Network Function Subscription Switching for Data Change Notifications
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems lack an efficient mechanism to determine the optimal direct or indirect subscription mechanism for network function service producers and consumers, leading to suboptimal resource utilization and communication inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for determining and signaling the optimal direct or indirect subscription mechanism for network function service producers and consumers, utilizing network analytics functions to assess load and preference, and enabling both direct and indirect signaling mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a network element sends a notification for every data change in a data storage component, then the subscriber receives timely updates, but the network traffic and processing load increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the network element send a single notification upon data storage component instantiation, before any data changes occur. This allows the subscriber to proactively query for changes using a subscription identifier rather than receiving continuous push notifications, reducing network traffic while maintaining timely update capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a subscription identifier as an intermediary mechanism. Instead of direct notification-push architecture, the system uses the subscription identifier as a mediator that enables the subscriber to query changes efficiently. This intermediary reduces the overhead of continuous notification mechanisms while ensuring subscribers receive all relevant data changes.
2Loss of information
If the network element monitors all data changes in the data storage component, then complete data change information is provided to subscribers, but the processing load and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the monitoring function from the network element by allowing the subscriber to actively query for changes using the subscription identifier. Instead of the network element continuously monitoring and tracking all data changes, the responsibility is transferred to the subscriber who queries using the provided subscription identifier, reducing the network element's processing load and system complexity while maintaining complete data change information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the subscription identifier as a copy or reference to the data storage component rather than maintaining a direct monitoring connection. This identifier acts as a lightweight copy that enables subscribers to query changes without requiring the network element to maintain complex monitoring state, reducing system complexity while ensuring complete data change information is provided.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple subscribers receive notifications for the same data changes, then all subscribers are kept informed, but redundant network traffic is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by sending a single notification to each subscriber upon data storage component instantiation, providing them with a subscription identifier. This allows multiple subscribers to independently query for changes using their own identifiers rather than generating redundant notification traffic, maintaining comprehensive subscriber coverage while improving network traffic efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The subscription identifier serves as a unique intermediary for each subscriber's query requests. Instead of the network element managing multiple notification streams to different subscribers, each subscriber uses their unique identifier as a mediator to efficiently query changes, reducing redundant network traffic while ensuring all subscribers receive complete data change information.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
There is provided an apparatus, method, and computer program for an apparatus for a network function service producer, that causes the apparatus to: determine whether a direct or an indirect subscription mechanism is optimal for the network function service producer, and signal an indication of the determined optimal subscription mechanism to a network function.