Diameter-to-IP Priority Mapper for Message Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Diameter routing systems lack a mechanism to determine the relative priority of Diameter messages, which hinders effective routing and resource allocation decisions, especially during overload scenarios such as natural disasters, where critical communications like first-responder signaling may be throttled.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a Diameter-to-IP priority mapper on Diameter nodes to determine Diameter Routing Message Priority (DRMP) values and mark IP packets with corresponding IP Quality of Service (QoS) values, allowing IP routers to prioritize routing decisions based on DRMP values, thereby extending DRMP usage to IP networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all Diameter requests are treated equally during overload scenarios, then the Diameter routing system maintains simplicity, but critical communications (e.g., first-responder signaling) may be throttled along with non-critical traffic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of critical communicationsVSAvoidcomplexity of routing decision mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assigning priority values to different types of Diameter messages before overload occurs. The system classifies messages into priority levels (e.g., high priority for first-responder signaling, low priority for routine transactions) in advance, so that during overload scenarios, the routing decisions can be made quickly based on pre-established criteria rather than complex real-time analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by applying different treatment to different parts of the message traffic based on their priority classification. Instead of uniform handling, the system applies quality-of-service policies locally to each message type, allowing critical communications to receive preferential routing and resource allocation while non-critical traffic receives standard or reduced service during overload conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If Diameter nodes make routing decisions without priority information, then the routing process is fast and simple, but resource allocation cannot be optimized for different message types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of resource allocationVSAvoidcomplexity of priority determination mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary classification of Diameter messages into priority categories before routing decisions are made. By pre-defining priority levels and associated routing policies, the system enables efficient resource allocation during overload scenarios without requiring complex real-time analysis, thus improving productivity while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of message classification by introducing priority values as a new dimension for distinguishing message importance. This parameter change allows the routing system to differentiate between message types and allocate resources accordingly, transforming a single-dimensional routing approach into a multi-dimensional one that considers message priority.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the system implements priority-based routing for Diameter messages, then critical communications are protected during overload, but the routing system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of first-responder signalingVSAvoidcomplexity of Diameter routing system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces complexity by performing preliminary classification and priority assignment before the overload scenario occurs. The system establishes priority levels and routing policies in advance, so that during critical events, the routing decisions can be made based on pre-computed priorities rather than complex real-time analysis, thus protecting first-responder signaling while controlling system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary priority classification mechanism that sits between the Diameter message and the routing decision. This intermediary layer translates diverse message types into standardized priority levels, simplifying the routing logic by providing a uniform interface for priority-based decisions without requiring the routing system to understand the specifics of each message type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3556065B1Methods, systems, and computer readable media for priority routing of diameter messages
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 ORACLE INT CORP
  • EP3556065B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3556065B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3556065B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and computer readable media for priority routing of Diameter messages are disclosed. In some examples, a method includes determining a Diameter Routing Message Priority (DRMP) priority value for a Diameter message. The method includes marking each of one or more Internet protocol (IP) packets carrying the Diameter message with an IP quality of service (QoS) value for the Diameter message based on the DRMP priority value. The method includes sending the one or more IP packets carrying the Diameter message to a destination Diameter node by way of an IP router on a data communications network providing quality of service using IP QoS values.