5G Transport QoS via DSCP Tagging in NRF
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G networks face challenges in providing quality of service (QoS) due to the need for layer 7 support in intermediate nodes, which is not feasible for layer 3/4 devices like routers, leading to undifferentiated traffic handling and potential delays during congestion, especially for network slices requiring ultra-low latency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that uses the differentiated services code point (DSCP) value at the network layer to provide transport QoS, where a centralized network function repository (NRF) sets custom policies to tag network layer packets with appropriate DSCP values, enabling intermediate routers to differentiate and prioritize traffic based on predefined policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If layer 7 priority mechanism (3GPP-SBI-message-priority HTTP header) is used to provide message priority, then message level and stream level priority can be enforced, but intermediate layer 3/4 devices like routers cannot support this mechanism as it requires layer 7 processing capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension by mapping application layer (layer 7) priority requirements to network layer (layer 3) QoS parameters. The NRF translates 3GPP-SBI-message-priority values into DSCP codes that can be carried in IP headers, enabling priority propagation through layer 3/4 devices that cannot process layer 7 headers.
Solution Approach 2:
The NRF acts as an intermediary between the service-based interface priority mechanism and the transport network QoS mechanism. It receives service discovery requests containing priority information, translates this into appropriate DSCP values, and provides them back to the consumer NF, enabling end-to-end priority without requiring intermediate nodes to support layer 7 processing.
2Ease of manufacture
If all 5G messages are treated the same by intermediate routers at layers 3 and 4, then router implementation is simpler, but traffic differentiation and priority handling during congestion cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling selective priority treatment only for specific 5G messages that require it, while maintaining standard treatment for other traffic. The DSCP marking mechanism allows routers to differentiate and prioritize specific traffic flows based on the marked packets without requiring complex processing of all traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the QoS parameter from application layer HTTP headers to network layer DSCP codes. This parameter change enables standard routers to handle priority traffic using their existing IP header processing capabilities, maintaining implementation simplicity while achieving traffic differentiation through the DSCP field in IP packets.
3Reliability
If layer 7 parsing is implemented in intermediate nodes to support priority mechanisms, then message priority can be enforced, but additional processing overhead impacts performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical process of layer 7 header parsing with a simpler network layer operation. Instead of requiring routers to parse and process HTTP/2 headers and custom HTTP extensions, the solution uses DSCP marking at the IP layer, which routers can handle using their standard packet forwarding mechanisms without additional processing overhead.
4Adaptability or versatility
If DSCP values are used at the network layer to provide transport QoS, then intermediate routers can differentiate and prioritize traffic, but requires policy configuration and mapping between application layer priority and network layer QoS
Solution Approach 1:
The NRF provides self-service by automatically translating service discovery request information into appropriate DSCP markings. The system configures itself by maintaining mappings between service identifiers and QoS requirements, automatically applying the correct DSCP values to traffic flows based on service type and priority level, reducing manual policy configuration complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for enabling 5G transport quality of service (QoS) includes receiving a service discovery request from a consumer network function (NF) or service communications proxy (SCR). The method further includes accessing a 5G transport QoS policy database and determining that a 5G transport QoS policy applies to the service discovery request. The method further includes, in response to determining that a 5G transport QoS policy applies to the discovery request, generating a service discovery response message and inserting a network layer QoS value for implementing the policy in the service discovery response message. The method further includes transmitting the service discovery response message to the consumer NF or SCR.