KR102165237B1 - Method and Apparatus for Routing Traffic Based on Service in Network Environment - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a service-based traffic routing method and apparatus in a network environment.
In a network environment where traffic routing paths for each service including the gateway (GW-D) selected based on routing policy information are set in the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network, and terminal traffic is transmitted according to the traffic routing paths for each service. It relates to a service-based traffic routing method and apparatus.

Description

[Method and Apparatus for Routing Traffic Based on Service in Network Environment}

The present embodiment relates to a service-based traffic routing method and apparatus in an EPC network environment.

The content described in this section merely provides background information on the present embodiment and does not constitute the prior art.

With the spread of smartphones and increasing demand for data traffic, mobile communication providers are making investments in facilities and technologies in consideration of system load or impact in order to accommodate increased data traffic. In accordance with this trend, a method of providing a mobile communication service by installing a micro base station indoors and outdoors to access a mobile communication core network through an indoor broadband network has been proposed. In particular, in a next-generation network system, a method of arranging multiple small-sized multiple cells (femto cells) has been proposed as an alternative to satisfy the demand for a high data rate and to provide stable provision of various services.

The micro base station in charge of the femtocell is called an indoor base station or a femto base station. By reducing the cell size in this way, the use of a high frequency band can increase the efficiency of the next-generation network system. In addition, using several small-sized cells is advantageous in terms of increasing the number of frequency reuse. In addition, since it is possible to improve the problem of channel condition deterioration due to radio wave attenuation that occurred when one base station covers the entire cell area and the problem of service unavailable for users in shadow areas, service through multiple cells of small size The method has an advantage. Based on these advantages, a method in which a conventional macro cell (a cell area controlled by an outdoor base station; Macro-cell) and femtocells are combined has emerged.

On the other hand, LTE (Long Term Evolution) is used to realize the requirements of 　high data rate, low-latency, and packet optimized radio access for the access network. It is a network. It is designed to accommodate high-speed rich media while ensuring backward compatibility for the existing 3GPP/non-3GPP access network. LTE provides differentiated QoS for real-time services (e.g., voice communication, video communication) and non-real-time services (e.g. web browsing, store and forward data transmission) by reinforcing the quality of service (OoS) management function, Improved the efficiency of network resources. In addition, by introducing smart antenna technology (ie, MIMO), the bandwidth for wireless communication has been expanded.

In the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network, which can be called the core network of LTE, eNodeB <-> Mobility Management Entity (MME), MME <-> S-GW (Serving Gateway) and S-GW <-> P-GW ( Packet Data Network Gateway) operates organically to perform call processing for voice and data processing.

In LTE's core network, SGW and PGW are processed by combining a neighbor node, a signaling processing control plane such as GTPc, and Diameter, and a data plane for forwarding the traffic of the terminal in one node. have. Accordingly, it is difficult to divide traffic paths according to characteristics of terminals and subscribers or services used. It is possible to distribute traffic within the core network of LTE by separating the PGW by major APN (Access Point Name), or to operate SGW and PGW that control QoS/bandwidth in one PGW for each subscriber, rate plan, and service. However, since one and the same PGW is used, it is impossible to control the routing path for each service. In fact, in order to allocate and operate an APN for each service, it is necessary to modify the entire EPC system of the LTE core network from the terminal.

This embodiment sets a traffic routing path for each service including a gateway (GW-D) selected based on routing policy information in an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network, and controls the transmission of terminal traffic according to the traffic routing path for each service. The main purpose is to provide a service-based traffic routing method and apparatus in a network environment.

According to an aspect of the present embodiment, there is provided a method for a traffic routing control apparatus to route traffic based on a service in a core network of a mobile communication network, comprising: a policy acquisition process of obtaining routing policy information generated by the policy control apparatus; A selection process of selecting a data gateway for forwarding terminal traffic for each service based on the routing policy information; And a routing process of determining a traffic routing path for each service using the selected data gateway, and transmitting a control message to the data gateway so that the terminal traffic is processed for each service according to the traffic routing path. It provides a service-based traffic routing method.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present embodiment, in an apparatus for routing traffic based on a service in a core network of a mobile communication network, the routing policy information generated by the policy control apparatus is obtained, and each service is provided based on the routing policy information. Comprising a processor for determining a traffic routing path for each service by using a data gateway selected to forward the terminal traffic for each service, and transmitting a control message to the data gateway so that the terminal traffic is processed for each service according to the traffic routing path. It provides a service-based traffic routing control device, characterized in that.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by processing terminal traffic for each service according to a traffic routing path determined based on routing policy information, signaling for service mobility according to traffic processing can be minimized. In addition, by differentiating network services for each service, there is an effect of smoothing the flow of traffic and reducing the load on the gateway.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing an EPC network system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of processing service-based traffic routing in the EPC network system according to the present embodiment.
3 is a flowchart showing a service-based traffic routing method in an EPC network environment according to the present embodiment.
4 is an exemplary diagram for explaining an operation of processing service-based traffic routing in the EPC network system according to the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In adding reference numerals to elements of each drawing, it should be noted that the same elements are assigned the same numerals as possible even if they are indicated on different drawings. In addition, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the subject matter of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing an EPC network system according to the present embodiment.

EPC network system according to this embodiment is EPC GW-D (120, 125), EPC GW-C (130), MME (Mobility Management Entity, 140), PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function, 143), CS (Charging System, 146) and SDN (Software Defined Networking) controller 150 is configured to include.

In the conventional EPC network system, SGW (Serving Gateway, hereinafter abbreviated as'SGW') and PGW (PDN Gateway, hereinafter abbreviated as'PGW') function of the control plane and the data plane. It was done at the same time. On the other hand, in the EPC network system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control area and the data area are separated. That is, the EPC network system is divided into EPC GW-C 130 consisting of SGW and PGW performing the function of the control area and EPC GW-D 120, 125 consisting of SGW and PGW performing the function of the data area. . In the EPC network system, the roles of the GW-C 130 and the GW-D 120 and 125 are divided around the SDN controller 150.

The EPC GW-D (120, 125) is a gateway existing in the data area, and plays a role of controlling the traffic path such as forwarding or routing the traffic of terminals in the data area. Here, the EPC GW-D (120, 125) is composed of SGW (SGW-D) and PGW (PGW-D), which is composed of a combination of SGW (SGW-D) and PGW (PGW-D), or It can be configured in a separate form.

The SGW operates as a boundary point between the radio access network (RAN) and the core network, and is an element that functions to maintain a data path between the eNB 110 and the PGW. In addition, when the terminal moves (eg, handover) over several areas served by the eNB 110, the SGW may serve as an anchor point for the movement.

The PGW corresponds to the termination point of the data interface towards the packet data network. PGW functions such as Policy Enforcement Features, Packet Filtering, Charging Support, Lawful Interception, UE IP Allocation, and Packet Screening. Perform. In addition, for mobility management between 3GPP networks and non-3GPP networks (e.g., untrusted networks such as IWLAN (Interworking Wireless Local Area Network), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks or trusted networks such as WiMax) It serves as an anchor point.

The EPC GW-D 120 may be connected to the eNB 110 through an Access network to transmit packet data, etc. to the UE 170. The EPC GW-D 125 is connected through the EPC GW-D 120 and the backhaul network 160, which are connected through the eNB 110 and the access network, and can transmit packet data to the terminal 173. , It is connected to the terminal 176 through the IP backbone network 165 to transmit packet data and the like.

Meanwhile, the EPC GW-C 130 is a gateway that exists in a control plane and serves to manage subscriber resources and mobility using signaling in the control plane. Here, the EPC GW-C 130 is composed of SGW (SGW-C) and PGW (PGW-C), which is composed of a combined form of SGW (SGW-C) and PGW (PGW-C) or separated respectively. It can be configured in a form.

EPC GW-C (130) is connected to the MME (140), PCRF (143), CS (146). The MME 140 is an element that performs signaling and control functions to support access related to network connection of the terminal, allocation of network resources, tracking, paging, roaming, and handover. The EPC GW-C 130 receives information related to subscriber and session management from the MME 140.

EPC GW-C (130) EPC GW-C (130) receives routing policy information for controlling the path of the terminal traffic from the PCRF (143). Here, the EPC GW-C 130 may receive routing policy information from the PCRF 143 at a preset period. However, the EPC GW-C 130 may transmit a policy request message including subscriber information to the PCRF 143, and may receive a policy response message including routing policy information as a response signal thereto.

The PCRF 143 is an element that manages a policy to be applied to a terminal and a quality of service (QoS).

The PCRF 143 generates routing policy information in consideration of subscriber information, rate plan information, terminal status information and service-related information, and transmits the generated routing policy information to the EPC GW-C 130.

The PCRF 143 is a policy control device that generates routing policy information for controlling a routing path, and transmits the generated routing policy information to the EPC GW-C 130. Factors considered in generating routing policy information include subscriber information including identification information for distinguishing subscribers (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identify (IMSI), Mobile Identify Number (MIN), and Mobile Diretory Number (MDN))), and subscribers. The plan information for the rate plan being used by the terminals 170, 173, 176 of the terminal, the terminal status information for the power, loss and location status of the terminals 170, 173, 176, and used in the terminals 170, 173, 176 There is service-related information about the type of service (eg, voice service, video service, web service, etc.).

The PCRF 143 may transmit routing policy information to the EPC GW-C 130 at a preset period. However, when a policy request message including subscriber information is received from the EPC GW-C 130, the routing policy information may be included in the policy response message as a response signal and transmitted to the EPC GW-C 130. The EPC GW-C 130 receives routing policy information for controlling the path of terminal traffic from the PCRF 143.

The CS 146 is an element that manages billing information to be billed to the terminal. The EPC GW-C 130 receives billing information from the CS 146. In addition, the EPC GW-C 130 manages information received from the MME 140, PCRF 143, and CS 146, and is connected to the SDN controller 150 to transmit the received information.

The SDN controller 150 acquires the routing policy information collected from the EPC GW-C 130, and based on the obtained routing policy information, the EPC GW-D 120, 125, for forwarding the terminal traffic for each service. 126). Here, the routing policy information means policy information generated in consideration of subscriber information, rate plan information, terminal status information, service-related information, and the like.

SDN controller 150 selects GW-D (120, 125, 126) in consideration of condition information collected from GW-D (120, 125, 126) through open flow based on routing policy information do. Here, the open flow is a communication protocol of Software Defined Networking (SDN), and provides a protocol for communication between the two functions by separating the packet forwarding function and the control function of the SDN switch (not shown) into a standard interface.

The SDN controller 150 receives status messages for each of the EPC GW-Ds 120, 125, and 126 at preset intervals using an open flow, or the EPC GW-Ds 120, 125, and 126 It determines the traffic routing path according to the routing policy information by grasping the state of each preset interval. The SDN controller 150 allows the terminal traffic to be processed through the GW-D (120, 125, 126) selected in consideration of condition information such as the terminal's rate plan information, mobility support information, and service type information included in the routing policy information. Determine the optimal traffic routing path for each service.

SDN controller 150 transmits a control message to the GW-D (120, 125, 126) so that the terminal traffic is transmitted for each service according to the traffic routing path. Here, the SDN controller 150 transmits a control message including a traffic routing path to the GW-D (120, 125, 126) using an open flow.

SDN controller 150 according to the present embodiment is a traffic routing control device including a processor for transmitting a control message to the GW-D (120, 125, 126) so that the terminal traffic is transmitted for each service according to the determined traffic routing path Can be implemented as

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of processing service-based traffic routing in the EPC network system according to the present embodiment.

The MME 140 transmits a Create Session Request message to the GW-C 130 (S210). The session creation request message may include an Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer identifier (EBI) and subscription information of the terminal. The subscription information of the terminal may include a subscription QoS profile. When receiving an access request message from the terminal, the MME 140 performs a subscriber authentication procedure and a security procedure to register the terminal. Thereafter, the MME 140 must allocate network and radio resources to provide the quality of service (QoS) to which the terminal subscribes by setting the EPS session and the basic bearer using the subscription information. Accordingly, the MME 140 transmits a session creation request message to the GW-C 130.

The GW-C 130 transmits a rule allocation request (CCR, Credit Control Request) message to the PCRF 143 (S220). This is because the GW-C 130 must transmit the terminal subscription information to the PCRF 143 to obtain authorization for resource allocation suitable for the provider's policy.

The PCRF 143 generates routing policy information based on subscription information included in the policy request message received from the GW-C 130. In generating routing policy information, subscriber information, rate plan information, terminal status information, service-related information, and the like are considered.

The PCRF 143 transmits a policy response (CCA, Credit Control Answer) message including the generated routing policy information to the GW-C 130 (S230).

Upon receiving the policy response message, the GW-C 130 transmits a Create Session Response message to the MME 140 (S240). When the MME 140 receives the session creation response message, the MME 140 transmits a connection acceptance message to the terminal, whereby the connection between the terminal and the GW-C 130 is completed.

The MME 140 transmits a bearer modification request (Modify Bearer Request) message to the GW-C 130 in order to establish a bearer between the eNB and the GW-C 130 thereafter (S250).

Upon receiving the bearer modification request message, the GW-C 130 is connected to the SDN controller 150 (S260). In this case, the connection may use an N/B (North Bound) interface using a REST protocol or an IPC protocol. The SDN controller 150 acquires routing policy information collected from the GW-C 130. The GW-C 130 and the SDN controller 150 may transmit/receive a Mobile Station International ISDN Number (MSISDN), an eNB IP address, a bearer identifier, etc. separately from routing policy information.

The SDN controller 150 is connected to the GW-D 120 using an S/B (South Bound) interface using the open flow 160 (S270). The SDN controller 150 transmits to the GW-D 120 a control message including a traffic routing path determined based on routing policy information based on an open flow. The SDN controller 150 and the GW-D 120 may transmit and receive a Flow Modify message requesting registration, change, or deletion of a flow using the S/B interface.

When the connection of the GW-C 130, the SDN controller 150 and the GW-D 120 is completed, the GW-C 130 sends a Modify Bearer Response message to the MME 140 to the MME 200 ) To transmit (S280). Accordingly, a bearer connection between the eNB and the GW-C is established by applying a traffic routing path.

3 is a flowchart showing a service-based traffic routing method in an EPC network environment according to the present embodiment.

The GW-C 130 receives routing policy information from the PCRF 143 (S310) and transmits the received routing policy information to the SDN-C 150. The GW-C 130 interworks with the PCRF 143 to receive routing policy information generated in consideration of subscriber information, rate plan information, terminal status information, and service-related information. The GW-C 130 classifies the received routing policy information for each APN and performs signaling processing for each APN.

The GW-C 130 describes that routing policy information is directly received from the PCRF 143, but is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, identification information for a routing policy from the PCRF 143 (eg, PCRF Rule Name), and if necessary, it is possible to extract and receive routing policy information corresponding to identification information from a separately implemented policy database (not shown).

The SDN-C 150 obtains routing policy information from the GW-C 130 (S320), and selects the GW-Ds 120, 125, and 126 based on the obtained routing policy information (S330).

The SDN-C 150 selects GW-Ds 120, 125, and 126 for forwarding terminal traffic for each service based on routing policy information. In the selection of GW-D (120, 125, 126), condition information such as distance information, overload status information, number of connected terminals, etc. of terminals 170, 173, 176 and GW-D (120, 125, 126) are considered. do. That is, the SDN-C 150 considers the condition information collected from the GW-D 120, 125, 126 through an open flow based on the routing policy information, and the GW-D 120, 125, 126 Select ).

The SDN-C 150 determines a traffic routing path for each service using the selected GW-Ds 120, 125 and 126 (S340). The SDN-C 150 determines the optimal traffic routing path for each service so that terminal traffic is processed using the GW-Ds 120, 125, 126 based on the routing policy information. In the selection of the traffic routing path, condition information such as the terminal's rate plan information, mobility support information, and service type information is considered.

The SDN-C 150 sets a traffic routing path for each service so that the terminal traffic is processed by separating each of the GW-Ds 120, 125, 126 for each preset APN.

In addition, the SDN-C 150 considers the traffic throughput of the GW-D (120, 125, 126) for each service of the terminal traffic, the value-added services (VAS) server interworking, charging, and packet analysis. Set traffic routing path for each service. For example, the SDN-C 150 uses only GW-D (120, 125, 126) not interlocked with a value-added service (VAS) server when the terminal traffic service does not require a value-added service (VAS) server connection. Set the routing path. On the other hand, SDN-C 150 is a traffic routing including GW-D (120, 125, 126) interworking with a device capable of charging and packet analysis when the service of the terminal traffic is a service that requires billing and packet analysis. You can set the path.

As the SDN-C 150 sets a traffic routing path for each service, the GW-D 120, which is different for each service such as a voice service, a video service, and a web service, for the terminal traffic transmitted from one terminal. It is possible to determine a traffic routing path set to pass through 125 and 126.

The SDN-C 150 minimizes signaling for processing terminal traffic through a traffic routing path set according to the rate plan to which the terminal is subscribed, whether or not mobility is supported, and service type (eg, voice service, video service, web service, etc.). I can. In addition, the SDN-C 150 may differentiate and provide network services according to service types by allowing terminal traffic to pass through different routes for each service.

The SDN-C 150 transmits a control message to the gateway GW-D so that terminal traffic is transmitted for each service according to the traffic routing path (S350). Here, the SDN-C 150 transmits a control message including a traffic routing path to each of the GW-Ds 120, 125, and 126 corresponding to the traffic routing path using an open flow.

4 is an exemplary diagram for explaining an operation of processing service-based traffic routing in the EPC network system according to the present embodiment.

The SDN-C 150 controls UE traffic to be transmitted according to a traffic routing path set based on routing policy information. As shown in FIG. 4, an operation of setting the first traffic routing path 410 and the second traffic routing path 410 by the SDN-C 150 based on routing policy information will be described.

The SDN-C 150 obtains routing policy information for video and web services in which a subscriber is subscribed to a specific premium plan and uses data APNs. Here, a specific premium plan refers to a rate plan that provides an optimal service using the value-added service server 180 to optimize the service used.

The SDN-C 150 sets the first traffic routing path 410 to pass through the value-added service server 180 capable of optimizing services according to a specific premium plan, video and web services based on the obtained routing policy information. Meanwhile, the SDN-C 150 sets the first traffic routing path 410 including the GW-Ds 120 and 125 for billing and packet analysis (DPI) according to a specific premium rate plan.

The SDN-C 150 transmits a control message including the set first traffic routing path 410 to each of the GW-Ds 120 and 125 and the value-added service server 180 so that the terminal traffic for video and web services is transmitted. The first traffic routing path 410 is used.

On the other hand, the SDN-C 150 acquires routing policy information for a free service provided that the subscriber is subscribed to a general flat rate plan and uses the IMS APN. Here, the general price plan refers to a plan without restrictions on data usage and billing.

SDN-C 150 includes GW-Ds 120 and 126 so that billing processing and packet analysis (DPI) are not required based on the obtained routing policy information, and does not go through the value-added service server 180 that can be optimized. A second traffic routing path 420 is set. The SDN-C 150 transmits a control message including the set second traffic routing path 420 to each of the GW-Ds 120 and 126, so that the terminal traffic for the free service is transmitted to the second traffic routing path 420 Make it through.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present embodiment, and those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present embodiment belongs will be able to make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. Accordingly, the present exemplary embodiments are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present exemplary embodiment, but are illustrative, and the scope of the technical idea of the present exemplary embodiment is not limited by these exemplary embodiments. The scope of protection of this embodiment should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the scope of the present embodiment.

As described above, this embodiment is applied to the field of controlling traffic in the EPC network, so that signaling for service mobility according to traffic processing can be minimized, and traffic flow by differentiating network services for each service. It is a useful invention that facilitates the process and generates the effect of reducing the load on the gateway.

110: eNB 120, 125, 126: EPC GW-D
130: EPC GW-C 140: MME
143: PCRF 146: CS
150: SDN controller 160: backhaul network
165: IP backbone network 170, 173, 176: terminal

Claims (8)

In a method for a traffic routing control device to route traffic based on a service in a core network of a mobile communication network,
A policy acquisition process of acquiring routing policy information generated by the policy control device;
A selection process of selecting a data gateway for forwarding terminal traffic for each service based on the routing policy information; And
A routing process of determining a traffic routing path for each service using the selected data gateway, and transmitting a control message to the data gateway so that the terminal traffic is processed for each service according to the traffic routing path,
In the selection process, the data gateway is selected so that the transmitted terminal traffic of one terminal passes through different data gateways for each service. The method of claim 1,
The policy acquisition process,
Obtaining the routing policy information collected from the policy control device at the request of the control gateway from the control gateway, wherein the routing policy information is included in at least one condition information of subscriber information, rate plan information, terminal status information, and service-related information. Service-based traffic routing method, characterized in that the policy information classified by APN (Access Point Name) on the basis of. The method of claim 1,
The selection process,
A service-based traffic routing method, comprising selecting the data gateway for each service based on condition information of at least one of a distance between a terminal and the data gateway, an overload condition, and the number of access terminals. The method of claim 1,
The routing process,
Determining a traffic routing path for each service so that the terminal traffic is processed via the selected data gateway based on at least one of information on a terminal plan, mobility support information, and service type information included in the routing policy information. Service-based traffic routing method characterized by. The method of claim 4,
The routing process,
And determining a traffic routing path for each service so that the terminal traffic is processed by separating each of the data gateways for each preset APN. The method of claim 4,
The routing process,
Service-based traffic, characterized in that the traffic routing path for each service is determined based on at least one of information among the traffic volume of the data gateway for each service, value-added services (VAS) server interworking, billing, and packet analysis Routing method. The method of claim 4,
The routing process,
The traffic routing path is determined so that the transmitted terminal traffic of one terminal passes through different data gateways for each service of voice service, video service, and web service, and is routed to the traffic routing path by using an open flow. And transmitting the control message to each of the corresponding data gateways. In a device for routing traffic based on a service in a core network of a mobile communication network,
Obtains the routing policy information generated by the policy control device, determines a traffic routing path for each service using a data gateway selected to forward terminal traffic for each service based on the routing policy information, and determines the traffic routing path for each service. Accordingly, comprising a processor for transmitting a control message to the data gateway so that the terminal traffic is processed for each service,
Wherein the processor selects the data gateway so that the transmitted terminal traffic of one terminal passes through different data gateways for each service.

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