Service Server Switching Control in 5G Core Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G network architecture, there is a challenge in seamlessly reselecting a service server for user equipment when it moves, which affects service continuity and requires efficient switching mechanisms to maintain uninterrupted service access.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for service server switching control, involving the reception of notification messages within the 5G core network, rescheduling of service servers, and transmission of IP addresses to user equipment to trigger seamless switching, along with confirmation messages to manage user plane path changes, ensuring continuous service access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a user equipment moves in a 5G network and service server reselection is required, then service continuity can be maintained, but the complexity of server switching control and path management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service scheduling server as an intermediary component that coordinates between the core network and user equipment during service server switching. This mediator manages the notification messages, IP address allocation, and confirmation processes, thereby maintaining service continuity while reducing the control complexity that would otherwise fall on the network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The server switching process is segmented into distinct functional stages: notification message reception, service server rescheduling, IP address transmission to trigger switching, and confirmation message handling for path changes. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific tasks independently, improving manageability and reducing overall system complexity while ensuring reliable service continuity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If service server switching is implemented to support user equipment mobility, then adaptability to different network conditions improves, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring switching status increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through confirmation messages that are sent back to the core network after service server switching is triggered. This feedback loop provides explicit status information about the switching process, enabling the network to detect and measure switching status accurately while maintaining adaptability to various network conditions and user equipment movements.
3Reliability
If seamless service server switching is achieved, then service continuity is maintained, but the time required for coordination and path changes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The service scheduling server performs preliminary actions by pre-coordinating the service server rescheduling and IP address allocation before the actual switching occurs. The notification message mechanism allows the core network to initiate switching procedures in advance, and the confirmation message process prepares the path changes beforehand, thereby reducing the actual switching time while maintaining seamless service continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
A service server switching control method includes: receiving a notification message from a core network accessed by a user equipment, the notification message being used for indicating that a user plane path of the user equipment may be changed; rescheduling a service server for the user equipment in response to the notification message; transmitting an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the rescheduled service server to the user equipment, to trigger the user equipment to switch a currently accessed service server to the rescheduled service server according to the IP address; and transmitting a confirmation message to the core network, the confirmation message being used for triggering the core network to change the user plane path of the user equipment.