Subscription Control Node for NAT64 Translation State Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication networks face challenges in providing fair usage of NAT64 and DNS64 communication resources, leading to uneven distribution and potential service unavailability or overload, as there is no dynamic control over the number of translation states allocated to user equipment (UEs) in 3GPP mobile core networks.

Innovation Solution

A mechanism is introduced that uses a subscription control node to collect and adjust translation state usage information across multiple NAT64 nodes, ensuring each UE meets a maximum allocated limit, thereby dynamically controlling and distributing translation states to maintain fair resource usage and prevent overload.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If NAT64 nodes allocate translation states to UEs without dynamic control, then UEs can access IPv4 services freely, but resource distribution becomes uneven and service overload occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice accessibilityVSAvoidresource distribution fairness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of translation state allocation by allowing the subscription control node to adjust the maximum number of translation states allocated to each UE based on current network conditions and subscription information. This replaces static allocation with dynamic adjustment, enabling the system to adapt to changing resource availability while maintaining service accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where NAT64 nodes report translation state usage information to the subscription control node, which then adjusts allocation limits and sends updated subscription information back to the NAT64 nodes. This closed-loop feedback system enables continuous optimization of resource distribution fairness while maintaining service accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If static maximum translation state limits are imposed on UEs, then resource overload is prevented, but some services become unusable when limits are reached

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource overload preventionVSAvoidservice availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces static maximum translation state limits with dynamic limits that can be adjusted by the subscription control node based on real-time network conditions and UE behavior. This allows the system to prevent resource overload while maintaining service availability by adapting limits rather than imposing fixed constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of maximum translation state allocation from a fixed value to a dynamically adjustable parameter. The subscription control node can modify this parameter based on network conditions, UE subscription information, and resource usage patterns, thereby preventing overload while maintaining service availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If more NAT64 nodes are deployed to handle increased translation load, then service capacity increases, but resource distribution fairness among nodes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetranslation capacityVSAvoidload distribution fairness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal subscription control node that manages multiple NAT64 nodes through a common interface and centralized logic. This universal controller ensures that all NAT64 nodes operate according to the same fairness policies and subscription information, maintaining load distribution fairness across the expanded infrastructure while increasing overall translation capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9655124B2Policy and charging control (PCC) for NAT64 and DNS64

Publication Date: 2017.05.16 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A mechanism for use by a subscription control node, one or more NAT64 nodes and/or DNS64 nodes to interact in a communications network with multiple user equipments (UEs) to control the UE usage of the NAT64 and/or DNS64 communications resources. The subscription control node includes subscription information for one or more of the UE(s), the subscription information for each UE including translation state usage information associated with one or more of the NAT64 nodes servicing the UE. The subscription control node collects translation state usage information from each NAT64 node, and identifies a set of one or more UE(s) exceeding a maximum translation state usage allocated to each of the multiple UEs based on the corresponding subscription information and the collected translation state usage information. The subscription information for the identified UEs is adjusted so the identified set of UE(s) meet the maximum translation state usage for each UE.