5G Service Request Routing With pNF Status Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication networks, particularly in 5G systems, there are issues with service request redirection loops and sub-optimal network performance due to producer network functions (pNFs) being unaware of the status of other pNFs, leading to inefficient resource utilization and difficulty in troubleshooting.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating information about pNFs unable to provide a service in service requests, allowing network functions to optimize resource allocation and avoid redirection loops by excluding these pNFs from further requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If service requests are redirected to alternative producer network functions when one is unavailable, then service continuity is maintained, but redirection loops may occur causing network performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where producer network functions share their availability status with consumer network functions and other producer network functions. When a pNF becomes unavailable or overloaded, it provides feedback to the NRF and communicating pNFs, enabling them to exclude this pNF from service requests. This feedback loop prevents redirection loops by ensuring all network functions have current information about pNF status, thus maintaining service continuity while avoiding performance degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The Network Repository Function (NRF) acts as an intermediary that collects and distributes information about producer network function availability. The NRF receives status information from pNFs and makes this information available to consumer network functions and other pNFs. This intermediary mechanism centralizes the information management, preventing scattered and inconsistent status information that could lead to redirection loops, while enabling efficient service routing to available pNFs.
2Device complexity
If producer network functions operate independently without sharing status information, then system complexity is reduced, but resource utilization becomes sub-optimal and troubleshooting becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the NRF a universal information repository that serves multiple functions: registering pNFs, managing service information, and distributing availability status. By making the NRF multi-functional, the system avoids creating separate complex information sharing mechanisms between each pNF pair. The NRF handles all information sharing centrally, reducing overall system complexity while enabling optimal resource utilization through comprehensive status visibility across the network.
3Device complexity
If all service requests are directed to a single producer network function, then resource allocation is simplified, but the system lacks adaptability when that function becomes unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic service request routing where consumer network functions and producer network functions continuously adapt their behavior based on current availability information. Service requests are dynamically directed to available pNFs based on real-time status information from the NRF. This dynamic approach maintains simple resource allocation logic at each node while achieving high system adaptability through collective awareness of pNF status, allowing the system to flexibly respond to failures and load changes.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an apparatus comprising means for: sending, to a first producer network function, a first service request comprising information indicating a requested service and information identifying a second producer network function that is unable to provide the requested service; and receiving, from the first producer network function, a service response to the first service request.