Radio Network Controller Upgrade Without Hardware Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio controller upgrade methods experience service interruptions and high hardware redundancy costs due to the dual plane configuration, which affects system reliability and increases annual service interruption time.
Innovation Solution
A method where a first Radio Network Controller (RNC) determines a secondary RNC with minimal load to switch control of a base station, allowing the secondary RNC to send a cell setup message and perform the upgrade, then switches back after the upgrade is complete, synchronizing configuration information and load sharing to ensure a hitless service without hardware redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dual plane configuration is used for hitless upgrade, then service continuity is improved, but hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual copying instead of physical hardware copying. A virtual standby plane is created through software virtualization, which can be rapidly instantiated without additional physical hardware. This virtual standby plane can take over services during upgrades, achieving service continuity while avoiding the cost of duplicating physical hardware components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes a single physical RNC serve multiple functions by implementing both active and standby capabilities in software. The same physical hardware can dynamically switch between providing active service and serving as a standby plane, eliminating the need for dedicated redundant hardware while maintaining service continuity during upgrades.
2Reliability
If dual plane configuration is used for hitless upgrade, then service reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated management of the active-standby plane switching through software control. The system automatically detects upgrade states, manages the virtual standby plane creation and activation, and handles the switching process without requiring complex manual configuration. This self-service approach reduces operational complexity while maintaining service reliability.
3Reliability
If rollback is required during upgrade, then service reliability is maintained, but interruption time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes a virtual standby plane before the upgrade process begins. This standby plane is prepared in advance with the necessary service configurations and can immediately take over if a rollback is required. By having the standby plane ready beforehand, the system can execute rollback operations quickly without the time penalty of creating standby infrastructure during the rollback process.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention belongs to the field of communications technologies, and discloses a radio controller upgrade method and a device. The method includes: determining, by a first radio controller RNC to be upgraded, a second RNC from multiple secondary homing RNCs, where the first RNC provides a service for a base station, and the multiple secondary homing RNCs maintain transmission links with the base station; switching, by the first RNC, control over the base station to the second RNC, so that the second RNC sends a cell setup message to the base station according to a cell parameter configured on the second RNC, so that the base station switches control over an established cell to the second RNC; and when the control over the cell established by the base station is switched to the second RNC, performing, by the first RNC, an upgrade procedure. In the present invention, another RNC can continue to provide a service in an upgrade process, and a hitless service is ensured in the upgrade process without hardware redundancy configuration. In addition, because quick switching consumes a short time, an annual interruption time of a service of an RNC is reduced, and system reliability is improved.