Telecom Session Notification Processing with Distributed Timer Service
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Implementing a Charging Data Function (CDF) in telecommunications networks that is resilient to node failures and compatible with modern cloud-based software design paradigms, while handling ongoing sessions and timers for session-based billing is challenging due to state management and timer maintenance across a cluster of servers.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for handling incoming notifications in a cluster of servers, using a distributed timer service to manage session states and timers, allowing any server to process notifications and update session records, with a distributed data store for persistent storage of closed session information records, enabling premature closure of sessions if timeouts occur.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cluster of stateless servers is used to implement CDF functions, then system scalability and fault tolerance are improved, but the ability to maintain session state and timer information across nodes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts session state management and timer maintenance functions from individual server nodes and centralizes them in a separate state management component. This allows server nodes to remain stateless while session information is maintained externally, resolving the contradiction between stateless architecture benefits and session tracking requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary state management layer between the server cluster and session data. This intermediary handles timer maintenance and session state persistence, allowing stateless servers to cooperate in handling sessions without each node needing to maintain complete session state
2Productivity
If multiple servers can process any notification regardless of previous ACRs received, then system availability and load distribution are improved, but tracking session continuity and timer states across different nodes becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a mechanism where session state information is copied and maintained in a centralized state management component that all servers can access. This allows any server to process notifications while having access to the complete session state, eliminating information loss while maintaining load distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal session state repository that serves all server nodes equally. Any server can retrieve and update session information, making the system universally accessible while maintaining consistent session state across all nodes, thus supporting both load distribution and information continuity
3Measurement precision
If timers are maintained for each session to detect premature closure, then billing accuracy is improved, but the complexity of timer management across a distributed cluster increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts timer maintenance functions from individual server processes and centralizes them in a dedicated timer management component. This allows precise session duration tracking while reducing the complexity burden from each server node, as timer management becomes a separate concern
Data Source
AI summary
Measures, including methods, systems and computer-readable storage mediums, for use in processing notifications relating to telecommunication sessions. A cluster of servers is operable to receive incoming notifications where each server can process any given notification and update a store holding records based on previous notifications. The cluster may include a timer function to allow records to be closed when no relevant notifications are received after a timeout interval.