Global Session Identifier for SIP Topology Change Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current SIP architectures face challenges in correlating multiple sessions that traverse Back-to-Back User Agents (B2BUAs) due to modifications in SIP dialog IDs, lacking a viable solution for maintaining session coherence and topology changes.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a Global Session Identifier (GSID) that remains unmodified across B2BUA-based elements, allowing for logical correlation of independent sessions by being carried in SIP requests and responses, and updated in headers to reflect associations between sessions, even during changes in participants, devices, or control types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If B2BUAs are employed for sequenced applications, then session control and sequencing capabilities are improved, but SIP dialog IDs are modified and session coherence is broken
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Global Session Identifier (GSID) as an intermediary element that spans across B2BUA boundaries. The GSID is inserted into SIP messages as a new header parameter that remains unchanged throughout the session, allowing session coherence to be maintained even when B2BUAs modify other SIP parameters like dialog IDs. This mediator approach enables the system to preserve session identity across multiple transformed segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the session identification into two parts: the original SIP dialog ID (which may be modified by B2BUAs) and the new Global Session Identifier (which remains stable). By separating these identification functions, the system allows B2BUAs to perform their sequencing and control functions while modifying dialog IDs, while the GSID maintains the stable session coherence across all segments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent sessions traverse B2BUAs, then call routing flexibility is improved, but correlation between sessions becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The GSID serves as a mediator that is consistently carried across all sessions traversing B2BUAs. By inserting this new header parameter into every SIP message, the system creates a common correlation thread that spans multiple independent sessions. Network elements can use this GSID to detect and measure relationships between sessions, enabling correlation despite the independence and routing flexibility of individual call paths.
3Ease of manufacture
If SIP dialog IDs are used for session identification, then session establishment is simplified, but session tracking across topology changes becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification function into two components: the SIP dialog ID for simplified local session establishment and the Global Session Identifier for persistent session tracking. The dialog ID continues to be used for its original purpose of simplifying session setup at each hop, while the GSID is added as a separate mechanism that simplifies tracking across topology changes by remaining constant throughout the session regardless of B2BUA modifications or network reconfiguration.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods are described for creating and managing Global Session Identifiers (GSIDs) for communication sessions. GSIDs provide a way to globally identify communication sessions including those communication sessions that have experienced one or more topology changes. The GSID may be considered a header itself or a value within a header and information contained within a GSID can be used to trace backwards through time to find the session segments that led up to (or exist concurrently to) a currently signaled session.