APN Local Breakout Detection in PGW Traffic Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks lack efficient mechanisms to dynamically determine which access point names (APNs) support local breakout, leading to inefficient traffic routing and management, as this knowledge is typically available only in the core network, limiting flexibility and traffic separation capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that allows the packet data network gateway (PGW) or gateway general packet radio service support node (GGSN) to determine and enforce local breakout policy charging and control (PCC) rules dynamically, enabling network elements to identify and manage traffic routing for APNs, either by contacting the policy and charging rules function (PCRF) or by pre-configuring rules, thereby optimizing traffic handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If local breakout is implemented for all APNs, then traffic offloading is maximized, but network integrity and traffic management control are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling different APNs to have different local breakout capabilities. Not all APNs are treated uniformly - some support local breakout while others require traffic to go through the core network. This is achieved by determining on a per-APN basis whether local breakout is supported, allowing optimized traffic routing for specific APNs while maintaining network control for others.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic determination of local breakout support for each APN. The network element dynamically determines whether local breakout is supported for a given APN based on network conditions and policies, rather than using static configurations. This allows flexible adaptation to changing network requirements while maintaining the ability to offload traffic when appropriate.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic PCC rules are used, then traffic management flexibility is improved, but device complexity and ongoing PCRF access requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent supports both static and dynamic PCC rules, allowing the network to choose the appropriate mechanism based on requirements. Dynamic rules provide flexibility for changing traffic management needs, while static rules offer simpler implementation for stable configurations. The system can dynamically determine local breakout support and apply appropriate rules without requiring complex ongoing PCRF access for all scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The network element determines local breakout support for APNs autonomously based on pre-configured information or dynamic policies, reducing the need for continuous external control. The element can independently make decisions about traffic routing based on the determined APN characteristics, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining flexibility.
3Reliability
If core network maintains APN local breakout knowledge, then network control is maintained, but traffic separation effectiveness at local network elements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the network element determines local breakout support for APNs using information from the core network. This intermediary approach allows the local network element to make informed traffic separation decisions without requiring direct continuous control from the core network. The core network provides necessary information (such as APN identification and local breakout support status), and the local element uses this information to effectively separate and route traffic.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, apparatus, computer program, and system is provided that includes handling traffic management in a communication network system. One example may include activating a communication link, obtaining traffic management rules to handle the traffic flow on the communication link, and transferring the traffic management rules to at least one network element configured to implement the traffic management rules. The traffic management rules are configured to perform traffic management by transferring at least a portion of the network traffic to a different communication network.