KR102048311B1 - Network apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention proposes a network apparatus and an operation method thereof, which allows a terminal to replay trace information based on a trace function which generates the trace information in a network function (NF), and further utilizes a result of the trace replay in network analysis to realize a specific/differentiated technology (trace replay function) that enables immediate problem identification and network optimization of a network or user equipment (UE).

Description

NETWORK APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a technique for utilizing trace information generated in a network function (NF).

As the types of communication services and transmission request rates vary in the LTE communication system, the LTE frequency expansion and the evolution to the 5G communication system are actively progressing.

This rapidly evolving 5G communication system accommodates as many terminals as possible based on limited radio resources, while enabling enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) / massive machine type communications (mMTC) / It supports scenarios of ultra-reliable and low latency communications (URLLC).

In particular, in 5G, a network structure for supporting terminals, base stations (access), cores, and servers from end to end is defined, and a single node (eg, S-GW, P-GW, etc.) in LTE (4G) is defined. Separates the functions of control signaling and data transmission / reception, which are performed in a complex manner, to define a network structure in which a control plane of a control signaling function and a user plane of a data transmission / reception function are divided.

At this time, the control node of the control plane in 5G, AMF (Access and Mobility Function) for controlling access to the wireless section of the terminal, PCF (Policy Control Function) for managing / control policies such as terminal information and subscription service information for each terminal, billing, etc. ), SMF (Session Management Function) that manages / controls sessions for data service usage by terminal, NEF (Network Exposure Function) that manages information sharing with external networks, and manages / information about each node in the network. Can be defined as NRF (Network Repository Function) of the function to control.

In 5G, a data plane of a user plane is defined as a UPF (User Plane Function) for transmitting and receiving data between a terminal and a server on an external service network (eg, the Internet) through a session with a terminal based on control (interlocking) of the SMF. can do.

Meanwhile, 5G will introduce a trace function that generates trace information on signaling processing in all NF (Network Function, AMF / PCF / SMF / NEF / NRF / UPF, etc.) of Control Plane and User Plane. to be.

However, the current 5G standard simply defines the trace function, and there is no detailed method of implementing the trace function or using it.

Accordingly, in the present invention, it is to propose a materialized / differentiated technical scheme utilizing the trace function.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a materialized / differentiated technical solution that is realized by utilizing a trace function for generating trace information in an NF. The present invention provides a method of operating a device and a network device.

The network apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, delivers the replay (Trace Replay) information generated by using the trace (Trace) information to a specific terminal, the specific terminal is the reactivation information An information transfer unit for generating specific signaling according to the present invention; On the basis of the specific signaling, through a signaling with the other network node associated with the tracking information includes a reactivation performing unit for performing a signaling process according to the reactivation information.

Specifically, based on the result of the signaling processing according to the reactivation information, may further include an analysis unit for analyzing the network state.

Specifically, the information transfer unit, when the predefined triggering condition for a specific terminal is satisfied, delivers the reactivation information to the specific terminal, and the reactivation information is determined according to the satisfied triggering condition. Can be generated using the tracking information.

Specifically, the tracking information is the tracking information generated by one network node during the signaling processing of the tracking information generation target, or the tracking information generated by two or more network nodes during the signaling processing of the tracking information generation target is merged. It may be tracking information.

Specifically, the tracking information included in the reactivation information, for each event performed for the signaling processing of the tracking information generation object, for distinguishing the sequence of the event (Trace Sequence), time information (Time), the event And at least one of classification information and a context related to event execution, wherein the information transmitting unit deletes some of each event in the tracking information or encrypts some information in the tracking information according to the satisfied triggering condition. Or change it.

In detail, the reactivation information may be given a replay identifier (Trace Replay ID) by the network device or the specific terminal.

Specifically, the tracking information included in the reactivation information, for each event performed for the signaling processing of the tracking information generation object, for distinguishing the sequence of the event (Trace Sequence), time information (Time), the event And at least one of classification information and a context related to event execution, wherein the reactivation unit is based on the event classification information according to the order of listing each event in the tracking information when the specific signaling is received from the specific terminal. Signaling with other related networks may be sequentially performed to perform signaling processing according to the reactivation information.

Specifically, when a network parameter setting change is generated based on the analysis result of the network state, among the events in the tracking information included in the reactivation information, the rest other than some events related to the network parameter setting change are deleted. The apparatus may further include an information updater configured to update the restart information.

Specifically, the information updating unit performs one-to-one signaling with other network nodes related to the event for each of the some events, and changes the order of listing the some events so that the total time required for performing one-to-one signaling is minimized. Can be updated.

In detail, the information transfer unit may transmit the updated reactivation information to the specific terminal.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a network device, wherein the specific terminal transmits replay information generated by using trace information to a specific terminal. An information delivery step of generating specific signaling according to the reactivation information; And a reactivation step of performing signaling processing according to the reactivation information through signaling with another network node related to the tracking information based on the specific signaling.

Specifically, the method may further include an analyzing step of analyzing a network state based on a result of the signaling processing performed according to the reactivation information.

In detail, the information delivery step, when a triggering condition defined for a specific terminal is satisfied, delivers the reactivation information to the specific terminal, and the reactivation information is determined according to the satisfied triggering condition. It can be generated using the tracking information.

Specifically, the tracking information included in the reactivation information, for each event performed for the signaling processing of the tracking information generation object, for distinguishing the sequence of the event (Trace Sequence), time information (Time), the event And at least one of division information and a context related to event execution. The information delivery step may include deleting some of each event in the tracking information or partial information in the tracking information according to the satisfied triggering condition. You can encrypt or change it.

In detail, the reactivation information may be given a replay identifier (Trace Replay ID) by the network device or the specific terminal.

Specifically, the tracking information included in the reactivation information, for each event performed for the signaling processing of the tracking information generation object, for distinguishing the sequence of the event (Trace Sequence), time information (Time), the event And at least one of classification information and a context related to event execution. The reactivation operation may include event classification information according to the order of listing each event in the tracking information when receiving the specific signaling from the specific terminal. Signaling with other related networks may be sequentially performed on the basis of the signaling, and signaling processing according to the reactivation information may be performed.

Specifically, when a network parameter setting change is generated based on the analysis result of the network state, among the events in the tracking information included in the reactivation information, the rest other than some events related to the network parameter setting change are deleted. The method may further include an information updating step of updating the reactivation information.

Specifically, in the information updating step, the signaling is performed on a one-to-one basis with another network node associated with the event for each partial event, and the reordering operation is performed by changing the order of listing the partial events so that the total time required for performing the one-to-one signaling is minimized. You can update the information.

According to the network device and the operation method of the network device of the present invention, it is possible to immediately identify the cause of the network or the UE and optimize the network by allowing the terminal to replay the specific technical scheme realized by utilizing the trace function to be introduced into the NF, in particular, the trace information. We derive the effect of realizing a differentiated technology that makes it possible.

1 is an exemplary view showing the structure of a 5G system.
2 is an exemplary view conceptually showing a trace replay function proposed in the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a network device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 and 5 are exemplary views showing the structure of trace information and trace replay information according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is an exemplary view showing an embodiment performed by the Trace Replay function proposed in the present invention.
7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a network device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a trace technique for generating trace information in a network function (NF), and more particularly, to a technique for utilizing trace information.

The 5G communication system accommodates as many terminals as possible based on limited radio resources, while enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) / massive machine type communications (mMTC) / ultra-reliable and It supports scenarios of low latency communications.

In particular, in 5G, a network structure for supporting terminals, base stations (access), cores, and servers from end to end is defined, and a single node (eg, S-GW, P-GW, etc.) in LTE (4G) is defined. Separates the functions of control signaling and data transmission / reception, which are performed in a complex manner, to define a network structure in which a control plane of a control signaling function and a user plane of a data transmission / reception function are divided.

1 is an exemplary view showing the structure of a 5G system.

As shown in FIG. 1, a control node of a control plane in 5G manages / controls policies such as AMF (Access and Mobility Function) for controlling access to a wireless section of a terminal, terminal information and subscription service information for each terminal, and billing. Policy Control Function (PCF), Session Management Function (SMF) that manages / controls sessions for data service usage by terminal, Network Exposure Function (NEF) that is responsible for sharing information with external networks, and each node in the network. It can be defined as NRF (Network Repository Function) of a function that manages / controls information about the network.

In 5G, a data plane of a user plane is a UPF (User Plane) for transmitting and receiving data between a terminal and a server on an external service network (eg, a data network) through a session with a terminal based on control (interlocking) of the SMF. Function).

Here, NF means the function of each node of 5G Control Plane and User Plane, so each node may be understood as NF.

Meanwhile, 5G will introduce a trace function that generates trace information on signaling processing in all NFs (AMF / PCF / SMF / NEF / NRF / UPF) of the control plane and the user plane.

However, the current 5G standard simply defines the trace function, and there is no detailed method of implementing the trace function or using it.

Accordingly, in the present invention, it is to propose a materialized / differentiated technical scheme utilizing the trace function.

In detail, the present invention intends to propose a differentiated technology (hereinafter, referred to as a Trace Replay function) that enables a user to immediately identify a cause of a problem or optimize a network by replaying trace information in a terminal using a trace function. .

2 conceptually illustrates the Trace Replay function proposed by the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the trace replay function of the present invention transfers the trace replay information generated by using the trace information generated by each node of the control plane and the user plane, that is, each NF, to the terminal 10. In this case, it is essential for the terminal 10 to replay a trace by generating a trace replay signaling according to the received trace replay information.

In this case, in the trace replay function of the present invention, the terminal 10 may replay the trace by generating the traffic of the trace replay, that is, the trace replay signaling, separately from the traffic of the actually used data service, that is, the actual use signaling.

In the present invention, each NF may be able to distinguish whether the traffic of the actual data service or the traffic of the Trace Replay is based on the Trace Replay described later.

In the Trace Replay function of the present invention, the network device 100 (AMF) may transmit Trace Replay related commands (eg, Trace Replay Start / Stop, etc.) while transmitting Trace Replay information to the terminal 10.

When the network device 100 (AMF) receives the trace replay signaling from the terminal 10, the network apparatus 100 performs the signaling processing according to the trace replay information through signaling with other related NFs, thereby performing the trace replay of the terminal 10. Can support

In addition, the network device 100 (AMF) analyzes the network state based on the result of signaling processing according to the trace replay information, that is, the trace replay result, so that the immediate cause of the network or the terminal 10 can be identified and utilized. It allows one network optimization.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, the structure of the network apparatus which implements the trace replay function of this invention is demonstrated concretely.

As shown in FIG. 3, the network device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an information transmission unit 110, a reactivation unit 120, and an analysis unit 130.

Furthermore, the network device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an information update unit 140.

The network device 100 of the present invention may correspond to each node of the control plane and the user plane, that is, each NF shown in FIG. 1.

Therefore, the network device 100 of the present invention, the process module (1, 2, ... N) for performing its function in the control plane or the user plane and the interface module (1, 2, ... N).

However, hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the network device 100 of the present invention will be described as a case of AMF which is the NF closest to the terminal (UE).

The information transmitting unit 110 transmits reactivation information (hereinafter, referred to as trace replay information) generated using trace information (hereinafter, referred to as trace information) to a specific terminal, so that a specific terminal provides specific signaling according to the trace replay information. Hereinafter, Trace Replay signaling) is generated.

That is, the information transmitting unit 110 is responsible for delivering trace replay information to a specific terminal so that the trace can be replayed by generating trace replay signaling according to the trace replay information received by the specific terminal.

In detail, according to an embodiment, the information transmitting unit 110 may transmit trace replay information to a specific terminal when a predefined triggering condition is satisfied for the specific terminal.

Here, the triggering condition may be defined based on various criteria that can be recognized / identified by the network apparatus 100.

According to an example, the triggering condition may be defined such that the condition is satisfied based on identification information (eg, terminal IP, phone number, etc.) of the terminal (subscriber), in the case of specific identification information of a predetermined terminal (subscriber). .

According to another example, the triggering condition is based on a slice ID (eMBB ID, mMTC ID, URLLC ID, etc.) of the terminal (subscriber), and a specific Slice ID (eg, URLLC ID) to which a slice ID of the terminal (subscriber) is pre-designated. In this case, the condition may be defined to be satisfied.

In addition, the triggering condition is not only identification information and slice ID of the terminal (subscriber), but also a subscription service / product base of the terminal (subscriber), entry / exit / handover of a specific region of the terminal (subscriber). In the handover, the network apparatus 100 changes a wireless environment of the terminal (subscriber) (for example, when the radio signal is low or packet size is down), when identification information and / or a slice ID of the terminal (subscriber) is changed. It may be defined by various criteria that can be recognized / identified.

Here, when the triggering condition is satisfied, the trace replay information delivered to a specific terminal is preferably generated using trace information determined according to the satisfied triggering condition.

As described above, the triggering condition may be variously defined based on various criteria that can be recognized / identified by the network apparatus 100.

In the present invention, for each triggering condition, it is possible to predetermine a trace replay generation policy for what trace information should be generated when the triggering condition is satisfied.

Accordingly, the information transfer unit 110, when the triggering condition defined for a specific terminal is satisfied, specifies the trace replay information generated by using the trace information determined according to the triggering condition satisfied this time based on the trace replay generation policy. Can be delivered to the terminal.

Here, the trace information used when generating the trace replay information is trace information generated by one network node, that is, one NF during signaling processing of the trace information generation target, or generated by two or more NFs during signaling processing of the trace information generation target. One trace information may be merged trace information.

Prior to this, the trace information proposed by the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

In each NF, trace information on signaling processing of a specific terminal may be generated.

As such, the trace information generated in the NF is divided into a trace ID, a trace sequence, a time information, and an event for each event sequentially performed for signaling processing. It may include at least one of the identification information, the context (Context) associated with the event execution.

More specifically, the distinguishing information in the trace information may include at least one of type information indicating whether an event is related to message transmission / reception processing or function processing, and execution location information indicating a module on which an event is performed. It may include.

The context in the trace information may include at least one of service message information according to a predefined service-based interface, a result of event execution, and status information indicating a related content when the event is a message transceiving process. It may include one.

Specifically, the status information indicates at least one of execution success, required time, process usage, and memory usage according to the result of performing the event of the message transmission / reception process or the function processing, and is related to the event execution of the message transmission / reception process or the function processing. It may represent at least one of a related data, a message number and a capacity value, and an influence value that can distinguish critical / major / minor for a failure of execution.

As shown in FIG. 4, a trace information structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is a field for indicating an identifier (NF ID) for identifying a network node, which is generated during signaling processing of a trace information generation target in a network node. A field for displaying an identifier (Trace ID) for identifying trace information, a field for displaying a trace sequence of an event performed for signaling processing, a field for displaying a time information of an event, an event It may be defined in a format including a field for displaying classification information for distinguishing a field and a field for displaying a context related to event execution.

NF ID is the ID value of the NF (eg SMF) that generated the trace information, and Trace ID is the ID value of the trace information generated this time.

The trace sequence is a valid sequence value in units of trace information and is a value according to an event sequence sequentially performed for signaling processing.

Time is a value representing the time at which the event was performed, and may be represented in the form of Start / Pause / End time value as shown in FIG. 4 or in other forms.

The field for displaying the classification information is a field for displaying type information indicating whether the event is related to message transmission / reception processing or function processing, and a execution location information indicating a module in which the event is performed. It may include a field for displaying.

Furthermore, the field for displaying the division information may further include a field for displaying level information indicating a level of the status information of the event.

Trace Type indicates whether this event is related to message transmission / reception processing or function processing. For example, Type 1 is defined as message transmission / reception processing, or interface, and Type 2 is defined as function processing / function. 3 can be defined as related to a sub-Function of a smaller child in a function.

Trace Location can indicate in which module this event was performed.

The trace level represents the level of the current event. For example, Level 1 can be defined as simple with 3 or fewer states and Level 5 can be defined as detailed with 50 or more states.

Here, a field for displaying a network node identifier (NF ID) / trace information identifier (Trace ID) / sequence number (Trace Sequence) / time information (Time) / classification information is a trace field, and can be referred to as an essential field. .

The field for displaying a context is a field for displaying service message information according to a predefined service-based interface when the event is a message transceiving process, a status information indicating a result of event execution and related contents. It may include a field for displaying.

When the event is a message transmission / reception process (Type 1 _ Interface), the service message indicates message identification information according to a service based interface between nodes (NFs) defined in 5G. It can be expressed in the form of Service Operation / Attribute Name.

For example, assuming a session-related message transmission / reception processing event in the trace information generated by the SMF 100, the Service Message field of the event may include Nsmf_PDUSession / CreateSMContext / addUeLocation.

More specifically, the field for displaying the status information is for indicating whether the execution was successful (status 1, for example, OK / Not OK / Bypass / Conditional OK) according to a result of performing an event of a message transmission / reception process or a function processing. Field, a field for displaying a required time (status 2), a field for displaying a process usage (status 3), a field for displaying a memory usage (status 4), and the like.

In addition, the field for displaying the status information, the field for displaying the relevant data and message number and capacity value related to the event performance of the message transmission and reception process or the function processing, the influence that can distinguish the critical / major / minor for the failure to perform It may include a field for displaying a degree value.

In addition, the field for displaying the status information is any information (for example, whether the message is consistent or malicious attack message, etc.) as long as it is information that can mean a status according to the result of performing a message transmission / reception process or a function processing event. It may include a field for displaying the information.

As such, the field for displaying status information may have at least one status field and may have up to N status fields.

Furthermore, the trace information structure according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a field for displaying protocol information indicating a protocol for processing an event.

On the other hand, the field for displaying the service message information (Protocol) / status information (Status 1, 2, ... N) is a context field, an additional field.

Furthermore, in the present invention, each NF optionally includes an original message (eg, original packet / data / message itself) transmitted / received by the NF itself in the context of the trace information, thereby providing trace information. When merging, it is possible to make merging easier, or when generating trace replay information using trace information, it can be made easier.

Since the trace information shown in FIG. 4 includes two ID values, that is, SMF 01 0x4212FD and UPF 01 0x6D2398, as NF IDs, the trace information generated by two NFs or SMFs involved in signaling processing of the trace information generation target ( Trace ID: 0x231EF8) and the trace information (Trace ID: 0x84AB31) generated by UPF are illustrated as an example of the merged (sorted, deleted, updated) trace information.

If the trace information generated by one NF is generated during signaling processing of the trace information generation target, the trace information will include one ID value as the NF ID and one ID value as the Trace ID.

Therefore, when the triggering condition defined for the specific terminal is satisfied, the information transmitting unit 110 uses trace information (single or merged trace information) determined according to the triggering condition satisfied this time based on the Trace Replay generation policy. The generated trace replay information can be delivered to a specific terminal.

As such, in the present invention, traces obtained by merging a long term or a short term from a single terminal or a plurality of terminals may be made as a Trace Replay, and transferred to a specific terminal.

Herein, the specific terminal that satisfies the triggering condition and the trace replay information is a terminal that is a subject of signaling (target to generate trace information) when generating trace information (single or merge trace information) used when generating the trace replay information. desirable.

Meanwhile, the information transmitting unit 110 may receive a trace replay information generated in another NF and transmit it to a specific terminal to deliver to a specific terminal, or in the network apparatus 100 to transmit to a specific terminal. The generated trace replay information may be transmitted to a specific terminal.

More specifically, in the present invention, the information transmitting unit 110 may delete some of each event in the trace information included in the trace replay information or encrypt or change some information in the trace information according to the triggering condition satisfied this time. .

For example, according to the present invention, for each triggering condition, when the triggering condition is satisfied, which field in the trace information should be deleted for optimal trace replay, and in which field information in the trace information is avoided to avoid exposure and security of sensitive information of the network. You can decide on a policy to create a Trace Replay that should be encrypted or changed.

Therefore, before transmitting the trace replay information to the specific terminal, the information transmitting unit 110 deletes some of each event in the trace information included in the trace replay information according to the triggering condition satisfied this time based on the trace replay generation policy. Alternatively, some information in the trace information can be encrypted or changed.

At this time, in the present invention, as a method of encrypting or changing information, any of the existing methods including the Scramble method may be adopted / used.

In FIG. 4, some of the events in the trace information are deleted (①), information in the Status field in the trace information is deleted or encrypted (②), and information in the Trace Location, Trace Level, and Service Message fields in the Trace information is shown. An example of encrypting (③) is shown.

Furthermore, in the present invention, by setting a start value (or period) for each Trace ID in the Trace Replay information according to a specific scenario, the terminal 10 having received the Trace Replay information may replay the trace according to the Trace Replay information. It is also possible to replay slowly or quickly depending on the start value (or cycle) for each trace ID.

A specific terminal (hereinafter, referred to as a terminal 10) that has received trace replay information from the network device 100 (AMF) of the present invention may generate trace replay start and trace replay signaling according to the received trace replay information.

For example, the terminal 10 according to a Trace Replay-related command (for example, Trace Replay Start / Stop, etc.) received along with Trace Replay information, immediately or at a specified time or when a specified triggering condition is satisfied, the Trace Replay starts and Trace Replay signaling. May occur.

In this case, the terminal 10 may assign an identifier (hereinafter, referred to as Trace Replay ID) for reactivation information, that is, Trace Replay information, and transmit a Trace Replay ID along with Trace Replay signaling at the same time as the Trace Replay starts.

Of course, the network device 100 (AMF) of the present invention may assign a Trace Replay ID to the Trace Replay information from the beginning and transmit it to the terminal 10.

Referring to FIG. 5, a trace replay information structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

According to the present invention, the trace replay information may include a trace replay ID provided by the network apparatus 100 (AMF) or the terminal 10, trace information included in the trace replay information, and trace replay time information performed by the trace replay information. (Time) may be included.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5, the trace replay information structure according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a field for displaying a trace replay ID, a field for displaying trace information included in the trace replay information, and a trace replay time. It may be defined in a format including a field for displaying information.

In FIG. 5, an example of further defining a field for displaying a trace ID in the trace information is shown separately from the field for displaying the trace information.

When the reactivation performing unit 120 receives the trace replay signaling from the terminal 10, the reactivation unit 120 performs a signaling process according to the trace replay information through signaling with another NF related to the trace information in the trace replay information based on the terminal 10. It can support (10) Trace Replay.

Specifically, when the reactivation unit 120 receives the trace replay signaling from the terminal 10, the reactivation unit 120 sequentially performs signaling with other related NFs based on the event classification information according to the event list order of the trace information in the trace replay information. To perform.

For example, assuming that the Trace Replay information including the trace shown in FIG. 4 is described, the reactivation unit 120 performs event classification information according to the sequence of ordering events (Sequence 1, 2, 2) of the trace information. Based on this, signaling with other related NFs (eg, SMF and UPF) of the control plane and / or user plane may be sequentially performed.

As described above, the reactivation unit 120 performs signaling processing according to the Trace Replay information by sequentially performing signaling with other related NFs according to the sequence of listing events of the trace information in the Trace Replay information.

The analysis unit 130 plays a role of analyzing a network state based on a result of signaling processing performed according to trace replay information, that is, a trace replay result.

In the present invention, there is no restriction on the method of analyzing the network state based on the trace replay result, and the network state (eg, performance, error, problem) according to the criteria (or policy) determined based on the result of the existing signaling processing. One of the various ways to analyze the cause can be adopted.

However, if one example is described, the network device 100 of the present invention generates trace information during signaling processing according to trace replay information, and status information for each event in the generated trace information (for example, whether the execution was successful_OK / Not OK / Bypass / Conditional OK, based on established criteria (or policies), based on time spent, process usage, memory usage, data and message count and capacity values, and impact values. , The cause of the problem).

In addition, in the network apparatus 100 of the present invention, optimization may be performed by changing a network parameter setting according to the analysis result of the network state.

This optimization performance is to change the network operation according to the analysis result, and the performing agent will be an operator.

For example, change of network parameter setting (e.g., load balancing) that distributes the load of NF analyzed as the cause of problems among NFs (e.g. AMF, SMF, UPF) involved in signaling processing based on this trace replay information. The optimization may be performed through the optimization, or the optimization may be performed by changing the network parameter setting that increases the memory usage allocated to the signaling process.

As described above, according to the network apparatus of the present invention, a trace replay function for replaying trace information in a terminal is realized based on a trace function for generating trace information in an NF.

In this case, in the present invention, by transmitting the trace Replay information and the terminal to a variety of signaling to be simulated by using the trace information, and causes the terminal to replay the trace according to the Trace Replay information, causing the immediate problem of the network or UE Identify the effects that enable identification and network optimization.

Further, when a network parameter setting change is generated based on the analysis result of the network state, the information updating unit 140 may select some events related to the network parameter setting change among the events in the trace information included in the trace replay information. You can update the Trace Replay information by deleting the rest.

For example, in the network apparatus 100 (NF1: AMF) of the present invention, signaling with other related NF2, 3, 4 is sequentially performed according to the sequence of listing events of the trace information in the trace replay information to the trace replay information. It is assumed that the following signaling processing is performed.

After analyzing the network state based on the trace replay result according to the above assumptions, it can be assumed that the optimization is performed by changing the network parameter setting for NF3,4 analyzed as the cause of the problem.

In this case, the information updater 140 deletes some of the events related to the network parameter setting change, that is, the events related to NF3 and 4, that is, the events of the normally analyzed NF2, among the events in the trace information included in the trace replay information. You can update the Trace Replay information.

In addition, the information update unit 140 transmits the updated trace replay information to the information transfer unit 110 so that the information transfer unit 110 transmits the updated trace replay information to the terminal 10 again.

At this time, the updated Trace Replay information will be newly given a Trace Replay ID by the network apparatus 100 (AMF) or the terminal 10.

In this case, the terminal 10 will generate the trace replay signaling according to the received (update) trace replay information, and the network apparatus 100 (AMF) receives the trace replay signaling from the terminal 10 based on this. Signaling processing (NF3, NF4 sequential execution) according to (update) Trace Replay information will be performed through signaling with NF.

The network apparatus 100 (AMF) analyzes the network state based on the result of signaling processing according to the (update) Trace Replay information, and updates the above-described Trace Replay information until the network optimization state is normal. And delivery can be repeated.

The network device 100 (AMF) may terminate the Trace Replay function by transmitting a Trace Replay OK to the terminal 10 when all the results of the network analysis are normal.

More specifically, according to the embodiment, the information update unit 140, when the above-described update to delete the remaining part of each event in the trace information included in the Trace Replay information, further other network associated with the event for each event Although signaling is performed one-to-one with the node, the trace replay information may be updated by changing the order in which some events are arranged so that the total time required for one-to-one signaling is minimized.

As described above, it may be assumed that after analyzing the network state based on the trace replay result, optimization by changing the network parameter setting is performed on NF3, 4 analyzed as the cause of the problem.

In this case, as described above, the information update unit 140, among the events in the trace information included in the trace replay information, the other part of the event related to the network parameter setting change, that is, the event other than the events related to NF3, 4, that is, the normally analyzed NF2 Delete the event.

In addition, the information updater 140 performs one-to-one signaling with NF3,4 for some events, that is, events related to NF3,4, but changes the order of listing some events so that the entire time required for performing one-to-one signaling is minimized. You can update the Trace Replay information.

For example, when NF4 is far from each other based on the physical distance between network devices 100 and AMF and NF3 and 4, or signaling one to one between network devices 100 and AMF and NF3 and 4, signaling of NF4 is performed. If the time is much longer, the network device 100 (AMF) performs one-to-one signaling with NF3 first after one-to-one signaling with NF3, and the network device (100, AMF) performs one-to-one signaling with NF3 after one-to-one signaling with NF4 first. In this case, the total time required for performing one-to-one signaling is minimized, which may reduce the trace replay time.

In consideration of such physical distance and signaling time, the information updater 140 performs one-to-one signaling with NF3,4 for each event related to NF3,4, but partially to minimize the entire time required for performing one-to-one signaling. Trace Replay information can be updated by changing the order of event listing (NF3, NF4-> NF4, NF3, see FIG. 4).

In addition, the information update unit 140 transmits the updated trace replay information to the information transfer unit 110 so that the information transfer unit 110 transmits the updated trace replay information to the terminal 10 again.

In this case, the terminal 10 will generate the trace replay signaling according to the received (update) trace replay information, and the network apparatus 100 (AMF) receives the trace replay signaling from the terminal 10 based on this. Signaling processing (NF4, NF3 one-to-one execution) according to (update) Trace Replay information will be performed through signaling with NF.

The network apparatus 100 (AMF) analyzes the network state based on the result of signaling processing according to the (update) Trace Replay information, and updates the above-described Trace Replay information until the network optimization state is normal. And delivery can be repeated.

As described above, according to the network device of the present invention, based on the trace function for generating trace information in the NF, the terminal can replay the trace information and further utilizes the trace replay result for network analysis. We derive the effect of realizing the specific / differentiated technology (Trace Replay function) that enables immediate problem cause identification and network optimization of UE.

Hereinafter, an embodiment performed by the Trace Replay function proposed by the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

For convenience of description, NF1, 2, 3, and 4 will be mentioned, and NF1 will be referred to as a network device of the present invention, but it will be described on the assumption that it is AMF.

NF1 (AMF) transfers trace replay information generated using trace information to a specific terminal (hereinafter, referred to as terminal 10) (S1).

In this case, the NF1 (AMF) may delete some of each event in the trace information included in the trace replay information, or encrypt or change some information in the trace information, and then transfer the trace replay information to the terminal 10.

Here, the trace information used when generating the trace replay information is trace information generated by one network node, that is, one NF during signaling processing of the trace information generation target, or generated by two or more NFs during signaling processing of the trace information generation target. One trace information may be merged trace information.

The terminal 10 having received the trace replay information from the NF1 (AMF) may return an Ack (information reception OK) (S2) and generate a trace replay start (S3) and trace replay signaling according to the trace replay information (S2). S4).

At this time, the terminal 10 may transmit the Trace Replay ID assigned to the Trace Replay information together with the Trace Replay signaling (S4).

When NF1 (AMF) receives the Trace Replay signaling from the terminal 10, by performing signaling processing according to the Trace Replay information through signaling with other NF2, 3, 4 related to the trace information in the Trace Replay information based on this (S5) ), And may support Trace Replay of the terminal 10.

Specifically, NF1 (AMF) sequentially performs signaling with other NF2, 3, and 4 related based on the event classification information according to the sequence of event listing of the trace information in the trace replay information (S5).

In FIG. 5, for convenience, the Ack reply is not shown in the signaling between NF1 (AMF) and each of NF2, 3, and 4, and is omitted.

NF1 (AMF) analyzes the network state based on the result of signaling processing according to the Trace Replay information, that is, the Trace Replay result (S6).

As an example, NF1 (AMF) generates trace information during signaling processing according to trace replay information, and status information for each event in the generated trace information (for example, whether execution was successful_OK / Not OK / Bypass / Analyze network status (e.g. performance, errors, causes of problems) according to established criteria (or policies) based on conditional OK, time spent, process usage, memory usage, data and message count and capacity values, and impact values can do.

Then, NF1 (AMF) may perform optimization by changing network parameter setting according to the analysis result of the network state (S7).

The NF1 (AMF) may update the trace replay information previously transmitted to the terminal 10 when a network parameter setting change occurs based on the analysis result of the network state (S7).

For example, it may be assumed that NF1 (AMF) analyzes the network state based on the trace replay result and then optimizes NF3,4 analyzed as the cause of the problem by changing the network parameter setting.

In this case, NF1 (AMF) deletes some events related to network parameter setting change, other than events related to NF3 and 4, that is, normally analyzed events of NF2 among each event in Trace information included in Trace Replay information, and NF3 Although signaling is performed one-to-one with NF3,4 for each event related to, 4, the trace replay information may be updated by changing the order of some events so that the total time required for performing one-to-one signaling is minimized.

For example, if NF4 is far from each other based on the physical distance between NF1 (AMF) and NF3,4, or if signaling time of NF4 is significantly long when NF1 (AMF) and NF3,4 are signaling one by one, NF1 is significantly longer. When NF1 (AMF) performs one-to-one signaling with NF3 first after one-to-one signaling with NF3, rather than when (AMF) performs one-to-one signaling with NF3 first, the total time required for performing one-to-one signaling is minimal. This can reduce trace replay time.

In consideration of such physical distance and signaling time, NF1 (AMF) performs one-to-one signaling with NF3,4 for each event related to NF3,4, but lists some events so that the total time required for performing one-to-one signaling is minimized. You can update the Trace Replay information by changing the order (NF3, NF4-> NF4, NF3).

The NF1 (AMF) transmits the updated Trace Replay information to the terminal 10 again (S8).

The terminal 10 having received the trace replay information from the NF1 (AMF) may return an Ack (information reception OK) (S8), and generate a trace replay start (S9) and trace replay signaling according to the trace replay information (S8). S10).

At this time, the terminal 10 may transmit a Trace Replay ID newly assigned to the Trace Replay information together with the Trace Replay signaling (S10).

When NF1 (AMF) receives the Trace Replay signaling from the terminal 10, based on the (update) based on the trace information in the (Update) Trace Replay information, the NF1 (AMF) according to the (Update) Trace Replay information Signaling processing (NF4, NF3 one-to-one execution) will be performed (S11).

The NF1 (AMF) analyzes the network state based on the result of signaling processing according to the (update) Trace Replay information (S12), and updates the above-described Trace Replay information until the network optimization state is normal. The transmission can be repeated (S7 ~).

When NF1 (AMF) analyzes the network state and all normal analysis results, the NF1 (AMF) may terminate the Trace Replay function by transmitting the Trace Replay OK to the terminal 10 (S13).

Hereinafter, a method of operating a network device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

In a method of operating a network device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the network device 100 (for example, AMF) may specify trace replay information when a predefined triggering condition is satisfied for a specific terminal (S100 Yes). It may be delivered to the terminal (hereinafter, the terminal 10) (S110, S120).

Here, the triggering condition may be defined based on various criteria that can be recognized / identified by the network device 100 (eg, AMF).

Specifically, in the method of operating the network device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the network device 100 (eg, AMF) satisfies a predefined triggering condition (S100 Yes), the network device 100 is based on a predefined trace replay generation policy. As a result, trace replay information is generated by using the trace information determined according to the triggering condition satisfied, and some of the events in the trace information included in the trace replay information are deleted or part of the trace information according to the triggering condition satisfied this time. Information can be encrypted or changed (S110).

In addition, in the method of operating the network device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the network device 100 (for example, AMF) may transmit the generated and deleted / encrypted / modified trace replay information to the terminal 10 (S120). .

The terminal 10 receiving the trace replay information from the network device 100 (eg, AMF) may generate trace replay start and trace replay signaling according to the received trace replay information.

At this time, the terminal 10 may grant a Trace Replay ID for the Trace Replay information at the same time as the Trace Replay starts, and may transmit a Trace Replay ID with Trace Replay signaling.

Of course, the network apparatus 100 (eg, AMF) may assign the Trace Replay ID to the Trace Replay information from the beginning and transmit it to the terminal 10.

In a method of operating a network device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the network device 100 (eg, AMF) receives the trace replay signaling from the terminal 10 (S130 Yes), the trace in the trace replay information is based on this. By performing signaling processing according to trace replay information through signaling with other NF related to the information, it is possible to support trace replay of the terminal 10 (S140).

Specifically, when the network device 100 (eg, AMF) receives the trace replay signaling from the terminal 10, the network device 100 signals with other NFs based on the event classification information according to the event list order of the trace information in the trace replay information. Perform sequentially.

For example, assuming that trace replay information including a trace shown in FIG. 4 is described, the network device 100 (for example, AMF) may determine an event according to each event list order (Sequence 1,2, 2) of the trace information. Based on the classification information, signaling with other related NFs (eg, SMF and UPF) of the control plane and / or user plane may be sequentially performed.

As described above, the network apparatus 100 (eg, AMF) performs signaling processing according to the trace replay information by sequentially performing signaling with other related NFs according to the sequence of listing events of the trace information in the trace replay information.

In a method of operating a network device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the network device 100 (for example, AMF) analyzes a network state based on a result of signaling processing performed according to trace replay information, that is, a trace replay result ( S150).

In the present invention, there is no restriction on the method of analyzing the network state based on the trace replay result, and the network state (eg, performance, error, problem) according to the criteria (or policy) determined based on the result of the existing signaling processing. One of the various ways to analyze the cause can be adopted.

However, if an example is described, the network device 100 (eg, AMF) generates trace information during signaling processing according to the trace replay information, and status information for each event in the generated trace information (for example, execution success_ OK / Not OK / Bypass / Conditional OK, based on established criteria (or policies), based on time spent, process usage, memory usage, data and message count and capacity values, and impact values. Errors, causes of problems) can be analyzed.

In the method of operating a network device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the network device 100 (for example, AMF) may perform optimization by changing a network parameter setting according to a result of analyzing a network state.

This optimization is to change the network operation according to the analysis result. For example, the load of the NF analyzed as the cause of the problem among NFs (eg, AMF, SMF, UPF) involved in signaling processing according to the current Trace Replay information is analyzed. Optimization may be performed through changing network parameter settings (eg, load balancing) to be distributed, or optimization may be performed through changing network parameter settings to increase memory usage allocated to signaling processing.

In the method of operating a network device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the network device 100 (for example, AMF), when a network parameter setting change occurs based on the analysis result of the network state (S160 Yes), trace replay Among the events in the trace information included in the information, the trace replay information may be updated by deleting some other events related to the network parameter setting change or changing the order of listing some events (S170).

In the method of operating the network device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the network device 100 (eg, AMF) transfers the updated Trace Replay information back to the terminal 10 (S120).

The terminal 10 receiving the trace replay information from the network device 100 (eg, AMF) may generate trace replay start and trace replay signaling according to the received trace replay information.

In this case, the terminal 10 may newly assign a Trace Replay ID for the Trace Replay information while starting Trace Replay, and may transmit a Trace Replay ID with Trace Replay signaling.

Of course, the network device 100 (eg, AMF) may assign a Trace Replay ID to the (Update) Trace Replay information from the beginning and transmit it to the terminal 10.

In a method of operating a network device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the network device 100 (eg, AMF) receives the trace replay signaling from the terminal 10 (S130 Yes), (update) the trace in the trace replay information. By performing signaling processing according to (update) Trace Replay information through signaling with another NF related based on the information, it is possible to support Trace Replay of the terminal 10 (S140).

The network apparatus 100 (eg, AMF) analyzes the network state based on the result of signaling processing according to the (update) Trace Replay information (S150), until all the network optimization states are normally analyzed. Trace Replay information update and delivery can be repeated (S160, S170, S120 ~).

As described above, according to the operating method of the network apparatus of the present invention, based on the trace function for generating trace information in the NF, the trace information can be replayed in the terminal and further, the trace replay result is used for network analysis. Therefore, we derive the effect of realizing the specific / differentiated technology (Trace Replay function) that enables the immediate problem cause identification and network optimization of the network or UE.

The method of operating a network device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed by various computer means and recorded in a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc. alone or in combination. Program instructions recorded on the media may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well-known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape, optical media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, and magnetic disks, such as floppy disks. Magneto-optical media, and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include machine code, such as produced by a compiler, as well as high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The hardware device described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the technical field to which the present invention belongs without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the following claims. Anyone skilled in the art will have the technical idea of the present invention to the extent that various modifications or changes are possible.

According to the network device and the operation method of the network device according to the present invention, in that it provides a detailed / differentiated technology scheme that utilizes the trace function to be introduced to the NF, as it exceeds the limitations of the existing technology, It is an invention that is industrially applicable because not only the use but also the possibility of commercialization or operation of the applied device is not only sufficient, but also practically obvious.

100: network device (NF)
110: information transmission unit 120: reactivation unit
130: analysis unit 140: information update unit

Claims (18)

An information transmitting unit for transmitting the replay information generated by using the trace information to a specific terminal so that the specific terminal generates specific signaling according to the reactivation information; And
And a reactivation execution unit configured to perform signaling processing according to the reactivation information through signaling with other network nodes related to the tracking information based on the specific signaling received from the specific terminal. The method of claim 1,
And an analyzer configured to analyze a network state based on a result of performing signaling processing according to the reactivation information. The method of claim 1,
The information transfer unit, when the predefined triggering conditions for a specific terminal is satisfied, delivers the reactivation information to the specific terminal,
And the reactivation information is generated using tracking information determined according to the satisfied triggering condition. The method of claim 3, wherein
The tracking information,
Or is tracking information generated by one network node during signaling processing of the tracking information generation target, or
And tracing information generated by two or more network nodes in the signaling processing of the tracing information generation target. The method of claim 3, wherein
Tracking information included in the restart information,
For each event performed for signaling processing for generating the tracking information, at least one of a sequence sequence and time information of the event, classification information for distinguishing an event, and a context related to event execution Including;
The information transfer unit,
And deleting a part of each event in the tracking information or encrypting or changing some information in the tracking information according to the satisfied triggering condition. Claim 6 has been abandoned upon payment of a setup registration fee. The method of claim 1,
In the reactivation information,
And a replay identifier (Trace Replay ID) is assigned by the network device or the specific terminal. The method of claim 1,
Tracking information included in the restart information,
For each event performed for signaling processing for generating the tracking information, at least one of a sequence sequence and time information of the event, classification information for distinguishing an event, and a context related to event execution Including;
The reactivation unit,
When the specific signaling is received from the specific terminal, signaling with other related networks is sequentially performed based on event classification information according to the order of listing the events in the tracking information to perform signaling processing according to the reactivation information. Characterized in that the network device. The method of claim 2,
When a network parameter setting change is generated based on the analysis result of the network state,
And an information update unit for updating the reactivation information by deleting some other events related to the change of the network parameter setting among each event in the tracking information included in the reactivation information. The method of claim 8,
The information update unit,
The network performs signaling one-to-one with other network nodes related to the event for each partial event, and updates the reactivation information by changing the order in which the partial events are arranged so that the total time required for performing one-to-one signaling is minimized. Device. Claim 10 has been abandoned upon payment of a setup registration fee. The method of claim 8,
The information transfer unit,
And transmitting the updated reactivation information to the specific terminal. An information delivery step of transmitting the replay information generated by using the trace information to a specific terminal so that the specific terminal generates specific signaling according to the reactivation information; And
And a reactivation step of performing signaling processing according to the reactivation information through signaling with another network node related to the tracking information based on the specific signaling received from the specific terminal. Method of operation. The method of claim 11,
And analyzing the network state on the basis of the result of the signaling processing performed according to the reactivation information. The method of claim 11,
In the information delivery step, when the triggering condition defined for the specific terminal is satisfied, the reactivation information is transmitted to the specific terminal.
The reactivation information is generated using the tracking information determined according to the satisfied triggering condition. The method of claim 13,
Tracking information included in the restart information,
For each event performed for signaling processing for generating the tracking information, at least one of a sequence sequence and time information of the event, classification information for distinguishing an event, and a context related to event execution Including;
The information transfer step,
And deleting some of each event in the tracking information or encrypting or changing some information in the tracking information according to the satisfied triggering condition. Claim 15 was abandoned upon payment of a set-up fee. The method of claim 11,
In the reactivation information,
And a replay identifier (Trace Replay ID) is given by the network device or the specific terminal. The method of claim 11,
Tracking information included in the restart information,
For each event performed for signaling processing for generating the tracking information, at least one of a sequence sequence and time information of the event, classification information for distinguishing an event, and a context related to event execution Including;
The reactivation step,
When the specific signaling is received from the specific terminal, signaling with other related networks is sequentially performed based on event classification information according to the order of listing the events in the tracking information to perform signaling processing according to the reactivation information. A method of operating a network device, characterized in that. The method of claim 12,
When a network parameter setting change is generated based on the analysis result of the network state,
And an information updating step of updating the reactivation information by deleting some other events related to the change of the network parameter setting among each event in the tracking information included in the reactivation information. Way. The method of claim 17,
The information update step,
The network performs signaling one-to-one with other network nodes related to the event for each partial event, and updates the reactivation information by changing the order in which the partial events are arranged so that the total time required for performing one-to-one signaling is minimized. How the device works.

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