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US 7,453,876 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for providing distributed SLF routing capability in an internet multimedia subsystem (IMS) network
AssigneeLucent Technologies Inc.
InventorsShiyan Hua, Ahmed N. Zaki
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Abstract
A routing technique for supporting an internet protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Subscriber Locator Function (SLF) is provided. It is, in part, based on using a user's identification information, e.g. a user's realm, to facilitate the routing of information. This technique enables the implementation of a distributed subscriber location function (SLF) in an IMS network. The subscriber locator function (SLF) ultimately allows for accommodation of more users through multiple home subscriber service (HSS) elements.
Claims20
A method for routing in an internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) incorporating a distributed subscriber locator function, the method comprising:
- determining by a first network element whether a private user identification including a realm name is available for use in routing using a Diameter Protocol;
- populating by the first network element a destination-realm attribute value pair of a first Diameter Protocol message with the private user identification if the private user identification is available;
- performing a subscriber locator function by a first network element to determine a first home subscriber service (HSS) element to which to send the first Diameter Protocol message based on the destination realm attribute value pair;
- transmitting the first Diameter Protocol message from the first network element to the first home subscriber service (HSS) element;
- populating by the first network element the destination-realm attribute value pair of a second Diameter Protocol message with a whole network realm if the private user identification is not available;
- transmitting the second Diameter Protocol message from the first network element to a second network element;
- performing a second subscriber locator function by the second network element to determine a second home subscriber service (HSS) element to which the second Diameter Protocol message should be sent;
- populating by the second network element a Redirect-Host attribute value pair with information relating to the second home subscriber service (HSS) element;
- and,
- transmitting the second message back to the first network element and to the second home subscriber service (HSS) element if the second home subscriber service (HSS) element is not the second network element.
7 more elements
A system for routing in an internet multimedia subsystem (IMS) incorporating a distributed subscriber locator function, the method comprising:
- means for determining by a first network element whether a private user identification including a realm name is available for use in routing using a Diameter Protocol;
- means for populating by the first network element a destination-realm attribute value pair of a first Diameter Protocol message with the private user identification if the private user identification is available;
- means for performing a subscriber locator function by a first network element to determine a first home subscriber service (HSS) element to which to send the first Diameter Protocol message based on the destination-realm attribute value pair;
- means for transmitting the first Diameter Protocol message from the first network element to the first home subscriber service (HSS) element;
- means for populating by the first network element the destination-realm attribute value pair of a second Diameter Protocol message with a whole network realm if the private user identification is not available;
- means for transmitting the second Diameter Protocol message from the first network element to a second network element;
- means for performing a second subscriber locator function by the second network element to determine a second home subscriber service (HSS) element to which the second Diameter Protocol message should be sent;
- means for populating by the second network element a Redirect-Host attribute value pair with information relating to the second home subscriber service (HSS) element;
- and,
- means for transmitting the second message back to the first network element and to the second home subscriber service (HSS) element if the second home subscriber service (HSS) element is not the second network element.
7 more elements
A system for implementing an internet multimedia subsystem (IMS) incorporating a distributed subscriber location function, the system comprising:
- a first network element operative to determine whether a private user identification including a realm name is available for use in routing using a Diameter Protocol, perform a first subscriber locator function to determine a first home subscriber service (HSS) element to which to send a first Diameter Protocol message based on the availability of the private user identification, populate by the first network element a destination-realm attribute value pair of a first Diameter Protocol message with the private user identification if the private user identification is available, transmit the first Diameter Protocol message to the first home subscriber service (HSS) element, populate by the first network element the destination-realm attribute value pair of a second Diameter Protocol message with a whole network realm if the private user identification is not available, and transmit a second Diameter Protocol message to a second network element if the private user identification is not available;
- and,
- the second network element operative to perform a second subscriber locator function to determine a second home subscriber (HSS) element to which the second Diameter Protocol message should be sent and transmit the second Diameter Protocol message back to the first network element if the second home subscriber service (HSS) element is not the second network element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.