Diameter Session Release Negotiation via Multi-Version Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for negotiating 3GPP major release versions during session establishment between nodes are inefficient, particularly for high-volume message handling scenarios like S9 roaming, where delay in session establishment is undesirable.

Innovation Solution

The initiating node specifies multiple supported major releases in a session request message, allowing the receiving node to determine and communicate the preferred release, which can be the most recent version, thereby reducing the need for multiple round-trip requests and responses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the initiating node specifies only a single preferred major release version in the session request, then the receiving node can clearly determine which release to use, but multiple round-trip message exchanges are required when the receiving node cannot support the requested release, resulting in increased session establishment delay

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelease negotiation accuracyVSAvoidsession establishment delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The initiating node performs preliminary action by specifying multiple supported major release versions (preferred release and alternative releases) in the session request message before the receiving node responds. This allows the receiving node to immediately select from the provided options without requiring additional round-trip negotiations, thereby reducing session establishment delay while maintaining reliable release version agreement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The set of supported releases is segmented into a preferred release and alternative releases. The initiating node divides its compatibility information into hierarchical segments, allowing the receiving node to first attempt the preferred release and fall back to alternatives if needed, enabling efficient one-shot negotiation without multiple exchanges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the initiating node specifies multiple alternative releases in addition to the preferred release, then session establishment can be achieved in a single message exchange, but the message size and information complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage handling efficiencyVSAvoidnegotiation protocol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The session request message is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it conveys the initiating node's preferred release, alternative releases, and capability information all in a single message exchange. This multi-functionality allows the message to establish the session and negotiate the release version in one shot, improving handling efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The release negotiation parameter is changed from a single preferred release value to a set of supported releases including preferred and alternative versions. This parameter transformation enables the system to convey more information efficiently, allowing the receiving node to make an informed selection without requiring additional negotiation messages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8848524B2Multiple major version signaling on session initiation

Publication Date: 2014.09.30 ALCATEL LUCENT SA

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention provide an improved major release negotiation mechanism between an initiating node and a receiving node during Diameter session establishment in a 3GPP network.