HLR MSC Failure Rerouting for Telecommunication Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile switching node failure mechanisms, such as Iu-Flex and A-Flex, cannot prevent communication interruptions when a subscriber's serving MSC/VLR suddenly breaks down, leading to service disruptions until the next location update or periodic location registration occurs.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that detects MSC/VLR failure and immediately reroutes the subscriber to another available MSC/VLR, ensuring continuous terminating service by using the Home Location Register (HLR) to select and redirect location information and service processing to a non-failed MSC/VLR.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the RNC uses NRI mode to route subscriber messages to a specific CN node, then load sharing is achieved among CN nodes, but communication interruption occurs when the serving MSC/VLR suddenly breaks down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple CN nodes (MSC/VLR) as potential serving nodes for each subscriber. When the serving MSC/VLR fails, the RNC can immediately switch to a pre-identified alternative CN node without complex real-time selection procedures, thus maintaining communication continuity while managing routing complexity through advance preparation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the routing parameter from a fixed single CN node assignment to a flexible multi-CN node selection mechanism. The RNC can dynamically change which CN node serves the subscriber based on real-time status, allowing seamless failover while maintaining load distribution across multiple nodes
2Reliability
If the serving MSC/VLR breaks down suddenly, then communication interruption occurs, but implementing immediate rerouting increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing multiple CN nodes as backup options and configuring the RNC with the capability to select among them. This preparation enables immediate rerouting upon failure without requiring complex real-time decision-making or additional complexity in the failure handling mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The RNC acts as an intermediary between the subscriber and multiple CN nodes. It monitors the status of serving CN nodes and can switch to alternative CN nodes when failures occur, simplifying the failure handling mechanism by centralizing the intelligence in the RNC rather than distributing complex failure handling logic throughout the network
3Reliability
If load re-distribution is implemented after MSC/VLR failure, then service continuity is improved, but communication interruption occurs until the next location update
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring alternative CN nodes and enabling the RNC to perform immediate load re-distribution upon detecting MSC/VLR failure. This eliminates the waiting period for the next location update by having the rerouting capability ready in advance, thus improving service continuity and reducing communication failure duration
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuity of useful action by enabling the RNC to immediately redirect subscriber messages to alternative CN nodes when the serving MSC/VLR fails. This continuous operation capability maintains service availability without interruption or waiting for periodic location updates, as the rerouting happens seamlessly in real-time
Data Source
AI summary
A system, an apparatus and a method for coping with mobile switching node failure are disclosed. The method includes: an HLR (Home Location Register) detects that a first MSC (Mobile Switching Center) is not able to operate; the requesting party of a terminating service submits a request to the HLR for obtaining required location information for a called party registered on the first MSC, and the HLR selects a second MSC for the requesting party and requests for location information from the second MSC; the second MSC returns the location information to the HLR; the HLR returns the location information to the requesting party of the terminating service; and the requesting party of a terminating service performs subsequent service according to the location information.