S9 Session Message Identification for PCRF Policy Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current EPS systems face challenges in determining the origin of Diameter session information within S9 session messages, leading to difficulties in managing policy control and charging rules across multiple IP-CAN sessions during roaming scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for identifying session information using unique identification within S9 session messages, allowing the receiving end PCRF to determine the corresponding Diameter session, enabling accurate transmission and management of policy control information across Gxx, Gx, and Rx sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If S9 session messages are used to transmit Diameter session information between PCRF nodes during roaming, then policy control and charging rule management can be achieved across multiple IP-CAN sessions, but the receiving end PCRF cannot determine the origin or corresponding Diameter session of the transmitted information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an identification information field as an intermediary element within the S9 session message. This field acts as a mediator that carries the session identifier from the sending PCRF to the receiving PCRF, enabling the receiving end to trace and determine the origin of the transmitted Diameter session information without altering the core S9 message structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent copies the session identifier from the original Diameter session context and embeds it into the S9 session message. This copying mechanism allows the receiving PCRF to reconstruct the association between the transmitted information and its source Diameter session, preserving the informational link across the roaming interface.
2Productivity
If multiple Diameter sessions (Gx, Gxx, Rx) are transmitted through a single S9 session, then efficient roaming support is achieved, but the receiving end cannot distinguish which Diameter session the information belongs to
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the S9 session message by introducing distinct identification fields that separate and label information from different Diameter sessions (Gx, Gxx, Rx). This segmentation allows the receiving PCRF to distinguish and process information from multiple source sessions independently, maintaining clarity despite the aggregated transmission channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by adding session-specific identification information to specific message elements within the S9 session. Instead of requiring separate S9 sessions for each Diameter session, the identification information is locally embedded where needed, enabling precise attribution without increasing overall message volume or complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If S9 interface is implemented to support home routed and local breakout roaming architectures, then network flexibility and service provisioning capability are improved, but the complexity of managing and tracking session information across different roaming scenarios increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal identification mechanism that works across different roaming architectures (home routed, local breakout with home network service provision, and local breakout with visited network service provision). The same identification field structure and processing logic apply regardless of the specific roaming scenario, simplifying implementation while maintaining support for multiple architectures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of modifying the core S9 message structure to carry detailed session context, the patent inverts the approach by adding a compact identification field that references the original session. This inversion reduces the burden on the S9 interface while maintaining full traceability, effectively simplifying the complexity rather than increasing it.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and an apparatus for identifying session information are disclosed by the present invention, wherein the method includes: a sending end PCRF sends an S9 session message to a receiving end PCRF in order to transmit the Diameter session information, wherein the S9 session message carries the identification information identifying the Diameter session uniquely; the receiving end PCRF determines the Diameter session corresponding to the Diameter session information carried by the S9 session message according to the identification information. By the present invention, when the receiving end PCRF issues the policy control information, it issues the policy control information to a corresponding Gxx session or AF session according to the unique identification information carried by the S9 session, thereby it can consummate the application flow of the realization of the S9 roaming interface in the policy charging control frame.