RADIUS Proxy Accounting Message Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional system accounting mechanisms in multiprocessor environments, particularly in mobile systems, fail to effectively manage system accounting messages during processor reloads, leading to undesirable forwarding of messages to RADIUS servers and inadequate cleanup of user sessions.

Innovation Solution

Assigning a unique attribute, such as a 'session-correlator', to each processor, where a proxy processor suppresses system accounting messages and sends a single accounting STOP message with this attribute to the RADIUS server to clean up user sessions upon processor reboot, instead of sending multiple messages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If each gateway processor sends its own system accounting messages to the RADIUS server, then individual processor accounting is maintained, but the RADIUS server is overloaded and session cleanup is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccounting message handling reliabilityVSAvoidsystem accounting complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a RADIUS proxy server as an intermediary between gateway processors and the RADIUS server. The proxy receives accounting messages from multiple processors, suppresses duplicate system accounting messages during reload scenarios, and forwards only necessary messages to the RADIUS server. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable accounting through proper message filtering while reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the accounting message handling function for multiple processors into a single RADIUS proxy. Instead of each processor independently communicating with the RADIUS server, the proxy consolidates these communications, suppressing redundant messages and forwarding a unified set of accounting messages, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of information

If the RADIUS proxy forwards all accounting messages to the RADIUS server, then complete accounting information is maintained, but unnecessary messages are sent causing server overload

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccounting information completenessVSAvoidRADIUS server processing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and suppresses unnecessary accounting messages (specifically accounting-on messages) at the RADIUS proxy before forwarding to the RADIUS server. The proxy identifies and filters out redundant system accounting messages that would otherwise be forwarded, thereby maintaining complete necessary accounting information while removing extraneous messages that would overload the server.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by selectively forwarding only the necessary accounting messages to the RADIUS server rather than all messages. The RADIUS proxy performs partial forwarding, suppressing specific message types (accounting-on) that are unnecessary for server processing, thus improving server productivity while maintaining adequate accounting information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the RADIUS server receives accounting-on messages from reloading processors, then processor status is tracked, but user session cleanup is not properly performed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessor status trackingVSAvoiduser session management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the session-correlator attribute as a copying mechanism to associate user sessions with their originating processor. When the RADIUS proxy suppresses accounting-on messages, it includes the session-correlator attribute that allows the RADIUS server to identify and clean up user sessions associated with the reloading processor without receiving the actual accounting-on message, thus maintaining ease of operation while preserving reliable status tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Ease of operation

If a single IP view is provided for all gateways, then external node management is simplified, but internal processor individuality is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal node managementVSAvoidprocessor identification information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different views at different levels: externally, all gateways present a single IP view for simplified management, while internally, each processor maintains its unique identity through the session-correlator attribute. The RADIUS proxy preserves processor-specific information in the session-correlator attribute even while presenting a unified external interface, thus resolving the contradiction between external simplicity and internal distinction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7840215B2System accounting in a multiprocessor environment

Publication Date: 2010.11.23 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

In one embodiment, a method can include: (i) assigning an attribute to each of a plurality of processors, and designating one of the plurality of processors as a proxy processor; (ii) when a user session begins using a first of the plurality of processors, sending a first notification message to a server; and (iii) when a rebooting of the first processor occurs: (a) suppressing a second notification message from the first processor in the proxy processor; and (b) sending a third notification message with the attribute to the server to enable the server to modify a user file in the server using the attribute.