CU-UP Echo Monitoring for UPF Workload Reassignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G wireless networks, unresponsive User Plane Function (UPF) nodes can cause service interruptions due to failed GTP tunnels, leading to loss of data and voice services, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mechanism for the CU-UP logical node to manage connections with UPF nodes by varying timeout periods, adjusting retransmission limits, and reassigned workload to a second UPF node, transferring critical state information to maintain session continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the CU-UP logical node uses fixed timeout periods and retransmission limits for echo requests, then the connection management is simple, but service interruptions occur when UPF nodes become unresponsive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic timeout periods and retransmission limits that adapt based on network conditions and UPF node responsiveness. Instead of fixed values, the system adjusts these parameters in real-time to balance reliability and complexity, allowing the CU-UP logical node to maintain service continuity while managing connection complexity adaptively.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (timeout periods, retransmission limits) based on the state of the UPF node and network conditions. When a UPF node becomes unresponsive, the system modifies these parameters to detect the failure condition and trigger appropriate actions, thereby improving service reliability without requiring completely complex connection management architecture.
2Speed
If the CU-UP logical node immediately sends failure messages when echo requests are unresponsive, then response time is fast, but service quality degrades due to abrupt service interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by implementing multiple retransmission attempts with varying timeout periods before declaring a UPF node unresponsive. This preliminary detection phase allows the system to distinguish between temporary network delays and actual failures, enabling faster response time while preventing premature service interruptions that would degrade quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a cushioning mechanism through progressive timeout extensions and retransmission attempts before triggering failure messages. This cushioning approach provides a buffer that prevents abrupt service interruptions, allowing the system to maintain service quality while still detecting failures at an acceptable speed.
3Reliability
If workloads are not reassigned when UPF nodes fail, then system state is stable, but service outages occur for UEs supported by unresponsive UPF nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the CU-UP logical node monitors UPF node responsiveness through echo requests and uses this feedback to trigger workload reassignment. When a UPF node is detected as unresponsive, the feedback loop activates the reassignment process, ensuring service availability while managing workload complexity through condition-based triggers rather than continuous complex management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs copying mechanisms to transfer critical state information from failed UPF nodes to alternative UPF nodes during workload reassignment. This copying approach maintains service availability by preserving essential session information while simplifying workload management through structured data replication rather than complex state migration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes transmitting, by a centralized node control plane (CU-UP) logical node, an echo request message to a first user plane function (UPF) node to facilitate interchange of client data between a user equipment (UE) and the first UPF node. In response to failing to receive an echo response message, corresponding to the echo request message, from the first UPF node within a timeout period, the CU-UP logic nodes retransmits the echo request message to the first UPF node. In response to retransmitting a predetermined number of echo request messages without receipt of a corresponding echo response message from the first UPF node, the CU-UP logical node causes reassignment of a workload of the first UPF node to a second UPF node with which the CU-UP logical node is communicating.