Network Function Proxy Signaling Interception
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G networks, the communication proxy is not in the signaling path between network functions (NFs), which limits its ability to provide interworking, mediation, and other benefits, as NFs are registered directly onto the Network Function Repository Function (NRF) without interception, negating the advantages of having a centralized point of contact.
Innovation Solution
Introducing a Network Function Proxy (NF Proxy) that acts as a transparent proxy for the NRF, intercepts and influences interactions between NFs and NRFs by updating the NF profile during registration, adding a token identifier to service identifiers, and maintaining a mapping between the token and service instances, ensuring the NF Proxy is in the signaling path and can manipulate service details.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If network functions are registered directly onto the Network Function Repository Function without interception, then the registration process is simple and direct, but the communication proxy cannot provide interworking, mediation, and centralized point of contact benefits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication proxy as an intermediary component between network functions and the NRF. The proxy intercepts registration requests, modifies profiles by adding communication endpoint information, and forwards them to the NRF. This mediator approach enables centralized control and enhanced functionality while maintaining the simplicity of direct registration for network functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a communication proxy is introduced to intercept and influence interactions between NFs and NRFs, then interworking, mediation, and centralized point of contact benefits are achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the registration and service interaction process into distinct phases: network functions register with the proxy, the proxy processes and enriches profiles with communication endpoint information, and the NRF stores and manages service discovery. This segmentation allows the proxy to provide enhanced functionality without requiring all components to understand the full system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication proxy acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of interworking and mediation centrally. By concentrating proxy functionality in a dedicated component rather than distributing it across all network functions, the system achieves enhanced adaptability while managing complexity in a controlled manner.
3Productivity
If the NF Proxy updates the NF profile by adding token identifier and modifying service identifiers, then service discovery and consumption efficiency is improved, but the profile processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The NF Proxy performs preliminary actions by updating NF profiles with communication endpoint information and token identifiers during the registration phase, before actual service discovery and consumption occur. This advance preparation enables efficient service discovery and consumption later, as the NRF already contains enriched profile information without requiring complex real-time processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, non-transitory program storage devices, and methods to implement a network function proxy are described. An example apparatus includes at least one non-transitory memory including computer program code configured with at least one processor to cause the apparatus to perform updating a profile including data associated with a producer network function in response to a registration request of the producer network function by adding a token identifier to a service identifier associated with a service of the producer network function, forwarding the updated profile to a network function repository function, wherein at least one internet protocol address is updated so that a proxy function is an endpoint for use of the service, storing and maintaining a mapping between the token identifier and the service of the producer network function, and providing the updated profile to a consumer network function in response to a discovery request for the service.