Service Interruption Manager for Lawful Interception
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Solution Overview
Problem
In lawful interception (LI) telecommunication networks, the transition to virtualized network functions (VNFs) in cloud environments has created challenges in understanding and managing service interruptions, as traditional failure information from physical network functions (PNFs) is not applicable, leading to misalignment between failure events and reported information to law enforcement agencies (LEAs).
Innovation Solution
A method performed by a service interruption manager function (SIMF) in a telecommunication network, which receives information about LI service interruptions, determines the status of these interruptions, and transmits this information to a delivery function (DF) via a HI2 interface, enabling LEAs to be informed about potential data losses and the status of LI monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If virtualized network functions (VNFs) are deployed in cloud environments, then device complexity is reduced and hardware resources are consolidated, but the ability to detect and report service interruptions with appropriate failure information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service interruption manager function (SIMF) as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between VNFs and law enforcement agencies. The SIMF detects service interruptions in the LI mediation system and translates them into appropriate failure information that can be understood and acted upon by LEAs, effectively mediating between the virtualized infrastructure and the traditional failure reporting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the SIMF continuously monitors the LI mediation system for service interruptions and provides real-time status information to LEAs. This feedback loop enables LEAs to understand the current state of LI services and take appropriate mitigation actions, addressing the lack of visible failure information in virtualized environments.
2Reliability
If traditional failure information reporting from physical network functions is used, then LEAs can understand failure events and take mitigation actions, but this approach is not applicable to virtualized network functions where failure events differ
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of failure information reporting by introducing new interruption status values (ongoing, initiated, terminated) that are specific to virtualized network functions. The SIMF adapts the failure information format to match the characteristics of VNFs while maintaining compatibility with existing LEA systems, making the solution versatile across different deployment environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The service interruption manager function serves multiple purposes: it detects service interruptions, determines their status, formats appropriate failure information, and transmits it to LEAs. This multi-functional component makes the failure reporting system universally applicable to both traditional and virtualized network functions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the LI mediation system switches off during database management system upgrades, then data consistency is guaranteed, but business continuity is interrupted and LEAs are not informed of the interruption consequences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the SIMF notify LEAs in advance of scheduled maintenance activities and database upgrades. By providing提前 notification of upcoming service interruptions, LEAs can prepare mitigation actions and minimize the impact of planned maintenance on their operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The SIMF provides continuous feedback to LEAs about the status of LI services, including notifications when the system switches off for maintenance and when services are restored. This feedback mechanism ensures that LEAs are kept informed of business continuity status even during necessary system interruptions.
Data Source
AI summary
A service interruption manager function, SIMF, receives information that indicates that lawful interception, LI, service interruption associated with an LI task has occurred. Based on the received information, a determination is made of a status regarding the LI service interruption associated with the LI task, for example a determination whether the LI service interruption associated with the LI task has a current status that is any of: terminated, ongoing or initiated. A message is then transmitted, to a delivery function, DF, via an HI2 interface, the message comprising at least the determined status regarding the LI service interruption.