Today’s Patent – Network Repository Function Overload Protection

The said invention (US12170604B2) was invented by Sudeep Kumar Pandey, Rohit Jain, Ravikant Matwar Prasad Singh, Sujin Kumar Anagani, and patented by USPTO on July 29^th, 2023. Currently, it stands assigned to the Cisco Technology Inc.

This invention provides systems and methods for managing overload protection in a network repository function (NRF) architecture. When a first NRF transmits a load metric, the system compares it to a threshold. If the load exceeds the threshold, the method initiates deregistration from the overloaded NRF and shifts subsequent network function discovery (NFD) requests to alternate NRFs. The system may also send heartbeat signals to the first NRF, monitor for updated load metrics, and re-register when conditions return below the threshold. This approach helps balance traffic across multiple NRFs and ensures continuous availability of service.

The solution supports dynamic discovery message routing using weighted distributions based on real-time load metrics and optionally leverages NRF-specific priorities. It can extend the validity period of discovered peers using received validity attributes and adapt registration behavior accordingly. The system can be implemented in hardware, software, or via a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and includes logic for evaluating and selecting alternative NRFs, ensuring optimized network resource allocation under varying traffic conditions.