System and method for reporting packet characteristics in a network environment
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- receiving a request to initiate a communication flow;
mapping a source IP address associated with the communication flow to a subscriber;
determining a service level for the subscriber;
identifying one or more parameters to be monitored for the communication flow;
requesting a synchronization packet in response to a threshold being reached for at least one of the parameters;
receiving the synchronization packet;
extracting one or more bits from the synchronization packet, wherein the bits are attribute value pairs;
determining an operating system associated with the communication flow using the one or more bits from the synchronization packet; and
executing a policy decision based on the operating system associated with the communication flow and the service level for the subscriber, wherein the policy decision was received from a policy and charging rules function element.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a request to initiate a communication flow associated with a subscriber and identifying one or more parameters to be monitored for the communication flow. The method further includes extracting one or more bits from packets associated with the communication flow; the bits are used to determine an operating system associated with the communication flow. A policy decision can be executed for the communication flow based on the operating system associated with the communication flow. In more specific examples, the bits are sent to a next destination in response to a threshold being reached for at least one of the parameters. The parameters can be associated a volume parameter or a time parameter. The policy decision could include blocking traffic associated with the subscriber, initiating billing, redirecting the communication, managing a quality of service level for the communication flow, etc.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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receiving a request to initiate a communication flow; mapping a source IP address associated with the communication flow to a subscriber; determining a service level for the subscriber; identifying one or more parameters to be monitored for the communication flow; requesting a synchronization packet in response to a threshold being reached for at least one of the parameters; receiving the synchronization packet; extracting one or more bits from the synchronization packet, wherein the bits are attribute value pairs; determining an operating system associated with the communication flow using the one or more bits from the synchronization packet; and executing a policy decision based on the operating system associated with the communication flow and the service level for the subscriber, wherein the policy decision was received from a policy and charging rules function element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Logic encoded in one or more tangible media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor operable to perform operations comprising:
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receiving a request to initiate a communication flow; mapping a source IP address associated with the communication flow to a subscriber; determining a service level for the subscriber; identifying one or more parameters to be monitored for the communication flow; requesting a synchronization packet in response to a threshold being reached for at least one of the parameters; receiving the synchronization packet; extracting one or more bits from the synchronization packet, wherein the bits are attribute value pairs; determining an operating system associated with the communication flow using the one or more bits from the synchronization packet; and executing a policy decision based on the operating system associated with the communication flow and the service level for the subscriber, wherein the policy decision was received from a policy and charging rules function element. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus, comprising:
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a memory element configured to store data, a processor operable to execute instructions associated with the data, and a packet signature module configured to; receive a request to initiate a communication flow; map a source IP address associated with the communication flow to a subscriber; determine a service level for the subscriber; identify one or more parameters to be monitored for the communication flow; request a synchronization packet in response to a threshold being reached for at least one of the parameters; receive the synchronization packet; extract one or more bits from the synchronization packet, wherein the bits are attribute value pairs; determine an operating system associated with the communication flow using the one or more bits from the synchronization packet; and execute a policy decision based on the operating system associated with the communication flow and the service level for the subscriber, wherein the policy decision was received from a policy and charging rules function element. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification