NF Profile Configuration for Inter-PLMN Discovery Ambiguity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G networks, the ambiguity in requester Network Function (NF) types during N9 home routing (N9HR) roaming leads to rejection of discovery requests, as 3GPP specifications do not mandate a specific requester NF type, causing interoperability issues between different 5G networks.
Innovation Solution
Configuring and registering a profile of 5G network NFs to support multiple requester NF types, including the Network Repository Function (NRF), allowing discovery by requests specifying NRF or consumer NF types, thereby increasing interoperability between HPLMN and VPLMN.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a specific requester NF type is mandated in discovery requests, then interoperability and reliability are improved, but flexibility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The NF profile is enhanced to include an 'allowed NF types' field that lists multiple requester NF types (e.g., NRF, AMF, SMF) that are permitted to discover this NF. This allows a single NF to be discoverable by multiple different requester types, making the system more universal and adaptable while maintaining reliability through explicit authorization lists.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter structure of the NF profile by adding the 'allowed NF types' parameter. This parameter dynamically specifies which requester NF types are authorized to discover the target NF, allowing the system to adapt to different requester types without mandating a single specific type, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple requester NF types are supported, then adaptability and interoperability are improved, but complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By making the NF profile universal through the addition of the 'allowed NF types' field, the system can handle multiple requester types without creating separate profile structures for each type. This single enhanced profile structure serves multiple functions, reducing overall system complexity while improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention maintains homogeneity in the NF profile structure by using a standardized 'allowed NF types' field that works uniformly across all NFs. This consistent approach across different NF types simplifies the overall system architecture compared to having heterogeneous profile structures for different requester types.
3Adaptability or versatility
If NF profiles are configured to support multiple requester types, then interoperability between HPLMN and VPLMN is improved, but information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enhanced NF profile with 'allowed NF types' serves as a universal configuration that works across different PLMNs and requester types. This single configuration approach enables inter-PLMN interoperability without requiring separate configuration mechanisms for different scenarios, thus managing complexity while improving adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments, systems and methods disclosed herein can configure a profile of at least one NF of a 5G network to support a plurality of requester NF types, including the type of network repository function (NRF). The NF profile can be registered with the NRF of the 5G network. Such NF profile configurations and registrations enable the at least one NF to be discovered by discovery requests that use NRF or a consumer NF type as the requester NF type, thus increasing interoperability between the HPMN and roaming partners that use different requested NF types in their NF discovery requests.