IBCF–HSS Interface for VoIP Subscriber Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing VoIP communication systems face challenges in managing voice calls and messaging requests between peering networks, particularly in preventing overload and ensuring that only authorized subscribers can connect, which can lead to inefficient use of resources and potential network congestion.
Innovation Solution
An interface between the Interconnection Border Control Function (IBCF) and the Home Subscriber Server (HSS) allows direct communication to determine the subscriber status of terminating devices, enabling the IBCF to block or allow calls based on subscriber authorization and network load conditions, thereby managing network traffic effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the IBCF forwards all voice call requests to the IMS without verification, then the IMS can process all calls, but the network becomes overloaded and resource utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The IBCF performs preliminary verification of subscriber authorization status by querying the HSS before forwarding voice call requests to the IMS. This preliminary action filters out unauthorized calls early in the call setup process, preventing unnecessary traffic from reaching the IMS and reducing network overload while maintaining efficient resource utilization.
2Reliability
If the IBCF verifies subscriber status with the HSS for every call, then unauthorized calls are blocked, but the system complexity and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a standardized Diameter interface as an intermediary mechanism between the IBCF and HSS for subscriber status verification. This standardized interface simplifies the complexity by providing a well-defined protocol for communication, allowing the IBCF to reliably query subscriber authorization status without requiring complex custom signaling implementations.
3Loss of energy
If the IBCF blocks calls without verification, then network overload is prevented, but legitimate subscriber calls may be blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The IBCF implements a feedback mechanism by querying the HSS to obtain real-time subscriber authorization status information before blocking or allowing calls. This feedback loop ensures that blocking decisions are based on accurate, up-to-date subscriber status information, preventing both network overload from unauthorized calls and false blocking of legitimate subscriber calls.
Data Source
AI summary
An internet protocol (IP) multimedia core subsystem (IMS) of a telecommunications network includes an interconnection border control function (IBCF). The system can receive a request to connect a particular voice call or messaging over a voice over IP (VoIP) network. In response to the request, the IBCF can send a location information request (LIR) to a home subscriber server (HSS) of the telecommunications network. The HSS and the IBCF can be in direct communication with each other via an HSS/IBCF interface. The LIR can include a request for a subscriber status associated with a user associated with a terminating device. The IBCF can receive a location information answer (LIA) from the HSS. The LIA can indicate whether the user is a subscriber of the telecommunications network. In response to receiving the LIA, the system can determine whether to allow the IMS to establish a session for the particular voice call.