CLF Mediator for A-RACF Selection in NGN Policy Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Next Generation Networks (NGNs), there is a lack of an efficient mechanism for the Service-based Policy Decision Function (SPDF) to determine which Access-Resource and Admission Control Function (A-RACF) to communicate with when multiple A-RACFs serve an access area, leading to difficulties in resource reservation and management.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves the Connectivity Session Location and Repository Function (CLF) providing the identity of the serving A-RACF instance to the Application Function (AF), which then forwards this information to the SPDF, allowing it to select the correct A-RACF for communication, using modified messages such as the Location Information Response, Resource Reservation Request, and Resource Modification Request to include A-RACF identification information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple A-RACFs serve an access area, then service coverage and resource management capability are improved, but the SPDF cannot determine which A-RACF to communicate with, leading to communication inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The CLF acts as an intermediary that maintains mapping information between user equipment and A-RACFs, and between A-RACFs and SPDFs. When an SPDF needs to communicate with an A-RACF, it queries the CLF which returns the appropriate mapping information, enabling the SPDF to correctly identify and communicate with the serving A-RACF without direct knowledge of multiple A-RACF addresses
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the CLF provides location information about A-RACFs to SPDFs through standardized messages. This feedback loop ensures that SPDFs receive updated information about which A-RACF is currently serving a user, allowing for dynamic communication selection
2Device complexity
If the SPDF does not have A-RACF identification information, then message format simplicity is maintained, but resource reservation and management become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies existing standardized messages (Location Information Response, Resource Reservation Request, Resource Modification Request) to include optional A-RACF identification information. These messages serve multiple functions: they continue to provide basic location and resource information while also carrying A-RACF identifiers when needed, avoiding the need for separate dedicated message types
Solution Approach 2:
The CLF pre-establishes and maintains mapping information between user equipment, A-RACFs, and SPDFs before resource reservation operations. This preliminary setup ensures that when resource reservation is needed, the A-RACF identification information is already available and can be immediately included in the resource reservation request messages
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems are described for providing address information for nodes when multiple possibilities exist. For example, in a TISPAN environment the described techniques can be used to transmit address information to an SPDF when it needs to determine which of multiple A-RACFs associated with different IP domains that the SPDF needs to communicate with.