Policy enforcement within an IP network
First Claim
1. A method of generating and applying a set of policy rules for enforcement by a policy enforcement function at a node of a communication network, said node routing Mobile Internet Protocol version 6 (MIPv6) packet flows to and from users of the network, the method comprising:
- at a service level control function, determining source and destination addressing information for a MIPv6 packet flow to be transported through said node;
sending said determined addressing information to a policy rules generating function, the policy rules generating function maintaining or having access to service and mobility policies for users of the communication network;
at the policy rules generating function, generating said set of policy rules on the basis of the source and destination addressing information and the appropriate service and mobility policies, the rules specifying a route optimization policy, wherein the policy rules generating function comprises a first part for applying said service policies to the received addressing information to generate a set of service rules, and a second part for applying the mobility policy to the service rules to generate the set of policy rules, wherein the second part extends the service rules to take into account MIPv6 addressing formats;
sending the generated set of policy rules to the policy enforcement function; and
applying by the policy enforcement function, the set of policy rules to traffic flows to determine whether or not route optimization is allowed, wherein the policy rules enable the policy enforcement function to filter MIPv6 packet flows based on four IP addresses in MIPv6 packet headers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and network node for generating and applying policy rules in an IP network. A Policy Enforcement Function (PEF) is implemented in a node such as a Gateway GPRS Service Node (GGSN) routing packet flows to and from network users. An Application Function (AF) determines source and destination addressing information for a packet flow and sends the information to a Policy and Charging Decision Function in a Policy and Charging Control Function (PCRF) having access to service and mobility policies for network users. The PCRF generates policy rules based on the addressing information and the appropriate service and mobility policies. The PCRF sends the policies rules to the PEF for application to the traffic flow.
12 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of generating and applying a set of policy rules for enforcement by a policy enforcement function at a node of a communication network, said node routing Mobile Internet Protocol version 6 (MIPv6) packet flows to and from users of the network, the method comprising:
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at a service level control function, determining source and destination addressing information for a MIPv6 packet flow to be transported through said node; sending said determined addressing information to a policy rules generating function, the policy rules generating function maintaining or having access to service and mobility policies for users of the communication network; at the policy rules generating function, generating said set of policy rules on the basis of the source and destination addressing information and the appropriate service and mobility policies, the rules specifying a route optimization policy, wherein the policy rules generating function comprises a first part for applying said service policies to the received addressing information to generate a set of service rules, and a second part for applying the mobility policy to the service rules to generate the set of policy rules, wherein the second part extends the service rules to take into account MIPv6 addressing formats; sending the generated set of policy rules to the policy enforcement function; and applying by the policy enforcement function, the set of policy rules to traffic flows to determine whether or not route optimization is allowed, wherein the policy rules enable the policy enforcement function to filter MIPv6 packet flows based on four IP addresses in MIPv6 packet headers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A node for use within a communication network, the node including a processor coupled to a non-transitory memory, wherein when the processor executes computer program instructions stored in the memory, the processor causes the node to:
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receive from a service level control function, addressing information relating to a Mobile Internet Protocol version 6 (MIPv6) packet flow through the network; access service and mobility policies for users of the communication network, and generate a set of policy rules based on source and destination addressing information and the appropriate service and mobility policies, the rules specifying a route optimization policy; wherein the node is configured to apply the service policies to the received addressing information to generate a set of service rules, and to apply the mobility policy to the service rules to generate the set of policy rules, wherein the service rules are extended to take into account MIPv6 addressing formats; and send the generated set of policy rules to a policy enforcement function within the communication network, wherein the policy rules enable the policy enforcement function to filter MIPv6 packet flows based on four IP addresses in MIPv6 packet headers.
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Specification