WO2015090389A1

WO2015090389A1 - Methods and nodes for policing and gating in a communication network

Info

Publication number: WO2015090389A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/077225
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mattias LIDSTRÖM; Mona Matti
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2013-12-18
Filing date: 2013-12-18
Publication date: 2015-06-25

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method performed by a network node (6) for policing and gating in a communication network (l). The method comprises obtaining information about that a first user (10) requests a session in the network for a first service (12). The method also comprises obtaining information about a quality of service (QoS) subscription of the first user for the first service in the network. The method also comprises obtaining information about current network resource usage of at least one session for at least a second service in the network. The method also comprises determining, based on the obtained information about the current network resource usage of the at least one session, that the session of the first user for the first service can be set up in accordance with its QoS subscription for the first service. The method also comprises outputting information to the network that the session for the first service can be set up in accordance with the QoS subscription.

Description

METHODS AND NODES FOR POLICING AND GATING IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to methods and nodes for policing and gating in a communication network, methods and nodes for analysing traffic in a communication network, and corresponding computer programs and computer program products.

BACKGROUND

A state of the art radio network is described with reference to figure l. A user's subscription comes with a plan for handling quality of service (QoS) for certain services. This information is kept in the Home Subscriber Server (HSS) and is propagated to the Subscription Profile Registry (SPR) in the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF). When a user wishes to use a service, the application function (AF) will request a bearer for the user with the specifications that the user requires for running the service. This is communicated to the PCRF over the Rx interface and the PCRF checks in the policy database (DB) to ensure that the parameters are correct, and in the SPR to ensure that the subscriber is entitled to the requested QoS. Once it has been agreed that the user subscription allows the requested QoS, the session database is checked in order to make sure there is enough available resources in the network to allow the new session to be started. This is then

communicated to the Gateway General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Service Node (GGSN) over the Gx interface and the new filter for the session is installed. The user can now use a new or updated Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context to run the service. It is also possible for the PCRF to update ongoing sessions or to change the parameters in service requests so that they meet the limitations set by the service and customer policies. The mobile network of figure 1 also shows a base station in the form of an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB) with a radio access bearer (RAB) for radio communication with mobile terminals such as user equipments (UEs). SUMMARY

It has been realised that it is a problem that the PCRF only knows what sessions are running from the sessions that are started using the procedure described above which are running with guaranteed QoS. In addition to the services that run with guaranteed QoS, there are numerous applications and services being run on best effort level on primary PDP contexts. This can make the service quality somewhat unpredictable even if the GGSN can prioritize guaranteed traffic for AS enabled services, since some of the services on primary PDP contexts will be run by preferred users and should not be made to suffer.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the traffic patterns of applications and services are used to create a better end user experience while also utilizing the network in to a higher degree. Each user's situation may also be taken into account in order to create a better user experience. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a network node for policing and gating in a communication network. The method comprises obtaining information about that a first user requests a session in the network for a first service. The method also comprises obtaining information about a QoS subscription of the first user for the first service in the network. The method also comprises obtaining information about current network resource usage of at least one session for at least a second service in the network. The method also comprises determining, based on the obtained information about the current network resource usage of the at least one session, that the session of the first user for the first service can be set up in accordance with its QoS subscription for the first service. The method also comprises outputting information to the network that the session for the first service can be set up in accordance with the QoS subscription.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, the instructions being adapted to, if executed on processor circuitry, implement an embodiment of the method performed by the network node for policing and gating in accordance with the present disclosure.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a network node for policing and gating, for a communication network. The network node comprises processor circuitry, and a storage unit storing instructions that, when executed by the processor circuitry, cause the network node to obtain information about that a first user requests a session in the network for a first service. The instructions also cause the network node to obtain information about a QoS subscription of the first user for the first service in the network. The instructions also cause the network node to obtain information about current network resource usage of at least one session for at least a second service in the network. The instructions also cause the network node to determine, based on the obtained information about the current network resource usage of the at least one session, that the session of the first user for the first service can be set up in accordance with its QoS subscription for the first service. The instructions also cause the network node to output information to the network that the session for the first service can be set up in accordance with the QoS subscription.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a traffic analysing node in a communication network in which a plurality of sessions are running for a plurality of services. The method comprises obtaining information about data traffic in the network. The method also comprises correlating said data traffic information to the running sessions. The method also comprises calculating a current network resource usage of each of the running sessions, based on the correlated data traffic information. The method also comprises outputting information about the current network resource usage of at least one of the sessions to a network node for policing and gating in the network.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a traffic analysing node for a communication network. The traffic analysing node comprises processor circuitry, and a storage storing instructions that, when executed by the processor circuitry, cause the node to obtain

information about data traffic in the network. The instructions also cause the node to correlate said data traffic information to the running sessions. The instructions also cause the node to calculate a current network resource usage of each of the running sessions, based on the correlated data traffic

information. The instructions also cause the node to output information about the current network resource usage of at least one of the sessions to a policing and gating function for the network.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, the instructions being adapted to, if executed on processor circuitry, to implement an embodiment of the method performed by a traffic analysing node in accordance with the present disclosure.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium, the computer readable storage medium having the computer program embodied therein according to an embodiment of a computer program of the present disclosure.

By obtaining and using information about the actual current use of resources by different applications/services, regardless of the resources allowed in accordance with the QoS and user subscription, the first service session can be set up even if there are not enough resources for its QoS when considering the guaranteed QoS of other running sessions (without considering actual resource use of those sessions). Similarly, it may be determined, based on the actual current resource use, that there are not enough resources for setting up the session of the first service due to resource usage of applications/sessions without guaranteed QoS, even if there appear to be enough resources when only considering sessions with guaranteed QoS.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc." are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated. The use of "first", "second" etc. for different features/components of the present disclosure are only intended to distinguish the features/components from other similar features/components and not to impart any order or hierarchy to the features/components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig l is a schematic block diagram of a radio communication network in accordance with prior art. Fig 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communication network in accordance with the present disclosure.

Fig 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a network node for policing and gating in a communication network, in accordance with the present disclosure. Fig 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a traffic analysing node for a communication network, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Fig 5 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a computer program product in accordance with the present disclosure. Fig 6 is a schematic flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present disclosure.

Fig 7 is a schematic flow chart of an embodiment of another method in accordance with the present disclosure. Fig 8 is a schematic flow chart of an example embodiment of a method is a schematic flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments are shown.

However, other embodiments in many different forms are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. Rather, the following embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

Embodiments of the present disclosure allows for more optimized usage of network resources, e.g., radio time slots and/or frequency recourses, by utilizing the downtime when terminals and applications/services are idle to allow more users to access their services with the guaranteed QoS that their subscription dictates.

Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of a radio communication network 1 in accordance with the present disclosure. A user's 10 or 17 subscription comes with a plan for handling quality of service (QoS) for certain services 12. This information is kept in the Home Subscriber Server (HSS) and is propagated to the Subscription Profile Registry (SPR) 7 in a network node 6 for policing and gating in the communication network 1, herein exemplified by a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) 6, but the network node 6 may be more generally regarded as a module or node 6 in the network (NW) 1 for creating rules and then automatically making policy decisions for each user 10/17 using the NW 1. When a user 10 or 17 wishes to use a service 12, the application function (AF) 11 will request a bearer 3 for the user with the specifications that the user requires for running the service. This is communicated to the PCRF 6 over the Rx interface and the PCRF checks in the policy database (DB) 8 to ensure that the parameters are correct and in the SPR 7 to ensure that the subscriber is entitled to the requested QoS. Once it has been agreed that the user subscription allows the requested QoS, the session DB 9 is checked in order to make sure there is enough available resources in the network 1 to allow the new session to be started. This is then communicated to the GGSN 4 over the Gx interface and the new filter for the session is installed. The user can now use a new or updated PDP context to run the service. It is also possible for the PCRF 6 to update ongoing sessions or to change the parameters in service requests so that they meet the limitations set by the service and customer policies. The mobile network of figure 2 also shows a base station (BS) 2 in the form of an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB) with a radio access bearer (RAB) 3 for radio

communication with the mobile terminals, e.g., user equipments (UEs) 10 and 17. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the state of the network is obtained and the services 12 and traffic patterns of the network 1 are analysed by means of a traffic analysing node 13 connected to the BS 2 and the GGSN 4. This node 13 is used to capture information about the traffic in the network 1. For this capturing, a part of the traffic analysing node 13 for capturing data signalling patterns in the NW 1, which is here called a Traffic Correlation Engine (TCE)i4, may in some embodiments be used. The TCE 14 may capture information about data signalling patterns within the network, not only for one node but traffic data that covers the total signalling process of the user's 10 or 17 running session(s) and correlates this information into correlated session records herein called Extended Session Records (ESR). These ESRs may then be used to derive traffic patterns of the network 1. The session records are stored in a traffic DB 15 and a part of the traffic analysing node 13 which is herein called a traffic analyser 16 which may analyse the traffic patterns and show the actual state of the network 1 by calculating the current sessions running in the network. Once the actual traffic situation, e.g., current recourse usage of the currently running sessions, in the network is known, the PCRF 6 can be notified of the actual traffic situation and accordingly allow or deny further session(s) to be set up based on the traffic situation of the network. The session database 9 of the PCRF 6 is also extended to hold the current status (resource usage) for all running/current sessions in order to make smarter decisions when policing incoming service requests or updating current sessions.

Below follow some more detailed descriptions of possible different parts, e.g., functions or modules, of embodiments of the traffic analysing node 13. The data signalling pattern capturing function 14, e.g., the TCE 14, may capture/ detect events/ signalling on the BS 2 interfaces and also on the GGSN 4 interfaces. Further, this may be done for a plurality of base stations 2 and/or a plurality of GGSNs 4. The captured events are then correlated to the current sessions and/or to each user of these sessions and information about the correlation is stored as ESR in a the traffic database 15. It may also be possible to get the raw data events by utilizing a TCE 14 event stream interface. The ESR may contain timestamps, throughput, bandwidth, and/or latency, for each current session along with possible error codes.

The traffic DB 15 may be used to store information about the user sessions, including the ESR. This information may then be used to calculate

application/service profiles. The traffic database 15 may also used to store the service/application profiles. In the context of the present disclosure, examples of a service include, but are not limited to, streaming video or conversational video, and the pattern of the traffic can, e.g., be recognised as periodic peaks of numbers of data packets.

The traffic analyser 16 may use the ESR records to calculate the current (true) usage pattern of the running services 12 in the network 1. Such a pattern may give the actual usage profile of the bandwidth throughput and latency of the network. First, the pattern may be stored in the traffic DB 15, and next the pattern may be communicated to the PCRF 6 that can use it to adapt the QoS for future sessions. This may allow the PCRF to overbook the available resources, with regard to the sum of the QoS subscriptions for the services of the current sessions, to maximize the network utilization without degrading services, since all current sessions may not use the full bandwidths allotted to them in accordance with their respective QoS. A user session may be adjusted according to not only the QoS subscription but also according to the availability of network resources such as bandwidth throughput. For instance, the user 17 may have one running (i.e., current) session with a high QoS subscription on a dedicated PDP Context, but the actual usage of bandwidth may be lower than what the subscription mandates. The user 10 may also have a high QoS, but because the dedicated bandwidth offered for user 17 and other users, the PCRF 6 cannot guarantee such a high QoS to the user 10 in accordance with existing standards. However, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the PCRF 6 can get (or the updated NW status can be pushed to the PCRF whenever it changes) the status of the network resource usage from the traffic analysing node 13 and accordingly decide to allocate the left over resources from user 17 (and possibly from other users) to guarantee QoS for the session of the user 10. In this case, both users 10 and 17 will get the quality of experience in compliance with their subscriptions without there being unnecessarily idle resources in the network 1.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the determining whether the session of the first user 10 for the first service can be set up comprises determining that the current network resource usage of the at least one session (e.g., of the second user 17) is less than what is indicated by the QoS subscription(s) for the at least a second service (used by, e.g., the second user 17). The unused resources within the QoS subscription for the second service 12 may thus be used for setting up the first session for the first user 10. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second service is used by a second user 17 of the network 1. However, in other embodiments, both the first and second services may be used by the first user 10.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the policing and gating node 6 is a policy and charging rules function (PCRF). However, any other corresponding node/function/module may, in other embodiments, be used as the policing and gating network node 6. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the communication network is a radio communication network, e.g., as illustrated in figure 2. However, other embodiments of the present disclosure may be beneficially used in wired networks. In some embodiments, the radio communication network 1 is in accordance with a Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication standard. LTE is an example of a communication standard with which embodiments of the present disclosure may be beneficially used. However, the network may be in accordance with any other electronic communication standard, e.g., any Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) communication standard. If the network 1 is a radio NW 1, then the first user 10 as well as any second and further user 17 may be a radio device or mobile terminal, such as a user equipment (UE), mobile or stationary, enabled to communicate over a radio air interface of the communications network 1, such as a mobile phone, smart phone, modem, sensors, meters, vehicles (e.g., a car), household appliances, medical appliances, media players, cameras, or any type of consumer electronic, such as a television, radio, lighting arrangements, tablet computer, laptop, or personal computer.

Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a network node 6 for policing and gating in a communication network 1, in accordance with the present disclosure. The network node 6 comprises processor circuitry 31, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU). The processor circuitry 31 may comprise one or a plurality of processing units in the form of microprocessor(s). However, other suitable devices with computing capabilities could be comprised in the processor 31, e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The processor circuitry 31 is configured to run one or several computer program(s) or software (SW) 34 stored in a storage unit 33, e.g., a memory. By running SW 34, modules or functions for performing tasks of the network node 6 may be formed in the processing circuitry 31, e.g., a session policing module 32 arranged to communicate with the traffic analysing node 13 and to act upon information received from the traffic analysing node 13. The storage unit 33 is regarded as a computer readable means 50 as discussed herein with reference to figure 5, and may, e.g., be a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Flash memory or other solid state memory, a hard disk drive, or be a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the SPR 7, policy DB 8 and/or the session DB 9 may be part of the storage 33 and thus be comprised in the network node 6, or the SPR 7, policy DB 8 and/or the session DB 9 may be external of the network node 6. The processor circuitry 31 is also configured to store data in the storage unit 33, as needed. The network node 6 also comprises a communication interface 35 for communication with other parts or nodes in the NW 1. The communication interface 35 may comprise a transmitter and a receiver, which may be combined to form a transceiver or be present as distinct units within the network node 6.

Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a traffic analysing node 13 for a communication network 1, in accordance with the present disclosure. The traffic analysing node 13 comprises processor circuitry 41, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU). The processor circuitry 41 may comprise one or a plurality of processing units in the form of microprocessor(s).

However, other suitable devices with computing capabilities could be comprised in the processor 41, e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The processor circuitry 41 is configured to run one or several computer program(s) or software (SW) 43 stored in a storage unit 42, e.g., a memory. By running SW 43, modules or functions for performing tasks of the traffic analysing node 13 may be formed in the processing circuitry 41, e.g., the traffic analyser 16 and/or the TCE 14 discussed above with reference to figure 1. The storage unit 42 is regarded as a computer readable means 50 as discussed herein with reference to figure 5, and may, e.g., be a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Flash memory or other solid state memory, or a hard disk, or be a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the traffic DB 15 is part of the storage 42 and is thus comprised in the traffic analysing node 13. The processor circuitry 41 is also configured to store data in the storage unit 42, as needed. The traffic analysing node 13 also comprises a communication interface 44 for communication with other parts or nodes in the NW 1. The communication interface 44 may comprise a transmitter and a receiver, which may be combined to form a transceiver or be present as distinct units within the traffic analysing node 13. Figure 5 illustrates a computer program product 50. The computer program product 50 comprises a computer readable medium 52 comprising a computer program 51 in the form of computer-executable instructions 51. The computer program/computer-executable components 51 may be configured to cause a node, e.g., a network node 6 or a traffic analysing node 13 as discussed herein, for increasing performance in a communication network 1, to perform an embodiment of a method of the present disclosure. The computer program/computer-executable instructions may be run on the processor circuitry 31 or 41 of the node 6 or 13 for causing the node to perform the method. The computer program product 50 may, e.g., be comprised in a storage unit or memory 33 or 42 comprised in the node and associated with the processor circuitry 31 or 41. Alternatively, the computer program product 50 may be, or be part of, a separate, e.g., mobile, storage means, such as a computer readable disc, e.g., CD or DVD or hard disk drive, or a solid state storage medium, e.g., a RAM or Flash memory. Figure 6 is a schematic flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present disclosure. The method is performed by a network node 6 for policing and gating in a communication network 1.

Information about that a first user 10 requests a session in the network for a first service 12 is obtained 61, e.g., received from another node in the NW 1. Information about a QoS subscription of the first user 10 for the first service in the network 1 is obtained 62, e.g., received from another node in the NW 1. Information about current network resource usage of at least one (currently running) session for at least a second service in the network 1 is obtained 63, e.g., from the traffic analysing node 13 as discussed herein. Then, based on the obtained 63 information about the current network resource usage of the at least one session, the network node 6 determines 64 that the session of the first user 10 for the first service can be set up in accordance with its QoS subscription for the first service. This determining 64 may, e.g., include determining that the session of the second service has a QoS subscription which indicates a guaranteed resource allocation for the second service session which does not leave enough free resources for setting up the session of the first service in accordance with the QoS subscription for the first service, but also determining that the second service does not use all the resources of its QoS for its session, why the first service may none the less be set up in accordance with its QoS by using the non-used resources of the second service. The network node 6 may then output 65 information to the network 1, e.g., the GGSN 4, that the session for the first service 12 can be set up in accordance with its QoS subscription.

Figure 7 is a schematic flow chart of an embodiment of another method in accordance with the present disclosure. The method is performed by a traffic analysing node 13 in a communication network 1 in which NW 1 a plurality of sessions are running for a plurality of services 12 possibly used by a plurality of users 10 and 17. Information about data traffic in the network 1 is obtained 71, possibly by means of the TCE 14. Then, this obtained 71 data traffic information is correlated 72 to the currently running sessions, possibly by means of the TCE 14. A current network resource usage of each of the running sessions is calculated 73, possibly by means of the traffic analyser 16, based on the correlated 72 data traffic information. Then information about the calculated 73 current network resource usage of at least one of the sessions (e.g., the session of the second service of the second user 17 as exemplified herein) is outputted 74 to a network node 6 for policing and gating in the network, as disclosed herein. As discussed herein, the

correlated 72 data traffic information may be stored in the traffic database 15 and/or the information about the current network resource usage of the running sessions may be stored in the traffic database 15.

Example With reference to figure 8 example embodiments of the present disclosure will now be discussed in more detail. The PCRF 6 is notified, via the AF 11, that the second user 17 requests a session for a first service to be set up, whereby the session for the second service 12 is set up 80. Signalling of data of the session for the second service 12 is created 81 and information about the data traffic of the session for the second service is collected 71 by the traffic analysing node 13. The traffic analysing node 13 then correlates 72 the traffic data information with the currently running sessions, including the session for the second service to create 82 session data ESR as discussed above and store 83 the ESR in in the traffic DB 15. The stored 83 ESR is analysed by the traffic analysing node 6, e.g., the traffic analyser 16 to calculate 73 the current resource usage of the currently running sessions, and information about this resource usage is also stored 84 in the traffic DB 15. Information about the calculated 73 resource usage is also outputted 74 to the network node 6 (e.g., PCRF) whereby the PCRF 6 obtains 63 this information. When the PCRF 6 obtains 61

information that the first user 10 wants to set up a session for the first service, the PCRF 6 checks the subscriber and service profiles in the session DB 9 and decides 64 whether to set up the new session for the first service 12. If the new session is allowed, then the session DB is updated 85 and the PCRF outputs 65 information for setting up the new session. Below follow some other aspects of the present disclosure.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a network node 6 for policing and gating in a communication network 1. The network node comprises means (e.g., the processor circuitry 31 in cooperation with the communication interface 35) for obtaining 61 information about that a first user 10 requests a session in the network for a first service 12. The network node also comprises means (e.g., the processor circuitry 31 in cooperation with the communication interface 35 or the storage 33) for obtaining 62 information about a QoS subscription of the first user 10 for the first service in the network. The network node also comprises means (e.g., the processor circuitry 31 such as the session policing module 32, in cooperation with the communication interface 35) for obtaining 63 information about current network resource usage of at least one session for at least a second service in the network 1. The network node also comprises means (e.g., the processor circuitry 31 such as the session policing module 32) for

determining 64, based on the obtained 63 information about the current network resource usage of the at least one session, whether the session of the first user 10 for the first service can be set up in accordance with its QoS subscription for the first service. The network node also comprises means (e.g., the processor circuitry 31 such as the session policing module 32, in cooperation with the communication interface 35) for, if it has been determined that the session can be set up, outputting 65 information to the network 1 that the session for the first service 12 can be set up in accordance with the QoS subscription.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a traffic analysing node 13 for a communication network 1 in which a plurality of sessions are running for a plurality of services 12. The node 13 comprises means (e.g., the processing circuitry 41 such as a TCE 14, possibly in cooperation with the communication interface 44) for obtaining 71

information about data traffic in the network 1. The node 13 also comprises means (e.g., the processing circuitry 41 such as a TCE 14) for correlating 72 said data traffic information to the running sessions. The node 13 also comprises means (e.g., the processing circuitry 41 such as a traffic pattern analyser 16) for calculating 73 a current network resource usage of each of the running sessions, based on the correlated 72 data traffic information. The node 13 also comprises means (e.g., the processing circuitry 41 in cooperation with the communication interface 44) for outputting 74 information about the current network resource usage of at least one of the sessions to a network node 6 for policing and gating in the network 1.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program product 50 comprising computer-executable

instructions 51 for causing a policing and gating network node 6 to perform an embodiment of a method of the present disclosure when the computer- executable components are run on processor circuitry 31 comprised in the policing and gating network node. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program 51 comprising computer program code which is able to, when run on processor circuitry 31 of a network node 6 for policing and gating in a communication network 1, cause the network node 6 to obtain 61 information about that a first user 10 requests a session in the network for a first service 12. The code is also able to cause the network node to obtain 62 information about a quality of service (QoS) subscription of the first user 10 for the first service 12 in the network 1. The code is also able to cause the network node to obtain 63 information about current network resource usage of at least one session for at least a second service in the network 1. The code is also able to cause the network node to determine 64, based on the information about the current network resource usage of the at least one session, that the session of the first user 10 for the first service 12 can be set up in accordance with its QoS subscription for the first service. The code is also able to cause the network node to output 65 information to the network 1 that the session for the first service 12 can be set up in accordance with the QoS subscription.

instructions 51 for causing a traffic analysing node 13 in a communication network 1 to perform an embodiment of a method of the present disclosure when the computer-executable instructions are run on processor circuitry 41 comprised in the traffic analysing node.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program 51 comprising computer program code which is able to, when run on processor circuitry 41 of a traffic analysing node 13 for a communication network 1, cause the node 13 to obtain 71 information about data traffic in the network 1. The code is also able to cause the node 13 to correlate 72 said data traffic information to the running sessions. The code is also able to cause the node 13 to calculate 73 a current network resource usage of each of the running sessions, based on the correlated data traffic information. The code is also able to cause the node 13 to output 74 information about the current network resource usage of at least one of the sessions to a policing and gating node 6 for the network.

The present disclosure has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the present disclosure, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

l8 CLAIMS

1. A method performed by a network node (6) for policing and gating in a communication network (1), the method comprising: obtaining (61) information about that a first user (10) requests a session in the network for a first service (12); obtaining (62) information about a quality of service, QoS, subscription of the first user (10) for the first service in the network; obtaining (63) information about current network resource usage of at least one session for at least a second service in the network (1); determining (64), based on the obtained (63) information about the current network resource usage of the at least one session, that the session of the first user (10) for the first service can be set up in accordance with its QoS subscription for the first service; and outputting (65) information to the network (1) that the session for the first service (12) can be set up in accordance with the QoS subscription.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining (64) whether the session of the first user (10) for the first service can be set up comprises determining that the current network resource usage of the at least one session is less than what is indicated by a QoS subscription for the at least a second service.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second service is used by a second user (17) of the network (1).

4. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the policing and gating node (6) is a policy and charging rules function, PCRF.

5. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the communication network is a radio communication network.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the communication network (1) is in accordance with a Long Term Evolution, LTE, communication standard.

7. A computer program (51) comprising instructions, the instructions being adapted to, if executed on processor circuitry 31, implement the method according to any one of claims 1-6.

8. A computer program product (50) comprising a computer readable storage medium (52), the computer readable storage medium having the computer program (51) according to claim 8 embodied therein.

9. A network node (6) for policing and gating for a communication network (1), the network node comprising: processor circuitry (31); and a storage unit (33) storing instructions (34) that, when executed by the processor circuitry (31), cause the network node (6) to: obtain information about that a first user (10) requests a session in the network (1) for a first service (12); obtain information about a quality of service, QoS, subscription of the first user (10) for the first service (12) in the network; obtain information about current network resource usage of at least one session for at least a second service in the network (1); determine, based on the obtained information about the current network resource usage of the at least one session, that the session of the first user (10) for the first service (12) can be set up in accordance with its QoS subscription for the first service; and output information to the network (1) that the session for the first service (12) can be set up in accordance with the QoS subscription.

10. A method performed by a traffic analysing node (13) in a

communication network (1) in which a plurality of sessions are running for a plurality of services (12), the method comprising: obtaining (71) information about data traffic in the network (1); correlating (72) said data traffic information to the running sessions; calculating (73) a current network resource usage of each of the running sessions, based on the correlated (72) data traffic information; and outputting (74) information about the current network resource usage of at least one of the sessions to a network node (6) for policing and gating in the network.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the information about data traffic is obtained (71) by collecting and correlating network events.

12. The method of claim 10 or 11, further comprising: storing (83) the correlated (72) data traffic information in a traffic database (15); and/or storing (84) the information about the current network resource usage of the running sessions in a traffic database (15).

13. A computer program comprising instructions, the instructions being adapted to, if executed on processor circuitry 41, to implement the method according to any one of claims 10-12.

14. A computer program product (50) comprising a computer readable storage medium (52), the computer readable storage medium having the computer program (51) according to claim 13 embodied therein.

15. A traffic analysing node (13) for a communication network (1), the node (13) comprising: processor circuitry (41); and a storage (42) storing instructions (43) that, when executed by the processor circuitry (41), cause the node (13) to: obtain information about data traffic in the network (1); correlate said data traffic information to the running sessions; calculate a current network resource usage of each of the running sessions, based on the correlated data traffic information; and output information about the current network resource usage of at least one of the sessions to a network node (6) for policing and gating in the network.