Network Node URI Generation for Roaming Service Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing communication networks, gateway nodes like Security Edge Protection Proxies (SEPPs) face challenges in handling service requests over roaming interfaces, requiring dynamic mapping tables that are costly to maintain and difficult to purge, due to the lack of clear duration for stored data.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating and appending Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) by network nodes to address information within the NF profile instead of using mapping tables, enabling topology hiding and reducing the need for redundant storage by encrypting and appending addresses directly to the URI path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic mapping tables are used in gateway nodes for handling service requests over roaming interfaces, then service routing capability is improved, but device complexity and storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mapping table functionality from the gateway node by implementing service discovery and address resolution directly at the network function level. The NF service consumer obtains service instance addresses through NF discovery service without requiring the gateway node to maintain dynamic mapping tables, thereby reducing gateway node complexity while preserving service routing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the NF discovery service universal by enabling it to handle service discovery for roaming scenarios as well as domestic scenarios. The NF service consumer can obtain service instance addresses through the same NF discovery service mechanism regardless of whether the service producer is in the same network or a roaming network, eliminating the need for separate mapping table mechanisms in gateway nodes.
2Ease of operation
If dynamic mapping tables are maintained in gateway nodes, then service request forwarding is enabled, but storage costs and data management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the NF service consumer to autonomously obtain service instance addresses through NF discovery service. The service consumer directly queries the NF repository function to get the current address of the service producer without requiring the gateway node to store or manage mapping information, thereby eliminating storage requirements while maintaining service request forwarding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the NF service consumer perform service discovery and obtain the service instance address before initiating service requests. The address is obtained in advance through NF discovery service, eliminating the need for the gateway node to maintain dynamic mapping tables for address resolution, thus reducing storage requirements while enabling seamless service request forwarding.
3Reliability
If mapping tables are used for topology hiding, then security is improved, but data management difficulty increases due to unknown data retention duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by instead of having the gateway node hide topology through mapping tables, the service consumer directly obtains the service instance address from the NF repository function. The NF profile contains the current address information, and the service consumer uses this information directly, eliminating the need for gateway nodes to manage topology hiding data while maintaining security through the service-based architecture's inherent protection mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a first network node in a communications network, for handling Network Function (NF) service requests over a roaming interface. The first network node is arranged in a service producer domain of the communications network. The first network node obtains, from a second network node located in a service consumer domain of the communications network, a discovery request for a service located in the service producer domain of the communications network. The first network node retrieves an address of a NF service producer node providing the requested service, wherein the NF service producer node is located in the service producer domain of the communications network. The first network node generates a first Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) by appending an address of the first network node to the address of the NF service producer node. The first network node provides, to the second network node, the first URI.