Session Steering Rules for Edge Application Server Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G networks with edge computing, the user plane function (UPF) cannot steer packets to edge application servers (EASs) due to unknown routes advertised by border gateway protocol (BGP) and interior gateway protocol (IGP), necessitating methods for session steering to application servers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing traffic influence routing rules and filters in the control plane (CP) to direct packets to application servers by specifying breakout rules, using service addresses and gateway addresses, and storing these rules in the Policy Control Function (PCF) and unified data repository (UDR).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the UPF uses BGP/IGP advertised routes for packet steering, then routing scalability is improved, but the UPF cannot steer packets to edge application servers because routes are unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (traffic influence routing rules and service address mapping) between the BGP/IGP routing system and the UPF packet steering function. The PCF acts as a mediator that translates service addresses into actionable routing rules, enabling the UPF to steer packets to edge application servers without directly using BGP/IGP routes.
2Ease of operation
If traffic routing rules are stored in the PCF, then traffic steering control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PCF is designed to perform multiple functions: it stores traffic influence routing rules, manages service address mappings, and provides policy control for packet steering. By making the PCF a multi-functional component, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby managing complexity while improving traffic steering control.
3Loss of time
If local edge application servers are selected, then latency and costs are reduced, but routing configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring traffic influence routing rules and service address mappings in the PCF before actual packet steering occurs. This allows the UPF to perform simple lookups and forwarding decisions without complex real-time routing calculations, reducing latency while managing configuration complexity through advance preparation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving, by a control plane (CP) from an application function (AF), a traffic influence routing rule comprising a service address representing a destination address of a route to an application server, the traffic influence routing rule specifying a breakout rule for packets of a communicating device addressed to the application server; storing, by the CP, the traffic influence routing rule in a policy control function (PCF); and generating, by the CP, a traffic filter for packets of at least one traffic flow associated with the communicating device, the traffic filter directing packets of the at least one traffic flow that are addressed to the application server to the service address, the traffic filter being generated in accordance with the traffic influence routing rule.