User Plane Function Switching for Core Network Failure Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing failure recovery mechanisms in core networks, particularly in local area networks and cloud environments, are complex and inefficient, leading to potential failures in user plane functions without adequate handling.
Innovation Solution
A communication system with a subscriber information holding unit, failure detection unit, and control unit that dynamically associates terminals with new user plane functions based on processing usage rates, computer performance, and priority information, allowing for efficient failure recovery by switching to available user plane functions in local or cloud environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If user plane functions are arranged in both cloud and local area network to improve network flexibility and performance, then network adaptability is improved, but failure recovery complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the state parameter of user plane functions from static to dynamic by implementing automatic failure detection and recovery mechanisms. The system monitors the operational status of user plane functions and automatically switches traffic routing when failures are detected, transforming the network from a static configuration to a dynamically adaptive one that automatically responds to failure conditions.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional failure recovery mechanisms are used in complex network environments, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but failure detection and recovery effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the failure recovery mechanism into distinct functional components: a detection unit that identifies failures in user plane functions, and a recovery unit that executes switching operations. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to provide comprehensive failure recovery across complex network environments with multiple user plane functions distributed between cloud and local area network.
3Device complexity
If user plane function failures are not properly handled, then system simplicity is maintained, but network functionality and service continuity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple user plane functions and establishing backup routing paths before failures occur. The detection unit continuously monitors the status of these pre-configured functions, and when a failure is detected, the recovery unit immediately activates the pre-established backup paths, ensuring service continuity without requiring complex real-time decision-making during failure events.
Data Source
AI summary
To detect and recover from failure occurring in a core network.A subscriber information holding unit holds subscriber information indicating association between a terminal and a user plane function in a communication system. A failure detection unit detects a failure related to the user plane function. A control unit changes the subscriber information held in the subscriber information holding unit so as to associate a new user plane function with the terminal associated with the user plane function in which the failure is detected by the failure detection unit.