SCP Response Handling With Group ID for 5G NF Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing 5G networks, the service response handling mechanism does not include information about the Group ID of the subscriber, which hinders optimization of discovery and selection processes for service requests, particularly when indirect communication is used between network function nodes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a service communication proxy (SCP) node that includes information about the Group ID in the response to a service request, enabling optimized discovery and selection of network function nodes by including the Group ID in subsequent requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If indirect communication is used between service consumer and service producer via SCP node, then service request handling is enabled in partitioned networks, but the response does not include Group ID information which hinders optimization of discovery and selection processes
Solution Approach 1:
The SCP node incorporates feedback mechanisms to retrieve Group ID information from the NRF node and include it in the service response sent to the service consumer. This feedback loop ensures that the Group ID, which was lost in previous indirect communication implementations, is now successfully transmitted back to the service consumer for use in subsequent discovery and selection processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The SCP node acts as an intermediary that bridges the service consumer and service producer. It performs the additional function of querying the NRF node for Group ID information and injecting this information into the service response, thereby mediating the information flow that was previously incomplete in indirect communication scenarios.
2Productivity
If Group ID information is added to service responses, then discovery and selection processes can be optimized, but response message structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The SCP node is designed to perform multiple functions: it proxies service requests and responses between service consumers and producers, and simultaneously manages the retrieval and injection of Group ID information. This multi-functionality allows the system to enhance discovery and selection efficiency without requiring separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If service consumer performs discovery and selection without Group ID, then initial service request can be sent, but subsequent requests cannot be optimized and may require redundant queries
Solution Approach 1:
The SCP node performs preliminary action by retrieving the Group ID information from the NRF node and preparing it for inclusion in the service response before the service consumer sends subsequent requests. This advance preparation ensures that when the service consumer receives the response, the Group ID is already available for immediate use in optimizing future discovery and selection operations, thereby reducing time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method for handling a first response to a first service request. The method is performed by a first service communication proxy (SCR) node that is configured to operate as an SCR between a first network function (NF) node of a service consumer and one or more groups of second NF nodes of one or more service producers. In response to receiving the first response to the first service request, transmission of a second response to the first service request is initiated (102) towards the first NF node. The first service request is a request for a first service, requested by the first NF node, to be provided. The first response is received from a second NF node that is selected to provide the first service and the second response comprises information indicative of which group of the one or more groups comprises the second NF node.