Network repository function failure handling
Based on determining (S 211 ) that each of one or more NRFs of a mobile communication network system has become unavailable, switching (S 213 ) to an NRF-unavailable state in which a validation of an NF service consumer based on an access token for a service request towards an NF service producer is relaxed is performed. The service request is sent (S 215 ) towards the NF service producer, the service request comprising at least an indication of the NRF-unavailable state. Upon receipt (S 221 ) of the service request, the service request is processed (S 223 ) based on the indication of the NRF-unavailable state.
1 . A method comprising:
determining, by a network function (NF) service consumer of a mobile communication network, that each of one or more network repository functions (NRFs) of the mobile communication network has become unavailable;
based on the determining, switching, by the NF service consumer, to an NRF-unavailable state in which a validation of a network function, NF, service consumer based on an access token for a service request towards a NF service producer is relaxed,
wherein the service request is a request for a service to be provided by the NF service producer, and
wherein the NF service consumer is a consumer of the service to be provided by the NF service producer; and
sending, by the NF service consumer towards the NF service producer, the service request comprising at least an indication that indicates the NF service consumer is in the NRF-unavailable state.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the service request further comprises the access token, wherein the access token was received by the NF service consumer before the NF service consumer determined that each of the one or more NRFs has become unavailable and the access token is expired.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
adopting, by the NF service consumer, a static authorization model which is based on a local configuration.
4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising: identifying, by the NF service consumer, the NF service producer based on the local configuration.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the service request further comprises a client credentials assertion (CCA) token associated with the NF service consumer, wherein the CCA token is to be used for validation of the NF service consumer.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the service request further comprises an identifier of each of the one or more NRFs.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, by the NF service consumer, a notification that each of the one or more NRFs has become unavailable, wherein the determining comprises determining that each of the one or more NRFs has become unavailable based on the notification.
8 . A method comprising:
receiving, by a network function (NF) service producer of a mobile communication network from a NF service consumer of the mobile communication network, a service request which comprises an indication of a RF-unavailable state and an access token for the service request,
wherein the indication of the NRF-unavailable state indicates that each of one or more network repository functions (NRFs) of the mobile communication network become unavailable, and indicates that a validation of NF service consumer based on an access token for a service request towards the NF service producer is relaxed,
wherein the service request is a request for a service to be provided by the NF service producer, and
wherein the NF service consumer is a consumer of the service to be provided by the NF service producer; and
processing, by the NF service producer, the service request based on the indication of the NRF-unavailable state, wherein the processing the service request comprises allowing the service request without validation of the NF service consumer based on the access token.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the service request further comprises at least one of the following:
a client credentials assertion (CCA) token associated with the NF service consumer, wherein the CCA token is to be used for validation of the NF service consumer;
or an identifier of each of the one or more NRFs; and
wherein the processing the service request is further based on the at least one of the access token, the CCA token, or the identifier of each of the one or more NRFs.
10 . An apparatus for a mobile communication network, the apparatus comprising;
at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code of a network function (NF) service consumer of the mobile communication network, wherein the computer program code when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform:
determining that each of one or more network repository functions (NRFs of a mobile communication network has become unavailable;
based on the determining, switching to an NRF-unavailable state in which a validation of a network function NF service consumer based on an access token for a service request towards a NF service producer is relaxed,
wherein the service request is a request for a service to be provided by the NF service producer, and wherein the NF service consumer is a consumer of the service to be provided by the NF service producer; and
sending send the service request towards the NF service producer, the service request comprising at least an indication that indicates the NF service consumer is in the NRF-unavailable state.
11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the service request further comprises the access token, wherein the access token was received by the NF service consumer before the NF service consumer determined that each of the one or more NRFs has become unavailable and the access token is expired.
12 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the computer program code when executed by the at least one processor, further causes the apparatus to:
adopt a static authorization model which is based on a local configuration.
13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the computer program code when executed by the at least one processor, further causes the apparatus to:
identify the NF service producer based on the local configuration.
14 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the service request further comprises a client credentials assertion (CCA) token associated with the NF service consumer, wherein the CCA token is to be used for validation of the NF service consumer.
15 . An apparatus for a mobile communication network, the apparatus comprising:
at least one processor; and
at least one memory including computer program code of a network function (NF) service producer of the mobile communication network, wherein the computer program code when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform:
receiving a service request which comprises an indication of a NRF-unavailable state and an access token for the service request,
wherein the indication of the NRF-unavailable state indicates that each of one or more network repository functions (NRFs} of the mobile communication network has become unavailable and indicates that a validation of a network function NF service consumer based on an access token for a service request towards an NF service producer is relaxed,
wherein the service request is a request for a service to be provided by the NF service producer, and
wherein the NF service consumer is a consumer of the service to be provided by the NF service producer; and
processing the service request based on the indication of the NRF-unavailable state, wherein the processing comprises allowing the service request without validation of the NF service consumer based on the access token.
16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the service request further comprises at least one of the following:
a client credentials assertion, CCA, token associated with the NF service consumer, wherein the CCA token is to be used for validation of the NF service consumer; or an identifier of each of the one or more NRFs; and
wherein the processing the service request is further based on the at least one of the access token, the CCA token, or the identifier of each of the one or more NRFs.
17 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the computer program code when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform:
determining that each of the one or more NRFs has become unavailable.
18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the determining comprises:
periodically transmitting operation update messages to each of the one or more NRFs; and
determining that each of the one or more NRFs has become unavailable when no reply messages are received within a predetermined time period in response to the operation update messages.