Relocating Subscriber Data Function to GGSN for Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The data plane of the Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) in wireless communications networks often operates at suboptimal capacity due to insufficient resource allocation, leading to inefficient use of resources during low traffic periods, as it is engineered to handle the sum of all possible subscriber data traffic without full utilization.
Innovation Solution
The Subscriber Data Function (SDF) is relocated from the SGSN to the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN, allowing for distributed resource allocation across multiple GGSNs, enabling more efficient usage and load balancing, while the Subscriber Control Function (SCF) remains in the SGSN to manage SDFs, maintaining existing billing and mobility management functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the SGSN data plane is engineered with sufficient resources to handle the sum of all possible subscriber data traffic, then the network can handle peak traffic loads, but the data plane resources are not utilized at full capacity during low traffic periods, resulting in inefficient resource use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the SGSN data plane functionality by extracting the Subscriber Data Function (SDF) from the SGSN and relocating it to the GGSN. This segmentation allows the SGSN to operate with reduced data plane resources while maintaining peak traffic handling capability through the distributed SDF instances at multiple GGSNs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional arrangement by distributing SDF instances across multiple GGSNs in the network. Instead of concentrating all data plane resources in a single SGSN, the SDF functionality is replicated and distributed across the network infrastructure, allowing load balancing and efficient resource utilization while maintaining peak capacity.
2Productivity
If the SGSN data plane resources are reduced to improve efficiency during low traffic periods, then resource utilization improves, but the SGSN may become a bottleneck for subscriber data traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the Subscriber Data Function (SDF) from the SGSN data plane and relocates it to the GGSN. This extraction removes the bottleneck constraint from the SGSN, allowing it to operate with optimized, smaller data plane resources while the SDF functionality resides at the GGSN where it can handle traffic without limiting SGSN performance.
3Productivity
If SDF is relocated from SGSN to GGSN to enable distributed resource allocation and load balancing, then resource efficiency improves, but the control architecture becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a directory service as an intermediary component that manages the distributed SDF instances across multiple GGSNs. This directory service handles the complexity of locating and managing SDF instances, providing a simplified interface for the SGSN to interact with the distributed SDF architecture, thereby managing control complexity while enabling efficient resource allocation.
Data Source
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AI summary
An access gateway node couples a control node to an external data network, where the control node and access gateway node are for use in a wireless communications network. The access gateway node comprises a data function to route packets containing traffic data between the control node and the external data network. An interface to the control node enables exchange of control messages between the data function and a control function in the control node.