I-CSCF Load Balancing via Real-Time S-CSCF Capacity Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) based communication networks, the Interrogating Call Session Control Function (I-CSCF) lacks real-time key performance indicator (KPI) information about Serving Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF) servers, hindering effective load balancing, especially in Network Function Virtualization scenarios where S-CSCFs are scaled dynamically.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a Diameter-based Sc interface between I-CSCF and S-CSCF servers allows for dynamic management and load balancing based on real-time KPIs and capacity information, enabling the I-CSCF to distribute SIP users across multiple S-CSCF servers effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the I-CSCF lacks real-time KPI information about S-CSCF servers, then the system structure remains simple, but effective load balancing cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where S-CSCF servers continuously report their capacity and status information (KPIs) to the I-CSCF server. The I-CSCF maintains updated information about multiple S-CSCF servers and uses this feedback to dynamically select the most appropriate server for each SIP session, enabling effective load balancing based on real-time conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary information management mechanism where the I-CSCF acts as a mediator between S-CSCF servers and SIP users. The I-CSCF collects, stores, and manages capacity information from multiple S-CSCF servers, then uses this intermediate information to make intelligent routing decisions, solving the information asymmetry problem
2Adaptability or versatility
If S-CSCFs are scaled dynamically in Network Function Virtualization scenarios, then system adaptability improves, but load balancing becomes more difficult without real-time capacity information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic load balancing where the I-CSCF continuously updates its knowledge of S-CSCF server capacities and dynamically adjusts session distribution based on current conditions. The system adapts to changing server capacities and status in real-time, enabling effective load balancing in dynamic NFV environments without requiring complex manual configuration
Solution Approach 2:
S-CSCF servers autonomously report their own capacity and status information to the I-CSCF, enabling self-service information gathering. This eliminates the need for complex centralized monitoring systems while ensuring the I-CSCF has accurate real-time information for load balancing decisions
Data Source
AI summary
An Interrogating Call Session Control Function (“I-CSCF”) server load balances Session Initiation Protocol (“SIP”) users over an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (“IMS”) network. The I-CSCF server establishes a Diameter connection between a first Serving Call Session Control Function (“S-CSCF”) server and receives a dynamically adjusted capacity and a status information from the first S-CSCF server. The I-CSCF server further receives from user equipment a request to initiate a SIP communication session over the IMS network. The I-CSCF server then selects an assigned S-CSCF server for the SIP communication session based at least on the dynamically adjusted capacity and the status information