Service Controller Instance Set Selection for 5G Data Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the 5G communication network, the management of services with shared data across multiple service instances is challenging due to the need for independent management, which is often hindered by implementation-dependent interfaces, and there is a lack of efficient methods to access and maintain shared data resources across different service instances.
Innovation Solution
A service controller is introduced to manage service instance sets, allowing for the registration of instances within sets rather than the Network Repository Function (NRF), enabling selection of available sets for operations and ensuring access to fresh data, while a shared service storage resource node provides standardized context data access across multiple vendors and data centers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If service instances are managed independently with implementation-dependent interfaces, then service autonomy is improved, but data sharing and consistency across instances deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service instance set as an intermediary layer between individual service instances and the NRF. This set manages shared data resources and coordinates access across multiple instances, allowing each instance to maintain independence while ensuring data consistency through centralized management of the shared resource
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple service instances into a service instance set that shares common data resources. By merging the management of these instances under a single set identifier, the system achieves both service autonomy (each instance can operate independently) and data consistency (shared resources are managed collectively)
2Reliability
If service instances share common data resources, then data consistency is improved, but management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The service instance set serves multiple functions: it manages shared data resources, coordinates instance operations, and provides a unified interface to the NRF. This multi-functionality reduces management complexity by consolidating various management tasks into a single entity rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each function
3Reliability
If a load balancer is used to expose service instance sets, then service availability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The service instance set implementation includes mechanisms to monitor the availability and status of individual service instances. When instances become unavailable, the system automatically adjusts routing or activates backup instances, providing feedback-driven load balancing that improves availability without requiring complex external load balancer infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
A service controller receives an operation request for a service for a consumer node of a communication network, the operation request including a context identifier referring to a context related to the operation request. The service controller forwards the operation request to a first service instance set being identified by the service controller as handling the context related to the operation request. Responsive to determining that the first service instance set is unreachable or unavailable, the service controller selects a second service instance set as a candidate to handle the context related to the operation request. The operation request for the service is then forwarded to the second service instance set.