Traffic Steering Through Service Function Chain in 5G Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 3GPP systems, particularly in 5G networks, there is a need for efficient methods to steer traffic through a service function chain, handle selective traffic steering, and manage application server discovery to ensure continuous application layer sessions and services.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a method where a session management function (SMF) receives information from a policy control function (PCF) or an operations, administration, and maintenance (OAM) system, which includes service function chain information indicating that protocol data units (PDUs) should be routed through a service function chain with specific Data Processing Functions (DPFs). The SMF configures user plane functions (UPFs) according to this information, generating rules such as packet detection rules (PDRs) and forwarding action rules (FARs) to steer traffic through the service function chain, support selective traffic steering, and notify user equipment (UE) about application server address changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traffic is routed through a service function chain with multiple DPFs, then traffic processing capabilities (firewall, lawful interception, deep packet investigation) are improved, but routing complexity and network path length increase
Solution Approach 1:
The service function chain is segmented into multiple discrete Data Processing Functions (DPFs) that can be independently deployed and managed. Each DPF handles specific processing tasks (firewall, lawful interception, deep packet investigation), allowing flexible combination of processing capabilities while maintaining manageable complexity through functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
User Plane Functions (UPFs) act as intermediaries between DPFs, managing the routing complexity. The UPFs receive traffic from one DPF and forward it to the next DPF in the chain, abstracting the complexity of multi-hop routing from the overall system while enabling sophisticated traffic processing capabilities.
2Productivity
If selective traffic steering is implemented to route only specific packets through the service function chain, then processing efficiency is improved, but traffic management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Selective traffic steering applies different processing qualities to different traffic flows. By identifying specific packets or traffic patterns that require processing and routing only those through the service function chain, the system achieves local optimization of processing efficiency without subjecting all traffic to complex multi-hop routing.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of routing all traffic through the complete service function chain, the system applies partial action by selecting only the necessary packets for processing. This reduces unnecessary processing overhead while maintaining the capability to handle complex traffic management requirements for specific flows.
3Adaptability or versatility
If application servers are relocated to different locations, then network flexibility and load balancing are improved, but session continuity and connectivity stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic application server relocation where servers can be moved between different locations based on load, proximity, or network conditions. The service function chain and UPFs dynamically update routing information to reflect server location changes, enabling flexible adaptation while maintaining session continuity through proactive session management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms to monitor application server locations and network conditions, enabling dynamic relocation decisions. When servers are relocated, the system receives feedback about the new locations and updates routing configurations accordingly, ensuring session continuity is maintained despite location changes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If all traffic is steered through the service function chain, then comprehensive processing is achieved, but network latency and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system avoids excessive action by not routing all traffic through the service function chain. Instead, it selectively processes only the traffic that requires comprehensive processing (e.g., specific protocols, traffic patterns, or security-critical flows), thereby reducing unnecessary latency for traffic that can be handled more efficiently without full processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and system for supporting traffic steering through a service function chain, the service function chain comprising at least one data processing function. An aspect of the disclosure provides for a method for steering traffic of a packet data unit (PDU) performed by a session management function. The method includes receiving PCC rules from a policy control function, the PCC rules including information comprising at least one of service function chain information; final delivery indication; and selective traffic steering information and associated parameters. The method further includes configuring at least one user plane function (UPF) according to the information. In some embodiments the configuring the at least one UPF includes instructing a first UPF to detect traffic according to the packet detection rules and route the received packet according to the forwarding action rules.