Method, apparatus and system of charging for a data flow in SDN network

A method for charging a data flow at a first software defined network (SDN) service device, the method comprising:

• receiving, by at least one processor of the first SDN device, a monetary charging plan for a user and a configuration of a charging-associated network condition report with a corresponding routing path for a data flow for the user that is determined by a SDN control device, the configuration charging-associated network condition report identifying the first SDN service device as a lowest-cost tariff for the user among a plurality of SDN devices;
• charging, by the at least one processor, the data flow based on a network condition-related rate applicable to the SDN service device in the monetary charging plan to generate charging information, the network condition-related rate being a dynamically variable monetary rate tariff depending on a criterion of a network condition including subscriber profile information and an applicable network related state;
• and
• aggregating, by the at least one processor, the generated charging information to provide it to a charging system.

A method for charging a data flow in a software defined network (SDN) network, the method comprising:

• a SDN control device determines a monetary charging plan and a corresponding routing path for a data flow of a user, wherein the monetary charging plan is associated with a network condition-related rate of a respective SDN service device, of a plurality of SDN service devices, in the corresponding routing path, the network condition-related rate being a dynamically variable monetary rate tariff depending on a criterion of a network condition including subscriber profile information and an applicable network related state, the determining including selecting the respective SDN service device associated with a lowest-cost tariff for the user;
• the SDN control device selecting the monetary charging plan for the respective SDN service device, the selecting including sending the monetary charging plan to the respective SDN service device and configuring the respective SDN service device so that the respective SDN service device implements the corresponding routing path;
• each of the SDN service device charges the data flow based on a network condition-related rate applicable to the SDN service device in the monetary charging plan to generate charging information;
• the each of the SDN service device aggregates the generated charging information to provide it to a charging system.

A software defined network (SDN) control device, comprising:

• a memory storing computer-readable instructions;
• and
• at least one processor configured to execute the computer-readable instructions in order to,
• determine a monetary charging plan and a corresponding routing path for a data flow of a user, wherein the monetary charging plan is associated with a network condition-related rate of a respective SDN service device, of a plurality of SDN service devices, in the routing path, the network condition-related rate being a dynamically variable monetary rate tariff depending on a criterion of a network condition including subscriber profile information and an applicable network related state, the determining including selecting the respective SDN service device associated with a lowest-cost tariff for the user, and
• select the monetary charging plan for the respective SDN service device, such that the respective SDN service device charges the data flow, the selecting including sending the monetary charging plan to the respective SDN service device and configuring the respective SDN service device so that the respective SDN service device implements the corresponding routing path.

A first software defined network (SDN) service device, comprising:

• a memory storing computer-readable instructions;
• and
• at least one processor configured to execute the computer-readable instructions in order to,
• receive a monetary charging plan and a configuration of a charging-associated network condition report with a corresponding routing path for a data flow for a user that is determined by a SDN control device, the configuration charging-associated network condition report identifying the first SDN service device as a lowest-cost tariff for the user among a plurality of SDN devices,
• charge the data flow based on a network condition-related rate applicable to the SDN service device in the monetary charging plan to generate charging information, the network condition-related rate being a dynamically variable monetary rate tariff depending on a criterion of a network condition including subscriber profile information and an applicable network related state, and
• aggregate generated charging information to provide it to a charging system.

A system for charging a data flow in a software defined network (SDN) network, the system comprising a SDN control device and a plurality of SDN service devices, wherein the SDN control device includes a first memory storing first computer-readable instructions and at least one first processor configured to execute the first computer-readable instructions in order to:

• determine a monetary charging plan and a corresponding routing path for a data flow of a user, wherein the monetary charging plan is associated with a network condition-related rate of a respective SDN service device, of the plurality of SDN service devices, in the routing path, the network condition-related rate being a dynamically variable monetary rate tariff depending on a criterion of a network condition including subscriber profile information and an applicable network related state, the determining including selecting the respective SDN service device associated with a lowest-cost tariff for the user;
• select the monetary charging plan for the respective SDN service device, the selecting including sending the monetary charging plan to the respective SDN service device and configuring the respective SDN service device so that the respective SDN service device implements the corresponding routing path;
• wherein each of the SDN service device includes at least one second memory storing second computer-readable instructions and at least one second processor configured to execute the second computer-readable instructions in order to:
• charge the data flow based on a network condition-related rate applicable to the SDN service device in the monetary charging plan to generate charging information;
• integrate the charging information to provide it to a charging system.