Service Communication Proxy Feedback for NF API Root Reselection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In indirect communication within 5G networks, when an original Network Function (NF) fails or becomes overloaded, the Service Communication Proxy (SCP) reselects another NF instance, but the original NF sender is unaware of the new NF receiver's API root, leading to unnecessary reselection and potential resource conflicts and waste.

Innovation Solution

The SCP includes information about the new NF receiver's API root in its response to the original NF, allowing it to update its requests or notifications accordingly, eliminating the need for repeated reselection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the SCP reselects another NF instance when the original NF fails or becomes overloaded, then service continuity and reliability are improved, but the original NF sender is unaware of the new NF receiver's API root leading to unnecessary reselection and resource conflicts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidAPI root information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The SCP sends a notification to the original NF sender containing the API root information of the newly selected NF instance. This feedback mechanism ensures that the original NF sender is informed about the reselection, preventing unnecessary repeated reselection attempts and resource conflicts, while maintaining service continuity through the new NF instance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The SCP acts as an intermediary between the failed/overloaded NF instance and the original NF sender. It not only performs the reselection function but also communicates the new NF's API root information back to the original sender, bridging the information gap that would otherwise cause repeated reselection cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the SCP performs reselection to handle NF failure or overload, then service availability is improved, but resource waste and conflicts occur due to repeated reselection by the original NF sender

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidresource waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By providing feedback with the new NF's API root information to the original NF sender, the system prevents the sender from repeatedly attempting to communicate with the failed NF or performing unnecessary reselection. This eliminates wasted computational resources and network traffic while maintaining high service availability through the newly selected NF instance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4369688B1Network nodes and methods therein for indirect communication

Publication Date: 2026.02.04 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method (100) in a network node implementing a Service Communication Proxy, SCP, function. The method (100) includes: receiving (110), from a first Network Function, NF, a request destined to a second NF, wherein the request comprises information on the second NF; redirecting (120) the request to a third NF, wherein the redirected request comprises information on the third NF; and transmitting (130) a response to the first NF, wherein the response comprises the information on the third NF.