Policy and charging control method and apparatus for an application service chain based on an SDN network
AssigneeAlcatel Lucent
InventorsXiangyang Li, Yigang Cai
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A policy and charging control function PCRF determines an application service chain for an application based on multi-dimensional context information corresponding to the application, and transmits the corresponding application service chain information to an SDN controller. The SDN controller determines a forwarding rule for the application based on the application service chain information, and transmits the forwarding rule to a corresponding service chaining infrastructure network. SCEP(s) in the service chaining infrastructure network perform corresponding service function based on the forwarding rule.
Claims13
A policy and charging control method for an application service chain based on a Software-Defined Network (SDN), comprising:
- determining, by a Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF), application service chain information for an application based on multi-dimensional context information corresponding to the application, the multi-dimensional context information including at least two of customer segment, data charging plan, access technology, age, time and location;
- transmitting, by the PCRF, the application service chain information to an SDN controller;
- determining, by the SDN controller, a forwarding rule for the application based on the application service chain information;
- transmitting, by the SDN controller, the forwarding rule to a corresponding service chaining infrastructure network;
- and
- performing, by one or more Service Chaining Enforcement Point (SCEPs) in the corresponding service chaining infrastructure network, at least one corresponding service function based on the forwarding rule.
A PCRF for policy and charging control for an application service chain based on an SDN network, configured to:
- determine application service chain information for an application based on multi-dimensional context information corresponding to the application, the multi-dimensional context information including at least two of customer segment, data charging plan, access technology, age, time and location;
- and
- transmit the application service chain information to an SDN controller.
An SDN controller for policy and charging control for an application service chain based on an SDN network, configured to:
- receive application service chain information for an application transmitted by a corresponding PCRF, the application service chain information being based on multi-dimensional context information corresponding to the application, the multi-dimensional context information including at least two of customer segment, data charging plan, access technology, age, time and location;
- determine a forwarding rule for the application based on the application service chain information;
- and
- transmit the forwarding rule to a corresponding service chaining infrastructure network.
One or more SCEPs for policy and charging control for an application service chain based on an SDN network, configured to perform at least one corresponding service function based on a forwarding rule for an application transmitted by an SDN controller, the forwarding rule being based on multi-dimensional context information corresponding to the application, the multi-dimensional context information including at least two of customer segment, data charging plan, access technology, age, time and location.
A TDF for policy and charging control for an application service chain based on an SDN network, wherein the TDF is included in an ingress SCEP, and configured to
- performs a deep packet inspection of an application flow of an application so as to perform diffluent processing of the application flow;
- forwards the application flow to another SCEPs after diffluent processing of the application flow is performed;
- receive application service chain information transmitted by a PCRF, the application service chain information being based on multi-dimensional context information corresponding to the application, the multi-dimensional context information including at least two of customer segment, data charging plan, access technology, age, time and location;
- and
- transmits a charging request including the application service chain information to a corresponding OCS or OFCS, so as to charge the application.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.