Dynamic Policy Rule Generation Using Subscription Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G network architecture, existing methods for updating policy rules for data connections are static or manually configured, failing to dynamically adapt to changes in user subscription data or service requirements, such as Quality of Service (QoS) for data flows, especially after the establishment of a data connection.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for creating service rules based on user information retrieved from an application server, which involves identifying service contexts, retrieving user information, and applying service rules to configure data connections, ensuring dynamic QoS and charging policies are applied based on user subscription types, preferences, and usage patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If policy rules are determined statically based on subscription data and pre-configured information, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to dynamic service requirements and subscription changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network function continuously monitors subscription data changes from the application server and dynamically updates policy rules accordingly. When a subscription change is detected, the system automatically retrieves updated user information and modifies the service rules without requiring manual reconfiguration, thus maintaining adaptability while keeping the overall system architecture relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing service contexts in advance that contain information about where to retrieve user information from application servers. This pre-configuration of service contexts allows for rapid dynamic policy rule updates when needed, without requiring complex real-time decision-making logic during data connection establishment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If policy rules are updated dynamically based on subscription data changes, then the adaptability to service requirements is improved, but the device complexity and information retrieval overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an application server as an intermediary between the network function and user subscription data. The service contexts store references to these intermediaries, allowing the network function to retrieve updated user information on-demand without maintaining complex direct connections to multiple data sources. This intermediary approach simplifies the information retrieval architecture while enabling dynamic policy updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The service context structure is designed to be universal and multi-functional, containing not only information for accessing user information but also serving as a cache for user data, a trigger for policy rule updates, and a configuration reference. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining dynamic adaptability.
3Measurement precision
If user information is retrieved from application servers for each data connection, then the measurement precision of user-specific policies is improved, but the loss of time for connection establishment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing service contexts that contain all necessary information for accessing user data from application servers. These service contexts are prepared in advance during network initialization or previous operations, so that when a new data connection is established, the system can immediately retrieve and apply user-specific policies without time-consuming setup or discovery processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a caching mechanism where user information is retrieved and stored in service contexts beforehand, cushioning against future retrieval delays. When subscription data changes, the system proactively updates the cached information in service contexts, ensuring that subsequent data connection establishments can use the pre-prepared user information immediately, thus maintaining high policy accuracy without time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for creating service rules based on user information retrieved from an application server. One apparatus in a network that supports said techniques includes a memory storing instructions executable by a processor to cause the apparatus to receive, from a PCF, a request to provide service rules for a user and to identify one or more service contexts associated with the user, each service context holding information for accessing user information in an external application server. The instructions further cause the apparatus to retrieve user information from the external application server using each of the identified one or more service contexts, and to create one or more service rules by using the retrieved user information, where the network applies the one or more service rules to configure the data connection requested by the user.