System and method for establishing a dual-layer PDU session
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G residential gateways with Ethernet connections face limitations in providing both Ethernet and IP layer communication, leading to restrictive network configurations and large broadcast domains when virtual gateways are centralized.
Innovation Solution
A dual-layer protocol data unit (PDU) session management system that supports both Ethernet and IP forwarding rules, allowing flexible configuration and granular PDU forwarding across different communication layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a virtual gateway is centralized in the telecommunications network, then management and troubleshooting operations are facilitated, but large broadcast domains are created due to Ethernet connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into multiple broadcast domains by introducing VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) that partition the Ethernet broadcast domain. This allows the virtual gateway to remain centralized while limiting broadcast traffic to smaller, isolated segments, thereby resolving the contradiction between centralized management and broadcast domain size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces VLAN tags and Ethernet switches as intermediaries between the centralized virtual gateway and end devices. These intermediaries enable centralized control while preventing broadcast storms from propagating across the entire network, thus facilitating management operations without creating large broadcast domains.
2Reliability
If a 5G-RG user device registers itself as a UE in the 5GC, then it can establish a PDU session, but it cannot support both Ethernet and IP layer communication simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the PDU session establishment mechanism universal by enabling it to handle multiple session types (Ethernet, IP, and dual-layer) through a single unified interface. The session management system can now accommodate devices with different protocol requirements without requiring separate registration mechanisms, thus supporting both reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the session type parameter in the PDU session establishment request to indicate dual-layer communication requirements. This parameter change enables the session management system to configure appropriate forwarding rules for both Ethernet and IP layers, allowing a single device to support multiple communication layers simultaneously while maintaining reliable session establishment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connections and controllers are used to provide Ethernet and IP layer communication, then comprehensive network access is achieved, but device complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges Ethernet and IP layer communication into a single dual-layer PDU session. Instead of requiring separate connections and controllers for each layer, the system combines both communication types into one unified session with integrated forwarding rules, thereby maintaining comprehensive network access while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The session management system is designed to be multi-functional, handling both Ethernet and IP forwarding within a single PDU session context. This universal approach eliminates the need for multiple specialized controllers, simplifying the overall system architecture while preserving full network access capabilities.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2A
AI summary
One aspect of this disclosure pertains to a session management system and user plane system for use in a telecommunications network, wherein the telecommunications network comprises the user plane system for forwarding data for a protocol data unit, PDU, session. The user plane system has a protocol stack with a first communication layer for a first communication protocol and a second communication layer for a second communication protocol, wherein the first communication layer exists below the second communication layer in the protocol stack. The session management system is configured for receiving a PDU session establishment request, from a user device, the PDU session establishment request containing a dual-layer session type indication and for initiating establishing the PDU session in response to receiving the dual-layer session type indication. The establishment of the PDU session for the user plane system comprises the session management system providing at least one of one or more first forwarding rules for the first communication layer to the user plane system and one or more second forwarding rules for the second communication layer to the user plane system and for the user plane system to receive and process the first and/or second forwarding rules.