Mobile Core Controller Cluster for Evolved Packet Core Session Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 4G EPC networks face challenges in efficiently managing distributed core resources, providing low latency, high reliability, and IP mobility support for diverse applications like M2M, IoT, and V2V, which require dynamic resource allocation and replication to meet varying service demands.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a mobile core controller (MC-C) in a cluster of resources that selects and configures session control and gateway resources based on UE address, load, and operator policies, negotiates state information with follower sites, and forms availability groups for replicated state information, enabling efficient resource handling and context replication across geographically separate sites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If centralized EPC network architecture is used, then network control and management is simplified, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates and cannot dynamically adapt to diverse service demands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized EPC network into distributed network clusters, where each cluster independently manages local resources and services. This segmentation enables dynamic resource allocation across multiple clusters, improving adaptability to diverse service demands while maintaining manageable complexity through modular cluster operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional approach by organizing network resources into hierarchical clusters with multiple layers (cluster level, resource pool level, server level). This multi-dimensional organization allows simultaneous local autonomy and global coordination, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity
2Productivity
If distributed resource allocation is implemented, then resource utilization efficiency improves, but network coordination and state synchronization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cluster-level controllers as intermediary components that manage state synchronization and coordination between distributed resource pools. These intermediaries abstract the complexity of inter-cluster communication, enabling efficient resource utilization while maintaining manageable coordination overhead through localized control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allowing each network cluster to independently manage its own resource allocation and state synchronization according to local conditions. This local autonomy reduces the complexity of global coordination while maintaining high resource utilization efficiency through context-aware resource management
3Reliability
If state information is replicated across multiple follower sites, then system reliability and fault tolerance improve, but data synchronization overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial replication by selectively replicating only essential state information to follower sites rather than complete state copies. This partial action approach maintains system reliability for critical functions while reducing synchronization overhead and processing time by avoiding redundant data replication
4Reliability
If dynamic session control selection is implemented, then service quality and latency requirements are better met, but control signaling overhead and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring session control parameters and policies during network setup and service registration phases. This preliminary configuration enables dynamic session control selection during actual service delivery without requiring complex real-time decision-making, thereby meeting quality and latency requirements while reducing control signaling complexity
Data Source
AI summary
System and method embodiments are provided for evolved packet core cluster and session handling. In an embodiment, a method in a network component for cluster and session handling includes receiving, by a MC-C in a first resource pool in a cluster of resources, an attach request from a SORC for a PDN connection for a UE, the MC-C and the first resource pool selected by the SORC according to a UE address, a resource load, and an operator policy; configuring session control and gateway resources for a session for the UE; negotiating with a follower site to determine state information for a bearer context of the UE; synchronizing the state information with follower sites when a state is agreed upon by at least some of the follower sites; and forming an availability group according to a set of servers that hold replicated state information for the UE.