Policy Server Centralization for Mobile Core Network Scalability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current policy management systems in wireless communication networks lack a standardized approach for tracking and managing service information dynamically, leading to scattered and static management of policy-related data, which hinders efficient differentiation and control of various services, especially in mobile broadband environments.
Innovation Solution
A deployable network architecture that enables policy servers to operate as a policy service function, capable of tracking and caching service information dynamically, and providing network information to manage mobile services, with a network element acting as a primary or secondary policy access gateway across geographic regions, hiding home network topology from roaming partners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If policy management functions are scattered across the network and performed in a localized static fashion, then each service can be managed independently, but there is no common manner to track access and user requests based on service type, and dynamic policy information cannot be effectively managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges scattered policy management functions into a centralized Policy Server that handles all service tracking, user request monitoring, and dynamic policy information management uniformly. This consolidation enables common manner tracking of access and user requests across different service types while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The Policy Server is designed as a universal platform that can track and manage multiple service types (voice, data, video) and user requests through a single unified architecture. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate tracking mechanisms for each service type while providing comprehensive service visibility and control.
2Reliability
If a centralized policy server is deployed to track and manage service information dynamically, then service information can be tracked uniformly and dynamic policy information can be managed effectively, but network resources and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The Policy Server performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing service profiles, user request patterns, and policy rules before actual service delivery. This allows the system to track and manage service information dynamically without requiring intensive real-time processing resources, thereby improving reliability while controlling network resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of replicating entire policy management functions across multiple network elements, the system uses a centralized Policy Server that serves as a single source of truth. Other network elements copy only the necessary policy information and service state data from the Policy Server, reducing overall network resource requirements while maintaining reliable service tracking.
3Productivity
If policy servers operate as a policy service function with dynamic caching, then service information can be accessed efficiently, but the system complexity and data management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The Policy Server implements dynamic caching mechanisms that automatically adjust cache validity, eviction policies, and refresh intervals based on service types, user behavior patterns, and network conditions. This dynamic approach enables fast service information access for frequently used services while reducing data management overhead by only caching information that provides the most value, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects describe using a network element to facilitate scalability within a communication network and to provide policy as a network service in a mobile core network. The network element can be scalable and can be a primary policy access gateway for a first geographic region and can be a secondary policy access gateway for at least a second geographic region. The first geographic region and the second geographic region can have portions that overlap. Further, the network element can hide topology of the home network from roaming partners.