Mapping Service for Local Content Redirection in Mobile Core Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile core network architectures face challenges in efficiently caching content and managing user mobility, leading to suboptimal performance in content delivery and traffic offloading, especially in scenarios involving small cell networks and edge caching.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mapping service within the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) after the Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW) to manage content caching, allowing for explicit mapping strategies and enabling seamless transitions between single and dual PDN connections as users move in and out of local networks, while also supporting parental controls and edge server placement in dedicated PDNs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If content is cached at edge servers in local networks, then content delivery speed and network resource utilization are improved, but network architecture complexity and mobility management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
A mapping service is introduced as an intermediary component between the UE and edge servers. This mapping service maintains mapping information that associates edge server identifiers with content identifiers, enabling transparent redirection of content requests to appropriate edge servers without requiring complex changes to the existing EPC architecture. The mapping service acts as a mediator that simplifies the interaction between mobile users and distributed content caches.
Solution Approach 2:
The network architecture is segmented by introducing dedicated edge servers in local networks separate from the central EPC infrastructure. This segmentation allows content to be cached and served locally at edge servers while maintaining independence from the core network, thereby improving content delivery speed without significantly complicating the overall network architecture through modular addition rather than systemic restructuring.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users can seamlessly transition between single and dual PDN connections, then mobility management and user experience are improved, but control complexity and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of PDN connections based on user mobility state and service requirements. Users can transition between single PDN connection mode (when stationary or in coverage areas without edge servers) and dual PDN connection mode (when mobile and accessing edge servers). This dynamic adaptability allows the network to optimize resource utilization while maintaining manageable control complexity through context-aware connection management.
Solution Approach 2:
The EPC architecture is enhanced with multi-functionality to support both single and dual PDN connection modes within the same framework. The mapping service and edge server infrastructure are designed to work universally across different connection scenarios, enabling seamless mobility management without requiring separate specialized systems for each connection mode, thereby controlling complexity through unified rather than fragmented design.
3Measurement precision
If explicit mapping strategies are implemented in the EPC, then content redirection accuracy is improved, but processing overhead and service complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Mapping information is pre-established and maintained in the mapping service before actual content requests occur. The mapping service maintains ready-made associations between edge server identifiers and content identifiers, allowing for accurate and rapid content redirection without requiring complex real-time processing. This preliminary preparation of mapping data significantly reduces processing overhead while maintaining high redirection accuracy.
4Productivity
If traffic is offloaded to local networks through L-GW, then network resource utilization and latency are improved, but network security and policy control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mapping service acts as an intermediary that enables policy control and security management for offloaded traffic. By maintaining mapping information and controlling the redirection process, the mapping service allows the EPC to enforce policy rules and security requirements on traffic directed to local networks through L-GW, thereby managing policy control complexity while maintaining high network resource utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A mapping service in the mobile core network located after a packet data network gateway examines content requests from user equipment across a first PDN connection to determine if content associated with the content request is cached at an edge server outside of the packet data network. If the content from the packet data network is cached at the edge server, the mapping service redirects the user equipment to request the content from the edge server across a second PDN connection. By using a mapping service located after the packet data network gateway, the content requests may have already passed restrictions such as parental controls.