Group Binding Indication for 5G Network Function Contexts
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G networks, the current binding indication mechanism is inefficient as it requires individual selection of alternative NF instances for each resource context, leading to repeated communications and increased signaling, especially when multiple contexts are affected by a failure or scaling event, causing overload on central databases.
Innovation Solution
A method where a binding indication parameter identifies a group of contexts, allowing operations to be applied uniformly across all contexts within the group, reducing the need for individual reselection and minimizing signaling overhead by using headers like 3gpp-Sbi-Binding or 3gpp-Sbi-Routing-Binding to convey group identifiers and apiRoots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual selection of alternative NF instances is performed for each resource context, then reliability of resource restoration is improved, but signaling overhead and communication complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual binding indications into a single group binding indication that covers multiple resource contexts. Instead of sending separate binding indications for each context, the system creates one consolidated indication containing a group identifier that represents multiple contexts, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining the ability to restore all contexts reliably
Solution Approach 2:
The group binding indication serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides binding information for multiple resource contexts in one message, enables bulk restoration operations, and reduces the number of communication rounds needed. This multi-functional approach addresses both reliability and signaling efficiency
2Manufacturing precision
If individual selection of alternative NF instances is performed for each resource context, then accuracy of context restoration is improved, but communication time and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary grouping of resource contexts before restoration operations. By pre-organizing contexts into groups with unique identifiers and creating group binding indications in advance, the system prepares the structure needed for efficient bulk operations, reducing the time required during actual restoration while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple context restoration operations are merged into a single group-based operation. The group binding indication enables simultaneous restoration of multiple contexts in one communication round, eliminating the sequential delays that would occur with individual restorations while preserving the precision of context-to-NF mapping
3Loss of information
If repeated communications are performed for each resource context, then completeness of binding indication is improved, but overload on central databases increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential binding information from multiple individual contexts and consolidates it into a single group binding indication. By taking out only the necessary group identifier and associated binding data, the system maintains completeness of binding information while avoiding redundant communications and reducing the load on central databases
Solution Approach 2:
The group binding indication acts as a universal indicator that applies to multiple resource contexts simultaneously. This single indication structure replaces multiple individual indications, ensuring all necessary binding information is conveyed while minimizing the quantity of communications and database interactions
Data Source
AI summary
A method in a first Network Function (NF). The method includes: transmitting, to a second NF, a message containing a first binding indication associated with a context hosted by the first NF, the message or the first binding indication containing a parameter identifying a group of contexts.