Timers in stateless architecture

A method for operating a logic instance of a network function in a stateless architecture of a telecommunications network, the method comprising:

• performing, by a logic performer, network function logic to carry out at least part of a network function of the telecommunications network, the logic performer controlling a transmitter and receiver for transmission and reception of data with a backend database during performance of the network function logic;
• controlling, by a timer subscriber, the transmitter to transmit a request to the backend database to be notified about a timer event relating to a timer run on the backend database, the request comprising data indicating the timer event;
• and
• receiving, by the receiver, a notification that the timer event has occurred.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium containing instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause a logic instance of a network function in a stateless architecture of a telecom network to perform operations comprising:

• performing, by a logic performer, network function logic to carry out at least part of a network function of a telecommunications network, the logic performer controlling a transmitter and receiver for transmission and reception of data with a backend database during performance of the network function logic;
• controlling, by a timer subscriber, the transmitter to transmit a request to the backend database to be notified about a timer event relating to a timer run on the backend database, the request comprising data indicating the timer event;
• and
• receiving, by the receiver, a notification that the timer event has occurred.

A backend database for use in a stateless architecture of a telecommunications network, the backend database comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive a request from a front end logic instance of a network function in the telecommunications network to be notified about a timer event relating to a timer, the request comprising data indicating the timer event;
• a processor;
• and
• a memory containing in which, when executed by the processor, cause the backend database to:
• run the timer and determine whether the timer event has occurred;
• and
• based on the determination of whether the timer event has occurred, control a transmitter to transmit a notification to the front end logic instance.

A method for operating a backend database for use in a stateless architecture of a telecommunications network, the method comprising:

• receiving, by a receiver, a request from a front end logic instance of a network function in the telecommunications network to be notified about a timer event relating to a timer, the request comprising data indicating the timer event;
• running, by a timer manager, the timer and determining whether the timer event has occurred;
• and
• controlling a transmitter, by a timeout notifier, based on the determination of whether the timer event has occurred, to transmit a notification to the front end logic instance.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium containing instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause a backend database for use in a stateless architecture of a telecommunication network to perform operations comprising:

• receiving, by a receiver, a request from a front end logic instance of a network function in the telecommunications network to be notified about a timer event relating a timer, the request comprising data indicating the timer event;
• running, by a timer manager, the timer and determining whether the timer event has occurred;
• and
• controlling a transmitter, by a timeout notifier, based on the determination of whether the timer event has occurred, to transmit a notification to the front end logic instance.