Distributed EPC Signal Brokering for AAA Routing
Solution Overview
Problem
Distributed Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network architectures face challenges in routing Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) requests due to lack of centralized IP address tracking and latency in authentication processes, as local address registries in distributed networks are not available to the central EPC entity, and authentication profiles are communicated separately from update location requests.
Innovation Solution
Implementing distributed signaling brokering agents that publish IP address allocations to a central registry for AAA request routing and trigger authentication profile communication upon receiving an update location request, enabling direct routing and reducing latency by eliminating the need for separate profile requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a distributed EPC network architecture is implemented to support small cells and heterogeneous networks, then network coverage and flexibility are improved, but centralized IP address tracking becomes unavailable leading to AAA request routing failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized address registry that acts as an intermediary between distributed EPC networks and the core network. This registry collects and stores IP address allocation information from multiple distributed EPC networks, making centralized tracking possible despite the distributed architecture. The address registry serves as a mediator that aggregates location information without requiring changes to the distributed network structure itself.
2Reliability
If authentication profiles are communicated separately from update location requests, then proper authentication procedures are maintained, but authentication latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the central EPC entity proactively retrieve authentication profiles from distributed EPC networks when update location requests are received, rather than waiting for separate profile requests. This anticipatory approach maintains authentication reliability by ensuring profiles are obtained through proper procedures while reducing latency by performing the retrieval action in advance of when it would traditionally be needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Internet protocol (IP) address allocations in distributed EPC networks can be published to an IP address registry maintained at the central EPC entity in order to facilitate the routing of authentication authorization, and accounting (AAA) signaling of third party networks throughout the distributed EPC network architecture. The address allocations can be published directly to an address registry maintained by the central EPC entity, or indirectly via a cloud management server. Additionally, latencies associated with UE authentication in distributed EPC network architectures can be mitigated by triggering communication of the authentication or authorization profile upon reception of an update location request (ULR) message at the central EPC network entity.