Remote UPF Deployment Through Vendor-Independent Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
5G core networks face complexity and inefficiency due to proprietary methods and interfaces used by different vendors for configuring and controlling user plane functions (UPFs), leading to management difficulties and inefficient use of control plane resources.
Innovation Solution
A vendor-independent remote UPF deployment and control function (RUDCF) that automates the deployment, configuration, testing, and availability of UPFs, using a standardized service-based interface to manage UPFs from multiple vendors, including simulated and live network testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary configuration and control interfaces are used for each vendor's UPF, then vendor-specific functionality is achieved, but network complexity increases and management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote UPF deployment and control function (RUDCF) as an intermediary component that sits between the control plane and multi-vendor UPFs. This RUDCF acts as a universal translator and manager that handles the complexity of multiple proprietary interfaces internally, presenting a simplified standardized interface to the control plane while maintaining full vendor-specific functionality through its internal multi-protocol support capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vendor-specific extensions to the N4 interface are supported, then compatibility with different UPF vendors is achieved, but control plane resource efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal N4 interface extension mechanism within the RUDCF that can handle multiple vendor-specific protocols and extensions through a single standardized interface. The RUDCF internally maintains multiple protocol stacks and translation layers that enable it to communicate with different UPF vendors using their respective proprietary extensions, while presenting a unified standardized interface to the control plane, thereby eliminating the need for the control plane to maintain multiple separate interface implementations.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual configuration and testing of UPFs is performed, then configuration accuracy is maintained, but deployment time and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated configuration and testing capabilities within the RUDCF that enable self-service deployment of UPFs. The system automatically receives UPF descriptions, validates configurations against predefined templates, applies necessary settings, and executes testing procedures without requiring manual intervention. This automation maintains configuration accuracy through systematic validation while dramatically increasing deployment speed by eliminating manual configuration steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates simulated testing functionality that performs preliminary validation of UPF configurations before actual deployment. The system creates virtual test environments that replicate production network conditions and automatically executes test cases to verify configuration correctness, packet forwarding behavior, and resource allocation. This preliminary testing prevents configuration errors from reaching production while maintaining rapid deployment cycles through automated test execution.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that includes providing, by a processing system including a processor, a controller function for a user plane function (UPF) of a communication network; the controller function facilitates automated procedures for authentication, deployment, configuration, testing, and/or controlling availability of the UPF, independent of a source of the UPF. The method also includes providing, by the processing system, an interface to facilitate communication between the controller function and the UPF; the controller function uses the interface to facilitate the procedures. Other embodiments are disclosed.