NPN Server Selection for UE Authentication and Subscription Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an efficient method to detect and select a server for user equipment (UE) authentication and subscription data transmission in a non-public network (NPN) to support various services in environments such as factories, schools, and companies using their own networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for detecting and selecting a server for UE authentication and subscription data transmission in a non-public network (NPN) using a default credential server (DCS) to allocate a unique UE ID and default UE credentials, and a provisioning server (PS) to transmit subscription data, with the UE using a network access identifier (NAI) to identify and authenticate with the DCS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a non-public network is deployed to provide various services in factories, schools, and companies, then service versatility and network autonomy are improved, but the complexity of server detection and selection for UE authentication increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Non-Public Network Information Management Function (NPM-IMF) as an intermediary entity that centralizes the management of server information for multiple Non-Public Networks (NPNs). This mediator stores and provides NPN-specific server information to User Equipment (UE), simplifying the server detection and selection process. Instead of UEs independently discovering servers across multiple NPNs, the NPM-IMF acts as a centralized repository that UEs can query, thereby reducing the complexity of server detection while maintaining service versatility across different NPN deployments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple servers are deployed for different NPNs to support various services, then service coverage and adaptability are improved, but the difficulty of detecting and selecting the appropriate server increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the Non-Public Network Information Management Function (NPM-IMF) provides NPN-specific server information to User Equipment (UE) based on queries. When a UE needs to connect to an NPN, it queries the NPM-IMF which then returns the appropriate server information. This feedback loop eliminates the need for UEs to independently discover and detect servers across multiple NPNs, significantly reducing the difficulty of server detection while maintaining comprehensive service coverage across different NPN deployments.
3Reliability
If UE authentication and subscription data transmission are performed in NPNs, then network security and data reliability are improved, but the device complexity for managing authentication servers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the authentication and server management functions by introducing a dedicated Non-Public Network Information Management Function (NPM-IMF) that handles NPN-specific server information separately from the core authentication processes. This segmentation allows the authentication servers to focus solely on security functions while the NPM-IMF manages the complexity of server information storage and retrieval. By dividing these responsibilities, the system maintains high network security through dedicated authentication servers while reducing the overall device complexity through specialized information management.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to: a communication technique merging IoT technology with a 5G communication system for supporting a data transmission rate higher than that of a 4G system; and a system therefor. The present disclosure can be applied to intelligent services (for example, smart homes, smart buildings, smart cities, smart cars or connected cars, healthcare, digital education, retail, security- and safety-related services, and the like) on the basis of 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology. A terminal in a wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention can select a server of an onboarding stand-alone non-public network (SNPN).