Service-Based UPF Registration in 5G Core Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G core networks, the User Plane Function (UPF) is not service-based, limiting other network elements' ability to invoke its services and restricting its service usage to only the Session Management Function (SMF), which complicates QoS-related information exposure and affects timeliness and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
Designing a service-based UPF network element that registers with the NRF network element, allowing other elements to discover and directly or indirectly invoke its services, and enabling it to use services from other network elements, such as the SMF, through registration requests, query requests, and subscription processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the UPF network element is designed as non-service-based, then the control structure is simple and easy to manage, but other network elements cannot discover or invoke its services, limiting service usage to only the SMF
Solution Approach 1:
The UPF network element is transformed from a non-service-based element to a service-based element, enabling it to provide services to multiple network elements (SMF, PCF, NEF, AF, NWDAF) rather than being accessible only by the SMF. This multi-functionality allows different network elements to discover and invoke UPF services through the NRF, significantly improving service accessibility and adaptability across the 5G core network.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the UPF network element registers with the NRF, then other network elements can discover and invoke its services, but the system complexity increases due to additional registration and discovery procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The NRF (Network Repository Function) serves as an intermediary between the UPF network element and other network elements. Instead of requiring direct discovery mechanisms between UPF and multiple service consumers, the UPF registers its service information with the NRF, which then mediates service discovery and invocation requests from various network elements (SMF, PCF, NEF, AF, NWDAF). This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture while enabling broad service discoverability.
3Loss of time
If QoS-related information is exposed through indirect means, then the information exposure process is simplified, but the timeliness and flexibility of service response are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The QoS-related information exposure mechanism is extracted from the indirect control plane path and implemented as a direct service-based interaction. The UPF network element exposes QoS information through its service interface, allowing network elements (particularly the PCF and AF) to directly subscribe to and retrieve QoS data without requiring intermediate processing through the SMF. This extraction of the information exposure function into a standalone service capability significantly improves timeliness and flexibility of QoS information delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for registering a service-based user plane, a method and an apparatus for determining a user plane, a method and an apparatus for subscribing to user plane service information, a communication device and system, and a storage medium, are provided. The method for registering a service-based user plane includes: sending, by a first network element, a target request to a second network element, where the target request is a registration request or a registration update request, and the target request is used to request to register the first network element to the second network element; and in a case that the first network element registers with the second network element, another network element is configured to discover the first network element through the second network element.