MEC Edge Node Lawful Interception Policy System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lawful Interception (LI) techniques in wireless telecommunication networks are limited as they require content to pass through the core network, which is not feasible in Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) scenarios where content is stored locally at the Radio Access Network (RAN), preventing effective monitoring and potentially compromising network performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a policy-based system that determines whether content is stored locally or remotely, allowing the MEC portion of the network to provide a copy of the content to the LI infrastructure while maintaining the same Quality of Experience (QoE) and concealing the origin of the content from the User Equipment (UE).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If content is stored locally at the RAN in MEC scenarios, then network performance is improved and network congestion is reduced, but Lawful Interception monitoring capability deteriorates because content does not pass through the core network
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the content delivery path into two parallel channels: the primary content delivery path through MEC for performance, and a separate LI monitoring path through the core network for compliance. This allows content to be delivered locally while simultaneously routing copies through the core network for lawful interception.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (LI function at the RAN) that mediates between the local content storage and the remote LI infrastructure. This intermediary captures content at the RAN and forwards it to the LI infrastructure, bridging the gap between local delivery and remote monitoring.
2Reliability
If content is routed through the core network for Lawful Interception, then monitoring capability is maintained, but network congestion increases and network performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a copy of the content at the RAN level and routes only the copy through the core network to the LI infrastructure, while the original content is delivered locally through MEC. This copying approach maintains monitoring capability without forcing all content traffic through the core network.
Solution Approach 2:
The content stream is segmented into original content for local delivery and a duplicate copy for LI monitoring. This segmentation allows parallel processing where the original content path remains high-performance while the copy path handles monitoring requirements.
3Reliability
If a policy-based system is implemented to determine content origin, then effective Lawful Interception is enabled in MEC scenarios, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RAN is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a content delivery point for MEC and as an LI collection point. The same RAN infrastructure performs dual roles: local content hosting and LI content capture, reducing the need for separate dedicated LI hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The RAN autonomously determines whether to enable LI based on policy information it receives, making local decisions about content routing without requiring complex centralized control for each content delivery decision. The system self-manages the LI process at the edge.
Data Source
AI summary
Lawful Interception (LI) services may be provided in Radio Access Networks (RANs) implementing Mobile Edge Computing (MEC). An enhanced NodeB (eNB) may receive an LI policy that includes instructions for identifying network traffic subject to LI and for providing copies of the network traffic to a LI infrastructure of one or more server devices. When the eNB receives a request for content from a User Equipment (UE), the eNB may determine whether a local instance of the content is available (via MEC) and, based on the LI policy, whether the request and/or the content are subject to LI. When a local instance is available and the request and content are subject to LI, the eNB may provide a copy of the request and the content to the LI infrastructure, in addition to providing a copy of the content to the UE.