ePDG FQDN Partition Selection in Untrusted WLAN

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions fail to direct User Equipment (UE) to the correct network partition during untrusted WLAN access, lacking a mechanism to select an appropriate ePDG in the network partition.

Innovation Solution

The UE extends the ePDG FQDN with partition information, allowing the Domain Name System (DNS) to return ePDG IP addresses corresponding to the desired network partition, enabling the UE to select and connect to the correct ePDG within the appropriate network partition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the UE uses existing ePDG selection mechanisms without partition information, then the UE can connect to an ePDG, but the UE cannot select the correct network partition

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveePDG selection accuracyVSAvoidnetwork partition information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds network partition information within the ePDG FQDN domain name structure. The FQDN is extended to include partition identifiers as nested components, allowing the UE to select the correct network partition by resolving the enhanced FQDN through DNS, which returns the appropriate ePDG address for the desired partition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-configures the UE with the extended ePDG FQDN that includes network partition information before the UE attempts to connect. This preliminary configuration enables the UE to perform accurate ePDG selection without requiring re-attachment procedures, as the partition information is already embedded in the FQDN.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the network uses separate PLMN IDs for different network partitions, then network partitioning is achieved, but the complexity of network management increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork partitioning capabilityVSAvoidnetwork management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the existing FQDN mechanism universal by extending it to serve dual purposes: traditional ePDG selection and network partition selection. Instead of creating separate selection mechanisms for different partitions, the enhanced FQDN structure allows a single mechanism to handle both functions, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter structure of the FQDN by adding partition information as additional domain name components. This parameter extension allows the system to differentiate between network partitions using the existing DNS resolution infrastructure, avoiding the need for completely new selection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the UE requires re-attachment procedures to switch network partitions, then network partition switching is possible, but connection time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork partition switching capabilityVSAvoidconnection establishment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10616764B2Methods and devices for selecting network partition in untrusted WLAN access

Publication Date: 2020.04.07 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method implemented in a user equipment (UE) includes connecting to a WLAN access point. The method further includes constructing a domain name for a packet system network, the domain name including network partition information for the packet system network. The method further includes transmitting, to a DNS server via the WLAN access point, the constructed domain name. The method further includes receiving, from the server, at least one address corresponding to a network node associated with the network partition information.