Policy Control for STUN Relay NAT Traversal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current policy control methods in IMS networks, particularly when using STUN Relay for NAT traversal, struggle to accurately recognize and enforce policy and charging control over media streams due to encapsulation protocols and active destination changes, leading to incomplete or incorrect application of policy and charging rules.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that receive and process address information related to terminals and network traffic relay entities, generate policy information based on this data, and monitor network traffic to enforce policies, ensuring correct application of policy and charging control by distinguishing between encapsulated and non-encapsulated traffic and managing active destination changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If STUN Relay is used for NAT traversal, then NAT traversal capability is improved, but policy control precision deteriorates due to encapsulation protocols and active destination changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism between the STUN Relay and the policy control system. The P-CSCF acts as a mediator that extracts address information from STUN messages and forwards it to the PCRF for policy control. This intermediary layer allows the STUN Relay to maintain its NAT traversal functionality while enabling the policy control system to accurately identify and control media streams through the encapsulated traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the policy control function into distinct components: address information extraction at the P-CSCF, policy decision-making at the PCRF, and policy enforcement at the PCEF. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific aspects of policy control independently, improving overall precision while maintaining compatibility with STUN Relay encapsulation.
2Measurement precision
If address information is extracted from STUN messages, then policy control accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The P-CSCF performs multiple functions: it handles SIP signaling, extracts address information from STUN messages, and forwards policy control information to the PCRF. By making the P-CSCF multi-functional, the patent avoids adding new complex components while still achieving accurate policy control. The existing P-CSCF infrastructure is leveraged to perform the additional task of address information extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the STUN messages themselves as the carrier for address information extraction. Rather than requiring separate signaling protocols or additional message formats, the patent extracts the necessary address information directly from the existing STUN request and response messages, eliminating the need for separate policy control signaling infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
It is disclosed a method including receiving first address information relating to a terminal and a network traffic relay entity, obtaining second address information relating to the network traffic relay entity and a network traffic destination entity, and sending the first address information and the second address information to a controlling entity; and a method including receiving the first and second address information, generating policy information based on the received first and second address information, and monitoring network traffic based on the generated policy information.