User Plane Function Node Local Policy Enforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G/EPC networks, there is an excessive amount of 'north-south' control traffic exchanged among control plane functional nodes for processing user plane traffic, leading to increased latency and operational costs due to frequent transactions over N4/Sx and Gx/N7 interfaces.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a policy enforcement engine logic at the user plane function node that detects user traffic types and applies corresponding rules without relying on control messages over these interfaces, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for message exchanges on N4/N7 and Gx/Sx interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If policy enforcement is performed through multiple north-south control traffic transactions between UPF/UP and SMF/CP over N4/Sx and N7/Gx interfaces, then policy control and charging rules can be properly enforced, but network latency increases and operational costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The UPF node is equipped with local policy enforcement capabilities that allow it to autonomously detect user traffic types and apply corresponding rules without requiring continuous control plane transactions. The node serves itself by maintaining local policy rules and making independent enforcement decisions, eliminating the need for real-time SMF/PCF intervention for each traffic event.
Solution Approach 2:
Policy rules are pre-configured and cached in the UPF node before traffic arrives. The SMF/CP provides the UPF with a set of packet detection rules and corresponding policy actions in advance, allowing the UPF to immediately enforce policies when traffic matches predefined patterns without waiting for control plane responses.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control plane transactions are performed for user traffic processing, then comprehensive policy control is achieved, but operational costs increase due to excessive signaling
Solution Approach 1:
The UPF node autonomously monitors traffic patterns and applies pre-configured policy rules without requiring continuous control plane transactions for each enforcement event. This self-service approach dramatically reduces signaling overhead and associated operational costs while maintaining policy flexibility through locally cached rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential policy enforcement logic from the control plane and places it in the user plane at the UPF node. By separating policy decision-making (which remains centralized) from policy execution (which is distributed to UPF), the system reduces control plane traffic while preserving adaptive policy control capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If real-time policy enforcement is implemented through control plane transactions, then accurate traffic management is achieved, but system complexity increases due to multiple interface protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The UPF node performs autonomous traffic detection and rule application using locally stored packet detection rules. This self-service mechanism maintains accurate traffic classification and policy enforcement while eliminating the need for complex real-time coordination between multiple control plane nodes and interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines traffic detection, rule matching, and policy enforcement functions into a single integrated process at the UPF node. By merging these previously separate functions that required multiple control plane transactions into one unified local operation, the system reduces architectural complexity while maintaining detection precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of configuring a user plane function node in, e.g., a fifth generation mobile core architecture to process user plane traffic without reliance on control messages over the Sx/N4 or Gx/N7 interfaces. The method includes detecting a type of user traffic at a user plane function node in, e.g., a fifth generation mobile core architecture, selecting, on the user plane function node and based on the type of user traffic, a rule to be applied to the user traffic, and activating the rule to be applied to the user traffic. The approach reduces or eliminates north-south control traffic in CUPS architecture or 5G mobile core architecture.