MME APN Allocation by Geographical Area Code
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current EPS networks lack a network element for centralized management of user equipment based on geographical area ranges, which is essential for efficient network management and data traffic statistics.
Innovation Solution
A network device that receives user activation requests, parses location information to determine area codes, and uses a mapping relationship to allocate a specific access point name (APN) for user equipment within the same geographical area range, enabling centralized management and data traffic statistics collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a gateway performs network management based on UE location in 2G/3G networks using SGSN, then centralized management based on geographical area is achieved, but the EPS network lacks such a network element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling the MME to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the mobility management entity and the location-based centralized management element. The MME determines the UE's current geographical area and selects appropriate APN configurations based on location, thereby providing both mobility management and location-based network management capabilities within a single network element, eliminating the need for separate specialized elements in EPS network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of mobility management and location-based network management into the MME. By combining these functions, the patent creates a unified network element that handles both signaling and location-based control, simplifying the EPS network structure while achieving centralized management based on geographical area.
2Productivity
If IP address is assigned based on location area to enable real-time correspondence, then network management efficiency is improved, but the EPS network lacks centralized management element
Solution Approach 1:
The MME is designed to perform universal functions including mobility management, location determination, and APN selection. It determines the UE's current geographical area and selects appropriate APN configurations, thereby enabling efficient location-based network management without requiring additional specialized network elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The MME acts as an intermediary between the UE and the packet data network. It receives the user activation request, determines the current geographical area, selects the appropriate APN configuration based on location, and forwards the request to the selected gateway. This intermediary role enables efficient location-based management while maintaining network simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If APN is allocated based on geographical area range, then centralized management and data traffic statistics collection are enabled, but network device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The MME performs multiple functions including mobility management, location determination, and APN selection based on geographical area. By determining the UE's current area and selecting appropriate APN configurations, the MME enables centralized management and data traffic statistics collection without requiring additional specialized network elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The network device pre-configures multiple APN configurations corresponding to different geographical area ranges. When a user activation request is received, the MME determines the current geographical area and selects the appropriate pre-configured APN, thereby enabling efficient location-based management without real-time complex calculations or additional network elements.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a network device and a method for allocating an access point name. The network device provided by the present invention includes: a receiving module, configured to receive a user activation request sent by user equipment UE, where the user activation request includes user location information ULI; a parsing module, configured to parse the ULI received by the receiving module, to acquire an area code of a location of the UE; a determining module, configured to determine an area code set to which the area code acquired by the parsing module belongs, where user locations indicated by area codes in the area code set are within a same geographical area range; and an acquiring module, configured to acquire, according to a mapping relationship between the area code determined by the determining module and an actual access point name APN, the actual APN for the UE. The embodiments of the present invention can implement centralized management on UE based on a geographical area range.