Relay Agent for Consistent Server Discovery in SIP Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication network architectures face issues where terminal equipment and network control elements may select different Proxy-Call State Control Function (P-CSCF) servers using different discovery mechanisms, leading to mismatches that prevent successful SIP session establishment.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism is introduced where a relay agent element ensures that all terminal types send registration messages to the same server/proxy selected by the network control element, using a first discovery procedure's address information, even if they employ a different discovery mechanism, such as PDP context based or DHCP based discovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If terminal equipment uses different discovery mechanisms (PDP context based or DHCP based) to select a server, then the terminal can successfully establish connection, but the selected server may differ from the one selected by the network control element, causing server mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay agent element as an intermediary component that mediates between the terminal equipment and the P-CSCF. This relay agent receives the selected server address from the network control element and ensures the terminal uses the same server, thereby resolving the server mismatch issue while preserving the terminal's ability to use different discovery mechanisms.
2Productivity
If the network control element and terminal equipment use different discovery procedures to select servers, then both can independently complete their selection, but server mismatch occurs preventing successful SIP session establishment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network control element provides the selected server address information to the relay agent element, which then ensures the terminal uses the same server. This feedback loop aligns the terminal's server selection with the network control element's selection, ensuring successful SIP session establishment while maintaining efficient independent selection processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism to ensure that the same server/proxy is selected by different server/proxy discovery mechanisms executed in a network control element and a terminal equipment, respectively. A first selection of a server/proxy is executed by a network control element on the basis of a first discovery procedure. Then, a second selection of a server/proxy is started by a terminal equipment on the basis of a second discovery procedure. A relay agent element is used for responding to the request on behalf of a configuration server or for modifying a configuration server response so that the same server/proxy is selected by the network control element and the terminal equipment.