Policy and charging control method and apparatus for an application service chain based on an sdn network

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017201629-A1
Application number	US-201515320588-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 22, 2015
Priority date	Jul 2, 2014
Publication date	Jul 13, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A policy and charging control function PCRF determines an application service chain for an application based on multi-dimensional context information corresponding to the application, and transmits the corresponding application service chain information to an SDN controller. The SDN controller determines a forwarding rule for the application based on the application service chain information, and transmits the forwarding rule to a corresponding service chaining infrastructure network. SCEP(s) in the service chaining infrastructure network perform corresponding service function based on the forwarding rule.

First claim

1 . A policy and charging control method for an application service chain based on an SDN network, wherein the method comprises:
a. determining, by a PCRF, an application service chain for an application based on multi-dimensional context information corresponding to the application, and transmitting the corresponding application service chain information to an SDN controller, b. determining, by the SDN controller, a forwarding rule for the application based on the application service chain information, and transmitting the forwarding rule to a corresponding service chaining infrastructure network; c. performing, by SCEP(s) in the service chaining infrastructure network, corresponding service function based on the forwarding rule.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step c comprises:
performing, by SCEPs in the service chaining infrastructure network, corresponding service functions in sequence based on a service function performing sequence in the forwarding rule.

3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the SCEP includes a service chaining classification function and a service chaining forwarding function, wherein the service chaining classification function performs diffluent processing to the application flow of the application; and the service chaining forwarding function transmits the application flow to the service function and/or other SCEP(s).

4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein an ingress SCEP in the SCEPs includes a TDF, which TDF performs a deep packet inspection to the application flow so as to perform diffluent processing to the application flow, and forwards the application flow to other SCEP(s); wherein the TDF further receives application service chain information transmitted by the PCRF and transmits a charging request comprising the application service chain information to a corresponding OCS and/or OFCS, so as to charge the application.

5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the multi-dimensional context information comprises at least any one of the following:
TDF application context information; subscriber repository context information; subscriber charging information; subscriber radio access and location information.

6 . A PCRF for policy and charging control to an application service chain based on an SDN network, wherein the PCRF is configured to determine an application service chain for an application based on the multi-dimensional context information corresponding to the application, and transmit the corresponding application service chain information to an SDN controller.

7 . The PCRF according to claim 6 , wherein the multi-dimensional context information comprises at least any one of the following:
TDF application context information; subscriber repository context information; subscriber charging information; subscriber radio access and location information.

8 . An SDN controller for policy and charging control to an application service chain based on an SDN network, wherein the SDN controller is configured to:
receive application service chain information transmitted by a corresponding PCRF; determine a forwarding rule for a corresponding application based on the application service chain information and transmit the forwarding rule to a corresponding service chaining infrastructure network.

9 . SCEP(s) for policy and charging control to an application service chain based on an SDN network, wherein the SCEP is configured to perform corresponding service function based on a forwarding rule transmitted by an SDN controller.

10 . The SCEP according to claim 9 , wherein the SCEP is configured to:
perform corresponding service functions in sequence based on a service function performing sequence in the forwarding rule.

11 . The SCEP according to claim 9 , wherein the SCEP includes a service chaining classification function and a service chaining forwarding function, wherein the service chaining classification function performs diffluent processing to the application flow of the application; and the service chaining forwarding function transmits the application flow to the service function and/or other SCEP(s).

12 . A TDF for policy and charging control to an application service chain based on an SDN network, wherein the TDF includes an ingress SCEP; the TDF performs a deep packet inspection to the application flow of an application so as to perform diffluent processing to the application flow, and forwards the application flow to other SCEP(s); wherein the TDF further receives application service chain information transmitted by the PCRF and transmits a charging request comprising the application service chain information to a corresponding OCS and/or OFCS, so as to charge the application.

13 . The TDF according to claim 12 , wherein the TDF is integrated with a PGW.

14 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Alcatel Lucent

Inventors

• Li Xiangyang
• Cai Yigang

Classifications

• H04L41/5054

  Automatic deployment of services triggered by the service manager, e.g. service implementation by automatic configuration of network components · CPC title

• H04L12/1407

  Policy-and-charging control [PCC] architecture · CPC title

• H04M15/66 Primary

  Policy and charging system · CPC title

• H04L41/5087

  wherein the managed service relates to voice services (management of VoIP services H04M7/0081) · CPC title

• H04L41/0893

  Assignment of logical groups to network elements · CPC title