Unified Network Element Group Upgrade Procedure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for upgrading Physical Network Functions (PNFs) in networks, such as those in the 5G use case, are inefficient as they allow only one PNF instance to be upgraded at a time, leading to significant time and resource costs due to the complexity of managing hundreds of PNFs in a network.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enable the simultaneous software upgrade of multiple network elements by selecting a group of network elements, obtaining a list of associated elements, and performing a unified software upgrade procedure, utilizing a network controller and external controllers to manage the upgrade process, including pre-checks, upgrades, and post-checks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If one PNF instance is upgraded at a time using external controller, then upgrade reliability is maintained, but upgrade time and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple PNF upgrade operations into a single unified upgrade procedure. Instead of upgrading one PNF at a time through separate external controller operations, the system combines upgrades of multiple PNFs into one atomic operation that is either fully applied to all PNFs or not applied at all, thereby reducing total upgrade time while maintaining reliability through consistent state transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-checking compatibility and preparing upgrade packages before execution. The system verifies that all selected PNFs are compatible with the upgrade version and prepares the upgrade artifacts in advance, ensuring that when the unified upgrade is executed, it can proceed directly to application without delays, thus reducing overall upgrade time while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of operation
If one PNF instance is upgraded at a time, then upgrade control is simplified, but management complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the upgrade management into two distinct phases: selection phase and execution phase. During selection, the operator defines the target PNFs and upgrade version. During execution, the system automatically manages all selected PNFs as a single unit through one unified procedure. This segmentation simplifies operator interaction while reducing management complexity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified upgrade procedure serves multiple PNFs simultaneously, making the upgrade mechanism universal rather than instance-specific. A single upgrade operation can be applied to any number of selected PNFs, eliminating the need for separate control procedures for each PNF and thereby reducing overall management complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
3Productivity
If multiple PNF instances are upgraded simultaneously, then upgrade efficiency improves, but upgrade complexity and coordination difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the complexity of managing multiple PNF upgrades into a single unified procedure. By combining all selected PNF upgrades into one atomic operation with a single entry and exit point, the system achieves high productivity through parallel processing while preventing complexity from multiplying. The unified structure ensures that all PNFs transition together, eliminating coordination overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a standardized upgrade template that can be copied and applied to multiple PNFs simultaneously. Instead of creating separate upgrade logic for each PNF, the system uses a universal upgrade procedure that copies the same validated logic across all selected instances, thereby achieving high efficiency without increasing procedural complexity.
4Reliability
If sequential upgrade of PNF instances is performed, then upgrade risk is contained, but total upgrade time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs all risk assessment and compatibility verification as preliminary actions before the unified upgrade execution. By pre-checking all selected PNFs against the upgrade version and validating the upgrade package in advance, the system ensures that the subsequent unified execution is safe and contained, maintaining reliability while enabling parallel processing for high throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by creating a unified upgrade procedure that acts as a protective container. This single procedure encapsulates all upgrade operations, ensuring that either all PNFs succeed together or all fail together, preventing partial failures that would occur in sequential upgrades. This cushioning approach maintains risk containment while enabling parallel execution for improved productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, system and apparatus to upgrade a plurality of network elements with a single procedure. The method including the selection of a network element group to be upgraded, obtaining a list of network element associated with the network element group, and performing a software upgrade to each of the network elements on the list of network elements within the network element group. The system having one or more processors and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to execute the method. The apparatus including a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to execute the method.