Network Twin Instance Copying for Continuous Sync and Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The synchronization between a network twin instance and a physical network often deviates during simulation and verification tasks, leading to reduced simulation service accuracy and efficiency, as the network twin instance is resynchronized only after the simulation is completed.

Innovation Solution

A method for creating a second network twin instance based on a first instance, keeping it synchronized with the physical network, and managing its lifecycle to ensure timely synchronization and resource efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the network twin instance is continuously synchronized with the physical network during simulation tasks, then the synchronization accuracy is maintained, but the simulation service efficiency is reduced due to resource conflicts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidsimulation service efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network twin instance into two separate instances: a first network twin instance dedicated to simulation services and a second network twin instance dedicated to synchronization with the physical network. This segmentation allows both simulation and synchronization operations to proceed simultaneously without interfering with each other, thus maintaining synchronization accuracy while preserving simulation service efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the network twin instance (the second instance) that mirrors the structure and data of the first instance. This copy is specifically used for synchronization operations with the physical network, allowing the original first instance to continue providing simulation services without interruption or performance degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Loss of energy

If the network twin instance is resynchronized only after simulation completion, then resource consumption is reduced, but the service response time increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource consumptionVSAvoidservice response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs synchronization actions in advance by maintaining a dedicated second network twin instance that continuously synchronizes with the physical network. This preliminary synchronization ensures that when simulation services need current network data, it is already available in the second instance, eliminating waiting time and improving service response without increasing overall resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single network twin instance is used for both simulation and synchronization, then device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of simultaneous operations is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstance management complexityVSAvoidsimultaneous operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single network twin instance into two separate instances with distinct responsibilities: the first instance for simulation services and the second instance for synchronization with the physical network. This segmentation eliminates conflicts between simultaneous operations, ensuring reliability while managing complexity through clear functional separation and standardized instance management mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4686174A1Network twin instance management method and apparatus, system, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4686174A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4686174A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4686174A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This application discloses a network twin management method, apparatus, and system, and a storage medium. In this application, a network management service consumer entity sends first request information to a network management service provider entity, where the first request information is for requesting the network management service provider entity to create a network twin for a physical network. The network management service provider entity creates a second network twin of the physical network based on a first network twin of the physical network in response to the first request information, and sends an identifier of the second network twin to the network management service consumer entity. Creating the second network twin of the physical network improves a network twin using manner and improves execution efficiency.