2 Design objectives

23.0073GPPRelease 18Restoration proceduresTS

To avoid loss of all the data stored in a location register when part of the equipment of the location register fails, a regime must be implemented to secure the data. This regime can include replication of volatile storage units and periodic back-up of data to non-volatile storage. If the data security regime ensures the integrity of the data in spite of failure of part of the location register equipment then there will be no impact on service. This Technical Specification describes the procedures to be used when the integrity of data in the location register cannot be ensured; that situation is referred to below as "failure".

The VLR and SGSN shall erase all IMSI records affected by the failure when it restarts after a failure. The GGSN shall erase all non-static PDP records affected by the failure and restore static PDP records when it restarts after a failure.

For the HLR/HSS or CSS, periodic back-up of data to non-volatile storage is mandatory.

The reliability objectives of location registration are listed in 3GPP TS 43.005 [9].

The MME, S-GW and P-GW must similarly have a regime to secure the PDN connection and bearer data at failures. When an MME, SGW or PGW has a full node restart or fails all PDN connections and bearer records associated with the failing node shall be erased and any internal resources released.

Clause 18 "GTP-C based restart procedures" specifies how a GTP-C entity restart is detected and handled by the peer.