Network Function Decoupling for Scalable Cloud-Native Service Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies struggle to efficiently manage the association between Network Functions (NFs) and cloud-native services in 5G RANs, limiting flexibility and scalability, and there is a need for improved management of cloud-native services to facilitate fault, configuration, accounting, performance, and security (FCAPS).
Innovation Solution
A network node decouples NFs from cloud-native services, allowing them to be unaware of the underlying services, and orchestrates these services for automatic deployment, scaling, and healing, while exposing their interfaces to manage FCAPS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If NFs are tightly coupled with cloud-native services, then implementation is straightforward, but flexibility and scalability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coupling between NFs and cloud-native services by introducing an abstraction layer. The NF management entity can independently manage NF instances without being tightly bound to specific cloud-native service implementations, enabling flexible reconfiguration and scaling while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary abstraction layer between NFs and cloud-native services. This intermediary enables indirect management where NFs can be deployed, scaled, and configured without direct coupling to underlying service implementations, thereby improving flexibility while keeping the system manageable through standardized interfaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If NFs are tightly coupled with cloud-native services, then implementation is straightforward, but scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the NF lifecycle management from cloud-native service management, allowing independent scaling of NF instances. The abstraction layer enables multiple NF instances to be managed across different cloud-native service deployments without increasing association management complexity, as each NF can be independently instantiated and scaled.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal management interface that works across different cloud-native service implementations. The NF management entity can manage NF instances regardless of the underlying cloud-native service type, enabling scalable deployment across diverse service environments without increasing management complexity through standardized universal operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If NFs are decoupled from cloud-native services, then flexibility and scalability are improved, but management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary abstraction layer that simplifies NF management despite decoupling from cloud-native services. This intermediary provides standardized interfaces and automated management capabilities, allowing operators to manage NFs flexibly across different service implementations without facing increased operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service capabilities where the NF management entity automatically handles service notifications and configuration updates. This automation reduces the operational burden on managers while maintaining flexibility, as the system self-configures and adapts without requiring complex manual intervention.
4Adaptability or versatility
If NFs are decoupled from cloud-native services, then scalability is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the NF management entity autonomously processes service notifications and manages NF lifecycle events. This automation enables scalable operations without increasing operational complexity, as the system automatically handles configuration, deployment, and scaling tasks without requiring complex manual procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes feedback mechanisms where service notifications from cloud-native services are automatically received and processed by the NF management entity. This feedback loop enables automated scaling and configuration adjustments based on actual service states, improving scalability while maintaining ease of operation through closed-loop automation rather than complex manual orchestration.
Data Source
AI summary
A network node modifies an association between the 3GPP defined Network Functions (NFs) and one or more cloud-native services thereby changing how those NFs are realized by the cloud-native services. To accomplish this, the node (200) “decouples” the NFs from the cloud-native services such that the NFs are unaware of the underlying cloud-native services that realize them and orchestrates the cloud-native services executing in the cloud that will realize those NFs. Additionally, the node automatically deploys, upgrades, scales, and heals the cloud-native services, as well as exposes the NFs and their interfaces, thereby facilitating the management of fault, configuration, accounting, performance, and security (FCAPS).