Geo-Redundant SEPP Topology Hiding With NRF Update Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Network topology hiding information is not shared across geo-redundant security edge protection proxies (SEPPs) in 5G networks, leading to routing failures due to asynchronous mechanisms causing delays and unavailability of updated network topology information.

Innovation Solution

SEPPs subscribe to an NRF for real-time updates, generate and share network topology hiding information proactively across geo-redundant SEPPs, ensuring all nodes have consistent information before performing network topology recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If SEPPs use asynchronous mechanisms to share network topology information, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to routing failures from outdated information

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSEPP configuration complexityVSAvoidrouting reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having SEPPs proactively subscribe to NRF for network topology updates before routing failures occur. This ensures that topology information is updated in advance, allowing SEPPs to maintain current routing information without complex asynchronous synchronization mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through the subscription mechanism where SEPPs continuously receive notifications from NRF about network topology changes. This feedback loop ensures that SEPPs always have up-to-date routing information, resolving the reliability issue while maintaining simple configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If SEPPs update network topology information in real-time, then routing reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to synchronization delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting reliabilityVSAvoidtopology update time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by having each SEPP independently subscribe to NRF for topology updates. Each SEPP autonomously manages its own topology information synchronization, eliminating the need for complex inter-SEPP synchronization protocols and reducing time loss while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If SEPPs share network topology hiding information across geo-redundant nodes, then resilience is improved, but device complexity increases due to synchronization requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork resilienceVSAvoidsynchronization complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by using the NRF as a universal information source for all SEPPs. Instead of implementing complex peer-to-peer synchronization between geo-redundant SEPPs, all nodes subscribe to the same NRF, which provides topology information to all of them uniformly, simplifying the synchronization architecture while maintaining resilience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260039555A1METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR INCREASING RESILIENCE OF NETWORK TOPOLOGY HIDING ACROSS GEO-REDUNDANT SECURITY EDGE PROTECTION PROXIES (SEPPs)

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 ORACLE INT CORP

AI summary

A method for increasing resilience of network topology hiding across geo-redundant SEPPs includes subscribing, with an NRF to receive notification of network topology updates of producer NFs configured to send inter-PLMN messages. The method includes receiving a notification including updated network topology information regarding one of the producer NFs. The method further includes generating, based on the updated network topology information, updated network topology hiding information for the producer NF. The method further includes receiving an inter-PLMN SBI request message requiring network topology recovery. The method further includes performing, using the updated network topology hiding information, the network topology recovery and forwarding the inter-PLMN SBI request message to the producer NF.