5G O-RAN FM and PM Microservice Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of 5G O-RAN implementations, Fault Management (FM) and Performance Management (PM) microservices often face load issues, leading to delayed processing of critical events and statistics, which can impact overall user experience and network reliability.
Innovation Solution
The integration of standby FM MS functionality into PM MS and standby PM MS functionality into FM MS allows for load balancing, where the standby microservice takes over processing duties when the active microservice is overloaded, ensuring timely processing of events and statistics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Fault Management (FM) and Performance Management (PM) microservices operate independently with separate processing capacities, then each microservice can process events and statistics independently, but load issues in one microservice cause delayed processing and reduce overall system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the standby processing capacities of FM and PM microservices into each other's functionality. Specifically, the standby FM MS functionality is integrated into PM MS, and standby PM MS functionality is integrated into FM MS. This allows either microservice to handle events from the other when overloaded, eliminating processing delays while maintaining architectural simplicity through functional integration rather than structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Each microservice is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating standby capabilities of the other microservice. The FM MS can perform both fault management and performance management functions, while the PM MS can perform both performance management and fault management functions. This universal design ensures that either microservice can compensate for the other's overload conditions, improving system reliability without requiring separate dedicated standby instances
2Reliability
If additional standby microservice instances are deployed to handle load issues, then processing capacity and reliability improve, but system resources and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of deploying separate standby instances for both FM and PM microservices, the patent merges the standby functionalities into each other. The standby FM MS functionality is integrated into PM MS, and standby PM MS functionality is integrated into FM MS. This mutual integration provides backup capacity without requiring additional independent standby instances, thus improving reliability while avoiding increased quantity of microservice instances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality where each microservice can operate in multiple roles: the FM MS can handle both fault management events and performance management statistics, while the PM MS can handle both performance management statistics and fault management events. This universal capability allows the system to maintain adequate processing capacity with fewer instances by having each instance capable of performing multiple functions
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for load balancing of a Fault Management (FM) microservice (MS) and a Performance Management (PM) MS in a Network Function (NF) are provided. The method includes: determining whether there is a load issue in a first microservice (MS), the first MS being one of the FM and the PM MS; based on determining that there is the load issue, providing data, reported by at least one other MS for the first MS, to a second MS, the second MS being the other of the FM, and PM MS; and processing, by the second MS, the data and reporting, from the second MS to a northbound management system (NBMS), the processed data, wherein the FM MS is configured to receive the event data from the at least one MS, and the PM MS is configured to receive the performance data from the at least one MS.