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EP-4740611-A1 - METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC RE-REGISTRATION OF NETWORK FUNCTIONS IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK

EP4740611A1EP 4740611 A1EP4740611 A1EP 4740611A1EP-4740611-A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method and a system for automatic re-registration of network function in a communication network The disclosure encompasses: transmitting, by a network function (NF) [402], a request to a Network Repository Function (NRF) [120] storing information associated with a plurality of NFs; receiving, by the NF [402], an error message from the NRF [120] based on the transmitted request; determining, by the NF [402], a failure at NRF [120] based on the received error message; automatically transmitting, by the NF [402], a re-registration request to the NRF [120] based on the determined failure; transmitting, by the NF [402], a re- discovery request to the NRF [120] to identify a set of NF instances required for service continuity; and transmitting, by the NF [402], a re-subscription request to the NRF [120] to subscribe to status update for the identified set of NF instances.

Inventors

  • Shetty, Mukta
  • BHATNAGAR, AAYUSH
  • SINHA, ANURAG
  • GUPTA, ADITYA
  • Khamesra, Apoorva
  • Kalavadiya, Milankumar
  • Joshi, Yugandhara
  • AGARWAL, Ayush

Assignees

  • Jio Platforms Limited

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240611

Claims (16)

  1. 1. A method for automatic re-registration of network functions in a communication network, the method comprising: transmitting, by a network function (NF) [402], a request to a Network Repository Function (NRF) [120] storing information associated with a plurality of NFs; receiving, by the NF [402], an error message from the NRF [120] based on the transmitted request; determining, by the NF [402], a failure at NRF [120] based on the received error message; automatically transmitting, by the NF [402], a re-registration request to the NRF [120] based on the determined failure; transmitting, by the NF [402], a re-discovery request to the NRF [120] to identify a set of NF instances required for service continuity; and transmitting, by the NF [402], a re-subscription request to the NRF [120] to subscribe to status update for the identified set of NF instances.
  2. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, the method further comprising transmitting, by the NF [402], an unsubscribe request to the NRF [120] for unsubscribing from previously held set of subscriptions related to the set of NF instances.
  3. 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, the method further comprising transmitting, by the Network Function Repository Function, a status information to the plurality of NFs to resume services.
  4. 4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the NF immediately transmit a re-registration request to the NRF [120] upon receiving the error message.
  5. 5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the error message is a "404 Not Found" message indicating that the NRF [120] cannot find an instance ID associated with the NF.
  6. 6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the re-registration request is transmitted immediately following the determination of the failure at the NRF [120],
  7. 7. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprises receiving a confirmation message from the NRF [120], acknowledging the successful re-registration of the NF.
  8. 8. A system for automatic re-registration of network functions in a communication network, the system comprising: a network function comprising: a transmitting unit [302] configured to transmit a request to a Network Repository Function (NRF) [120] storing information associated with a plurality of NFs; a receiving unit [304] connected at least to the transmitting unit [302], the receiving unit [304] configured to receive an error message from the NRF [120] based on the transmitted request; a processing unit [306] connected to at least the receiving unit [304], the processing unit [306] configured to determine a failure at the NRF [120] based on the received error message; the transmitting unit [302] configured to: automatically transmit a re-registration request to the NRF [120] based on the determined failure; transmit a re-discovery request to the NRF [120] to identify a set of NF instances required for service continuity; and the transmitting unit [302] configured to transmit a re-subscription request to the NRF [120] to subscribe to status update for the identified set of NF instances.
  9. 9. The system as claimed in claim 8, comprises the transmitting unit [302] is configured to transmit an unsubscribe request to the NRF [120] for unsubscribing from previously held set of subscriptions related to the set of NF instances.
  10. 10. The system as claimed in claim 8, comprises the transmitting unit [302] is configured to, by the Network Function Repository Function, a status information to the plurality of NFs to resume services.
  11. 11. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the NF [402] immediately transmit a reregistration request to the NRF [120] upon receiving the error message.
  12. 12. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the error message is a "404 Not Found" message indicating that the NRF [120] cannot find an instance ID associated with the NF [402] .
  13. 13. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the re-registration request is transmitted immediately following the determination of the failure at the NRF [120],
  14. 14. The system as claimed in claim 8, comprises the receiving unit [304] configured to receive a confirmation message from the NRF [120], acknowledging the successful re-registration of the NF [402],
  15. 15. A user equipment (UE) for automatic re-registration of network functions in a communication network, the UE comprising a system, the system further comprising: a network function comprising: a transmitting unit [302] configured to transmit a request to a Network Repository Function (NRF) [120] storing information associated with a plurality of NFs; a receiving unit [304] configured to receive an error message from the NRF [120] based on the transmitted request; a processing unit [306] configured to determine a failure at NRF [120] based on the received error message; the transmitting unit [302] configured to automatically transmit a re-registration request to the NRF [120] based on the determined failure; the transmitting unit [302] configured to transmit a re-discovery request to the NRF [120] to identify a set of NF instances required for service continuity; and the transmitting unit [302] configured to transmit a re-subscription request to the NRF [120] to subscribe to status update for the identified set of NF instances.
  16. 16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instruction for automatic reregistration of network functions in a communication network, the storage medium comprising executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: a transmitting unit [302] to transmit a request to a Network Repository Function (NRF) [120] storing information associated with a plurality of NFs; a receiving unit [304] connected at least to the transmitting unit [302], the receiving unit [304] to receive an error message from the NRF [120] based on the transmitted request; a processing unit [306] connected to at least the receiving unit [304], the processing unit [306] to determine a failure at NRF [120] based on the received error message; the transmitting unit [302] to: automatically transmit a re-registration request to the NRF [120] based on the determined failure; transmit a re-discovery request to the NRF [120] to identify a set of NF instances required for service continuity; and transmit a re-subscription request to the NRF [120] to subscribe to status update for the identified set of NF instances.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC RE-REGISTRATION OF NETWORK FUNCTIONS IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK FIEED OF THE DISCEOSURE [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of wireless communication systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for automatic re-registration of network functions in a communication network. BACKGROUND [0002] The following description of related art is intended to provide background information pertaining to the field of the disclosure. This section may include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section be used only to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and not as admissions of prior art. [0003] Wireless communication technology has rapidly evolved over the past few decades, with each generation bringing significant improvements and advancements. The first generation of wireless communication technology was based on analog technology and offered only voice services. However, with the advent of the second-generation (2G) technology, digital communication and data services became possible, and text messaging was introduced. 3G technology marked the introduction of high-speed internet access, mobile video calling, and location-based services. The fourth-generation (4G) technology revolutionized wireless communication with faster data speeds, better network coverage, and improved security. Currently, the fifth-generation (5G) technology is being deployed, promising even faster data speeds, low latency, and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously. With each generation, wireless communication technology has become more advanced, sophisticated, and capable of delivering more services to its users. [0004] In modem communication networks, the efficient management and operation of network functions (NFs) are necessary for seamless service delivery. One of the core components in this architecture is the Network Repository Function (NRF), which maintains a repository of profiles for various NFs, making them discoverable and enabling communication among them. When an NF is ready for service, it registers its profile with the NRF, allowing other NFs to discover and interact with it. However, there are instances where, during regular operations such as updates or heartbeat checks, the NRF may respond with an error (such as "404 Not Found" error), indicating that the NF instance ID cannot be found in the NRF. This poses a significant challenge as the existing solutions do not specify the actions that an NF should take upon receiving such an error. Without a defined protocol for handling this situation, the affected NF could become undiscoverable, leading to potential service disruptions and degraded network performance. Moreover, existing techniques require manual intervention to resolve registration errors, which can be time-consuming and prone to human error. The manual process delays the re-establishment of NF profiles in the NRF, further affecting network efficiency. Additionally, the absence of an automatic rediscovery and resubscription process means that even if an NF is manually reregistered, there is no assurance that all necessary updates and changes that occurred during the downtime will be synchronized. This can lead to inconsistencies in the network state and further operational issues. Thus, there exists an imperative need in the art to for a method and system for automatic reregistration of network functions in a communication network, which the present disclosure aims to address. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION [0005] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment disclosed herein satisfies are listed herein below. [0006] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system and a method for automatic re-registration of network functions in a communication network. [0007] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that defines the action needed at impacted NF (which has received 404 error) in terms of Discovery and Subscribe Service operations with NRF which are needed for service continuity. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE [0008] This section is provided to introduce certain aspects of the present disclosure in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject matter. [0009] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method for automatic re-registration of network functions in a communication network is disclosed. The method includes transmitting, by a network function (NF), a request to a Network Repository Function (NRF) storing information associated with a plurality of NFs. The method further includes receiving, by the NF, an error message from the NRF based on the transmitted request