NEF-Based PFD Management Across Multiple UDRs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in dynamically managing the distribution of Packet Flow Description (PFD) changes across multiple Uniform Data Repositories (UDRs) in a 5G communications network.
Innovation Solution
A Network Exposure Function (NEF) is configured to receive PFD management requests from Application Functions (AFs), identify impacted UDRs, and instruct them to update their application data accordingly, using APIs and UDR management options to manage PFD creation, update, or deletion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PFD changes are distributed to multiple UDRs, then network coverage and reliability are improved, but system complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The NEF acts as an intermediary between the AF and multiple UDRs. It receives PFD management requests from AFs, identifies impacted UDRs, and distributes the changes appropriately. This mediator approach reduces the complexity at individual UDRs while maintaining reliable network coverage across multiple repositories.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments PFD management by identifying which UDRs are impacted by specific PFD changes based on application data storage locations. This selective segmentation allows efficient distribution of changes only to relevant UDRs, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic PFD management is implemented, then network adaptability and performance are improved, but operational complexity and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The NEF implements feedback mechanisms by receiving PFD management requests from AFs, processing the change information, and distributing updates to impacted UDRs. This feedback loop enables dynamic network adaptation while centralizing management logic to reduce operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying which UDRs store application data for specific applications before distributing PFD changes. This preparation reduces real-time management overhead and simplifies operational procedures during dynamic network adjustments.
3Ease of operation
If centralized PFD management is used, then management simplicity is improved, but network response time and scalability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The management function is segmented between the NEF (centralized coordination) and individual UDRs (local execution). The NEF handles high-level management decisions and identifies impacted UDRs, while UDRs independently process and apply PFD changes to their local application data, achieving both simplicity and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by only distributing PFD changes to the specific subset of UDRs that are impacted, rather than notifying all UDRs. This selective approach maintains management simplicity while reducing unnecessary communication overhead, thereby improving network response time.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for packet flow description (PDF) management are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed comprising receiving, by a network exposure function (NEF), a packet flow description (PFD) management request via an application function (AF), the PFD management request, the PFD management request comprising application identification information identifying an application, using, by the NEF, the application identification information to identify a set of unified data repositories (UDRs) affected by the PFD management request, and instructing, by the NEF, at least one UDR of the set of UDRs to make a PFD change to the identified application's application data in accordance with the PFD management request.