NRF Registration for Legacy Network Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Service provider network elements that do not support the NRF network element registration interface in existing technologies require high-cost upgrades to meet registration requirements.
Innovation Solution
A network element registration method and system where the NRF receives a registration request from an extra-domain service provider network element, allocates a unique instance ID, and supports both automatic and manual registration, allowing for manual configuration without requiring the network element to support the NRF registration interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If service provider network elements support the NRF registration interface, then network element management and service discovery are improved, but equipment upgrade cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network elements into two categories: NRF intra-domain service provider network elements that support the registration interface and NRF extra-domain service provider network elements that do not support it. This segmentation allows the system to manage different types of network elements differently, enabling legacy elements to be included without requiring expensive upgrades while maintaining proper management for elements that do support the interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal registration mechanism that works for both NRF intra-domain and extra-domain service provider network elements. By allocating different types of network element instance IDs (second instance ID for intra-domain, first instance ID for extra-domain), the system provides universal service discovery and management capabilities across diverse network element types without requiring them all to support the same interface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If legacy network elements are upgraded to support NRF registration interface, then service discovery capability is improved, but deployment complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network element population into segments based on their capability to support the NRF registration interface. This segmentation allows legacy network elements to be integrated into the service discovery system without requiring complex upgrade processes, thereby improving service discovery capability while avoiding increased deployment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The NRF acts as an intermediary that handles registration requests from both intra-domain and extra-domain service provider network elements. For extra-domain elements that cannot support the standard registration interface, the NRF provides alternative registration mechanisms, eliminating the need for complex upgrades at the network element level while maintaining service discovery capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A network element registration method and system, and a Network Function Repository Function (NRF) are disclosed. The network element registration method may include: receiving, by a Network Function Repository Function (NRF), a registration request of a NRF extra-domain service provider network element, the registration request includes service identification information of the NRF extra-domain service provider network element; and allocating, in response to the registration request, a first network element instance ID for the NRF extra-domain service provider network element, the first network element instance ID is different from a second network element instance ID allocated by the NRF for a NRF intra-domain service provider network element.