MB-UPF Failover via PFCP Session Recreation in 5G Broadcast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G multicast/broadcast systems face challenges in restoring multicast/broadcast services without restarting when user plane functions fail, leading to undeliverable data and loss of packet forwarding control protocol sessions.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an MB-SMF to detect MB-UPF failures, reselect a new MB-UPF, recreate PFCP session contexts, and update addressing information to ensure seamless data delivery through either unicast or multicast transport, involving network elements like AF, NEF, and RAN nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system uses existing multicast/broadcast user plane functions without restart capability, then the system structure remains simple, but the service reliability deteriorates when user plane functions fail
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring backup user plane functions and establishing monitoring mechanisms before failures occur. The MB-SMF proactively detects UPF failures and has pre-prepared alternative UPFs ready for immediate takeover, enabling seamless service restoration without restart operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the MB-SMF monitors the operational status of MB-UPFs, detects failures through status reports, and triggers restoration procedures. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable service restoration by constantly checking system health and responding to failures automatically.
2Reliability
If the system implements comprehensive failure detection and restoration mechanisms, then the service reliability improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and isolates the failure detection and restoration logic into a dedicated MB-SMF entity, separating it from the MB-UPF functions. This extraction allows the session context management and restoration procedures to be handled by a specialized function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The MB-SMF acts as an intermediary between the MB-UPFs and the core network functions. It manages session contexts, coordinates failure detection, and orchestrates restoration procedures, thereby simplifying the interaction between multiple network elements and reducing the complexity of direct peer-to-peer management.
3Reliability
If the system restarts user plane functions upon failure, then the service can be restored, but the service interruption time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring backup user plane functions and maintaining ready-to-use session context templates. When failures occur, the MB-SMF can immediately activate pre-prepared alternatives and restore sessions without time-consuming restart procedures, minimizing service interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining session contexts and UPF configurations in a ready state before failures occur. The restoration process continues the service action seamlessly by switching to backup resources rather than restarting, thereby eliminating service gaps and reducing interruption time.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for restoration of multicast/broadcast service upon multicast/broadcast user plane function failure without restart are provided. For example, a method may include detecting non-functionality of a first multicast/broadcast user plane function that was supporting a packet forwarding control protocol session context for a multicast/broadcast session. The method may also include reselecting a second multicast/broadcast user plane function. The method may further include recreating a packet forwarding control protocol session context in the second multicast/broadcast user plane function for said multicast/broadcast session. The method may additionally include receiving new addressing information for the delivery of said multicast/broadcast session data from said second multicast/broadcast user plane function. The method may also include updating a network element with the new addressing information.