Session based support of multiple 3GPP standards versions

A method of controlling sessions performed by a device comprising the steps of:

• receiving a first attribute value pair (AVP) in a request from a node;
• determining if there is an established session corresponding to the request;
• and
• performing the following steps responsive to there not being an established session:
• determining a major release identifier corresponding to a major protocol release version associated with the first AVP based on a requirement indicated by the first AVP;
• determining that a second AVP was received in the request;
• determining, responsive to receiving the second AVP, a minor release identifier corresponding to a minor protocol release version associated with the second AVP based on a requirement indicated by the second AVP;
• and
• establishing a session in accordance with the protocol version corresponding to the major and minor release identifiers.

A method of servicing session requirements of an end-user device, the method performed by a first network device and comprising the steps of:

• determining if a new session is required for the end-user device;
• and
• performing the following steps responsive to the new session being required:
• determining a major-minor release combination under which the new session is to be established;
• generating a first attribute value pair (AVP) for the new session that indicates a major release corresponding to the major-minor release combination;
• generating a second AVP for the new session that indicates a minor release corresponding to the major-minor release combination;
• and
• sending a session request that includes the first and second AVPs to a second network device.

A network device for servicing session requirements of an end-user device comprising:

• an interface for communicating with a network node operable to send and receive messages regarding a session;
• data storage adapted to store session data related to the session;
• and
• a controller operable to:
• determine that a new session is required for the end-user device, determine a major-minor release combination under which the new session is to be established, generate a session request that includes first and second attribute value pairs (AVPs) indicating respectively a major and minor release corresponding to the major-minor release combination, and send the session request to the network node.