Dynamic Traffic Flow Steering Policy Management via NEF
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks require pre-configured traffic flow steering policies, limiting third-party dynamic management of service functions and service function paths, which restricts flexible management of value-added services.
Innovation Solution
A traffic flow processing method that allows third-party applications to send traffic flow steering policy requests to a network exposure function, enabling dynamic management of service functions and service function paths through a unified data repository, allowing operations such as adding, deleting, and modifying steering policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pre-configured traffic flow steering policies are used, then service functions and paths can be established, but third-party dynamic management capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic traffic flow steering policy management by allowing third-party applications to send requests to the Network Exposure Function (NEF) for adding, modifying, or deleting steering policies. The NEF receives these requests, validates them, and forwards them to the Session Management Function (SMF) which updates the User Plane Function (UPF) accordingly. This dynamic mechanism replaces static pre-configured policies, enabling real-time adaptation while maintaining controlled complexity through standardized API interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The Network Exposure Function (NEF) serves as an intermediary between third-party applications and the core network functions. It provides a standardized interface for receiving dynamic steering policy requests from external applications, validating them against network capabilities, and translating them into actions performed by the SMF and UPF. This intermediary layer simplifies the complexity by abstracting the underlying complex policy management mechanisms from third-party applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple middle boxes are deployed for value-added services, then service functionality is enhanced, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the UPF to perform multiple functions including traffic flow steering, service function chaining, and policy enforcement through a unified architecture. The SMF manages diverse service functions (firewall, NAT, URL filter, DPI, etc.) through a common policy management interface, allowing the network to provide enhanced value-added services without proportionally increasing complexity. The standardized policy management framework allows multiple services to be implemented through software-defined approaches rather than physical middle boxes.
Data Source
AI summary
A traffic flow processing method by a network exposure function (NEF) network element includes receiving a traffic flow steering policy request sent by an application function (AF), wherein the traffic flow steering policy request is configured for the AF to provide traffic flow steering policy information to the NEF. A traffic flow processing method by a session management function (SMF) network element includes receiving traffic flow steering policy information sent by a network exposure function (NEF), wherein the traffic flow steering policy information is traffic flow steering policy information retrieved based on an application identifier, and performing one or more operations of adding, deleting, and modifying the traffic flow steering policy on an application program corresponding to the traffic flow steering policy information, based on the traffic flow steering policy information.