SCP Latency Database for Prioritized NF Discovery in 5G
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G communications networks, the Network Function Repository (NRF) lacks the ability to return prioritized lists of Network Function (NF) profiles specific to individual Service Communication Proxies (SCPs) based on network conditions, leading to suboptimal producer NF selection due to lack of visibility into latency experienced by SCPs.
Innovation Solution
The Service Communication Proxy (SCP) maintains a producer NF latency database with SCP-specific latency information, modifies discovery request messages to include latency data, and forwards these to the NRF, which adjusts NF profile priorities based on this information to optimize routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the NRF uses local policy to set NF profile priorities, then the NRF can return a prioritized list of NF profiles, but the priorities are not optimal for individual SCPs because the NRF lacks visibility of latency experienced by SCPs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the SCP as an intermediary that bridges the information gap between the NRF and actual network latency conditions. The SCP collects latency measurements from its own operations and feeds this information back to the NRF through modified discovery request messages, enabling the NRF to make informed prioritization decisions without directly observing network conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the SCP measures latency to producer NFs and communicates this information back to the NRF by modifying discovery request messages to include latency data. The NRF then uses this feedback to dynamically adjust NF profile priorities, creating a closed-loop system that continuously optimizes routing based on actual network conditions
2Ease of operation
If consumer NFs rely solely on NRF-specified producer NF selection priorities, then the selection process is simple, but the consumer NF may select a producer NF that is suboptimal in terms of latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the NRF pre-calculate and set optimal priorities for NF profiles based on latency information provided by the SCP before consumer NFs make selection decisions. This allows consumer NFs to simply follow the pre-computed priorities without performing complex real-time latency measurements, achieving both simplicity and optimality
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for service communications proxy (SCP)-specific prioritized producer network function (NF) discovery and routing includes maintaining, at the SCR, a producer NF latency database including SCP-specific producer NF latency information. The method further includes receiving a discovery request message or receiving a service request message having a 3GPP-Sbi- Discovery header and generating, at the SCP, a discovery request message in response to the received service request message and modifying, the discovery request message to include the SCP-specific producer NF latency information. The method further includes forwarding, by the SCP, the discovery request message to an NF repository function (NRF). The method further includes, at the NRF, creating a list of NF and their associated service profiles of producer NF instances and their respective producer NF service instances capable of providing the service identified in the discovery request message. The method further includes setting or adjusting, by the NRF and based on the SCP-specific producer NF latency information, priorities of NF and service profiles of producer NF and producer NF service instances in the list. The method further includes forwarding, by the NRF and to the SCP, a discovery response message including the list of NF and associated service profiles of producer NF instances and their respective producer NF service instances.