SCP-Delegated NF Discovery With NF Profile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 5G network communication models, particularly Model D with indirect communication and delegated discovery, fail to account for specific SMF service areas, leading to inefficient SMF selection and increased network traffic due to unnecessary transactions and potential service flow failures.
Innovation Solution
NF consumers can indicate SCP behavior by including mandatory and preferred parameters in request messages, guiding the SCP to return required NF profiles, allowing for optimized NF selection and reduced network traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If indirect communication with delegated discovery is used, then the service request can be routed through an intermediate SCP node, but the NF consumer cannot obtain NF profile information of the selected NF producer
Solution Approach 1:
The SCP node performs discovery and selection operations on behalf of the NF consumer, then feeds back the NF profile information of the selected NF producer to the NF consumer. This feedback mechanism allows the NF consumer to obtain the necessary profile information without directly performing discovery operations, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and information availability.
2Loss of information
If the NF consumer performs discovery and selection directly, then it can obtain NF profile information, but it increases the complexity of the NF consumer node
Solution Approach 1:
The SCP node acts as an intermediary between the NF consumer and the NRF. The NF consumer delegates discovery and selection operations to the SCP, which then performs these operations and returns the NF profile information. This intermediary approach reduces the complexity of the NF consumer while ensuring it obtains the necessary profile information.
3Ease of operation
If delegated discovery is used without returning NF profile information, then the NF consumer operation is simplified, but subsequent service requests cannot be routed directly to the selected NF producer
Solution Approach 1:
The SCP node returns the NF profile information of the selected NF producer to the NF consumer after performing delegated discovery. This feedback enables the NF consumer to route subsequent service requests directly to the selected NF producer, improving routing efficiency while maintaining simplified operation through delegation.
4Loss of information
If the NF consumer is configured with NF profile information, then it can select appropriate NF producers, but it requires direct communication models rather than indirect communication
Solution Approach 1:
The SCP node serves as an intermediary that enables indirect communication while still providing NF profile information to the NF consumer. The NF consumer can configure itself with profile information obtained from the SCP and route requests indirectly through the SCP, combining the benefits of both direct and indirect communication models.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The present disclosure provides methods (300), Network Function (NF) nodes, such as an NF Consumer, a Service Communication Proxy (SCP), and corresponding computer readable media. The method (300) performed by an NF consumer comprises: transmitting (S301), to an SCP, a request message for a service operation, wherein the request message at least comprises an indication that the SCP shall return required NF profile information of at least one NF producer discovered by the SCP; and receiving (S303), from the SCP, the required NF profile information of the at least one NF producer.