SEPP Header Injection for Roaming Message Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G communications networks, there is no clear mechanism for producer network functions to identify whether messages are coming from the home or visitor PLMN, leading to difficulties in applying appropriate security and observability policies for roaming messages.
Innovation Solution
A header is added by the home Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP) to request messages indicating their origin, allowing producer network functions to determine if messages are from a visitor PLMN and apply roaming-specific policies, including security and observability policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If no header is added to messages, then message processing is simple, but producer network functions cannot identify whether messages are from home or visitor PLMN
Solution Approach 1:
The home SEPP adds a header indicating visitor PLMN origin to messages before they are forwarded to producer network functions. This preliminary action ensures that the origin information is already embedded in the message when it reaches the producer NF, eliminating the need for complex identification mechanisms later in the processing chain.
Solution Approach 2:
The home SEPP acts as an intermediary between the visitor PLMN and producer network functions. It intercepts messages from visitor PLMN, adds the appropriate header, and forwards them to producer NFs. This intermediary role allows origin information to be preserved without requiring changes to the producer NFs or the core message format.
2Reliability
If roaming-specific policies are applied, then security and observability for roaming messages are improved, but policy application complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different processing qualities to different message types. Producer network functions check for the presence of a specific header to determine whether to apply roaming-specific policies. Messages with the header receive enhanced security and observability handling, while messages without the header use standard processing. This local quality approach allows differentiated handling without requiring complex global policy changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The message itself carries the information needed to determine its processing requirements through the header. Producer network functions automatically detect the header and self-determine to apply roaming-specific policies without requiring external configuration or complex decision logic. The message is essentially self-identifying, which simplifies the policy application mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for identifying roaming messages at network functions in a home public land mobile network (PLMN). A method includes receiving, at a home security edge protection proxy (SEPP) for the home PLMN, a request message from a consumer network function in a visitor PLMN and adding, at the home SEPP, a header to the request message indicating that the request message originated in the visitor PLMN. The method includes receiving, at a producer network function in the home PLMN, the request message and determining, at the producer network function, that the request message originated in the visitor PLMN by finding the header indicating that the request message originated in the visitor PLMN. The method includes applying, at the producer network function, a roaming-specific policy while processing the request message in response to determining that the request message originated in the visitor PLMN.