Base Station IMSI Access via HTTP Headers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE networks, base stations (eNodeB) lack access to the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), hindering their ability to perform functions like generating financial charges and identifying subscribers due to the absence of IMSI, which is essential for various communication network operations.
Innovation Solution
The IMSI is made available at the base station by including it in HTTP response headers as an X-IMSI header, allowing the base station to perform communication functions such as charging and interception, and transmit relevant data to connected servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the IMSI is kept restricted to MME access only (maintaining traditional security architecture), then network security and protocol compliance are preserved, but the base station cannot perform subscriber identification and charging functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the IMSI is encapsulated within a data packet transmitted from the MME to the base station. This intermediary approach allows the base station to access the IMSI without directly breaking the existing NAS message encryption architecture, as the IMSI is delivered through a controlled channel established by the network protocol itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the IMSI from its traditional confined location within encrypted NAS messages at the MME and delivers it separately to the base station through HTTP response headers. This extraction allows the base station to obtain the IMSI information without needing to decrypt or interpret the original NAS message structure.
2Productivity
If the base station is given access to IMSI data (enabling charging and interception functions), then operational efficiency and service capability are improved, but network complexity and data security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal data transmission mechanism using HTTP response headers that can carry the IMSI information. This approach allows the base station to use existing HTTP processing capabilities for multiple purposes: standard web traffic handling, IMSI extraction for charging functions, and subscriber identification for interception functions, thereby avoiding the need for separate specialized processing systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional LTE protocol architecture is maintained (where base stations cannot decipher NAS messages), then protocol compliance and network security are preserved, but communication functions requiring IMSI at base station cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the IMSI information and transmits it through HTTP response headers from the MME to the base station. This copying mechanism allows the base station to obtain the necessary IMSI data without needing to decipher or violate the original encrypted NAS message protocol, thereby maintaining protocol compliance while enabling new functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
The subject matter described herein generally relates to making an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) available at a base station, such as an evolved node (eNodeB) base station, within a cellular network, for example, a long term evolution communications system. The base station can receive data in response to a data request. The received data can include a header including an international mobile subscriber identifier. The base station can generate a first data for use in performing at least one communication function based on the received international mobile subscriber identifier. The base station can transmit the first data to at least one server communicatively coupled to the base station. Related apparatuses, systems, techniques and articles are also described.