Messaging System Overload Control in Telecommunications Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network function entities in carrier telecommunications networks face challenges in managing overload situations, leading to service degradation and unpredictable behavior due to the lack of effective overload control mechanisms, especially when non-managed user equipment continuously inject requests during central functionality outages.
Innovation Solution
A generalized messaging system with overload detection and message discard functionalities is implemented, allowing for intelligent removal of messages prior to or within the messaging system to prevent overload, thereby maintaining network operationality and quality of service. This system includes a load balancer that filters and discards messages to manage resource limitations and handle increased loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a messaging system queues and processes all incoming messages, then message delivery completeness is improved, but system overload and service degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a message discard mechanism that selectively processes only a subset of incoming messages when overload is detected. The load balancer discards excess messages beyond the system's processing capacity, allowing the system to maintain stable operation for the messages it can handle rather than attempting to process all messages and risking complete system failure.
2Reliability
If the messaging system stores messages for extended periods, then message delivery reliability is improved, but resource consumption and overload worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary overload detection and message discard actions before the system becomes completely overloaded. The load balancer monitors incoming message rates and proactively discards excess messages before they can consume excessive memory resources, preventing both overload and resource exhaustion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If peer-to-peer communication with local message transport logic is implemented, then communication flexibility is improved, but configuration complexity and device complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized messaging system as an intermediary between control plane entities. Instead of implementing complex peer-to-peer communication logic in each entity, messages are routed through the centralized system which handles load balancing, routing, and overload management, significantly reducing configuration complexity while maintaining communication flexibility.
4Reliability
If overload control mechanisms are implemented, then service stability is improved, but system complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service overload control where the load balancer automatically detects overload conditions and discards excess messages without requiring manual intervention or complex control mechanisms. The system monitors its own state and autonomously adjusts message processing to maintain stability.
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for an enhanced functionality of a network function entity in a carrier telecommunications network, the network function entity comprising a control plane functionality and a user plane functionality, and the network function entity comprising, as part of the control plane functionality and/or as part of the user plane functionality, a plurality of client entities wherein the client entities are clients to a messaging system functionality, wherein the messaging system functionality comprises an overload detection functionality and a message discard functionality and wherein the messaging system functionality is used in order to have the client entities process a plurality of different messages incoming to the messaging system functionality or generated by the messaging system functionality and/or the client entities, wherein the method comprises the following steps: -- in a first step, the network function entity operates with a plurality of client entities of the messaging system functionality, -- in a second step, subsequent to the first step, an unusual behavior or an overload scenario within one or a plurality of the client entities and/or within the messaging system functionality is detected by the overload detection functionality, -- in a third step, subsequent to the second step, at least one message is discarded or blocked, either prior to entering the messaging system functionality or within the messaging system functionality of the session termination entity.