Sx protocol extension to support node PDR

A method performed by a second network node configured as user plane function (UPF), the second network node is coupled, via an Sx interface, to a first network node configured as control plane function (CPF), the method comprising:

• receiving a message associated with a first Packet Detection Rule (PDR) from the first network node via the Sx interface, wherein
• the first PDR is applicable to more than one Sx session,
• the message includes an information element (IE),
• the IE contains indication information indicating that the first PDR is applicable to more than one Sx session, and
• the indication information includes a group session identifier identifying two or more Sx sessions to which the first PDR is applicable or the indication information indicates that first PDR is applicable to all Sx sessions associated with the second network node, and
• said two or more Sx sessions include a first Sx session;
• receiving a packet;
• performing Sx session look-up to identify an Sx session to which the received packet corresponds, wherein the identified Sx session is the first Sx session;
• determining that a group of one or more PDRs is applicable to the first Sx session, wherein the group of one or more PDRs includes the first PDR;
• and
• applying the first PDR.

A first network node configured as control plane function (CPF), the first network node is coupled, via an Sx interface, to a second network node configured as user plane function (UPF), the first network node comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• a non-transitory computer readable medium coupled to the at least one processor, the non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executable by the at least one processor, whereby the first network node is configured to:
• transmit a message associated with a Packet Detection Rule (PDR) to the second network node via the Sx interface, wherein
• the PDR is applicable to more than one Sx session,
• the message includes an information element (IE),
• the IE contains indication information indicating that the PDR is applicable to the more than one Sx session, and
• the indication information includes a group session identifier identifying two or more Sx sessions to which the PDR is applicable or the indication information indicates that the PDR is applicable to all Sx sessions associated with the second network node, and
• the first network node is further configured to receive a response message, from the second network node, indicating whether the transmitted message is accepted or not by the second network node for applying the PDR.

A second network node configured as user plane function (UPF), the second network node is coupled, via an Sx interface, to a first network node configured as control plane function (CPF), the second network node comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• a non-transitory computer readable medium coupled to the at least one processor, the non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executable by the at least one processor, whereby the second network node is configured to:
• receive a message associated with a first Packet Detection Rule (PDR) from the first network node via the Sx interface, wherein
• the first PDR is applicable to more than one Sx session,
• the message includes an information element (IE),
• the IE contains indication information indicating that the first PDR is applicable to more than one Sx session, and
• the indication information includes a group session identifier identifying two or more Sx sessions to which the first PDR is applicable or the indication information indicates that first PDR is applicable to all Sx sessions associated with the second network node, and
• said two or more Sx sessions include a first Sx session;
• receive a packet;
• perform Sx session look-up to identify an Sx session to which the received packet corresponds, wherein the identified Sx session is the first Sx session;
• determine that a group of one or more PDRs is applicable to the first Sx session, wherein the group of one or more PDRs includes the first PDR;
• and
• apply the first PDR.