SCTP Association Management Using Identifiers to Reduce Signaling Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fifth-generation mobile communication networks, establishing multiple SCTP associations on a single interface leads to increased signaling overheads due to the conventional method of managing associations using address-based configurations, which is inefficient for dynamic expansion and load sharing in virtualized network environments.
Innovation Solution
The method involves establishing a primary SCTP association and managing additional associations using identifiers, allowing for dynamic expansion and load sharing by reducing the need to specify full TNL addresses in signaling messages, thereby minimizing signaling overheads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple SCTP associations are established on a single interface for dynamic expansion and load sharing, then network adaptability is improved, but signaling overhead increases due to address-based management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses association identifiers as simplified copies or references to the full TNL addresses. Instead of managing complete address information for each SCTP association, the system creates lightweight identifier references that point to the actual associations, reducing the amount of information that needs to be transmitted and managed in signaling messages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the address management function into two parts: the full TNL address information is stored locally at the network nodes, while only association identifiers are transmitted in signaling messages. This segmentation separates the heavy address data from the lightweight signaling exchanges, reducing overhead while maintaining the ability to manage multiple associations.
2Ease of operation
If conventional address-based management is used for SCTP associations, then association identification is straightforward, but signaling overhead increases when managing multiple associations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates identifier copies that represent the full TNL addresses. These association identifiers serve as compact representations that are easier to transmit and manage in signaling messages, while still maintaining a direct relationship to the actual associations through the stored address information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used for association management from full TNL addresses to compressed association identifiers. This parameter transformation reduces the size and complexity of the information exchanged in signaling messages while preserving the essential association identification functionality.
3Reliability
If full TNL addresses are specified in signaling messages for each association, then association management is complete, but message size and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses identifier copies instead of full address specifications in signaling messages. These compact identifiers maintain reliable association management by referencing pre-configured address information stored at the network nodes, thereby reducing message size and processing complexity without sacrificing management completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of the full TNL address information at the network nodes before runtime association management. This preliminary action allows the system to use simplified identifiers during actual signaling operations, reducing real-time processing complexity while maintaining complete association management capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application relates to the communications field, and in particular, to an association management method and a network node, so as to reduce signaling overheads. The solution includes: establishing, by a first network node, a first association with a second network node for a first interface, where the first interface is a connection interface between the first network node and the second network node; and associating, by the first network node, a first identifier with the first association, where the first identifier is used to identify the first association. In addition, the first identifier is assigned to the first association, so that only the identifier of the first association needs to be indicated in a subsequent configuration related to the first association. Because a quantity of bits occupied by the first identifier is relatively small, signaling overheads can be reduced.