NRF HA Topology Distribution for 5G NF Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
3GPP standards do not provide a mechanism for network functions (NFs) to publish their high availability (HA) topology information in 5G networks, leading to sub-optimal load balancing and rerouting due to consumer NFs lacking necessary HA topology knowledge.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for distributing NF HA topology information through an NF repository function (NRF) that receives and stores HA topology information from producer NFs, and provides this information to consumer NFs or service communication proxies (SCPs) during service discovery and updates, enabling informed selection of active NFs for load balancing and rerouting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If 3GPP standards are used for NF service discovery, then service discovery functionality is provided, but HA topology information cannot be published or distributed to consumer NFs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service discovery response into multiple components: basic service information (existing in 3GPP standards) and HA topology information (newly added). The NRF separates NF instances into active and standby groups, publishing their respective service endpoints and HA roles independently, allowing consumer NFs to receive both service discovery data and topology information in a structured manner without disrupting existing protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having producer NFs register their HA topology information (including active/standby roles and service endpoints) with the NRF in advance through the NFRegister procedure. This pre-publication of topology data enables consumer NFs to make informed service selection decisions before actual service invocation, improving load balancing and failover capabilities without requiring real-time information exchange.
2Productivity
If consumer NFs do not have HA topology information, then service discovery is simpler, but load balancing and rerouting become sub-optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The NRF acts as an intermediary that collects, stores, and distributes HA topology information from producer NFs to consumer NFs during the service discovery process. Instead of requiring complex peer-to-peer communication between NFs for topology information exchange, the NRF centralizes this function, publishing topology data alongside service profiles. This mediator approach enables consumer NFs to obtain both service discovery and topology information through a single standardized interface, improving load balancing efficiency without significantly increasing process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the NRF continuously updates consumer NFs about changes in HA topology information. When producer NF instances are added, removed, or change their HA roles (active/standby), the NRF detects these changes and republishes updated service profiles and topology information. This real-time feedback loop ensures consumer NFs always have current topology data for optimal service selection, dynamic load balancing, and automatic rerouting decisions.
3Measurement precision
If HA topology information is published to all NFs, then routing accuracy improves, but network communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the NRF multi-functional by combining its existing service discovery function with a new topology information publication function. The same NFRegister, NFDiscover, and NFUpdate procedures used for service profile management are extended to handle HA topology information. This universal approach allows a single network entity to fulfill both service discovery and topology distribution roles, improving routing accuracy through centralized information management while avoiding the need for additional dedicated communication channels or protocols that would increase overhead.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for distributing network function (NF) high availability (HA) topology information in a core network includes, at an NF repository function (NRF) including at least one processor, receiving, from a plurality of producer NFs in an NF set, NFRegister requests including NF HA topology information for the producer NFs. The method further includes registering the producer NFs and storing the NF HA topology information for the producer NFs. The method further includes receiving, from a consumer NF or service communication proxy (SCP), an NFDiscover request containing at least one service discovery parameter that corresponds to a service provided by the producer NFs. The method further includes responding to the NFDiscover request by generating an NFDiscover response, including, in the NFDiscover response, the NF HA topology information for the producer NFs, and transmitting the NFDiscover response to the consumer NF or SCP.