Group Data Management Framework for 5G Core Network Subscription Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G core networks lack a solution for efficiently managing subscription data for groups of users, leading to increased storage requirements and signaling complexity due to the need to replicate subscription information for each user within the network.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a Group Data Management (GDM) framework that allows for the creation, updating, and retrieval of subscription data associated with a group identifier, enabling efficient management and storage of group data independently of individual user subscription data, reducing the need for massive signaling and storage across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If subscription data is replicated for each user within the network, then individual user data access is simplified, but storage requirements and signaling complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments subscription data into two distinct types: individual subscription data (stored per user in UDM) and group subscription data (stored separately in a group data repository). This segmentation allows the system to avoid replicating entire subscription profiles for each user while maintaining efficient access to both individual and group data through separate retrieval mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If subscription data is replicated for each user within the network, then individual user data access is simplified, but signaling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data management operations into separate pathways: individual data retrieval through existing UDM interfaces and group data retrieval through dedicated group data management interfaces. This segmentation reduces signaling complexity by preventing the need for complex coordination protocols that would be required if entire subscription profiles were replicated and updated across multiple network functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a group data repository as an intermediary component between the UDM and network functions. This intermediary stores group subscription data centrally and provides efficient retrieval mechanisms, eliminating the need for complex signaling protocols that would otherwise be required to distribute and synchronize group data across multiple user contexts.
3Quantity of substance
If group data is managed independently of individual user data, then storage efficiency improves, but data management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data management architecture into distinct components: UDM for individual subscription data, group data repository for group subscription data, and separate retrieval interfaces. This segmentation improves storage efficiency by eliminating redundant data replication while managing complexity through clear separation of concerns and dedicated management interfaces for each data type.
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments include a method for provisioning subscription data, for a plurality of subscribers, to one or more network functions, NFs, in a communication network. Such embodiments include storing group data, related to the plurality of subscribers, in association with at least a first group identifier, GID, but not in association with individual subscription data for the respective subscribers. Such embodiments also include sending, to the one or more NFs, the group data and the first GID. Such embodiments also include sending, to a particular one of the NFs, the first GID and individual subscription data for a particular one of the subscribers. Embodiments also include complementary methods performed by network functions that receive subscription data in this manner, as well as various network functions and/or nodes, in a communication network, that are configured to perform various disclosed methods.