Access Point Name Selection for Local IP Breakout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems in LTE/SAE networks face challenges in providing local IP breakout services with multiple IP addresses associated with a single network interface, leading to uncertainty in selecting the appropriate IP address and access point name for application-level sessions, especially with the 'Always Best Connected' concept not addressing the issue of multiple IP addresses within the same access technology.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that include a user management subsystem to initiate IP applications, a local breakout service monitoring subsystem to detect availability of local IP services, and an access point name selection control subsystem to bind and manage access point names for local IP breakout services, allowing for automatic selection and switching between default and local IP addresses and access point names.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple IP addresses and access point names are supported in user equipment, then the ability to connect to both default and local IP breakout services is improved, but uncertainty arises in selecting which IP address and access point name each application should use
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures multiple access point names and IP addresses in the user equipment before actual connection is needed. The access point name selection control subsystem maintains a list of available APNs and their associated IP addresses, preparing the selection mechanism in advance so that when an application needs to connect, the appropriate APN can be automatically selected without uncertainty or manual configuration.
2Ease of operation
If automatic selection rules are employed by user equipment for multiple IP addresses, then the complexity of manual configuration is reduced, but the selection process still requires pre-configuration and does not dynamically adapt to service availability
Solution Approach 1:
The access point name selection control subsystem continuously monitors the availability status of different IP breakout services and uses this feedback information to dynamically select the appropriate access point name and IP address for each application. The system receives availability information from the network and adjusts APN selection in real-time, rather than relying on static pre-configuration or complex selection rules.
3Productivity
If local IP breakout service is provided with a localized gateway, then network performance and cost are improved, but the standard LTE/SAE initial attaching procedure which supports only one access point name at a time becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the access point name management by maintaining separate access point names for different service types (default service and local IP breakout service). The access point name selection control subsystem divides the selection process into distinct pathways: one for default APN and another for local service APN, allowing both to coexist and be selected appropriately based on service availability and application requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, apparatus and system are provided for acquiring an access point name for an application employing a local Internet protocol breakout service. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a user management subsystem (820) configured to initiate an Internet protocol application. The apparatus also includes a local breakout service monitoring subsystem (810) configured to monitor availability of a local Internet protocol local breakout service and to obtain an access point name from the local Internet protocol local breakout service when the local Internet protocol local breakout service is available. The apparatus also includes an access point name selection control subsystem (830) configured to bind the access point name to the Internet protocol application.