Patent ID: 8438290
Filing Date: 2013-05-07
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for selecting a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) entity in a non-roaming scenario, comprising: when a Diameter Routing Agent (DRA) receives an IP Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) session setup indication message, the DRA forwarding the session setup indication message to a PCRF according to an association relation established and stored for allocating the PCRF entity to the IPCAN session, wherein the DRA allocates the PCRF entity according to a Packet Data Network Identification (PDN ID) carried in the indication message or according to local configuration condition; and forwarding a corresponding Policy and Charging Control (PCC) policy, which is made by the PCRF for the IPCAN session, to a network element having a policy and charging enforcement function and an IP Application Function (AF) of an operator corresponding to the IPCAN session; (a) when a user equipment (UE) initiates an IPCAN session setup request, the network element having the policy and charging enforcement function sending the indication message to the DRA; (b) after the DRA receives the indication message, the DRA searching the association relation stored locally, and if the IPCAN session does not exist in the association relation, binding and storing an address of the PCRF allocated to the IPCAN session, an identification of the IPCAN (IPCAN ID) and the PDN ID in the local association relation; if the IPCAN session exists in the association relation, acquiring a stored address of the PCRF associated with the IPCAN session; and the DRA forwarding the indication message according to the address of the PCRF associated with the IPCAN session; (c) after the PCRF receives the indication message, the PCRF making the PCC policy for the IPCAN session, and forwarding, through the DRA, a response message containing the PCC policy to the entity network element having the policy and charging enforcement function; (d) the AF sending a message of the IPCAN session service to the PCRF through the DRA; the DRA searching the association relation stored locally, and forwarding the message of the session service to the PCRF according to the address of the PCRF associated with the IPCAN session; and (e) after the PCRF receives the message of the session service, the PCRF making a corresponding PCC policy for the session service, and forwarding a response message containing the PCC policy to the AF through the DRA.