PCRF Node Segmentation for NG911 Policy Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Next generation 911 (NG911) systems face challenges in determining policy information for emergency calls, particularly in securing routing and preventing telephony denial of service (TDoS) due to the integration of policy functionality within emergency services routing proxies (ESRPs), which limits scalability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A policy and charging rules function (PCRF) is introduced as a separate entity from ESRPs, allowing it to determine and provide policy information based on the intended destination of emergency calls, enabling routing decisions and preventing TDoS by interfacing with multiple ESRPs and utilizing state information from analytics engines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If policy functionality is integrated within ESRPs, then routing decisions can be made locally, but scalability and provisioning efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the policy functionality from the ESRP by introducing a separate PCRF node. The ESRP retains routing capabilities while the PCRF handles policy determination independently. This segmentation allows the system to scale policy management separately from routing operations, resolving the contradiction between local decision-making and system scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCRF acts as an intermediary between the ESRP and policy databases. Instead of each ESRP maintaining full policy functionality, the PCRF mediates policy requests, centralizing policy management while allowing distributed ESRPs to operate efficiently. This intermediary approach enables scalability without sacrificing local routing capabilities.
2Productivity
If multiple ESRPs interface with centralized PCRF, then provisioning efficiency improves, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PCRF is designed as a universal node that can serve multiple ESRPs through standardized interfaces. This multi-functionality allows a single PCRF to handle policy requests from numerous ESRPs, improving provisioning efficiency without requiring each ESRP to have redundant policy capabilities. The standardized interface approach manages network complexity while enabling efficient centralized policy management.
3Reliability
If policy decisions are centralized at PCRF, then TDoS prevention improves, but call routing delay may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary policy evaluation at the PCRF before calls are routed through the network. By determining policy rules in advance and caching them at ESRPs, the system prevents TDoS attacks centrally while minimizing real-time routing delays. This preliminary action approach allows centralized security decisions without significantly impacting call routing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The architecture implements feedback mechanisms where ESRPs report call patterns and anomalies to the PCRF, which then adjusts policy rules dynamically. This feedback loop enables centralized TDoS prevention while optimizing routing decisions based on real-time network conditions, reducing delays for legitimate calls while maintaining security.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for determining policy information associated with an emergency call are disclosed. According to one method, the method occurs at a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) separate from an emergency services routing proxy (ESRP). The method includes receiving, from the ESRP, a request for one or more policy rules regarding an emergency call, wherein the request includes an intended destination of the emergency call and determining, using the intended destination, one or more policy rules.