Multi-DNS Probing for UPF Routing Delay Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in distinguishing between internal and external network routing issues within a user plane function (UPF) in 5G networks, leading to inefficiencies in diagnosing and resolving network delays.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing multi-DNS server probing to determine whether network routing problems are due to internal or external issues by comparing latency values with a threshold, enabling faster identification and resolution of network routing problems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional network monitoring methods are used, then network operations continue without disruption, but the ability to distinguish between internal and external routing issues is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network routing detection by introducing multiple DNS servers as separate probing targets. By distributing probe requests across multiple DNS servers (internal and external), the system can isolate and identify whether latency originates from internal UPF routing or external network paths, thereby improving detection precision without requiring a single complex monitoring device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses DNS servers as intermediary probing targets to indirectly measure UPF routing performance. Instead of directly monitoring internal UPF routing which would require complex instrumentation, the system uses external DNS resolution as a mediator to reveal routing issues through latency measurements, simplifying the monitoring approach while improving detection capability
2Productivity
If multi-DNS server probing is implemented, then routing issue identification speed improves, but system operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple DNS servers (both internal and external) as probing targets before actual network operations. The UPF is pre-programmed with DNS server addresses and probing mechanisms, enabling immediate latency measurement and rapid routing issue identification when delays occur, thus improving diagnosis speed without requiring complex real-time analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from general network monitoring to specific DNS resolution latency. By focusing on a single measurable parameter (time to resolve DNS queries to multiple servers), the system simplifies the probing mechanism while enabling fast comparison-based identification of internal versus external routing issues, improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity
3Loss of information
If latency measurements to multiple DNS servers are performed, then routing problem source identification improves, but network traffic overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing DNS latency measurements only when downlink transmission delays are detected, rather than continuously probing multiple DNS servers. This selective probing approach gathers sufficient information to identify routing problem sources (internal vs. external) only when necessary, completing the diagnostic information need without generating excessive probe traffic during normal operations
Data Source
AI summary
A system causes a first user plane function (UPF) to transmit a first data packet to a domain name system (DNS) server and causes a second UPF to transmit a second data packet to the DNS server. The system determines a first latency value associated with the first data packet routing from the first UPF to the DNS server, and a second latency value associated with the second data packet routing from the second UPF to the DNS server. The system compares each of the first and second latency values with a threshold latency value. If it is determined that each of the first latency value and the second latency value is more than the threshold latency value, the system determines that the first latency value and the second latency value are caused by a network routing issue with respect to the DNS server and addresses the network routing issue.