Edge Policy Enforcement for Video Traffic Rate Limiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for managing video traffic in communication networks are complex, costly, and lack nuance, leading to inefficiencies and high latency, as they typically require implementation of policy control functions in the core network and are applied broadly without fine-grained control.
Innovation Solution
The system allocates policy enforcement responsibility to portions of the communication system external to the core network, allowing for differential data rate limiting of video and non-video traffic applications based on monitored conditions, enabling dynamic and efficient traffic management by distributing policy enforcement to edge devices or user equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If policy control functions are implemented in the core network, then traffic management can be centralized, but device complexity and operational cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the policy control function from the core network and relocates it to the network edge, specifically to access network elements such as gateways or routers. This extraction reduces core network complexity while maintaining centralized policy management capabilities through the OCS (Online Charging System) that communicates with edge elements via standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the policy control architecture into distinct components: the OCS in the core network that makes policy decisions, and distributed policy enforcement points at the network edge that execute these decisions. This segmentation allows the core network to retain strategic control while edge elements handle tactical enforcement, reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If policy control functions are implemented in the core network, then centralized management is achieved, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting policy enforcement from the core network to edge elements, the patent reduces operational costs associated with core network processing while maintaining centralized policy management through the OCS. The edge elements handle enforcement locally, reducing the computational burden and operational expenses of the core network infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If broad policy application is used, then implementation is simple, but resource utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling different policy enforcement mechanisms at different network edge locations based on local traffic characteristics and network conditions. Each policy enforcement point can apply appropriate data rate limiting or traffic shaping locally, optimizing resource utilization for specific traffic flows while maintaining overall system simplicity through standardized OCS interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining, from a device of a network, a policy pertaining to communication traffic generated by a processing system, based on the obtaining of the policy, subjecting a first application executed by the processing system to a first data rate limit, wherein the first application distributes video traffic, and based on the obtaining of the policy, subjecting a second application executed by the processing system to a second data rate limit, wherein the second application distributes non-video traffic. Other embodiments are disclosed.