Network Function Fallback to Recovered NRF in 5G
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G communications networks, there is no mechanism for network functions (NFs) to fall back to a recovered Network Function Repository Function (NRF) after it has failed, leading to inefficient communication with a secondary NRF, which can result in increased latency and sub-optimal resource management.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow NFs to detect the failure of a primary NRF and initiate communication with a geo-redundant mate, while also enabling notification of the NRF's recovery, allowing the NF to fall back to using the recovered primary NRF, utilizing a notify-on-recovery header or information element and maintaining a database with priority records for NRFs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an NF communicates with a secondary NRF after the primary NRF fails, then the NF maintains service availability, but latency increases and resource management becomes sub-optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the primary NRF sends a notify-on-recovery indication to the NF when it recovers from failure. This feedback enables the NF to automatically switch back to the primary NRF, optimizing latency and resource management while maintaining service availability throughout the failure and recovery cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the NRF communication path based on the operational status of the primary NRF. The NF can switch between primary and secondary NRFs, and automatically return to the primary NRF upon recovery, creating a dynamic fault-tolerant architecture that optimizes performance while ensuring availability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If an NF continues to use a secondary NRF after the primary NRF recovers, then service continuity is maintained, but network resource management becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The primary NRF provides feedback to the NF through a notify-on-recovery indication, enabling the NF to automatically switch back to the primary NRF. This feedback mechanism ensures service continuity while optimizing resource management by returning traffic to the preferred primary NRF when it becomes available again.
Solution Approach 2:
The system temporarily discards the primary NRF connection during failure, using the secondary NRF as a backup. Upon recovery, the system recovers the primary connection by automatically switching back, ensuring both service continuity and optimal resource utilization.
3Device complexity
If no recovery notification mechanism is implemented, then the system structure remains simple, but the NF cannot fall back to the recovered primary NRF
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a lightweight feedback mechanism where the primary NRF sends a notify-on-recovery indication to the NF. This simple notification enables automatic fallback capability without requiring complex monitoring or polling systems, achieving an optimal balance between system complexity and functional capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing for network function (NF) fallback to a recovered network function NF repository function (NRF) includes, at an NF including at least one processor, generating an NF register message including an indication to notify the NF of recovery of a first NRF after a failure of the first NRF. The method further includes transmitting the NF register message to the first NRF. The method further includes communicating with the first NRF and detecting failure of the first NRF. The method further includes, in response to detecting failure of the first NRF, initiating communications with a second NRF that is a geo-redundant mate of the first NRF. The method further includes receiving notification of recovery of the first NRF and falling back to communicating with the first NRF.