P-PCEF Proxy for MPTCP Policy Control in PCC Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of Multi-Path Transmission Control Protocol (MPTCP) in policy control and charging (PCC) systems within communication networks poses challenges for the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) due to the need to manage multiple IP connections and enforce policies across different access technologies, requiring a new interface and modifications to existing standards.
Innovation Solution
A network element, referred to as the proxy PCEF (P-PCEF), is introduced to establish multiple IP Connectivity Access Network (CAN) sessions with different Policy and Charging Enforcement Functions (PCEFs) and the PCRF, allowing for seamless management of MPTCP traffic without requiring adjustments to the PCEFs or PCRF, thereby hiding the complexity of MPTCP from the PCRF and enabling proprietary handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If MPTCP is integrated into the PCC system with direct PCRF management, then policy control capability is improved, but system complexity increases and standard modifications are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an MPTCP proxy as an intermediary component between the PCRF and the MPTCP endpoints. This proxy handles the complexity of managing multiple IP connections and MPTCP-specific operations, while the PCRF interacts with it through a simplified interface. The proxy translates MPTCP traffic into standard IP traffic that the existing PCC architecture can handle, thereby improving policy control capability without requiring modifications to the core PCRF or standard protocols.
2Ease of operation
If MPTCP proxy is introduced to hide complexity, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complexity of MPTCP management from the core PCC system by introducing a dedicated MPTCP proxy component. This proxy is responsible for all MPTCP-specific operations including connection establishment, path management, and traffic steering. By taking out this complexity into a separate entity, the core PCRF and existing network elements can operate without modification, improving ease of operation while concentrating device complexity in a single manageable proxy component.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple PDN connections are established for MPTCP, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple PDN connections into a single aggregated IP connection from the perspective of the PCRF. The MPTCP proxy establishes multiple PDN connections to different network paths, but it presents a unified connection interface to the core network. This merging approach allows the system to utilize multiple paths for improved adaptability and resilience while simplifying connection management by hiding the multiplicity of connections from the PCRF and other network elements.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method performed by a network element (5) in a Policy Control and Charging (PCC) system (2) in a communication network (1). The method comprises establishing a first Internet Protocol (IP) Connectivity Access Network (CAN) session with a first Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) 4x in the PCC system, the first PCEF being associated with a first Public Data Network (PDN) connection X between a Multi-Path Transmission Control Protocol (MPTCP) capable radio device (6) and an MPTCP proxy (8). The method also comprises establishing a second IP-CAN session with a second PCEF 4y in the PCC system, the second PCEF being associated with a second PDN connection Y between the radio device and the MPTCP proxy. The method also comprises establishing a third IP-CAN session with a third PCEF 4z in the PCC system, the third PCEF being associated with an IP connection Z between the MPTCP proxy and a PDN 7, the IP connection being configured for carrying data from both the first PDN connection and the second PDN connection. The method also comprises establishing a fourth IP-CAN session with a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) 3 in the PCC system.