Diameter Protocol Overload Control and Audit Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Diameter protocol lacks mechanisms for resource usage monitoring and synchronization of multimedia sessions in gateway controllers, leading to a need for extended support for audits and overload management in resource control systems.
Innovation Solution
The method and apparatus extend Diameter protocol to include audit and overload functions, such as performing an audit sequence in response to triggers, determining reduction percentages based on CPU, memory, and QoS, blocking sessions, redirecting calls, and prioritizing emergency calls, with a system comprising a border gateway and controller for managing border gateways and performing resource control and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Diameter protocol is used for authentication and authorization, then network access control is improved, but resource usage monitoring and session synchronization capabilities are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the Diameter protocol functionality by introducing separate audit and overload control modules that operate independently alongside the core AAA functions. This allows the protocol to maintain its reliable authentication capabilities while adding specialized sub-systems for resource monitoring and session synchronization without interfering with core operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends Diameter protocol to perform multiple functions by adding audit sequences and overload control mechanisms that work alongside existing AAA operations. The extended protocol can now simultaneously handle authentication, resource monitoring, session synchronization, and gateway overload management within a unified framework.
2Productivity
If gateway takes access load without overload control, then service availability is improved, but system overload and resource exhaustion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary overload control by establishing audit sequences and threshold monitoring before actual overload occurs. The system proactively detects potential overload conditions through resource usage monitoring and preemptively blocks or redirects sessions before the gateway becomes overwhelmed, maintaining service availability while preventing system failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through audit sequences that continuously monitor gateway resource usage and session states. This feedback loop allows the system to detect overload conditions, adjust session blocking decisions, and synchronize gateway states with controller states, ensuring reliable load management while maintaining service availability.
3Reliability
If audit sequence is performed to clear resources, then resource connection reliability is improved, but system complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic audit sequences that are triggered at predetermined intervals or under specific conditions rather than continuously. This periodic approach maintains reliable resource connection monitoring while reducing processing overhead compared to continuous auditing, as the system only performs audit operations when necessary based on trigger conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies audit sequences selectively to specific gateways and session types based on local conditions rather than uniformly across the entire system. This localized approach improves resource connection reliability for critical sessions while minimizing processing overhead by avoiding unnecessary audits on already healthy connections or low-priority traffic.
4Reliability
If sessions are blocked to prevent overload, then gateway overload is reduced, but service quality and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial session blocking by applying reduction percentages rather than complete blocking. The audit sequence determines a reduction percentage that blocks only a portion of incoming sessions, enough to prevent gateway overload while allowing sufficient service quality to be maintained. This partial action approach balances overload prevention with user experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic session blocking decisions that adjust blocking levels based on real-time gateway load conditions. The reduction percentage and blocking behavior change dynamically according to current resource usage, session types, and gateway states, allowing the system to prevent overload during high-load periods while maintaining good service quality during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for resource control management implementing Diameter protocol is disclosed. The system includes a border gateway which is configured to send an overload message and a controller that is acting as a Diameter protocol server which is configured to receive the overload message and block a number of calls to the border gateway. The controller would also be configured to perform an audit function which includes clearing media resource ports. The overload message sent by the border gateway may also include a reduction percentage, which will dictate the percentage of calls which will be blocked.