WO2012009243A2 - Method and apparatus for reliable transmission of charging detail records - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for reliable transmission of charging detail records Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2012009243A2 WO2012009243A2 PCT/US2011/043489 US2011043489W WO2012009243A2 WO 2012009243 A2 WO2012009243 A2 WO 2012009243A2 US 2011043489 W US2011043489 W US 2011043489W WO 2012009243 A2 WO2012009243 A2 WO 2012009243A2
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- cdf
- cdrs
- cgf
- cdr
- charging
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/02—Details
- H04L12/14—Charging, metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/02—Details
- H04L12/14—Charging, metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
- H04L12/1428—Invoice generation, e.g. customization, lay-out, database processing, algorithms for calculating the bill or formatting invoices as WWW pages
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
- H04M15/41—Billing record details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure of call data record [CDR]
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
- H04M15/51—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP for resellers, retailers or service providers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
- H04M15/70—Administration or customization aspects; Counter-checking correct charges
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
- H04M15/70—Administration or customization aspects; Counter-checking correct charges
- H04M15/74—Backing up
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/24—Accounting or billing
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
- H04M2215/01—Details of billing arrangements
- H04M2215/0164—Billing record, e.g. Call Data Record [CDR], Toll Ticket[TT], Automatic Message Accounting [AMA], Call Line Identifier [CLI], details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
- H04M2215/54—Resellers-retail or service providers billing, e.g. agreements with telephone service operator, activation, charging/recharging of accounts
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
- H04M2215/70—Administration aspects, modify settings or limits or counter-check correct charges
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
- H04M2215/70—Administration aspects, modify settings or limits or counter-check correct charges
- H04M2215/709—Backup
Definitions
- the invention relates generally to communication networks and, more specifically but not exclusively, to transmission of charging detail records of communication networks.
- CDRs charging detail records
- MG mobile gateway
- CDRs to a charging data function (CDF), which in turn forwards the CDRs to a charging gateway function (CGF).
- CDF charging data function
- CGF charging gateway function
- a mobile gateway generates CDRs intended for delivery to a charging gateway function (CGF).
- the CDRs are propagated toward both first and second charging data function (CDFs).
- the first and second CDFs buffer the CDRs.
- the first CDF is configured for propagating CDRs toward the CGF.
- the second CDF is configured for propagating CDRs toward the CGF when the first CDF fails.
- the CGF is configured for acknowledging receipt of CDRs to the first or second CDF from which the CDRs are received.
- the first CDF is configured for acknowledging, to the second CDF, receipt of acknowledgment messages 806995 2 from the first CDF.
- the second CDF is configured for, upon failure of the first CDF, initiating a process for determining which of the CDRs buffered at the second CDF need to be propagated to the CGF in order to ensure that none of the CDRs generated by the MG are lost due to the failure of the first CDF.
- FIG. 1 depicts a high-level block diagram of an exemplary charging architecture
- FIG. 2 depicts a high-level block diagram of an exemplary charging architecture
- FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary use of the charging architecture of FIG. 1 for providing reliable delivery of charging detail records
- FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of a method for use by a mobile gateway in providing reliable transmission of charging detail records to a charging gateway function
- FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of a method for use by a charging data function, operating as an active charging data function, in providing reliable transmission of charging detail records to a charging gateway function;
- FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a method for use by a charging data function, operating as a backup charging data function, in providing reliable transmission of charging detail records to a charging gateway function; and
- FIG. 7 depicts a high-level block diagram of a computer suitable for use in performing the functions described herein.
- a charging detail record transmission capability is depicted and described herein.
- the charging detail record transmission capability provides reliable transmission of charging detail records from a mobile gateway to a charging gateway function, even upon failure of a charging detail function responsible for propagating charging data records from the mobile gateway to the charging gateway function, thereby ensuring reliable delivery of the charging detail records to one or more systems configured for processing the charging detail records to provide various accounting functions, billing functions, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof.
- the charging detail record transmission capability may be provided within any communication network in which charging detail records or similar charging data are propagated for use by one or more systems configured for providing various accounting functions, billing functions, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof.
- the charging detail record transmission capability is primarily depicted and described herein within the context of a specific type of wireless network (namely, a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) network), however, it will be appreciated that the charging detail record transmission capability may be implemented within charging architectures of various other types of networks (e.g., other types of wireless networks, wireline networks, and the like).
- 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project
- UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunication System
- FIG. 1 depicts a high-level block diagram of an exemplary charging architecture.
- the charging architecture 100 includes a mobile gateway (MG) 1 10, first and second charging data functions (CDF) 120 A and 120 B (collectively, CDFs 120), and a charging gateway function (CGF) 130.
- MG mobile gateway
- CDF charging data functions
- CGF charging gateway function
- the MG 1 10 communicates with first CDF 120 A via a communication path 1 15 A and communicates with second CDF 120 B via a communication path 1 15B.
- the first and second CDFs 120 A and 120 B communicate via a communication path 121 therebetween.
- the first and second CDFs 120 A and 120 B communicate with CGF 130 via communication paths 125 A and 125 B , respectively. 806995 4
- charging architecture 100 is implemented within a 3GPP UMTS network.
- the MG 1 10 may be any suitable network element within the 3GPP UMTS network, such as a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN), a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), or any other network element associated with the 3GPP UMTS network.
- the interfaces between CDFs 120 A and 120 B and CGF 130, via respective communication paths 125 A and 125B, may be Ga interfaces.
- the protocol used for exchanging messages over the Ga interfaces may be the GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) prime (GTP') protocol, the typical operation of which will be understood by one skilled in the art.
- the charging architecture 100 may be implemented as a modified version of the 3GPP TS 32.240 charging architecture.
- the MG 1 10 generates charging detail records (CDRs).
- the CDRs include details about chargeable events, e.g., for use in accounting functions, for use in billing customers, and the like.
- the associated CDR may include details such as the time of call setup, the duration of the call, the amount of data transferred, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof.
- the types of information included within CDRs, formatting of CDRs, and like details of CDRs will be understood by one skilled in the art.
- the CDRs have unique sequence numbers associated therewith.
- the MG 1 10 propagates each CDR to both first CDF 120 A and second CDF 120 B .
- the CDRs may be propagated in any suitable manner.
- the CDRs are propagated using respective CDR packets, where the CDR packets conveying the CDRs include the unique sequence numbers associated with the CDRs.
- the first and second CDFs 120 A and 120 B receive the CDRs from MG 1 10.
- the first and second CDFs 120 A and 120 B each buffer the received CDRs.
- the first CDF 120 A is the primary CDF and the second CDF 120 B is the secondary CDF.
- the first CDF 120 A has an active connection with CGF 130 via communication path 125 A .
- the second CDF 120 B does not have an active connection with CGF 130.
- CGF 130 may be supported using any suitable protocol.
- the active connection between the first CDF 120 A and the CGF 130 may be supported using the GTP' protocol.
- the first CDF 120 A begins sending the buffered CDRs to CGF 130 via the active connection established between first CDF 120 A and CGF 130.
- the CDRs are sent from first CDF 120 A to CGF 130 using the GTP' protocol.
- the second CDF 120 B continues to buffer the CDRs, but does not send the CDRs to CGF 130.
- the CGF 130 receives the CDRs from first CDF 120 A and, for each CDR successfully received from first CDF 120 A , replies to first CDF 120 A with an associated acknowledgment message.
- the acknowledgment message for a CDR includes the associated sequence number of the CDR.
- the first CDF 120 A receives the acknowledgment messages from CGF
- the first CDF 120 A deletes successfully delivered CDRs from its buffer in response to receiving acknowledgment of successful delivery (as
- the first CDF 120 A notifies second CDF 120 B of each CDR that is acknowledged by CGF 130 as having been received by CGF 130, thereby providing second CDF 120 B with information indicative of which of the CDRs received and buffered at second CDF 120 B have been successfully delivered to CGF 130.
- the first CDF 120 A may notify second CDF 120 B of successful delivery of a CDR in any suitable manner (e.g., by forwarding the associated acknowledgment message received from CGF 130 to second CDF 120 B , by generating an acknowledgment message and sending the acknowledgment message to second CDF 120 B , and the like).
- the second CDF 120 B receives the notifications from first CDF 120A, such that second CDF 120 B has information indicative of which of the CDRs received and buffered at second CDF 120 B have been successfully delivered to CGF 130.
- the second CDF 120 B deletes successfully delivered CDRs from its buffer (as determined from the notifications received at the second CDF 806995 6
- second CDF 120 B from the first CDF 120A). In this manner, second CDF 120 B maintains copies of CDRs until receiving notification from first CDF 120 A that the CDRs have been successfully delivered to CGF 130.
- charging architecture 100 proceeds in this manner until first CDF 120 A fails.
- the first CDF 120 A fails, and the second CDF 120 B becomes the primary CDF.
- the second CDF 120 B establishes an active connection with CGF 130 via communication path 125 B .
- the active connection between second CDF 120 B and CGF 130 may be supported using any suitable protocol. In one embodiment, for example, the active connection between the second CDF 120 B and the CGF 130 may be supported using the GTP' protocol.
- the second CDF 120 B at the time at which it becomes the primary CDF, has information suitable for preventing loss of CDRs.
- the second CDF 120 B buffers each of the CDRs received from MG 1 10.
- the second CDF 120 B at the time at which first CDF 120 A fails, is buffering copies of each of the CDRs that (1 ) have been received by first CDF 120 A from MG 1 10 but have not yet been transmitted from first CDF 120 A toward CGF 130 (i.e., they are still buffered within first CDF 120 A awaiting transmission toward CGF 130) and (2) have been transmitted by first CDF 120 A to CGF 130 but for which associated acknowledgment messages have not yet been received at second CDF 120 B from first CDF 120 A (e.g., because the first CDF 120 A had not yet received the acknowledgment messages from CGF 130 prior to failure of the first CDF 120 A , because the first CDF 120 A received the acknowledgment messages from CGF 130 but did not send the associated sequence numbers to second CDF 120 B prior to failure of the
- the second CDF 120 B determines the state of each of the pending CDRs where, for each pending CDR, the state is indicative of whether or not that CDR was received at CGF 130.
- the second CDF 120 B determines the state of each of the pending CDRs by querying the CGF 130 for each of the pending CDRs in order to determine, for each of the pending CDRs, whether or not that CDR was received at CGF 130.
- the second CDF 120 B queries the CGF 130 for the pending CDRs based on the sequence numbers of the pending CDRs.
- the query may be performed in any suitable manner (e.g., using a separate query request message for each pending CDR, using one or more query request messages specifying one or more ranges of sequence numbers of pending CDRs, and the like).
- the CGF 130 receives the query request message(s) from second CDF 120 B .
- the CGF 130 determines, for each of the pending CDRs for which status is requested, whether or not the associated CDR was received at CGF 130.
- the CGF 130 responds to the query request message(s) with a query response including the current state of each of the pending CDRs.
- the query response may be provided in any suitable manner (e.g., using a separate query response message for each pending CDR, using one or more query response messages specifying one or more ranges of sequence numbers of pending CDRs, and the like).
- the second CDF 120 B receives the query response message(s) from CGF 130.
- the second CDF 120 B determines the state of each of the pending CDRs based on the query response message(s) received from CGF 130.
- the second CDF 120 B begins forwarding CDRs to CGF 130.
- the second CDF 120B begins forwarding CDRs to CGF 130 based on determined statuses of the pending CDRs, e.g., pending CDRs acknowledged by the CGF 130 as having been received from first CDF 120 A are not sent from second CDF 120 B to CGF 130 and pending CDRs indicated by the CGF 130 as not having been received from first CDF 120 A are sent from second CDF 120 B to CGF 130.
- the second CDF 120 B continues sending CDRs to CGF 130 as long as second CDF 120 B is the primary CDF. 806995 8
- CDRs generated by MG 1 10 are reliably delivered to CGF 130 such that CGF 130 may then provide the CDRs for use in various accounting functions, billing functions, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof.
- the charging detail record transmission capability may be provided within a charging architecture in which the CDFs are implemented as standalone elements separate from the MG.
- the charging detail record transmission capability may be provided within a charging architecture in which the CDFs are implemented within the MG.
- An exemplary charging architecture according to one such embodiment is depicted and described with respect to FIG. 2.
- FIG. 2 depicts a high-level block diagram of an exemplary charging architecture.
- the charging architecture 200 includes a mobile gateway (MG) 210 and a charging gateway function (CGF) 230.
- MG mobile gateway
- CGF charging gateway function
- the MG 210 includes a plurality of mobile switching modules (MSMs)
- MSMs 212 The typical operation of MSMs 212 of
- the MG 210 also includes first and second Communications Processor
- CPMs Modules 214 A and 214 B (collectively, CPMs 214).
- CPMs 214 A and 214 B support functionality substantially similar to functionality of first CDF 120 A and second CDF 120 B of FIG. 1 , respectively.
- the CPMs 214 also may provide other functions within MG 210.
- the MSMs 212 1 - 212 N each communicate with both of the CPMs 214 via respective communication paths 213.
- the first and second CPMs 214 A and 214 B communicate with CGF 230 via communication paths 215 A and 215B, respectively.
- charging architecture 200 is implemented within a
- charging architecture 200 is 806995 9 implemented as a modified version of the 3GPP TS 32.240 charging architecture.
- the MSMs 212i - 212 N each generate charging detail records (CDRs), which include details about chargeable events for use in billing customers.
- CDRs charging detail records
- the CDRs have unique sequence numbers associated therewith.
- the MSMs 212i - 212 N each propagate their generated CDRs to both the first CPM 214 A and the second CPM 214 B .
- the CDRs may be propagated in any suitable manner.
- the first and second CPMs 214 A and 214 B receive the CDRs from the MSMs 212i - 212 N .
- the first and second CPMs 214 A and 214 B each buffer the received CDRs.
- the first CPM 214 A is the primary CPM and the second CPM 214 B is the secondary CPM.
- the first CPM 214 A has an active connection with CGF 230 via communication path 215 A .
- the second CPM 214 B does not have an active connection with CGF 230.
- the active connection between first CPM 214 A and CGF 230 may be supported using any suitable protocol. In one embodiment, for example, the active connection between the first CPM 214 A and the CGF 230 may be supported using the GTP' protocol.
- the first CPM 214 A begins sending the buffered CDRs to CGF 230 via the active connection established between first CPM 214 A and CGF 230.
- first CPM 214 A sends the CDRs to CGF 230 using GTP' packets.
- the CDRs may be sent using GTP' Data Record Transfer Request messages in which the Packet Transfer Command IE has a value of "Send Data Record Packet.”
- the second CPM 214 B continues to buffer the CDRs, but does not send the CDRs to CGF 230.
- the CGF 230 receives the CDRs from first CPM 214 A and, for each CDR successfully received from first CPM 214 A , replies to first CPM 214 A with an associated acknowledgment message.
- the acknowledgment message for a CDR includes the associated sequence number of the CDR. 806995 10
- CGF 230 sends the acknowledgment messages to first CPM 214 A using GTP' packets.
- the acknowledgment messages may be sent using GTP' Data Record Transfer Response messages in which the Cause value is "Request
- the first CPM 214 A receives the acknowledgment messages from CGF
- the first CPM 214 A deletes successfully delivered CDRs from its buffer in response to receiving acknowledgment of successful delivery (as determined from the sequence numbers of the CDRs, which are included within the acknowledgment messages received from CGF 230).
- the first CPM 214 A notifies the second CPM 214 B of each CDR that is acknowledged by CGF 230 as having been received by CGF 230, thereby providing second CPM 214 B with information indicative of which of the CDRs received and buffered at second CPM 214 B have been successfully delivered to CGF 230.
- the first CPM 214 A may notify second CPM 214 B of successful delivery of a CDR in any suitable manner (e.g., by forwarding the associated acknowledgment message received from CGF 230 to second CPM 214 B , by generating an acknowledgment message and sending the acknowledgment message to second CPM 214B, and the like).
- the second CPM 214 B receives the notifications from first CPM 214A, such that second CPM 214 B has information indicative of which of the CDRs received and buffered at second CPM 214 B have been successfully delivered to CGF 230.
- the second CPM 214 B deletes successfully delivered CDRs from its buffer (as determined from the notifications received at the second CPM 214 B from the first CPM 214 A ). In this manner, second CPM 214 B maintains copies of CDRs until receiving notification from first CPM 214 A that the CDRs have been successfully delivered to CGF 230.
- charging architecture 200 proceeds in this manner until first CPM 214 A fails.
- the first CPM 214 A fails, and the second CPM 214 B becomes the primary CPM.
- the second CPM 214 B establishes an active connection with 806995 1 1
- the active connection between second CPM 214 B and CGF 230 may be supported using any suitable protocol.
- the active connection between second CPM 214 B and CGF 230 may be supported using the GTP' protocol.
- the second CPM 214 B at the time at which it becomes the primary
- the second CPM 214 B buffers each of the CDRs received from each of the MSMs 212 of MG 210.
- the second CPM 214 B at the time at which first CPM 214 A fails, is buffering copies of each of the CDRs that (1 ) have been received by first CPM 214 A from the MSMs 212 of MG 1 10 but have not yet been transmitted from first CPM 214 A toward CGF 230 (i.e., they are still buffered within first CPM 214 A awaiting transmission toward CGF 230) and (2) have been transmitted by first CPM 214 A to CGF 230 but for which associated acknowledgment messages have not yet been received at second CPM 214 B from first CPM 214 A (e.g., because the first CPM 214 A had not yet received the
- the second CPM 214 B determines the state of each of the pending
- the second CPM 214 B determines the state of each of the pending CDRs by querying the CGF 230 for each of the pending CDRs in order to determine, for each of the pending CDRs, whether or not that CDR was received at CGF 230.
- the second CPM 214 B queries the CGF 230 for the pending CDRs based on the sequence numbers of the pending CDRs.
- the 806995 12 query may be performed in any suitable manner (e.g., using a separate query request message for each pending CDR, using one or more query request messages specifying one or more ranges of sequence numbers of pending CDRs, and the like).
- the second CPM 214 B sends query request message(s) to the CGF 230.
- second CPM 214 B sends the query request messages to CGF 230 using GTP' packets.
- the GTP' packets may be sent as GTP' Data Record Transfer Request messages in which the Data Packet Record IE is empty (rather than including a CDR) while other header portions of the GTP' Data Record Transfer Request messages are present.
- the CGF 230 receives the query request message(s) from second CPM 214 B .
- the CGF 230 determines, for each of the pending CDRs for which status is requested, whether or not the associated CDR was received at CGF 230.
- the CGF 230 responds to the query request message(s) with a query response including the current state of each of the pending CDRs.
- the query response may be provided in any suitable manner (e.g., using a separate query response message for each pending CDR, using one or more query response messages specifying one or more ranges of sequence numbers of pending CDRs, and the like).
- the CGF 230 sends the query response message(s) to the second CPM 214 B .
- CGF 230 sends the query response messages to second CPM 214 B using GTP' packets.
- the information included within a GTP' packet for a pending CDR depends on the current status of the pending CDR.
- the query response message sent by CGF 230 is a Data Record
- Transfer Response message having a Cause value set to "Request Accepted” (or any other suitable value, which may be any value as long as the second CPM 214 B is configured to recognize that the value indicates that the CDR was not successfully received).
- the second CPM 214 B knows 806995 13 that the CDR associated with that sequence number must be sent to CGF 230.
- the query response message sent by CGF 230 is a Data Record Transfer Response message having a Cause value set to "Request Fulfilled" (or any other suitable value, which may be any value as long as the second CPM 214 B is configured to recognize that the value indicates that the CDR was successfully received).
- the second CPM 214 B knows that the CDR associated with that sequence number does not need to be sent to CGF 230.
- the second CPM 214 B receives the query response message(s) from CGF 230.
- the second CPM 214 B determines the state of each of the pending CDRs based on the query response message(s) received from CGF 230.
- the second CPM 214 B begins forwarding CDRs to CGF 230.
- the second CPM 214 B begins forwarding CDRs to CGF 230 based on determined statuses of the pending CDRs, e.g., pending CDRs acknowledged by the CGF 230 as having been received from first CPM 214 A are not sent from second CPM 214 B to CGF 230 and pending CDRs indicated by the CGF 230 as not having been received from first CPM 214 A are sent from second CPM 214 B to CGF 230.
- the second CPM 214 B continues sending CDRs to CPM 230 as long as second CPM 214 B is the primary CPM.
- CDRs generated by MG 210 are reliably delivered to CGF 230 such that CGF 230 may then provide the CDRs for use in various accounting functions, billing functions, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof.
- FIGs. 1 and 2 are primarily depicted and described within the context of a specific type of communication network utilizing specific protocols (namely, a 3GPP UMTS network using the GTP' protocol), it will be appreciated that the exemplary charging architectures of FIGs. 1 and 2 may be implemented within various 806995 14 other types of communication networks utilizing various other protocols (e.g., other types of wireless networks, wireline networks, and the like).
- FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary use of the charging architecture of FIG. 1 for providing reliable delivery of charging detail records.
- MG 1 10 has transmitted twenty CDRs (numbered 1 through 20) to both the first and second CDFs 120, and is in the process of transmitting a twenty-first CDR to both first and second CDFs 120.
- the first and second CDFs 120 have each buffered each of the twenty CDRs (1 - 20).
- the first CDF 120 A has transmitted the first fourteen CDRs (1 - 14) toward CGF 130.
- the CGF 130 has received the first eleven CDRs (1 - 1 1 ) from first CDF 120 A .
- the CGF 130 has not yet received the next three CDRs (12 - 14) transmitted from the first CDF 120 A toward CGF 130 (i.e., the CDRs are currently in transit between CDF 120 A and CGF 130).
- the CGF 130 has transmitted, toward first CDF 120A, acknowledgment messages (ACK1 - ACK10) acknowledging receipt of the first ten CDRs (1 - 10) at CDF 120 A , but has not yet transmitted the acknowledgment message (ACK1 1 ) for the eleventh CDR (1 1 ).
- the first CDF 120 A has received acknowledgment messages (ACK1 - ACK9) from CGF 130 for the first nine CDRs, but the acknowledgment message (ACK10) for the tenth CDR is still in transit from CGF 130 to first CDF 120 A .
- the first CDF 120 A upon receiving each of the acknowledgment messages from CGF 130, removes the associated CDR from its buffer.
- first CDF 120 A the CDRs that have been received by first CDF 120 A but which have not yet been acknowledged from CGF 130 to first CDF 120 A (10 - 20) are currently buffered within first CDF 120 A , i.e., the first nine CDRs (1 -9) were removed from the buffer of first CDF 120 A as the associated acknowledgment messages (ACK1 - ACK9) for these CDRs (1 - 9) were received at first CDF 120 A from CGF 130.
- the first CDF 120 A has informed second CDF 120 B of receipt of the acknowledgment messages (ACK1 - ACK8) received from CGF 130 for the first eight CDRs (1 - 8).
- the second CDF 120 A has transmitted the acknowledgment message (ACK9) for the ninth CDR (9) toward second CDF 120 B .
- the second CDF 120 B has received
- the second CDF 120 B upon receiving each of the acknowledgment messages from first CDF 120A, removes the associated CDR from its buffer.
- the CDRs that have been received by second CDF 120 B but which have not yet been acknowledged from first CDF 120 A to second CDF 120 B (9 - 20) are currently buffered within second CDF 120 B , i.e., the first eight CDRs (1 -8) were removed from the buffer of second CDF 120 B as the associated acknowledgment messages (ACK1 - ACK8) for these CDRs (1 - 8) were received at second CDF 120 B from first CDF 120 A .
- the second CDF120 B assumes the role of primary CDF first CDF 120 A and, thus, is responsible for providing from MG 1 10 to CGF 130.
- the second CDF 120 B determines which of the CDRs are currently pending.
- the pending CDRs are those that are currently buffered within second CDF 120 B (9 - 20), which includes (a) CDRs that have been received by CGF 130 but for which the associated acknowledgments have not yet been received at second CDF 120 B (namely, CDRs 9 - 1 1 ), (b) CDRs that have by transmitted by first CDF 120 A but not yet received by CGF 130 (namely, CDRs 12 - 14), and (c) CDRs that have been received by first CDF 120 A but have not yet been transmitted from first CDF 120 A toward CGF 130.
- the second CDF 120 B sends status request messages to CGF 130 for each of the pending CDRs (9 - 20).
- the CGF 130 receives the status request messages from the second CDF 120 B , determines the requested status for each of the CDRs (i.e., for each status request, CGF 130 determines whether or not the associated CDR was received at CGF 130 from first CDF 120A), and replies to second CDF 120 B with associated status response messages.
- the second CDF 120 B receives the associated status response messages.
- the second CDF 120 B determines, from the status response messages, which of the pending CDRs have been delivered to CGF 130 and which of the pending CDRs still need to be delivered to CGF 130. 806995 16
- the status response messages received at second CDF 120 B for CDRs 9 - 14 each indicate that these CDRs have already been received at CGF 130, such that second CDF 120 B does not need to provide these CDRs to CGF 130.
- CDF 120 A at the time of failure of first CDF 120 A and, thus, were not delivered to CGF 130.
- the status response messages received at second CDF 120 B for CDRs 15 - 20 each indicate that these CDRs have not yet been received at CGF 130, such that second CDF 120 B may then provide these CDRs to CGF 130.
- second CDF 120 B begins transmitting CDRs to CGF 130 starting with CDF 15.
- the charging detail record transmission capability prevents loss of CDRs even upon failure of a primary CDF that is responsible for propagating the CDRs from the MG to the CGF.
- FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of a method for use by a mobile gateway (MG) in providing reliable transmission of charging detail records (CDRs) to a charging gateway function (CGF).
- method 400 begins.
- the MG generates CDRs.
- each of the CDRs is propagated toward both a first CDF and a second CDF.
- the first CDF and second CDF are internal to the MG and, thus, the CDRs are propagated within the MG.
- the first CDF and second CDF are external to the MG and, thus, are propagated from the MG toward the first and second CDFs using any suitable communication paths.
- method 400 ends. The operation of method 400 may be better understood by way of reference to FIGs. 1 - 3. 806995 17
- FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of a method for use by a charging data function (CDF), operating as an active CDF, in providing reliable transmission of charging detail records (CDRs) to a charging gateway function (CGF).
- the active CDF is denoted as a first CDF and cooperates with a second, backup CDF to support reliable transmission of CDRs.
- method 500 begins.
- the first CDF receives a CDR having an associated sequence number.
- the first CDF propagates the CDR toward a CGF.
- the first CDF receives, from the CGF, acknowledgment of receipt of the CDR by the CGF.
- the first CDF propagates the sequence number of the CDR toward the second CDF, which is configured for receiving a copy of the CDR that was received at the first CDF.
- method 500 ends. The operation of method 500 may be better understood by way of reference to FIGs. 1 - 3.
- FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a method for use by a charging data function (CDF), operating as a backup CDF, in providing reliable transmission of charging detail records (CDRs) to a charging gateway function (CGF).
- CDF charging data function
- the backup CDF is denoted as a first CDF and cooperates with a second, active CDF to support reliable transmission of CDRs.
- step 602 method 600 begins.
- the first CDF receives CDRs.
- the first CDF buffers the CDRs.
- the first CDF buffers each CDR until receiving, from the second CDF, an acknowledgment message indicative that the CDR was successfully propagated from the second CDF to the CGF.
- the first CDF may detect and/or be informed of the failure of the first CDF in any suitable manner. As long as the second CDF has not failed, the first CDF continues to receive and buffer CDRs (i.e., method 600 returns to step 604). When a determination is made that the second CDF has failed, method 600 proceeds to step 610 (it will be appreciated that in this case, the first CDF continues to receive and buffer CDFs as depicted and described with respect to steps 604 and 606). 806995 18
- the first CDF initiates a process for determining which of the CDRs, buffered at the first CDF at the time of failure of the second CDF, to propagate from the first CDF toward the CGF.
- method 600 ends.
- method 600 may be better understood by way of reference to FIGs. 1 - 3.
- FIG. 7 depicts a high-level block diagram of a computer suitable for use in performing functions described herein.
- computer 700 includes a processor element 702
- a cooperating module/process 705 e.g., a user input device (such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, and the like), a user output device (such as a display, a speaker, and the like), an input port, an output port, a receiver, a transmitter, and storage 806995 19 devices (e.g., a tape drive, a floppy drive, a hard disk drive, a compact disk drive, and the like)).
- a user input device such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, and the like
- a user output device such as a display, a speaker, and the like
- an input port, an output port, a receiver, a transmitter, and storage 806995 19 devices e.g., a tape drive, a floppy drive, a hard disk drive, a compact disk drive, and the like
- cooperating process 705 can be loaded into memory 704 and executed by processor 702 to implement the functions as discussed herein.
- cooperating process 705 (including associated data structures) can be stored on a computer readable storage medium, e.g., RAM memory, magnetic or optical drive or diskette, and the like.
- computer 700 depicted in FIG. 7 provides a general architecture and functionality suitable for implementing functional elements described herein and/or portions of functional elements described herein.
- the computer 700 provides a general architecture and functionality suitable for implementing one or more of an MG (e.g., the MG 1 10 in which CDFs are external to the MG 1 10, the MG 210 in which CDFs are implemented using CPMs 214 within MG 210, one or more MSMs of a mobile gateway, and the like), a standalone CDF (e.g., first CDF 120 A and/or second CDF 120 B ), a CDF implemented as a CPM of a mobile gateway (e.g., CPM 214A and/or CPM 214 B ), a CGF, and the like.
- an MG e.g., the MG 1 10 in which CDFs are external to the MG 1 10, the MG 210 in which CDFs are implemented using CPMs 214 within MG 210, one or more MSMs of
- a method comprising:
- CDRs charging detail records
- CDF charging data function
- CGF charging gateway function
- each of the CDRs is propagated using the GPRS Tunnelling Protocol prime (GTP') protocol.
- GTP' GPRS Tunnelling Protocol prime
- a method comprising:
- CDF charging data function
- CDR charging detail record
- CGF charging gateway function
- a method comprising:
- CDF charging data function
- CDRs charging detail records
- each CDR is buffered until receiving, from a second CDF, an acknowledgment message for the CDR indicative that the CDR was successfully received by a charging gateway function (CGF) from the second CDF; and
- CGF charging gateway function
- the second sequence number is the sequence number of the last CDR for which an acknowledgment was received at the first CDF from the second CDF; and identifying, using the first and second sequence numbers, ones of the CDRs buffered at the first CDF at the time of failure of the second CDF.
- a status request message for determining whether the CDR was received at the CGF, wherein the status request message comprises the sequence number of the CDR.
- each status request message comprises a GTP' Data Record Transfer Request Message in which the Packet Transfer Command IE is empty.
- each status request message comprises a GTP' Data Record Transfer Response Message having a Cause value indicative of whether or not the associated CDR was received at the CGF.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
- Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
- Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
- Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
- Meter Arrangements (AREA)
- Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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CN201180034285.5A CN102986205B (en) | 2010-07-12 | 2011-07-11 | Method and apparatus for reliable transmission of charging detail records |
KR1020137003338A KR101497846B1 (en) | 2010-07-12 | 2011-07-11 | Method and apparatus for reliable transmission of charging detail records |
JP2013519734A JP5613835B2 (en) | 2010-07-12 | 2011-07-11 | Method and apparatus for reliably transmitting billing detail records |
EP11745608.7A EP2594060B1 (en) | 2010-07-12 | 2011-07-11 | Methods for reliable transmission of charging detail records |
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US12/834,170 US8270943B2 (en) | 2010-07-12 | 2010-07-12 | Method and apparatus for reliable transmission of charging detail records |
US12/834,170 | 2010-07-12 |
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WO2012009243A2 true WO2012009243A2 (en) | 2012-01-19 |
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CN (1) | CN102986205B (en) |
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CN103108295B (en) * | 2011-11-11 | 2017-10-27 | 中兴通讯股份有限公司 | A kind of processing method and system of ticket bag |
JP6184475B2 (en) | 2012-04-04 | 2017-08-23 | スリーエム イノベイティブ プロパティズ カンパニー | Fluorinated nitriles as dielectric gases |
US8977233B2 (en) * | 2012-07-05 | 2015-03-10 | Alcatel Lucent | Identification of timestamps for a partial CDR when failover occurs in an offline charging system |
CN102769673B (en) * | 2012-07-25 | 2015-03-25 | 深圳市中博科创信息技术有限公司 | Failure detection method suitable to large-scale storage cluster |
US9787852B2 (en) * | 2014-06-04 | 2017-10-10 | Alcatel-Lucent Usa Inc. | Sequence number reuse for CDR transport using GTP' |
US9438748B2 (en) * | 2014-09-26 | 2016-09-06 | Alcatel Lucent | CDF tracking for offline charging |
US9602677B2 (en) * | 2015-06-16 | 2017-03-21 | Alcatel Lucent | Charging for commercial group based messaging |
US9491311B1 (en) * | 2015-06-23 | 2016-11-08 | Alcatel-Lucent Usa Inc. | Modular offline charging system that stores accounting data in data segments of a storage system |
US10117076B2 (en) * | 2016-05-19 | 2018-10-30 | Alcatel-Lucent Usa Inc. | Destination selection for an offline charging system to avoid reversion |
CN107995004B (en) * | 2016-10-27 | 2022-07-26 | 中兴通讯股份有限公司 | Method and device for transmitting charging data |
JP7247477B2 (en) * | 2018-06-04 | 2023-03-29 | 富士通株式会社 | Control device, billing acquisition method, billing acquisition program and billing system |
CN109547442B (en) * | 2018-11-27 | 2021-01-22 | 中国人民解放军战略支援部队信息工程大学 | GTP protocol protection method and device |
US11665225B2 (en) * | 2021-10-08 | 2023-05-30 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Distributed backup of unshipped charging data records |
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CN1984120B (en) * | 2006-05-15 | 2010-05-12 | 华为技术有限公司 | Method for assuring bill document and primary data consistence during the process of dual system switch |
FI20061035A0 (en) * | 2006-11-23 | 2006-11-23 | Nokia Corp | Serialized double billing prevention for data records |
CN101291209A (en) * | 2007-04-17 | 2008-10-22 | 大唐移动通信设备有限公司 | Method and apparatus for data synchronization |
US8126124B2 (en) * | 2007-09-05 | 2012-02-28 | Alcatel Lucent | Charging for long duration sessions in communication networks |
WO2009055965A1 (en) | 2007-10-31 | 2009-05-07 | Alcatel Shanghai Bell Co., Ltd. | Method for doubly backing up files asynchronously |
EP2107464A1 (en) * | 2008-01-23 | 2009-10-07 | Comptel Corporation | Convergent mediation system with dynamic resource allocation |
US9848091B2 (en) * | 2009-04-03 | 2017-12-19 | Alcatel-Lucent Usa Inc. | Interim billing for sessions in IMS networks |
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US8630615B2 (en) | 2014-01-14 |
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JP2013535881A (en) | 2013-09-12 |
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US8270943B2 (en) | 2012-09-18 |
CN102986205B (en) | 2015-06-24 |
WO2012009243A3 (en) | 2012-06-21 |
JP5613835B2 (en) | 2014-10-29 |
EP2594060B1 (en) | 2018-09-26 |
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US20120289189A1 (en) | 2012-11-15 |
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