Central IP Allocation for Seamless EPC Gateway Relocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gateway relocation methods in EPC networks cause significant interruption in IP connectivity and generate excessive signaling traffic due to the need for tearing down and re-establishing packet data network connections, especially when changing the packet data network gateway (PGW), which results in considerable downtime and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A central controller allocates a new IP address to user equipment (UE) before relocating it to a new gateway, utilizing IP address lifetime settings and stateless auto-configuration to manage the transition, allowing for a smooth gateway change without heavy session and mobility management signaling, thereby minimizing service interruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If gateway relocation is performed by forcing UE to release current PDN connection and establish new one, then optimal PGW can be selected, but IP connectivity interruption time increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary IP address allocation and gateway selection before the actual gateway relocation is needed. The UE is pre-configured with a new IP address that will be valid after gateway relocation, so when the relocation occurs, the UE can immediately use the new address without waiting for connection re-establishment, thus reducing interruption time while still achieving optimal PGW selection
2Adaptability or versatility
If PDN connection is re-established for gateway relocation, then new PGW can be selected, but signaling traffic and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the IP address allocation function from the PDN connection establishment procedure. By allowing IP address to be allocated and updated independently of the full PDN connection setup, the system can perform gateway relocation with minimal signaling - only the essential gateway update is needed, not a complete connection re-establishment, thus reducing signaling traffic and procedure complexity while maintaining PGW relocation capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional gateway relocation method is used, then gateway can be relocated, but operational cost and control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism where the network controller can centrally manage and coordinate gateway relocation across multiple UEs. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of individual relocation procedures, allowing batch optimization and centralized control, thus reducing overall operational cost and control complexity while maintaining gateway relocation adaptability
Data Source
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AI summary
A network architecture, such as that of an evolved packet core (EPC) network, can benefit from distribution of gateways. In particular, as data traffic grows, certain EPC networks may benefit from gateway relocation with central internet protocol (IP) address allocation. A method can include determining that a gateway relocation is to be performed. The method can also include allocating a new internet protocol address to a user equipment or host. The method can further include performing a gateway relocation after allocating the new internet protocol address.