Telecommunications Service Unit Selection via Symbolic Address Query
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing selection method for service units in IMS telecommunications networks lacks flexibility and often fails to choose the best available service unit, leading to suboptimal performance due to fixed association strategies and the complexity of maintaining up-to-date lists of network capabilities and correspondences.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an I-CSCF device that forms a symbolic address from user characteristics and domain names to query an address server for compatible S-CSCF equipment, allowing for dynamic selection based on criteria like geographical proximity and load, with iterative processes to achieve a balance between load and feature compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the authentication server selects a service unit and returns a symbolic address, then the selection process is simple, but the flexibility and optimality of service unit selection are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an address server as an intermediary component between the authentication server and the service units. The authentication server returns a symbolic address (FQDN) to the address server, which then resolves it to provide a list of compatible service units based on user characteristics. This mediator enables flexible, dynamic selection without complicating the authentication server's operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the service unit selection function into two independent parts: (1) the authentication server that handles user authentication and returns symbolic addresses, and (2) the address server that handles the actual service unit selection based on user characteristics. This segmentation allows each component to specialize, maintaining operational simplicity while achieving selection flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the authentication server returns a list of characteristics for service unit selection, then the selection flexibility is improved, but the complexity of maintaining up-to-date capability lists increases
Solution Approach 1:
The address server automatically maintains and updates the mapping between symbolic addresses and service unit capabilities. When a service unit joins or leaves the network, it autonomously registers its capabilities with the address server, which then updates its internal mappings. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual updates by network administrators, reducing management complexity while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic feedback loops where service units report their capabilities to the address server, which then updates its database. This continuous feedback mechanism ensures the address server always has current capability information without requiring manual intervention, reducing the complexity of maintaining up-to-date lists.
3Reliability
If the I-CSCF queries the address server with user characteristics, then the service unit selection optimality is improved, but the query processing time and network traffic increase
Solution Approach 1:
The address server pre-computes and stores optimal service unit mappings based on user characteristics and service unit capabilities. When the I-CSCF queries with user characteristics, the address server can quickly retrieve pre-computed results rather than performing complex real-time analysis, significantly reducing query processing time while maintaining selection optimality.
Solution Approach 2:
The address server optimizes the matching process by focusing on the specific characteristics relevant to each user query rather than evaluating all possible service unit attributes. This localized quality approach processes only the necessary information for each specific selection case, reducing overall processing time while maintaining optimal matching.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for selecting a device in a telecommunications network in accordance with characteristics relating to the implementation of a telecommunications service, comprising the following steps: a) receiving a set of characteristics relating to said service; b) forming a first symbolic address for querying an address server, using at least one portion of the overall characteristics of the set on the one hand, and an address domain name on the other hand; c) sending the first address to the address server; d) receiving a list of one or more devices compatible with the characteristics; and e) selecting one device from the list.