Host-Level Fault Reporting for Multi-NF RAN Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fault management reporting systems in RAN networks require multiple IP addresses and redundant reporting agents for each Network Function (NF), leading to increased network resource burden and management costs.

Innovation Solution

Implement a single fault reporting microservice (FR MS) at the host level to handle fault reporting for multiple NFs, reducing the need for duplicate reporting agents and IP addresses, and allowing independent reliability testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple reporting agents are implemented for each Network Function (NF), then fault reporting coverage is improved, but network resource burden and management costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault reporting coverageVSAvoidnetwork resource burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal fault reporting agent that can serve multiple Network Functions (NFs) through a single IP address. The agent is designed with multi-functionality to handle fault reporting for different NF types (e.g., AMF, SMF, UPF) without requiring separate dedicated agents for each NF, thereby reducing network resource burden while maintaining comprehensive fault reporting coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the fault reporting functionality for multiple NFs into a single reporting agent instance. Instead of having separate reporting agents for each NF, the system combines these functions into one unified agent that communicates with the Northbound Management System (NBMS) through a single IP address, eliminating redundancy and reducing management complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple IP addresses are allocated for reporting agents, then fault reporting reliability is improved, but management costs and configuration requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault reporting reliabilityVSAvoidconfiguration requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The reporting agent is designed with universality to handle fault reporting for multiple NF types through a single IP address assignment. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple IP address configurations while maintaining reliable fault reporting across different network functions, thereby simplifying deployment and management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If redundant reporting agents are deployed for each NF, then fault detection capability is improved, but system complexity and management overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges fault detection and reporting capabilities for multiple NFs into a single unified reporting agent. This consolidation maintains comprehensive fault detection capability while significantly reducing system complexity by eliminating redundant agent instances and their associated management overhead

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12483470B2Optimal fault management reporting via host level northbound fault reporting agent

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 RAKUTEN SYMPHONY INC

AI summary

Provided are a method and system for handling northbound fault event reporting for the FM MS. The method, may be performed by at least one processor for reporting data to a northbound management system (NBMS), the method including: receiving, by a fault reporting microservice (FR MS) from an Fault Management microservice (FM MS) of a first Radio Access Network (RAN) Network Function (NF), first data comprising fault event data, the FR MS being a host level MS; and reporting, from the FR MS to the NBMS, the first data.