User Plane IP Pool Mapping for Bad-Actor Location Traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Fourth Generation (4G) and Fifth Generation (5G) networks with a distributed user plane architecture, the random assignment of Internet Protocol (IP) pools to user plane nodes by a centralized control plane node leads to increased mobile-initiated scams and cybersecurity threats due to the inability to accurately track the location of malicious actors.
Innovation Solution
Allocate IP pools to user plane nodes based on location information associated with each node, ensuring that assigned IP addresses are tied to specific geographical locations, enabling better tracking and mitigation of scams and attacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If IP pools are randomly assigned to user plane nodes, then the deployment and operation of distributed user plane architecture is simplified, but the ability to track and locate bad actors in cybersecurity attacks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning IP pools to user plane nodes based on their specific location information rather than using random assignment. Each user plane node receives an IP pool that corresponds to its geographical location, enabling precise location tracking while maintaining the distributed architecture's operational simplicity.
2Device complexity
If IP pools are randomly assigned to user plane nodes, then network deployment complexity is reduced, but the effectiveness of fraud and scam mitigation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of IP pool assignment from random to location-based. By modifying the assignment criterion to consider location information of user plane nodes, the system improves fraud mitigation reliability while keeping the overall network deployment architecture relatively simple.
3Ease of operation
If centralized control plane node assigns IP pools randomly, then control plane node operations are simplified, but the ability to narrow down bad actor location deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the control plane node receive location information from user plane nodes and use this feedback to assign appropriate IP pools. This feedback mechanism enables the control plane node to maintain operational simplicity while significantly improving the ability to detect and locate bad actors through location-based IP address assignment.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are techniques and systems for allocating Internet Protocol (IP) pools amongst user plane nodes in a distributed user plane architecture based on location information associated with the individual user plane nodes. In an example process, a control plane node of a telecommunication network receives, from a user plane node of the telecommunication network, location information during a packet forwarding control protocol (PFCP) association setup procedure, identifies, from a set of IP pools associated with the control plane node, an IP pool that is associated with matching location information that matches the location information received from the user plane node, and assigns the IP pool to the user plane node. By allocating IP pools in this manner, mobile-initiated scams, fraud, and/or cybersecurity attacks can be mitigated.