WO2012083779A1

WO2012083779A1 - Policy control method and device

Info

Publication number: WO2012083779A1
Application number: PCT/CN2011/082710
Authority: WO
Inventors: 吴锦花; 周晓云; 芮通; 孙默; 李华光
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2010-12-24
Filing date: 2011-11-23
Publication date: 2012-06-28
Also published as: CN102547854A; CN102547854B

Abstract

Disclosed are a policy control method and device. The method comprises: a PCRF acquiring QoS information of sponsored data, the QoS information being information pre-subscribed to by a sponsor of the sponsored data; and the PCRF formulating or updating a PCC/QoS policy according to the QoS information of the sponsored data. Through the present invention, the use of other users or services may not be affected, thereby ensuring the network performance.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a policy control method and apparatus. BACKGROUND The Policy and Charging Control (PCC) architecture of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a functional framework that can be applied to multiple access technologies. For example, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), and a Global System for Mobile Communication (Global System for Mobile Communication) GSM)/Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) radio access network, interworking wireless local area network (I-WLAN), and Evolved Packet System (EPS). FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a Rel-8 PCC non-roaming architecture according to the related art. As shown in FIG. 1, each logical functional entity and its interface functions in the PCC architecture are described. Application Function Entity (AF) provides access points for service applications. The network resources used by these service applications require dynamic policy control. When the parameter negotiation is performed on the service plane, the AF sends the related service information to the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF). If the service information is consistent with the PCRF policy, the PCRF accepts the negotiation. No, the PCRF rejects the negotiation and gives the business parameters acceptable to the PCRF in the feedback. The AF can then return these parameters to the User Equipment (UE). The interface between AF and PCRF is the Rx interface.

The PCRF is the core of the PCC and is responsible for policy decision making and billing rules. The PCRF provides network control rules based on service data flows, including traffic data flow monitoring, Gating Control, Quality of Service (QoS) control, and data flow based charging rules. . The PCRF sends the policies and charging rules to the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF). The PCRF also needs to ensure that these rules are consistent with the user's subscription information. The basis for formulating the policy and charging rules by the PCRF includes: obtaining information related to the service from the AF; obtaining the subscription information of the user policy charging control from the Subscription Profile Repository (SPR); and obtaining the network related to the bearer from the PCEF information. PCEF, used to perform the policy and charging rules established by the PCRF on the bearer plane. The PCEF monitors the service data flow according to the service data flow filter in the rule sent by the PCRF, and then executes the policy and charging rules formulated by the PCRF for these service data flows. When the bearer is established, the PCEF performs QoS authorization according to the rules sent by the PCRF, and performs gate control according to the execution of the AF. According to the charging rule sent by the PCRF, the PCEF performs a corresponding service data flow charging operation, and the charging can be either online charging or offline charging. In the case of online charging, the PCEF needs to perform credit management with the Online Charging System (OCS). When offline charging, the PCEF exchanges relevant charging information with the Offline Charging System (OFCS). The interface between the PCEF and the PCRF is a Gx interface, the interface with the OCS is a Gy interface, and the interface between the OFCS and the OFCS is a Gz interface. The PCEF is usually located in a Gateway (Gate-Way, GW for short), such as a GPRS Gateway Support Node (GGSN) in GPRS and a Packet Data Gateway (PDG) in I-WLAN. Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Function (BBERF), whose functions include bearer binding, verification of uplink bearer binding, and event reporting. When the UE accesses through the E-UTRAN, and the PM-IPv6 protocol is adopted between the S-GW and the P-GW, the BBERF is located at the S-GW, and when the UE accesses through the trusted non-3GPP access system, the BBERF is located in the trusted non- The 3GPP access gateway, when the UE accesses through the untrusted non-3GPP access system, the BBERF is located in the Evolved Packet Data Gateway (ePDG). At this time, the PCEF no longer performs the bearer binding function. The User Contracted Database (SPR) stores user policy charging control subscription information related to policy control and charging. The interface between SPR and PCRF is the Sp interface. The Online Billing System (OCS), in conjunction with PCEF, controls and manages user credits in an online charging mode. The offline charging system (OFCS), together with the PCEF, completes the charging operation in the offline charging mode. The above PCC architecture implements a policy plan for an IP Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) session established by the UE to access a Packet Data Network (PDN) through various functional entities. Fee control. Currently, PCC architecture support is called Sponsored Data Connectivity. 2 is a schematic diagram of an architecture for deploying a sponsored data connection service according to the related art. As shown in FIG. 2, a so-called sponsored data connection refers to consumption consumption generated by a user's accessed service, which is not borne by the user but is sponsored. Sponsor (Sponsor) assumes that the content of the access is provided by the Application Service Provider (ASP). At this time, when the user initiates this type of service access, the AF provides service information to the PCRF. At the same time, the PCRF is also provided with a usage threshold for the service provider to sponsor access to such services (i.e., the user can access the usage of such services for free). In the present invention, the sponsored data connection is equivalent to the sponsored data connection service. At this time, the PCRF sets the usage threshold of the PCEF monitoring according to the usage threshold issued by the AF. When the threshold is reached, the PCEF notifies the PCRF. In order to implement policy charging control for the sponsored data connection service, the sponsored data connection document will be saved in the SPR, including the sponsor identity and the application list of each application service provider. The service information provided by the AF to the PCRF also carries information such as the sponsor identification, the application service provider identifier, and the application identifier. The PCRF will authorize the service information provided by the AF according to the contract document obtained from the SPR, and whether or not to be sponsored. Data connection, and corresponding QoS, etc. However, if the traffic of the sponsored data connection service is too large or the number of users is too large, the network load will be too large, which will affect other users or services (such as users who are not contracted to sponsor data connection services, or users who sign up for such services). The use of the carrier's own business), which in turn affects network performance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a policy control method and apparatus to solve at least the problem that the traffic of the sponsored data connection service in the related art is too large or the number of users is too large, resulting in excessive network load. In order to achieve the above object, according to an aspect of the present invention, a policy control method is provided. The policy control method according to the present invention includes: the PCRF acquires QoS information of the sponsored data, wherein the QoS information is information pre-signed by the sponsor of the sponsored data; and the PCRF formulates or updates the PCC/QoS policy according to the QoS information of the sponsored data. The MF information of the sponsored data obtained by the PCRF includes: The PCRF receives the QoS information of the sponsored data from the SPR or the UDC.

The QoS information of the sponsored data received by the PCRF from the SPR or the UDC includes: the PCRF receives a response message from the SPR for requesting the subscription information, where the response message carries the QoS information of the sponsored data.

The QoS information of the sponsored data received by the PCRF from the SPR or the UDC includes: The PCRF receives a data initialization message from the SPR or the UDC, where the data initialization message carries the QoS information of the sponsored data.

The acquisition of the QoS information of the sponsored data by the PCRF includes: defining QoS information of the sponsored data on the PCRF in advance. Determining the QoS information of the sponsored data on the PCRF in advance includes one of the following: The PCRF acquires the QoS information of the sponsored data from the received first subscription information request session from the SPR; the PCRF is in the user's first IP-CAN session. At the time of creation, the QoS information of the sponsored data is obtained; the PCRF acquires the QoS information of the sponsored data when each IP-CAN session of the user is created. The method further includes: the PCRF determining the QoS information update of the sponsored data; and the PCRF formulating the PCC/QoS policy according to the updated QoS information of the sponsored data.

The PCRF determines that the QoS information update of the sponsored data includes one of the following: The PCRF receives the QoS information of the updated sponsored data from the SPR or UDC; the PCRF detects the QoS information update of its pre-defined sponsored data. The QoS information of the sponsored data includes at least one of the following: a maximum bit rate MBR signed by the sponsor in advance, a guaranteed bit rate GBR pre-signed by the sponsor, a maximum number of users pre-signed by the sponsor, and a QoS resource for indicating the sponsor's permission. Insufficient QoS information indication. In order to achieve the above object, according to another aspect of the present invention, a policy control apparatus is provided. The policy control apparatus according to the present invention includes: an acquisition module configured to acquire QoS information of the sponsored data, wherein the QoS information is information pre-signed by the sponsor of the sponsored data; and the processing module is set to be based on the QoS information of the sponsored data, Develop or update PCC/QoS policies. By considering the QoS information of the sponsored data when formulating or updating the PCC/QoS policy, the present invention solves the problem that the traffic of the sponsored data connection service in the technology is too large or the number of users is too large, which may cause excessive network load. Avoid affecting the use of other users or services to ensure network performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are set to illustrate,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a Rel-8 PCC non-roaming architecture according to the related art; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an architecture for deploying a sponsored data connection service according to the related art; FIG. 3 is a policy control according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an interaction flowchart of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is an interaction flowchart according to a preferred embodiment 2 of the present invention; and FIG. 6 is a structural block diagram of a policy control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS It should be noted that the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict. The invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings in conjunction with the embodiments. The embodiment of the invention provides a policy control method. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a policy control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the following steps S302 to S304 are included. Step S302, the PCRF acquires QoS information of the sponsored data, wherein the QoS information is information pre-signed by the sponsor of the sponsored data. Step S304, the PCRF formulates or updates the PCC/QoS policy according to the QoS information of the sponsored data. In the related art, if the traffic of the sponsored data connection service is too large or the number of users is excessive, the network load is too large. In the embodiment of the present invention, the QoS information of the sponsored data is taken into consideration when formulating or updating the PCC/QoS policy, thereby avoiding affecting the use of other users or services, thereby ensuring network performance. Preferably, the acquiring, by the PCRF, the QoS information of the sponsored data includes: the PCRF receiving the QoS information of the sponsored data from the SPR or the User Data Convergence (UDC). Preferably, the QoS information that the PCRF receives the sponsored data from the SPR or the UDC includes: PCRF from

The SPR receives a response message for requesting subscription information, where the response message carries QoS information of the sponsored data. Preferably, the receiving, by the PCRF, the QoS information of the sponsored data from the SPR or the UDC comprises: the PCRF receiving a data initialization message from the SPR or the UDC, wherein the data initialization message carries the QoS information of the sponsored data. Preferably, the acquiring, by the PCRF, the QoS information of the sponsored data comprises: defining QoS information of the sponsored data on the PCRF in advance. Preferably, the QoS information of the sponsored data is defined in advance on the PCRF, including one of the following: the PCRF acquires the QoS information of the sponsored data from the received first subscription information request session from the SPR; the PCRF is at the user's first IP address. - When the CAN session is created, the QoS information of the sponsored data is acquired; the PCRF acquires the QoS information of the sponsored data when each IP-CAN session of the user is created. Preferably, the method further includes: the PCRF determining the QoS information update of the sponsored data; and the PCRF formulating the PCC/QoS policy according to the updated QoS information of the sponsored data. Preferably, the PCRF determines that the QoS information update of the sponsored data includes one of the following: the PCRF receives the QoS information of the updated sponsored data from the SPR or the UDC; and the PCRF detects the QoS information update of the pre-defined sponsored data. Preferably, the QoS information of the sponsored data includes at least one of the following: a maximum bit rate (MBR) of the sponsor's pre-signed, and a Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR) of the sponsor's pre-signed subscription. The maximum number of users pre-signed by the sponsor, and the QoS information indication indicating that the QoS resources allowed by the sponsor are insufficient. Preferably, the QoS information of the sponsored data may be sent to the PCRF by the SPR, or may be acquired by the PCRF. The implementation process of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples. Preferred Embodiment 1 FIG. 4 is an interaction flowchart according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the following steps S401 to S411 are included. Step S401: In the process of the UE requesting to establish an IP-CAN session, the gateway where the PCEF is located receives the IP-CAN session establishment request message, and carries the user identifier and the PDN network requested to be accessed in the IP-CAN session establishment request message. PDN logo. Step S402: The PCEF sends an IP-CAN session establishment indication message to the PCRF, and carries the user identifier, the PDN identifier, and an IP address (IP Address) allocated for the UE in the IP-CAN session establishment indication message. At this time, if the PCRF has not interacted with the SPR and obtains the sponsored data connection document, then the PCRF needs to interact with the SPR; or, the PCRF interacts with the SPR after the device is started to obtain the sponsored data connection document. Step S403: The PCRF determines that there is no subscription data of the user according to the user identifier, and the PCRF sends a subscription document request to the SPR, and carries the user identifier and the PDN identifier in the subscription document request. Step S404, the SPR returns the user subscription information (ie, the contracted document response) according to the user identifier and the PDN identifier. At this time, if the SPR has not provided the PCRF with the sponsored data connection document and the sponsor's allowed QoS information (such as sponsor MBR, GBR, maximum number of users, etc.), then the SPR will be provided to the PCRF; or, the PCRF is After the device is booted, it interacts with the SPR to obtain the sponsored data connection document and the sponsor's allowed QoS information. Step S405: The PCRF formulates a policy according to the returned user subscription information, the network policy, and the access information of the UE. The policy includes a PCC rule, an event trigger, and the like, and the PCRF returns the formulated policy to the PCEF. In step S406, the PCEF installs and executes the policy. Such as PCC rules, event triggers, etc. The gateway where the PCEF is located establishes an IP-CAN session to the return response, carrying the assigned IP address. Step S407, the UE connects to the server of the application service provider (ASP) of the third party through the IP-CAN session established in step S401-step S406, and requests the service, and the ASP server decides to provide the sponsored data for the user. connection. The ASP server provides dynamic sponsored data connection information to the AF, including the sponsor identifier, the ASP identifier, the application identifier, and the sponsored user information (such as IP Address), the IP flow information of the sponsored service, and the allowable usage threshold. Usage Threshold (AUT), where the AF is located in the visited network or has a contractual relationship with the visited network. Step S408: The AF provides the sponsored data connection information to the PCRF, where the information includes a sponsor identifier, an ASP identifier, an application identifier, and the sponsored user information (such as IP Address), and the IP stream information of the sponsored service. If the user plane data does not pass the AF, the AF also provides an Allowed Usage Threshold (AUT). Step S409, the PCRF authorizes the sponsored data connection provided by the AF according to the sponsored data connection subscription document and the sponsor's permitted QoS information locally pre-configured or obtained from the SPR (if the sponsor's allowed QoS information resource is insufficient at present) The authorization request is rejected. If the authorization request is rejected, the PCRF returns a rejection message to the AF, and the process ends; if the sponsor's allowed QoS information satisfies the requested QoS, the authorization is allowed, and the PCRF returns a response message to the AF and continues the subsequent process. ). PCC rules are formulated based on business information, user subscriptions, and network policies. If the AF provides an AUT, the PCRF will provide a usage monitoring strategy to monitor the amount of user-sponsored data connections. Step S410, the PCRF provides a PCC rule to the PCEF. It is also possible to provide a usage monitoring strategy. Step S411, after the PCEF installs and executes the policy, it returns an acknowledgement message to the PCRF. Preferred Embodiment 2 This preferred embodiment describes the change in the subscription information when the SPR senses the business process, such as: sponsorship If the QoS information of the quotient (for example, the sponsor MBR, GBR, and the maximum number of users) changes, the corresponding update needs to be notified to the PCRF, and the PCRF checks and judges, and updates the PCC/QoS policy as needed. FIG. 5 is an interaction flowchart according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the following steps S501 to S506 are included. In step S501, the SPR detects the subscription information change of an ongoing service (for example, the contracted sponsor allows the QoS information to change, and the sponsored data connection service associated with the sponsor is currently in progress). Step S502: The SPR sends a subscription information update request to the PCRF, and sends the QoS information of the sponsor of the corresponding service (for example, the sponsor MBR, GBR, and the maximum number of users) to the PCRF. Step S503, the PCRF sends an update response message to the SPR. Step S504, the PCRF stores the received updated information, and determines whether a corresponding policy update is required according to the sponsored QoS information of the updated service (for example, the MBR/GBR change of the contract sponsor and affects the existing authorization) Allow MBR/GBR), update the existing policy when needed, and initiate the IP-CAN session modification process to issue the updated policy to the PCEF. In step S505, if it is determined in step S504 that the policy needs to be updated, the PCRF sends the updated policy to the PCEF. Step S506, the related function entity performs a subsequent IP-CAN session modification process according to the prior art. The update of the subscription information may be multi-user or single user granularity, or multiple or one IP-CAN session granularity of the same APN of the user. If the user data is predefined on the PCRF, the policy update and IP-CAN session modification procedure is initiated by the PCRF after the PCRF detects that the sponsor's allowed QoS information is changed. The invention is applicable to the QoS scenario of GBR. It should be noted that the steps shown in the flowchart of the accompanying drawings may be performed in a computer system such as a set of computer executable instructions, and, although the logical order is shown in the flowchart, in some cases, The steps shown or described may be performed in an order different than that herein. The embodiment of the invention provides a policy control device, which can be used to implement the above policy control method. FIG. 6 is a structural block diagram of a policy control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, an acquisition module 62 and a processing module 64 are included. This will be described in detail below. The obtaining module 62 is configured to obtain the quality of service QoS information of the sponsored data, wherein the QoS information is information pre-signed by the sponsor of the sponsored data; the processing module 64 is connected to the obtaining module 62, and configured to be acquired according to the obtaining module 62. Sponsor the QoS information of the data, and formulate or update the PCC/QoS policy. It should be noted that the policy control device described in the device embodiment corresponds to the foregoing method embodiment, and the specific implementation process has been described in detail in the method embodiment, and details are not described herein again. In summary, according to the above embodiments of the present invention, a policy control method and apparatus are provided. By considering the QoS information of the sponsored data when formulating or updating the PCC/QoS policy, the present invention solves the problem that the traffic of the sponsored data connection service in the technology is too large or the number of users is too large, which may cause excessive network load. Avoid affecting the use of other users or services to ensure network performance. Obviously, those skilled in the art should understand that the above modules or steps of the present invention can be implemented by a general-purpose computing device, which can be concentrated on a single computing device or distributed over a network composed of multiple computing devices. Alternatively, they may be implemented by program code executable by the computing device, such that they may be stored in the storage device by the computing device, or they may be separately fabricated into individual integrated circuit modules, or they may be Multiple modules or steps are made into a single integrated circuit module. Thus, the invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software. The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention, and various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and scope of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claim

1. A policy control method, including:

The policy and charging rule function entity PCRF obtains the quality of service QoS information of the sponsored data, wherein the QoS information is information pre-signed by the sponsor of the sponsored data;

The PCRF formulates or updates a policy and charging control PCC/QoS policy according to the QoS information of the sponsored data.

The method according to claim 1, wherein the obtaining, by the PCRF, the QoS information of the sponsored data comprises: the PCRF receiving the QoS information of the sponsored data from a user subscription database SPR or a user data aggregation UDC.

The method according to claim 2, wherein the receiving, by the PCRF, the QoS information of the sponsored data from the SPR or the UDC comprises: receiving, by the PCRF, a response message for requesting subscription information from the SPR, The response message carries QoS information of the sponsored data.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the receiving, by the PCRF, the QoS information of the sponsored data from the SPR or the UDC comprises: the PCRF receiving a data initialization message from the SPR or the UDC, where The data initialization message carries QoS information of the sponsored data.

The method according to claim 1, wherein the acquiring, by the PCRF, the QoS information of the sponsored data comprises: pre-defining the QoS information of the sponsored data on the PCRF.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the QoS information defining the sponsored data on the PCRF in advance comprises one of the following:

The PCRF acquires QoS information of the sponsored data from the received first subscription information request session from the SPR;

The PCRF acquires QoS information of the sponsored data when the first IP-CAN session of the user is created;

The PCRF acquires QoS information of the sponsored data when each IP-CAN session of the user is created.

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:

The PCRF determines an update of the QoS information of the sponsored data; The PCRF formulates a PCC/QoS policy based on the updated QoS information of the sponsored data. The method according to claim 7, wherein the PCRF determines that the QoS information update of the sponsored data comprises one of the following:

The PCRF receives QoS information of the updated sponsored data from the SPR or the UDC;

The PCRF detects QoS information updates of its pre-defined sponsored data. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the QoS information of the sponsored data includes at least one of the following:

The maximum bit rate MBR pre-signed by the sponsor, the guaranteed bit rate GBR pre-signed by the sponsor, the maximum number of users pre-signed by the sponsor, and the QoS information indicating that the QoS resources allowed by the sponsor are insufficient. Instructions. A policy control device, comprising:

An obtaining module, configured to obtain quality of service QoS information of the sponsored data, wherein the QoS information is information pre-signed by the sponsor of the sponsored data;

The processing module is configured to formulate or update the policy and the fee control PCC/QoS policy according to the QoS information of the sponsored data.