NRF Profile Update Optimization via Checksum Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G telecommunications networks, geo-redundant NRF deployments lead to unnecessary exchange of NF profile updates when one NRF fails, causing inefficient network bandwidth utilization due to the lack of mechanism to determine if the secondary NRF has the latest or stale NF profiles.

Innovation Solution

Implementing intelligent NF profile updating by using checksums to determine if NF profiles have changed, where the secondary NRF sends a 204 No Content message with a checksum instead of a full profile update, allowing NFs to decide if an update is necessary based on local and received checksum comparison.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the secondary NRF requests full NF profile updates for each NF after a geo-redundant mate fails, then the secondary NRF ensures it has the latest NF profiles, but network bandwidth is wasted due to unnecessary updates of unchanged profiles

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNF profile data accuracyVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential identification information (NF instance ID and profile data modification detection value) from the complete NF profile, allowing the secondary NRF to verify profile status without transmitting full profile data. This selective extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through accurate profile tracking while minimizing bandwidth consumption by transmitting only critical verification data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by having the secondary NRF send heart-beat requests with only the NF instance ID and profile data modification detection value, rather than requesting complete NF profiles. This partial approach is sufficient to determine whether updates are needed, avoiding the excessive action of transmitting full profiles when changes have not occurred, thus optimizing bandwidth utilization while ensuring data accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Productivity

If the secondary NRF receives NF profiles from the failed NRF's database, then it can immediately serve NFs, but it cannot distinguish between updated and non-updated profiles without additional verification

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNRF service recovery speedVSAvoidprofile update verification mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the secondary NRF with the NF profiles database from the failed NRF before actual NF service requests arrive. This allows the secondary NRF to immediately begin serving NFs without waiting for profile synchronization, thus improving productivity. The verification mechanism complexity is managed by using a straightforward comparison approach with profile data modification detection values.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through the heart-beat request mechanism where NFs provide their current profile data modification detection values, which the secondary NRF compares against its local database. This feedback loop enables the secondary NRF to identify which profiles need updates without requiring complex verification protocols, balancing productivity improvement with acceptable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If NFs send complete profile updates to the secondary NRF, then the secondary NRF has accurate profile data, but network traffic congestion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNF profile data accuracyVSAvoidnetwork traffic volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the critical profile data modification detection value from complete NF profiles for transmission during heart-beat requests. This selective extraction maintains reliability by enabling accurate verification of profile changes while dramatically reducing network traffic volume compared to transmitting complete profiles for every update verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter being transmitted from complete profile data to a condensed profile data modification detection value. This parameter transformation maintains the ability to verify profile accuracy while reducing the quantity of network traffic, as the detection value is a compact representation sufficient for change verification without containing the full profile payload.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11563638B1Methods, systems, and computer readable media for optimizing network bandwidth utilization through intelligent updating of network function (NF) profiles with NF repository function

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 ORACLE INT CORP

AI summary

A method for optimizing network bandwidth utilization through intelligent updating of network function (NF) profiles includes, at an NF repository function (NRF), receiving, from a first NF that previously communicated with a failed geo-redundant mate of the NRF as primary, an NF heart-beat request message. The method further includes locating an NF profile for the first NF in an NF profiles database maintained by the NRF. The method further includes computing an NF profile data modification detection value for the NF profile. The method further includes transmitting the NF profile data modification detection value to the first NF.