producer NF instances to NRF, which then provides this information to consumer SCPs. This feedback loop enables continuous updates of routing decisions based on current network conditions, improving reliability while minimizing unnecessary routing attempts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If consumer SCP retransmits service request to alternate producer SCP after timeout, then message delivery is achieved, but processing resources and network bandwidth are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage delivery reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having consumer SCPs retrieve reachability information from NRF before initiating message routing. This pre-knowledge of which producer NF instances are reachable allows consumer SCPs to select appropriate paths in advance, avoiding unnecessary retransmission attempts and conserving processing resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously updating NRF with reachability status from producer SCPs, which then provides this information to consumer SCPs for informed routing decisions. This feedback mechanism eliminates wasted processing resources by preventing routing attempts to unreachable instances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If multiple SCPs are deployed for high availability, then system redundancy is improved, but routing complexity and path selection difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoidrouting complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces NRF as an intermediary that centralizes the management of reachability information from multiple producer SCPs and provides this consolidated information to consumer SCPs. This intermediary simplifies the routing decision process for consumer SCPs while maintaining the benefits of multi-SCP deployment for high availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies universality by having NRF serve multiple functions: collecting reachability information from all producer SCPs, storing this information centrally, and distributing it to all consumer SCPs. This multi-functional approach simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining high availability through redundant SCP deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250323861A1Methods, systems, and computer readable media for dynamic inter-service communication proxy (SCP) routing using remote producer nework function (NF) instance path reachability information

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 ORACLE INT CORP

AI summary

A method for dynamic inter-service communication proxy (SCP) routing using remote producer network function (NF) instance path reachability information includes detecting, by a first producer SCP instance, unreachability of a producer NF instance. The method further includes communicating, by the first producer SCP instance and to an NF repository function (NRF) instance, an indication that the producer NF instance is unreachable via the first producer SCP instance. The method further includes storing, by the NRF instance, the indication that the producer NF instance is unreachable via the first producer SCP instance. The method further includes communicating, by the NRF instance and to a consumer SCP instance, the indication that the producer NF instance is unreachable via the first producer SCP instance.