Service-Aware Mobile Core Network Policy Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current policy and charging control systems in mobile communication networks manage mobile traffic based on individual IP flows, which becomes inefficient as mobile services integrate multiple IP flows, making it difficult to enforce service agreements and ensure proper delivery of packets for integrated services.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for enabling a service-aware mobile core network by detecting IP flows, mapping them to integrated services, and managing these services according to policies defined for those services using a lookup table mechanism, thereby creating an explicit link between integrated services and the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mobile traffic is managed according to individual IP flows, then detailed control over each flow is achieved, but service management becomes inefficient when services integrate multiple IP flows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple IP flows into a single service entity for management purposes. The PCC rules are associated with services rather than individual IP flows, allowing the network to manage integrated services (comprising multiple IP flows) as unified units. This combining approach resolves the contradiction by improving service management efficiency while avoiding the complexity of managing each IP flow separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a service identifier as an intermediary between IP flows and PCC rules. Instead of directly managing individual IP flows, the system uses service identifiers to group and manage multiple IP flows collectively. This intermediary mechanism enables efficient service-level management while maintaining the ability to handle multiple underlying IP flows, thus resolving the efficiency-complexity contradiction.
2Reliability
If services are tied to specific packet data network gateways, then proper packet delivery is ensured, but service portability and roaming capabilities are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service management into two independent parts: service identification (using service identifiers) and gateway selection. By separating these functions, the system can ensure reliable packet delivery through appropriate gateway selection while simultaneously enabling service portability through identifier-based service definition. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the management parameter from gateway-specific binding to service-identifier-based management. Instead of tying services to specific gateways, the system uses service identifiers that can be resolved to appropriate gateways based on current network conditions and service requirements. This parameter change enables both reliable delivery (through appropriate gateway selection) and service portability (through identifier-based service definition that isn't gateway-specific).
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for enabling a service-aware mobile core network are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for managing integrated services in a communication network includes detecting a first Internet protocol flow in the network, mapping the internet protocol flow to an integrated service, and managing the integrated service, including the first internet protocol flow, according to at least one policy defined for the integrated service.