Unified Data Layer for Control Plane Redundancy in Network Slicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks lack effective methods for unified data management, leading to redundant state information and inefficient data storage across multiple network functions, which hinders virtualization and network slicing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for unified data management that integrates a unified data layer, allowing multiple network functions to access and manage control plane data through a common database configuration, masking the data repository location and providing unified data access configuration, enabling data decoupling and relocation without modifying access configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If each network function stores control plane data locally, then data access is fast and simple, but data redundancy increases and storage efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates control plane data storage into a shared data repository that serves multiple network functions. Instead of each network function maintaining separate local copies of subscription data, policy data, and user context, a unified repository stores these data elements once and provides them to authorized network functions through standardized interfaces, thereby eliminating redundancy while maintaining accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared data repository is designed as a universal storage infrastructure that serves multiple network functions simultaneously. The repository implements a multi-tenant architecture where different network functions can access the same data resources according to their specific needs, enabling one storage system to fulfill multiple functions and serve various data access patterns without requiring separate storage instances.
2Ease of operation
If control plane data is distributed across multiple network functions, then data access is straightforward, but data management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data management intermediary layer between the shared repository and network functions. This intermediary handles complex data management operations including data retrieval, validation, caching, and synchronization, while presenting a simplified interface to network functions. The intermediary abstracts the underlying complexity of the shared repository architecture, allowing network functions to access data through straightforward API calls without needing to understand the complex data distribution and synchronization mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network functions maintain local state information, then virtualization and relocation are beneficial, but redundant state information persists across multiple functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts state information from individual network functions and consolidates it into a shared repository. By removing the requirement for each network function to maintain local copies of user subscription data, policy data, and session context, the system eliminates redundant state information while preserving the benefits of virtualization and dynamic relocation. Network functions can be instantiated, migrated, or scaled without duplicating state information, as all state is centrally managed in the shared repository.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for unified data management in a communication network. According to embodiments, the unified data management methods and systems can provide management of some control plane data, for example data that may be shared by multiple network functions (NF). According to embodiments, virtualization of the data storage if further provided.