Virtual Networking Interface for Mobile Core Traffic Offload

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing traffic routing, application availability, and security when integrating multiple applications in a scalable and automated manner, particularly in 3GPP UTRAN and eUTRAN environments, due to complex integration requirements and separate management domains for virtualization and networking.

Innovation Solution

An automated cloud-style application infrastructure is integrated with local breakout in the mobile packet core Gi/SGi interface, using a virtual networking interface to host pass-through, terminating, and analytics applications, with a certified offload configuration for secure and trusted traffic routing, enabling automated configuration and management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple applications are integrated in communication networks, then application functionality and versatility are improved, but integration complexity and management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication functionalityVSAvoidintegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments applications into virtual machine instances that can be independently deployed and managed. Each application runs in its own virtualized environment, allowing multiple applications to coexist without interfering with each other, thereby reducing integration complexity while maintaining functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A virtual networking interface acts as an intermediary between the communication network and multiple applications. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of managing multiple applications, providing a standardized interface for traffic routing and application deployment, which simplifies integration and management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If automated configuration is implemented, then ease of operation and deployment speed are improved, but security risks and configuration errors may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidsecurity risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Configuration templates and security policies are pre-defined and validated before automated deployment. The system performs preliminary configuration checks and security validations to ensure that automated configuration does not introduce security risks, while still maintaining fast deployment speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms that monitor configuration operations and security events in real-time. When potential security risks or configuration errors are detected, the system can automatically correct issues or alert operators, thereby maintaining both automation benefits and security reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If traffic routing is made scalable, then network capacity and flexibility are improved, but routing complexity and management overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidrouting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual networking interface provides universal traffic routing capabilities that can handle multiple application types and traffic patterns through a single standardized interface. This multi-functional approach allows the system to scale network capacity without proportionally increasing routing complexity, as the same interface handles diverse routing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Stability of the object's composition

If separate management domains for virtualization and networking are maintained, then system stability and control are improved, but integration efficiency and automation capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidautomation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the management of virtualization and networking into a unified management framework. The virtual networking interface serves as a common platform that integrates both management domains, allowing automated configuration and deployment while maintaining system stability through coordinated control of virtualization and networking resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2845398B1Methods and apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP2845398B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2845398B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP2845398B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus, comprise a virtual machine on which an offload application is configured to run, said virtual machine comprising a first interface configured to provide offload traffic to said application and a second interface configured to output traffic from said application.