Signaling Message Routing Node Backup Subscriber Information Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional telecommunications networks face service disruptions when Home Location Register/Home Subscriber Server (HLR/HSS) nodes become unreachable, and existing solutions either provide unnecessary backup or fail to isolate database corruption, leading to widespread service losses.
Innovation Solution
A signaling message routing node is used to intercept and cache subscriber information messages, determining the operational status of the HLR/HSS node and routing messages accordingly, providing backup services only when the HLR/HSS is unavailable and maintaining independent subscriber information to prevent corruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gateway location register (GLR) is created to copy and cache mobility management messages, then the workload on HLR/HSS is reduced, but the GLR responds on behalf of HLR/HSS even when HLR/HSS is operational, causing unnecessary backup service activation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on the operational status of HLR/HSS. The routing node monitors whether HLR/HSS is reachable and only activates backup service when HLR/HSS is actually unavailable, rather than continuously responding on behalf of HLR/HSS. This dynamic activation reduces unnecessary backup service usage while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing node implements feedback mechanisms to monitor the operational status of HLR/HSS and adjust its response accordingly. By receiving feedback about HLR/HSS availability, the system can intelligently determine when to route messages to the actual HLR/HSS and when to use backup service, avoiding unnecessary activation.
2Reliability
If HLR/HSS function is distributed across multiple nodes, then service is limited to subsets of subscribers during failure, but failure of any single HLR/HSS node causes loss of service to its assigned subscribers
Solution Approach 1:
The routing node acts as an intermediary between calling nodes and HLR/HSS nodes. It monitors the operational status of HLR/HSS nodes and dynamically routes messages accordingly. When an HLR/HSS node fails, the routing node redirects messages to alternative HLR/HSS nodes or activates backup service, providing automatic failover without complex distribution logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the subscriber base across multiple HLR/HSS nodes, each serving specific subsets of subscribers. The routing node manages this segmentation by routing messages to appropriate HLR/HSS nodes based on subscriber assignment, enabling localized failure isolation while maintaining overall service availability.
3Productivity
If multiple HLR/HSS nodes are used for load sharing, then workload is distributed, but a corrupted entry in one node's database is replicated across all nodes, rendering them all susceptible to the same corruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the subscriber information database from the HLR/HSS nodes and stores it independently in the routing node's database. This separation means that corruption in HLR/HSS node databases does not propagate to the routing node's copy, isolating the harmful effect while maintaining load distribution capabilities across multiple HLR/HSS nodes.
4Reliability
If HLR/HSS nodes are made single points of responsibility, then service disruption affects all subscribers, but distributing the function increases complexity and requires additional routing logic
Solution Approach 1:
The routing node performs self-service by automatically monitoring HLR/HSS operational status and dynamically routing messages without requiring complex external control. The system autonomously detects failures and activates backup service or redirects to alternative HLR/HSS nodes, simplifying the overall architecture while maintaining high reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for using a signaling message routing node to provide a backup subscriber information management service are disclosed. According to one method, a signaling message routing node obtains information associated with a subscriber. The signaling message routing node receives a first subscriber information management message including a message destination and being associated with the subscriber. The signaling message routing node determines whether the message destination is operable to process the first subscriber information management message. If the message destination node is operable to process the first subscriber information management message, the signaling message routing node routes the first subscriber information message to the message destination. If the message destination is not operable to process the first subscriber information management message, the signaling message routing node responds to the first subscriber information management message on behalf of the message destination.