CN101150782B

CN101150782B - A selection method for policy billing control server

Info

Publication number: CN101150782B
Application number: CN2007101819848A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 周晓云; 宗在峰; 方敏
Original assignee: ZTE Corp
Current assignee: ZTE Corp
Priority date: 2007-10-17
Filing date: 2007-10-17
Publication date: 2012-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2027-10-17
Also published as: CN101150782A

Abstract

A method for selecting strategy charging control servers is provided, a PCRF entity is arranged in a 3GPP evolved packet system and a PCEF module comprises a first PCEF module and a second PCEF module which are resident on different nodes, the method comprises steps: establishing UE to the first IP conversation of one PDN, P-GW selects the PCRF entity and registers IP conversation in the PCRF entity; during establishing a tunnel between P-GW and the second PCEF module, P-GW sends the IP address of the PCEF to the entity which includes the second PCEF module; the entity which includes the second PCEF registers IP conversation in the PCRF, PCRF relates P-GW with the registered IP conversation of the entity which includes the second PCEF module and control the charging. The method of the invention ensures that a plurality of PCEF can find the same PCRF when the function of PCEF is dispersed to more than one nodes.

Description

A kind of system of selection of policy billing control server

Technical field

The present invention relates to 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project; Third generation partner program) grouping system of evolution (EPS:Evolved Packet System), the particularly system of selection of the policy billing control server in this system.

Background technology

3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project; Third generation partner program) grouping system of evolution (EPS:Evolved Packet System) is by E-UTRAN (Evolved UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access Network; The UMTS land radio access web of evolution), MME (Mobility Management Entity; Mobile management unit), S-GW (Serving Gateway, gateway), P-GW, claim PDN GW (Packet Data Network Gateway again; Grouped data network gateway), HSS (Home Subscriber Server; Home subscriber server), AAA (Authentication, Authorization and Accounting, the authentication and authorization charging) server of 3GPP, PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function; "Policy and Charging Rules Function) entity and other support nodes are formed, and also the PCRF entity are called policy billing control server in the literary composition.Wherein MME is responsible for the chain of command related work such as processing and the contextual management of user's mobile management of mobile management, Non-Access Stratum signaling; S-GW is the accessing gateway equipment that links to each other with E-UTRAN, between E-UTRAN and P-GW, transmits data, and is responsible for pending datas such as paging are carried out buffer memory.P-GW then is the borde gateway of EPS and PDN (Packet Data Network, packet data network) network, and the access of being responsible for PDN reaches functions such as between EPS and PDN, transmitting data.PCRF is the "Policy and Charging Rules Function entity, and it links to each other through receiving interface Rx interface and the IP of operator (InternetProtocol, procotol) business network; Obtain business information; It links to each other with gateway device in the network through the S7/S7a/S7b/S7c interface on the other hand, is responsible for initiating the foundation that IP carries, QoS (the Quality of Service of assurance business datum; And the control of chargeing service quality).

EPS supports the intercommunication with non-3 GPP system.Realize that through the S2a/b/c interface P-GW is as the anchor point between 3GPP and non-3 GPP system with the intercommunication of non-3 GPP system.The system architecture diagram of EPS is as shown in Figure 1.Wherein non-3 GPP system is divided into the non-3GPP IP access of trusted and trustless non-3GPP IP access.The non-3GPP IP of trusted inserts and can directly be connected with P-GW through the S2a interface; Trustless non-3GPP IP inserts to be needed to link to each other with P-GW through ePDG (Evolved Packet Data Gateway, the packet data gateway of evolution), and the interface between ePDG and P-GW is S2b.

In traditional 3GPP network; Strategy and charge execution function (PCEF:Policy and chargingenforcement function; Below be also referred to as the PCEF module) exist only among the P-GW; PCRF passes through S7 interface (as shown in Figure 1) exchange message as long as be connected the control that can accomplish all functions with P-GW between PCRF and P-GW.But; After the 3GPP network provides the IWF with non-3GPP; Interface when between P-GW and S-GW is during based on PMIP (Proxy Mobile IP, proxy-mobile IP), and the funtion part of PCEF has been moved among the S-GW; Such as the binding function that carries etc., between S-GW and the PCRF through S7c interface (as shown in Figure 1) exchange message.When non-3 GPP system through between S2a/S2b interface and 3GPP system during the intercommunication access, the also function of resident part PCEF in the non-3 GPP system.When non-3 GPP system is connecting system trusty, pass through S7a interface (as shown in Figure 1) exchange message between PCRF and non-3 GPP system; When non-3 GPP system is fly-by-night connecting system, pass through S7b interface (as shown in Figure 1) exchange message between PCRF and non-3 GPP system.

When first session that is established to a certain PDN, PCEF need inquire about the IP address of PCRF, and goes registration to PCRF.When PCEF only resides in P-GW; P-GW is according to APN (Access PointName; APN) seeks IP address or the additive method that passes through configuration PCRF with the corresponding PCRF:P-GW of relevant PDN in this locality; As obtain the IP address of PCRF to DNS (DomainName Server, name server) inquiry.But, the function of PCEF can have following problem when being distributed to more than a node: how to guarantee that a plurality of PCEF find same PCRF.

Summary of the invention

The technical problem that the present invention will solve is, a kind of system of selection of policy billing control server is provided, and is applied to the grouping system of 3GPP evolution, guarantees that a plurality of PCEF find same PCRF when making the function of PCEF be distributed to more than a node.

For addressing the above problem; The present invention proposes a kind of system of selection of policy billing control server; Said policy billing control server be the PCRF entity be arranged in 3GPP evolution grouping system and the strategy comprise a PCEF module and the 2nd PCEF module that resides in different nodes with charge execution function PCEF module, the method comprising the steps of:

When setting up user equipment (UE) to first IP session of a certain packet data network, the grouped data network gateway P-GW that comprises a PCEF module selects a PCRF entity and the said IP session of registration in this PCRF entity;

In the tunnel establishment procedure of said P-GW and the 2nd PCEF module place inter-entity, said P-GW sends to the 2nd PCEF module place entity with the IP address of said PCRF;

Said the 2nd PCEF module place entity is registered said IP session to said PCRF, and the said IP session that said PCRF registers the IP session and said the 2nd PCEF module place entity of said P-GW registration is associated, and the control of chargeing.

Further, said method also can have following characteristics, and said UE is in the 3GPP coverage, and said the 2nd PCEF module place entity is gateway S-GW.

Further, said method also can have following characteristics, and said UE is in the trusted non-3 GPP system coverage, and said the 2nd PCEF module place entity is the entity that has strategy and charge execution function in the said trusted non-3 GPP system.

Further, said method also can have following characteristics, is in trustless non-3 GPP system coverage, and said the 2nd PCEF module place entity is the packet data gateway ePDG of evolution.

Further, said method also can have following characteristics, and said UE specifically is divided into following steps to the attaching process of the grouping system of said 3GPP evolution:

Said UE sends attach request and gives mobile management unit MME; Said MME initiates identifying procedure; Behind the authentication success, said MME sends to the S-GW of selection and carries the request of foundation, has the address information of Qos strategy, APN and the P-GW of required foundation carrying;

Said S-GW sends the agent binding update request to said P-GW, carries sign, Qos strategy and the APN of said UE, and said P-GW and authentication and authorization charging and/or home subscriber server are mutual, and the foundation of this session is authorized;

Said P-GW selects said PCRF entity and in this PCRF entity, registers said session according to said APN, carries sign and the Qos strategy of said UE, and said PCRF entity sends to P-GW with the policy and charging control PCC strategy of confirming;

Said P-GW sends the agent binding response to said S-GW, carries said UE sign and said PCRF entity address message, after said S-GW receives, in said PCRF entity, registers said IP session, and carries said UE sign;

Session with said S-GW registration and said P-GW registration is associated said PCRF entity according to said UE sign; And the Qos strategy that said session is relevant sends to S-GW; S-GW returns to carry to said MME and sets up response, and said MME initiates to set up radio bearer and notify said UE to adhere to successfully.

Carry out the non-3GPP IP of trusted access process between said UE and trusted non-3 GPP system, said trusted non-3 GPP system obtains the address information for the P-GW of said UE distribution from authentication and authorization charging and/or home subscriber server in verification process;

The signaling of sending said UE triggers said non-3 GPP system and initiates to be established to the tunnel between said P-GW, and said non-3 GPP system sends the agent binding update request to said P-GW, carries sign and the APN of said UE;

Said P-GW and authentication and authorization charging and/or home subscriber server are mutual; Foundation to this session is authorized; Be called according to said Access Point Name then that the PCRF entity is selected in said IP session and the foundation of this session of registration in the said PCRF entity, the sign of carrying said UE;

Said PCRF entity sends to said P-GW with the PCC strategy of confirming; Said P-GW sends the agent binding response to said trusted non-3 GPP system; Carry said PCRF entity address message; Said trusted non-3 GPP system is to the said IP session of said PCRF registers entities, the sign of carrying said UE;

Said PCRF entity is associated the IP session of said P-GW registration and the session of trusted non-3 GPP system registration according to the sign of said UE; And the Qos strategy that said session is relevant sends to said trusted non-3 GPP system, the flow process of setting up of said trusted non-3 GPP system and said UE completion IP session.

Hold consultation between said UE and said ePDG, said ePDG initiates the identifying procedure to said UE, and the address information of the P-GW that authentication and authorization charging and/or home subscriber server will distribute for said UE sends to said ePDG;

Said ePDG sends the agent binding update request to said P-GW, carries sign and the APN of said UE;

Said P-GW and said authentication and authorization charging and/or home subscriber server are authorized the foundation of this session alternately; Be called according to Access Point Name that the PCRF entity is selected in said IP session and the foundation of this session of registration in the said PCRF entity, the sign of carrying said UE;

Said PCRF entity sends to said P-GW with the PCC strategy of confirming, said P-GW sends the agent binding response to said ePDG, carries said PCRF entity address message, and said ePDG is to the said IP session of said PCRF registers entities, the sign of carrying said UE;

Said PCRF entity is associated the IP session of said P-GW registration and the session of said ePDG registration according to the sign of said UE; And the Qos strategy that said session is relevant sends to said ePDG, the flow process of setting up in said ePDG and said UE completion Internet Protocol Security IPSEC tunnel.

Further, said method also can have following characteristics, when said P-GW sends the agent binding response to said the 2nd PCEF module place entity, also will send to said the 2nd PCEF module place entity for said UE IP address allocated.

Further, said method also can have following characteristics, and said trusted non-3 GPP system is the WiMax system, and said the 2nd PCEF module place entity is the IAD in the WiMax system; Perhaps

Said trusted non-3 GPP system is the CDMA2000 system, and said the 2nd PCEF module place entity is the group data service node in the CDMA2000 system.

Further, said method also can have following characteristics, the network access Identifier NAI that is designated UE of said UE or international mobile subscriber identity IMSI.

Use the method for the invention, guarantee that a plurality of PCEF find same PCRF in the time of can being distributed to more than a node in the function of PCEF.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the system architecture diagram of EPS.

Fig. 2 is the flow chart of the embodiment of the invention one.

Fig. 3 is the flow chart of the embodiment of the invention two.

Fig. 4 is the flow chart of the embodiment of the invention three.

Embodiment

Thought of the present invention is: when first IP session that is established to a certain PDN; P-GW (PCEF functional module wherein is called a PCEF module) at first obtains the IP address of PCRF and in PCRF, registers; Set up agreement such as proxy mobile IP protocol through the tunnel then the IP address of the PCRF that it obtained is sent to S-GW/ePDG or the non-3GPP gateway of trusted (PCEF functional module wherein is called the 2nd PCEF module); The non-3GPP gateway of S-GW/ePDG or trusted is not selected PCRF voluntarily to same PCRF registration.P-GW can be through the IP address of APN inquiry PCRF.

To combine accompanying drawing and embodiment that technical scheme of the present invention is explained in more detail below.

Embodiment one

What present embodiment was described is to be in the 3GPP coverage as UE (User Equipment, subscriber equipment), and the 3GPP core net adopts is the EPS framework, and the interface protocol among the EPS between S-GW and P-GW is during based on PMIP, and UE is to the attaching process of this system.In this process, will be established to first IP session of a certain PDN, P-GW selects PCRF, and through the interface between S-GW and P-GW the IP address of PCRF is sent to S-GW.The flow chart of present embodiment is as shown in Figure 2, and each step is described below:

202, UE sends Attach Request message and gives MME;

204, MME initiates the identifying procedure to UE, exchanges authentication-related information between MME and the HSS as required; Behind the authentication success, MME initiates more new technological process of position, and HSS sends to MME with the subscription data of UE.In verification process, HSS sends to MME with the selection information of P-GW; MME selects S-GW and P-GW;

206, " request information is set up in carrying to MME, has the IP address of qos policy, APN and the P-GW of required foundation carrying in this message to the S-GW transmission;

208, S-GW sends the agent binding update request to P-GW; Carry sign such as NAI (network access Identifier) or IMSI (the International Mobile Subscriber Identity of UE in this message; The international mobile subscriber identity), the qos policy and the APN of required foundation carrying;

210, P-GW and AAA/HSS (referring to AAA and/or HSS) are mutual, and the foundation of this session is authorized;

212, P-GW selects PCRF according to APN, and P-GW registers this IP session in PCRF.Carry the sign of this UE in the message, and this carries relevant qos policy.The qos policy of this carrying of PCRF inspection, according to the CAMEL-Subscription-Information of UE, PCRF can revise the qos policy of this carrying, and PCRF sends to P-GW with PCC (policy and charging control) strategy of confirming;

214, P-GW sends the agent binding response to S-GW, carries the sign of UE, the information such as IP address of PCRF in this message, and P-GW is through inquiring about the IP address that local configuration or dns resolution obtain PCRF; If P-GW gives UE distributing IP address, then P-GW sends to S-GW with institute's IP address allocated;

216, S-GW registers this IP session according to the IP address information of PCRF in the agent binding response in PCRF, the sign of carrying this UE, and PCRF is associated the IP session that S-GW registered according to this sign with the session that P-GW is registered; The qos policy that PCRF is relevant with this session sends to S-GW;

218, S-GW sends to carry to MME and sets up response;

220, MME initiates to set up radio bearer, and notice UE adheres to successfully;

222, MME initiates bearer update, and radio bearer information is sent to S-GW.

Embodiment two

What present embodiment was described is in the non-3GPP coverage of UE place trusted, and the 3GPP core net adopts is the EPS framework, and the S2a interface between trusted non-3 GPP system and P-GW is during based on the PMIP agreement, and UE arrives the attaching process of this system.In this process, will be established to first IP session of a certain PDN, select PCRF, and the IP address of PCRF sent to the trusted non-3 GPP system through the S2a interface by P-GW.

The flow chart of present embodiment is as shown in Figure 3, and the pairing equipment of the non-3GPP network of the trusted among the figure is different according to the type difference and the institute of non-3GPP network, such as, in WiMax, this network element corresponds to IAD A-GW (Access Gateway); In CDMA2000, this network element corresponds to PDSN (Packet Data Serving Node, group data service node), and each step of this flow process is described below:

302, carry out non-3GPP IP between UE and non-3 GPP system and insert special access process, such as cell selecting, network selecting etc.;

304, non-3 GPP system carries out access authentication to UE, and this identifying procedure needs the participation of HSS/AAA, and in verification process, HSS/AAA (referring to HSS and/or AAA) distributes P-GW for this UE, and the IP address of P-GW is sent to non-3 GPP system;

306, execution level 3 signalings between UE and non-3 GPP system, such as, these layer 3 signalings possibly be DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol in WiMax; DHCP) request message or MIP (Mobile IP; Mobile IP protocol) route request information is in CDMA (CodeDivision Multiple Access, code division multiple access) 2000 systems; It is PPP (Pointto PointProtocol, point-to-point protocol) message that this layer 3 triggers signaling; The signaling that triggers this layer 3 will trigger non-3 GPP system and initiate to be established to the PMIP tunnel between P-GW;

308, non-3 GPP system sends the agent binding update request to P-GW, carries the information such as sign and APN of UE in this message;

310, P-GW and AAA/HSS are mutual, and the foundation of this session is authorized;

312, P-GW is that PCRF is selected in this IP session according to APN, and to the foundation that PCRF registers this session, carries this UE sign in the message; PCRF is according to the Qos policy information of this session of CAMEL-Subscription-Information inspection of UE, and the PCC policy information after will being confirmed by PCRF sends to P-GW;

314, P-GW sends the agent binding response to the trusted non-3 GPP system, the IP address of carrying PCRF, and P-GW is through inquiring about the IP address that local configuration or dns resolution obtain PCRF; If P-GW gives UE distributing IP address, then P-GW sends to the trusted non-3 GPP system with institute distributing IP address;

316, the trusted non-3 GPP system is according to the IP address information of PCRF in the agent binding response; In PCRF, register this IP session; Carry sign and the APN of this UE in the message; PCRF registers the IP session according to this sign with P-GW and is associated with the session that non-3 GPP system is registered, and the Qos strategy that PCRF is relevant with this session sends to non-3 GPP system;

318, accomplish the flow process of setting up of this IP session between trusted non-3 GPP system and UE, this process is different and different according to non-3 GPP system, and such as in WiMax, this process maybe be for sending dhcp response message or advertising of route message to UE; And in CDMA2000, this process possibly be PPP NCP (Network Core Protocol, Network Core Protocol) process.

Embodiment three

What present embodiment was described is to be in trustless non-3GPP coverage as UE, and the 3GPP core net adopts is the EPS framework, and the S2b interface between ePDG and P-GW is during based on the PMIP agreement, and UE is to the attaching process of this system.In this process, will be established to first IP session of a certain PDN, select PCRF, and the IP address of PCRF sent to ePDG through the S2b interface by P-GW.The flow chart of present embodiment is as shown in Figure 4, and each step is described below:

402, carry out IKE (Internet Key Exchange between UE and ePDG; Key change) consult, ePDG carries out authentication to UE, the security information of ePDG and HSS/AAA exchange UE and CAMEL-Subscription-Information, authorization message etc.; HSS/AAA is that UE distributes P-GW, and the IP address of P-GW is sent to ePDG;

404, ePDG sends the agent binding update request to P-GW, carries the information such as sign and APN of UE in this message;

406, P-GW and AAA/HSS are mutual, and the foundation of this session is authorized;

408, P-GW is that PCRF is selected in this IP session according to APN, and to the foundation of this session of PCRF registration, the sign of carrying said UE; PCRF is according to the Qos policy information of this session of CAMEL-Subscription-Information inspection of UE, and the PCC policy information after will being confirmed by PCRF sends to P-GW;

410, P-GW sends the agent binding response to ePDG, the IP address of carrying PCRF, and P-GW is through inquiring about the IP address that local configuration or dns resolution obtain PCRF; If P-GW give UE distributing IP address then P-GW will send to ePDG for the UE IP address allocated;

412, ePDG is according to the IP address information of PCRF in the agent binding response; In PCRF, register this IP session; Carry sign and the APN of this UE in the message; PCRF registers the IP session according to this sign with P-GW and is associated with the session that ePDG is registered, and the Qos strategy that PCRF is relevant with this session sends to ePDG;

414, accomplish the flow process of setting up in IPSEC (Internet Protocol Security, Internet Protocol Security) tunnel between ePDG and UE, ePDG is a UE configuration of IP address etc.

Certainly; The present invention also can have other various embodiments; Under the situation that does not deviate from spirit of the present invention and essence thereof; Those of ordinary skill in the art work as can make various corresponding changes and distortion according to the present invention, but these corresponding changes and distortion all should belong to the protection range of the appended claim of the present invention.

Claims

1. the system of selection of a policy billing control server; Said policy billing control server be the PCRF entity be arranged in 3GPP evolution grouping system and the strategy comprise a PCEF module and the 2nd PCEF module that resides in different nodes with charge execution function PCEF module, the method comprising the steps of:

2. system of selection as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that:

Said UE is in the 3GPP coverage, and said the 2nd PCEF module place entity is gateway S-GW.

3. system of selection as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that:

Said UE is in the trusted non-3 GPP system coverage, and said the 2nd PCEF module place entity is the entity that has strategy and charge execution function in the said trusted non-3 GPP system.

4. system of selection as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that:

Said UE is in trustless non-3 GPP system coverage, and said the 2nd PCEF module place entity is the packet data gateway ePDG of evolution.

5. system of selection as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that: said UE specifically is divided into following steps to the attaching process of the grouping system of said 3GPP evolution:

6. system of selection as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that: said UE specifically is divided into following steps to the attaching process of the grouping system of said 3GPP evolution:

Said PCRF entity sends to said P-GW with the policy and charging control PCC strategy of confirming; Said P-GW sends the agent binding response to said trusted non-3 GPP system; Carry said PCRF entity address message; Said trusted non-3 GPP system is to the said IP session of said PCRF registers entities, the sign of carrying said UE;

7. system of selection as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that: said UE specifically is divided into following steps to the attaching process of the grouping system of said 3GPP evolution:

8. like claim 5,6 or 7 described systems of selection, it is characterized in that:

When said P-GW sends the agent binding response to said the 2nd PCEF module place entity, also will send to said the 2nd PCEF module place entity for said UE IP address allocated.

9. system of selection as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that:

Said trusted non-3 GPP system is the WiMax system, and said the 2nd PCEF module place entity is the IAD in the WiMax system; Perhaps

10. like claim 5,6 or 7 described systems of selection, it is characterized in that: the network access Identifier NAI that is designated UE of said UE or international mobile subscriber identity IMSI.