Mobile Policy Control via Domain Name Query Interception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile wireless network operators face inefficiencies in deploying new data services due to the need for separate control and charging systems for each service, leading to increased complexity and delays in service delivery, especially when handling multiple service data flows from internal and external sources.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced policy capability mobile service control architecture that enables a single policy decision for all service data flows based on domain name queries, allowing for early enforcement of policies before service usage, which can be integrated with or extend existing 3GPP standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate control and charging systems are deployed for each individual service, then service-specific policy control is achieved, but system complexity and deployment costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal policy control system that can handle multiple services through a single unified architecture. The policy control unit is designed to be service-agnostic, accepting service identifiers as input parameters and applying appropriate policies without requiring separate control systems for each service, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining service-specific control capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the policy control functionality into modular components that can be independently configured for different services. The policy control unit is divided into distinct functional modules that can be selectively activated based on service requirements, allowing flexible composition of policy handling capabilities without duplicating entire control systems
2Manufacturing precision
If policy decisions are made after service data flows are identified, then accurate service-specific policies are applied, but service delivery delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary policy evaluation by intercepting DNS queries before actual service data flows are established. The policy control unit evaluates potential service policies based on domain names in DNS requests, preparing policy decisions in advance so that when service data flows are subsequently identified, the policies are already ready for immediate application, eliminating delivery delays while maintaining accuracy
3Ease of operation
If a single policy is applied to all services from external networks, then policy management is simplified, but service differentiation and tailored control are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the policy control system adaptive to different service types while maintaining a unified architecture. The policy control unit identifies specific service characteristics (such as service type, domain name, or flow characteristics) and applies locally optimized policies for each service category, rather than applying a single uniform policy to all external services, thus achieving both simplified management and service differentiation
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for a mobile data access network to make policy control and charging decisions based on domain name queries. A mobile device sends a query about a domain name associated with a service a user of the mobile device wishes to engage. The access network carries the domain name query from a mobile device to a domain name server. The access network detects the domain name query and copies the queried domain name. The access network uses the queried domain name to make an incomplete policy decision. The policy decision is incomplete because one or more service data flow filters in the decision lack addresses for providers of the service. The access network detects a response to the domain name query and copies a service provider address from the response. The access network uses the service provider address to complete the policy decision.