Network Element Message Tracking for Fault Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In communications networks serving a large number of users, identifying and locating network faults quickly is challenging due to the difficulty in determining affected users from service indicator changes, leading to delayed fault resolution and reduced network usability.

Innovation Solution

A message processing method where a network element sets a tracking feature related to a fault phenomenon, matching processed messages with this feature to select and report signaling messages from affected users, allowing for quicker analysis and rectification of network faults without requiring specific user identifiers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If user tracking is established by obtaining specific user identifiers after service indicator changes, then fault location accuracy is improved, but fault detection time increases and network usability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault location accuracyVSAvoidfault detection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring tracking features and rules in the network element before faults occur. When service indicator changes are detected, the system automatically matches current signaling messages against these pre-set tracking features to identify affected users, eliminating the time-consuming process of manually obtaining user identifiers after faults occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring service indicators and automatically adjusting tracking operations. When service indicator changes are detected, the system feeds back this information to the message processing unit, which then automatically initiates tracking of affected users based on pre-configured rules, creating a closed-loop fault detection system that reduces both detection time and manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If manual user identifier tracking is used to locate network faults, then specific fault causes can be identified, but the complexity of fault detection operations increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault identification accuracyVSAvoidfault rectification efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The network element performs self-service by automatically detecting service indicator changes, matching signaling messages against pre-configured tracking features, and identifying affected users without external intervention. The system autonomously completes the entire fault detection process from monitoring to user identification, eliminating manual operations and significantly improving fault rectification efficiency while maintaining accurate fault identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated electronic processing. Instead of operators manually obtaining user identifiers and establishing tracking, the system uses automated message processing units to match signaling messages against pre-configured tracking features using electronic algorithms, substituting manual mechanical processes with efficient electronic automation that improves both productivity and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If conventional user tracking is established after obtaining user identifiers, then specific affected users can be tracked, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase due to manual intervention requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaffected user identification accuracyVSAvoidfault detection operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Tracking features and matching rules are pre-configured in the network element before faults occur. When service indicator changes are detected, the system automatically matches current signaling messages against these pre-set features to identify affected users, eliminating the need for manual user identifier input and tracking establishment, thereby significantly improving operational ease while maintaining accurate affected user identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3151480B1Message processing method and device
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3151480B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3151480B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3151480B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a message processing method and apparatus, and relate to the field of communications technologies. The method includes: comparing a message feature of a currently processed message with a specified tracking feature; determining a user corresponding to the message as a target user when determining that the message feature matches the tracking feature; and reporting a signaling message of the target user to a network management server. In the present invention, a network fault is quickly located, and network connection efficiency is improved.