PDU Session Capping via SMF Counter Enforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3GPP specifications do not enable enforcement of the maximum number of protocol data unit (PDU) sessions per network slice in 5G communication systems, leading to unfair distribution across user equipment (UEs) and potential network congestion.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mechanism that receives PDU session establishment requests from user equipment, increments counters for network slices associated with Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI) when within the allowed limit, and rejects requests when the maximum number of PDU sessions is reached, with a backoff timer to manage congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current 3GPP specifications are used without enforcement mechanism, then network slice operations can proceed freely, but maximum number of PDU sessions per network slice cannot be enforced leading to unfair distribution and network congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Session Management Function (SMF) as an intermediary component that mediates between User Equipment (UE) session establishment requests and the core network. The SMF maintains counters for each network slice and actively enforces the maximum PDU session limit, preventing unfair distribution and network congestion while managing session complexity centrally rather than distributing it across multiple network elements
2Reliability
If maximum PDU session limit is enforced per network slice, then network resource distribution becomes fair and congestion is prevented, but additional session management overhead and counter maintenance complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The Session Management Function (SMF) implements self-service mechanisms by automatically maintaining counters for each network slice and autonomously enforcing the maximum PDU session limit without requiring external intervention. The SMF independently monitors session establishment requests, updates counters, and rejects excess sessions, reducing the need for complex external coordination and management overhead
3Measurement precision
If counter increment is performed for each PDU session request, then accurate tracking of maximum PDU sessions per network slice is achieved, but processing time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The Session Management Function (SMF) performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring maximum PDU session limits for each network slice and pre-initializing counters before actual session establishment requests occur. This allows the SMF to quickly enforce limits using pre-computed values and simple counter comparisons, avoiding complex real-time calculations and reducing session establishment processing time while maintaining accurate tracking
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for providing an enforcement mechanism for the maximum number of PDU sessions per network slice in a communication system are provided. A method, system, and apparatus may receive, from a user equipment (UE), a protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment request message and Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI) through an access network (AN). The method, system, and apparatus may cause, upon detecting that the S-NSSAI is subject to the capping number of PDU sessions per network slice, transmission of a service request message to a network slice selection function (NSSF). The service request message includes an indication indicating that the S-NSSAI is subject to a capping number of PDU sessions per network slice. The indication may cause the NSSF to increment a counter associated with PDU sessions for a network slice associated with the S-NSSAI.