Root NRF Topology Access for Multi-Circle SCP Learning

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G telecommunications networks, service communication proxies (SCPs) face inefficiencies in learning network topology information across multiple circles, leading to increased resource strain and network traffic due to the need to query and subscribe to each circle Network Function Repository Function (NRF), especially in hierarchical deployments.

Innovation Solution

A root NRF is introduced to provide a one-stop network topology access interface, allowing SCPs to learn network topologies by storing NF instance identifiers, facilitating direct communication with circle NRFs, and managing subscription and retrieval requests on behalf of SCPs, reducing the need for individual circle NRF interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If each circle SCP queries and subscribes to each circle NRF to obtain network topology information, then the SCP can learn complete network topology, but the resource strain and network traffic increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork topology information completenessVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The root NRF acts as an intermediary between circle SCPs and circle NRFs. Instead of circle SCPs directly querying multiple circle NRFs, they query the root NRF which then triggers the appropriate circle NRFs to provide topology information. This mediator approach reduces the number of direct interactions required while maintaining information completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple topology information sources into a unified access point (the root NRF). The root NRF aggregates topology information from multiple circle NRFs and provides it through a single interface, merging what would otherwise require multiple separate queries into one consolidated interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of information

If each circle SCP queries and subscribes to each circle NRF, then the SCP can learn network topology from other circles, but the complexity of connectivity management increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork topology information completenessVSAvoidconnectivity management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The root NRF serves as a central coordinator that manages all connectivity relationships between circle SCPs and circle NRFs. This single point of management simplifies connectivity configuration, as the root NRF handles the complexity of establishing and maintaining multiple connections internally while presenting a simple interface to external SCPs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If the SCP directly interacts with multiple circle NRFs to obtain topology information, then the SCP can retrieve complete network data, but the latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork topology information completenessVSAvoidtopology information retrieval latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The root NRF pre-establishes connections and maintains readiness to query circle NRFs on behalf of SCPs. When topology information is requested, the root NRF can immediately trigger the necessary circle NRFs without the SCP needing to initiate multiple separate connection sequences, reducing the time required to gather complete topology data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12452137B1Methods, systems, and computer readable media for providing for network topology learning by service communication proxy (SCP) using root network function (NF) repository function (NRF)

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 ORACLE INT CORP

AI summary

A method for providing for SCPs to learn network topology using a root NRF includes storing, by a root NRF, NF instance identifiers of a plurality of NFs registered with a plurality of circle NRFs. The method further includes providing, by the root NRF, a one-stop network topology access interface through which an SCP can learn network topologies of network circles served by each of the circle NRFs. The method further includes receiving, by the root NRF, from the SCP and via the one-stop network topology access interface, for obtaining network topology information from the circle NRFs. The method further includes communicating, by the root NRF, with the circle NRFs and on behalf of the SCP, to trigger the circle NRFs to provide the network topology information.