Service Record Tracker for Immutable 5G Event Auditing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring and capturing communication network activity events in dynamic 5G communication networks, where virtual network functions execute on generic, low-cost computers with changing mappings, poses a challenge due to the complexity and rapid changes in network function instantiation.
Innovation Solution
A service record tracker network function that registers with session management and access and mobility management functions to record PDU session events, storing information in a blockchain for immutable and auditable records, enabling data governance compliance and edge computing event tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtual network functions are instantiated on generic computers with dynamic mapping, then network flexibility and resource utilization are improved, but tracking and auditing network events becomes more complex and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary tracking system that acts as a mediator between virtual network functions and audit systems. This intermediary captures network events, stores them in a blockchain ledger, and provides a unified interface for auditing, thereby simplifying the complexity of tracking events in dynamic virtualized networks while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of network event data and stores them in a blockchain ledger. By copying and immutably storing event information, the system enables reliable auditing and tracking without interfering with the dynamic operation of virtual network functions, thus maintaining flexibility while improving traceability.
2Reliability
If network events are tracked and stored in real-time, then data governance compliance is improved, but system overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by capturing and storing network events in a blockchain ledger as they occur, rather than performing comprehensive audits later. This real-time event capture and immutable storage ensures compliance readiness without requiring time-consuming post-processing, thus maintaining reliability while reducing processing delays.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication network service record tracker. The service record tracker comprises a processor, a data store comprising a plurality of service record blockchains, a non-transitory memory, and a service record tracker application stored in the non-transitory memory. When executed by the at least one processor, the application provides a service record tracker network function that receives notices of network events from other network function instances, in response to receiving a notice of a network event from a network function, invokes an API of the network function to request information about the network event, receives information about the network event, builds a block comprising the information about the network event, and adds the block to one of the plurality of service record blockchains in the data store, whereby the service record tracker application establishes and maintains an immutable service record of network communication events accessible by authorized communication network applications.