Application Control Point for Dynamic Policy Enforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks face challenges in efficiently deploying new multimedia services and enforcing user-specific policies, particularly due to limitations in the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture, which lacks flexibility and comprehensive policy control, especially for non-SIP devices and legacy applications.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a system comprising an Application Control Point (ACP) with a programmable flow engine, rules engine, and policy hooks, along with a policy server that manages network resources beyond traditional Quality of Service, enabling dynamic invocation of service enablers and application servers based on user-specific policies and available resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture is used to provide multimedia services, then service delivery capability is improved, but flexibility for deploying new services and adaptability to new terminal types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments service delivery into two independent parts: the IMS core architecture handles standardized service delivery, while the external application server handles custom service deployment. This segmentation allows the IMS to maintain its service delivery capabilities while the external server provides the needed flexibility for new services and terminal types.
Solution Approach 2:
An external application server acts as an intermediary between the IMS core and new services/terminals. This intermediary enables services that are not natively supported by the IMS architecture, providing flexibility without modifying the core IMS system. The application server translates and adapts requests from various terminal types to IMS-compatible formats.
2Ease of operation
If Service Point Triggers (SPTs) are used in IMS architecture to invoke application servers, then service invocation capability is improved, but capability to support advanced terminal types and new services deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces static SPT-based invocation with dynamic service discovery and invocation mechanisms. The external application server can dynamically determine which services to invoke based on terminal capabilities, service requirements, and network conditions, enabling support for advanced terminal types beyond what fixed SPTs can handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the invocation parameters from rigid SPT filters to flexible service description parameters that can accommodate diverse terminal types. By using service capability templates and terminal capability matching, the system adapts service invocation to the specific characteristics of each terminal type rather than relying on predefined trigger criteria.
3Reliability
If traditional IMS policy control is implemented, then Quality of Service (QoS) management is improved, but comprehensive policy control for diverse applications and user-specific policies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The external application server implements a universal policy control framework that handles multiple policy types (QoS, security, billing, access control) in a unified manner. This multi-functional policy engine can enforce user-specific policies, application-specific policies, and network-wide policies, extending beyond the traditional IMS QoS-focused control to provide comprehensive policy management for diverse applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary policy evaluation and authorization before service invocation. The external application server evaluates user profiles, service subscriptions, and policy rules in advance, determining applicable policies before the actual service execution. This preliminary action enables user-specific and application-specific policy enforcement without impacting real-time QoS management.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for providing feature services in a multimedia communication environment comprising comparing signaling messages with control data to identify service enablers and application servers responsive to the message Each responsive service enabler is invoked in accordance with an associated policy hook In another embodiment, a system for enforcing policy in a communication network includes a policy server that receives a request to invoke an application, receives a policy profile for a network user, and decides a proper allocation of network users based on the policy profile, the application, and available network resources The system also includes a network resource manager to monitor available network in the resources in the communication network and an application control point which is associated with the policy server and communicates with a SIP application The system uses policy peering between the home and visited network to enable user-specific policies to be enforced while roaming.