CONTROL PLANE USER PLANE (CUPS) CAPABILITIES EXCHANGE

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining first information identifying each version of a policy rule base to which a control plane architecture of a wireless network has access; obtaining second information identifying each version of a policy rule base to which a user plane architecture of the wireless network has access; selecting as a selected version a common version of a policy rule base to which each of the control plane architecture and the user plane architecture has access; and communicating an identification of the selected version to each of the control plane architecture and the user plane architecture. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to control plane user plane (CUPS) capabilities exchange.

BACKGROUND

In the current Mobile Packet Core implementation for LTE and 5G Option 3X, there is a separation between the control plane (CP) function and the user plane (UP) function. The control plane is used for signaling and coordination for the establishment of mobile subscriber sessions to include GTP-C Mobility Signaling, Diameter Signaling for the purpose of Policy (Gx) or Charging (Gy), Subscriber Identity (RADIUS), Mediation, etc. The user plane handles the Policy Charging and Enforcement (PCEF) function which is directed, managed and controlled through a signaling interface residing on the control plane. At scale, a CP can have many deployed UP which are separate and distinct.

Between the CP and UP, there is a coordinating mobility interface (Sx) for which subscriber arrival signaling, RSVP type functions, KPIs and other functions occur. More particularly, when CP and UP (CUPS) mobile core elements arrive in-service today and perform their association, they utilize a standards-based Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP). This 3GPP-based Sx interface is used for functions like Association Setup, Update, Release, Heartbeat, KPI Sharing, Packet Flow Descriptor (PFD) and session management or handling procedures (see, for example, 3GPP 29,244). PFCP itself supports the usage of Vendor-Specific Informational Elements (IE) within the base specification.

Policies configured on the CP must reside or be downloaded to the user plane to ensure reliable delivery of subscriber treatments, rating and/or attach success. These configurations are traditionally static, meaning they are typically deployed at the same time. In some circumstances, the application of coordination configurations may have an impact to the customer, requiring their mobility session be flushed to vacate the element. A lack of coordinating configurations can lead to failed subscriber attaches, improper treatments, improper rating and/or undesirable alarms attributed to logical mismatches in configuration. This dependency for coordinating configurations adds a significant amount of operational complexity when performing upgrades, migrations and/or aligning new features or services. A “release”, or a coordinating configuration between the CP and UP elements, may take a considerable amount of time to deploy using the current deployment methods since only one configuration is typically supported or deployed at one time.

Certain conventional upgrades typically involve scheduled outages or customer impacts in some circumstances which can have considerable business impacts (e.g., requiring stranded production capacity to which subscribers can be migrated in order to support upgrades and/or policy changes; cut-and-paste or automation which manipulates 100s if not 1000s of lines of code in a maintenance window).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrative embodiments for control plane user plane (CUPS) capabilities exchange. Other embodiments are described in the subject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a device, comprising: a processing system including a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising: obtaining first information identifying each version of a policy rule base to which a control plane architecture of a wireless network has access; obtaining second information identifying each version of a policy rule base to which a user plane architecture of the wireless network has access; selecting as a selected version a common version of a policy rule base to which each of the control plane architecture and the user plane architecture has access; and communicating an identification of the selected version to each of the control plane architecture and the user plane architecture.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising: sending, to a control plane infrastructure of a wireless network, a particular version of a set of policies, wherein the control plane infrastructure is currently using a first set of policies that differs from the particular version of the set of policies, and wherein the particular version of the set of policies is being pre-positioned for use by the control plane infrastructure at a future time; sending, to a user plane infrastructure of the wireless network, the particular version of the set of policies, wherein the user plane infrastructure is currently using a second set of policies that differs from the particular version of the set of policies, and wherein the particular version of the set of policies is being pre-positioned for use by the user plane infrastructure at the future time; and subsequent to the sending of the particular version of the set of policies to each of the control plane infrastructure and the user plane infrastructure, instructing each of the control plane infrastructure and the user plane infrastructure to begin using the particular version of the set of policies that had been sent.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method, comprising: receiving by a processing system including a processor, from a control plane infrastructure of a wireless network, a first list identifying each of a plurality of versions of a policy rule base that resides on the control plane infrastructure; receiving by the processing system, from a user plane infrastructure of the wireless network, a second list identifying each of a plurality of versions of a policy rule base that resides on the control plane infrastructure; determining by the processing system, according to the first list and the second list, a common version of a policy rule base that resides on both the control plane infrastructure and the user plane infrastructure; sending by the processing system, to the control plane infrastructure, a first message identifying the common version; and sending by the processing system, to the user plane infrastructure, a second message identifying the common version.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram is shown illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a system 100 in accordance with various aspects described herein. For example, system 100 can facilitate in whole or in part coordinating and communicating information (such as policy rules/parameters) among a control plane, a user plane, and/or a policy charging and rules function (in one example, the policy rules/parameters can be embodied within one or more policy rule bases). In particular, a communications network 125 is presented for providing broadband access 110 to a plurality of data terminals 114 via access terminal 112, wireless access 120 to a plurality of mobile devices 124 and vehicle 126 via base station or access point 122, voice access 130 to a plurality of telephony devices 134, via switching device 132 and/or media access 140 to a plurality of audio/video display devices 144 via media terminal 142. In addition, communication network 125 is coupled to one or more content sources 175 of audio, video, graphics, text and/or other media. While broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130 and media access 140 are shown separately, one or more of these forms of access can be combined to provide multiple access services to a single client device (e.g., mobile devices 124 can receive media content via media terminal 142, data terminal 114 can be provided voice access via switching device 132, and so on).

The communications network 125 includes a plurality of network elements (NE) 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. for facilitating the broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or the distribution of content from content sources 175. The communications network 125 can include a circuit switched or packet switched network, a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) network, Internet protocol (IP) network, a cable network, a passive or active optical network, a 4G, 5G, or higher generation wireless access network, WIMAX network, UltraWideband network, personal area network or other wireless access network, a broadcast satellite network and/or other communications network.

In various embodiments, the access terminal 112 can include a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), cable modem termination system (CMTS), optical line terminal (OLT) and/or other access terminal. The data terminals 114 can include personal computers, laptop computers, netbook computers, tablets or other computing devices along with digital subscriber line (DSL) modems, data over coax service interface specification (DOCSIS) modems or other cable modems, a wireless modem such as a 4G, 5G, or higher generation modem, an optical modem and/or other access devices.

In various embodiments, the base station or access point 122 can include a 4G, 5G, or higher generation base station, an access point that operates via an 802.11 standard such as 802.11n, 802.11ac or other wireless access terminal. The mobile devices 124 can include mobile phones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless modems, and/or other mobile computing devices.

In various embodiments, the switching device 132 can include a private branch exchange or central office switch, a media services gateway, VoIP gateway or other gateway device and/or other switching device. The telephony devices 134 can include traditional telephones (with or without a terminal adapter), VoIP telephones and/or other telephony devices.

In various embodiments, the media terminal 142 can include a cable head-end or other TV head-end, a satellite receiver, gateway or other media terminal 142. The display devices 144 can include televisions with or without a set top box, personal computers and/or other display devices.

In various embodiments, the content sources 175 include broadcast television and radio sources, video on demand platforms and streaming video and audio services platforms, one or more content data networks, data servers, web servers and other content servers, and/or other sources of media.

In various embodiments, the communications network 125 can include wired, optical and/or wireless links and the network elements 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. can include service switching points, signal transfer points, service control points, network gateways, media distribution hubs, servers, firewalls, routers, edge devices, switches and other network nodes for routing and controlling communications traffic over wired, optical and wireless links as part of the Internet and other public networks as well as one or more private networks, for managing subscriber access, for billing and network management and for supporting other network functions.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, this is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a system 200 (that can function fully or partially within the communication network of FIG. 1) in accordance with various aspects described herein. As seen, Policy Charging and Rules Function (PCRF) 202 has available to it a number of Policy Rule Bases. In this example, PCRF 202 has available to it three Policy Rule Bases: v1.0 (identified by call-out number 202A), v2.0 (identified by call-out number 202B), and v3.0 (identified by call-out number 202C). Of course, any desired number (and/or version iterations) can be available to PCRF 202. Further, Control Plane (CP) 204 has available to it a number of Policy Rule Bases. In this example, CP 204 has available to it two Policy Rule Bases: v2.0 (identified by call-out number 204A), and v3.0 (identified by call-out number 204B). Of course, any desired number (and/or version iterations) can be available to CP 204. Further still, User Plane (UP) 206 has available to it a number of Policy Rule Bases. In this example, UP 206 has available to it two Policy Rule Bases: v1.0 (identified by call-out number 206A), and v2.0 (identified by call-out number 206B). Of course, any desired number (and/or version iterations) can be available to UP 206.

Still referring to FIG. 2A, in various embodiments, PCRF 202 can be implemented by one or more first servers (not shown), CP 204 can be implemented by one or more second servers (not shown), and UP 206 can be implemented by one or more third servers (not shown). In one embodiment each of the first server(s), the second server(s), and the third server(s) can be distinct from one another. In another embodiment one or more of the first server(s), the second server(s), and the third server(s) can be a common server. Further, a Policy Rule Base being available to PCRF 202 (as described above) can mean that such a Policy Rule Base is located on the first server(s) and/or is otherwise accessible (e.g., for reading and/or writing operations) to the first server(s). Such otherwise accessible can include, for example, being located on one or more databases that are accessible to the first server(s). Further still, a Policy Rule Base being available to CP 204 (as described above) can mean that such a Policy Rule Base is located on the second server(s) and/or is otherwise accessible (e.g., for reading and/or writing operations) to the second server(s). Such otherwise accessible can include, for example, being located on one or more databases that are accessible to the second server(s). Further still, a Policy Rule Base being available to UP 206 (as described above) can mean that such a Policy Rule Base is located on the third server(s) and/or is otherwise accessible (e.g., for reading and/or writing operations) to the third server(s). Such otherwise accessible can include, for example, being located on one or more databases that are accessible to the third server(s).

Still referring to FIG. 2A, in one embodiment each of PCRF 202, CP 204 and UP 206 can be instructed to use a common Policy Rule Base (in the example shown here, each of PCRF 202, CP 204 and UP 206 has been instructed to use v2.0 of the Policy Rule Base (that is, element 202B, 204A, and 206B)). Other operations described herein can also (or instead) be implemented (e.g., rolling back to a previous version, rolling forward to a next version at a future time). In one embodiment, respective instructions can be communicated directly to each of PCRF 202, CP 204 and UP 206 from another element (not shown) such as one or more server(s). In one embodiment, the instructions to one or more of PCRF 202, CP 204 and UP 206 can be relayed by one or more of PCRF 202, CP 204 and UP 206 from another element (not shown) such as one or more server(s) to one or more of PCRF 202, CP 204 and UP 206. In one embodiment, the instructions to one or more of PCRF 202, CP 204 and UP 206 can be originated by one or more of PCRF 202, CP 204 and UP 206. In one embodiment, the PCRF 202 acts as the element that coordinates policy rule base usage for both the CP 204 and the UP 206.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, various steps of a method 2000 according to an embodiment are shown. As seen in this FIG. 2B, step 2002 comprises obtaining first information identifying each version of a policy rule base to which a control plane architecture of a wireless network has access. Next, step 2004 comprises obtaining second information identifying each version of a policy rule base to which a user plane architecture of the wireless network has access. Next, step 2006 comprises selecting as a selected version a common version of a policy rule base to which each of the control plane architecture and the user plane architecture has access. Next, step 2008 comprises communicating an identification of the selected version to each of the control plane architecture and the user plane architecture.

Referring now to FIG. 2C, various steps of a method 2100 according to an embodiment are shown. As seen in this FIG. 2C, step 2102 comprises sending, to a control plane infrastructure of a wireless network, a particular version of a set of policies, wherein the control plane infrastructure is currently using a first set of policies that differs from the particular version of the set of policies, and wherein the particular version of the set of policies is being pre-positioned for use by the control plane infrastructure at a future time. Next, step 2104 comprises sending, to a user plane infrastructure of the wireless network, the particular version of the set of policies, wherein the user plane infrastructure is currently using a second set of policies that differs from the particular version of the set of policies, and wherein the particular version of the set of policies is being pre-positioned for use by the user plane infrastructure at the future time. Next, step 2106 comprises subsequent to the sending of the particular version of the set of policies to each of the control plane infrastructure and the user plane infrastructure, instructing each of the control plane infrastructure and the user plane infrastructure to begin using the particular version of the set of policies that had been sent.

In one embodiment, the coordinating systems could use a particular set of policies (e.g., policy group “A”) for some subscribers and the same particular set of policies (that is, policy group “A”) for other subscribers. In another embodiment, the coordinating systems could use a particular set of policies (e.g., policy group “A”) for some subscribers and a different particular set of policies (that is, policy group “B”) for other (different) subscribers.

Referring now to FIG. 2D, various steps of a method 2200 according to an embodiment are shown. As seen in this FIG. 2D, step 2202 comprises receiving by a processing system including a processor, from a control plane infrastructure of a wireless network, a first list identifying each of a plurality of versions of a policy rule base that resides on the control plane infrastructure. Next, step 2204 comprises receiving by the processing system, from a user plane infrastructure of the wireless network, a second list identifying each of a plurality of versions of a policy rule base that resides on the control plane infrastructure. Next, step 2206 comprises determining by the processing system, according to the first list and the second list, a common version of a policy rule base that resides on both the control plane infrastructure and the user plane infrastructure. Next, step 2208 comprises sending by the processing system, to the control plane infrastructure, a first message identifying the common version. Next, step 2210 comprises sending by the processing system, to the user plane infrastructure, a second message identifying the common version.

In one embodiment, there exists more than one common version of the policy rule base to which each of the control plane architecture, the user plane architecture, and the policy charging and rules function architecture have access. In one example, the selecting further comprises selecting as the selected version a single common version of the policy rule base to which each of the control plane architecture, the user plane architecture, and the policy charging and rules function architecture have access. In one example, the selecting is based upon an age characteristic of the single common version. In one example, the selecting is based upon the single common version being a newest common version. In one example, the selecting is based upon the single common version having a highest version number.

As described herein, various embodiments can provide for control plane user plane (CUPS) capabilities exchange (e.g., for the purpose of policy profile application).

As described herein, various embodiments can provide for improvements in operational efficiency (e.g., the ease in which upgrades can be performed; the allowing for the applications of policies independently; the ability to upgrade once all affected parties to have the correct version). Various conventional mechanisms do not provide such operational efficiencies due to certain conventional requirements to perform various configurations and/or because under certain conventional mechanisms multiple policy rule bases are not supported. Various embodiments can also provide efficiency gains as far as the ability to perform upgrades without the need to offline application of configurations to avoid the negative consequences of dissimilar policies among PCEF/PCRF or other policy affected elements. In this regard, it is noted that using certain conventional mechanisms, one would have to evacuate an entire infrastructure location's capacity to perform a policy upgrade across elements to avoid potential negative outcomes. This means the provider (using such conventional mechanisms) would need to have additional surplus capacity within a market or region to perform upgrades. In contrast, with the ability to deploy rule bases and later coordinate their application via a capabilities exchange (according to various embodiments), the need to evacuate the subscribers to perform an upgrade is removed.

As described herein, various embodiments can provide for policy rule bases that are versioned (in contrast, via certain conventional mechanisms, policy rule bases are not versioned and it is the operators' responsibility to ensure (without use of such versioned rule bases) compatible configuration across user plane and control plane.

As described herein, various embodiments can support multiple policies by a CP and/or a UP for the purposes of alignment, upgrades, and/or rollbacks. This exchange of policy capabilities (according to various embodiments) can support a cutover of subscriber sessions in-service (thus compressing the time necessary to distribute new mobile packet core policies into the network). Concurrent support (according to various embodiments) for multiple CUPS elements of different policy releases can allow for more efficient usage of available CP capacity. According to various embodiments, policy updated into the network for features and/or services can be deployed alongside current active policies for the purposes of cutovers.

As described herein, various embodiments can provide for changes (e.g., upgrades) to a plurality of policy bases via a parallel process.

As described herein, various embodiments can operate in the context of a mobile carrier using a CUPS architecture with evolving subscriber configurations and/or policies. The same coordinating behavior, since it involves logical groups of elements and configurations, can be applied to 5G and beyond. This logical overlay (according to various embodiments) can enable an application configuration pipeline to be distributed and used for the purposes of upgrades and/or rollbacks.

As described herein, various embodiments can support (e.g., through a capabilities exchange that shares logical configuration release version information) multiple concurrent configuration profiles (e.g., for the purpose of upgrades, rollbacks, and/or migrations).

As described herein, various embodiments can support aligning configurations and policy in a dynamic manner. Through the usage of profiles and associated versions, the correct configurations and/or policy can be applied to a downstream UP from a CP with confidence that the policies will align and/or that multiple concurrent versions can be supported.

As described herein, various embodiments can support capabilities exchange (e.g., for control plane/user plane versioning) that would allow for non-active policies to be deployed into the mobile packet core prior to being invoked (which can compress maintenance and in-service updates).

As described herein, various embodiments can expand the 3GPP Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (see, for example, 3GPP 29.244) to incorporate the usage of version-control details which reflect the current supported configuration profiles for CP and/or UP. During session establishment, the CP and UP can communicate (according to various embodiments) which local policy rule bases are served. During new subscriber session arrival, the logical overlay of version-specific details and associated policies can be used (according to various embodiments) between CP and UP to ensure alignment of applicable mobile packet core policies.

As described herein, a policy can control (and/or inform) as to a “rating” (such as pre-paid/post-paid, what services are billed for, what services are not billed for).

As described herein, various embodiments can facilitate mechanisms to provide a given policy to a control plane and a user plane.

As described herein, various embodiments can provide mechanisms to coordinate policy usage among a control plane, a PCRF, and a user plane (wherein all are aligned to a given policy).

As described herein, various embodiments can provide mechanisms to pre-position a policy for use in the future.

As described herein, various embodiments can provide mechanisms to facilitate fall back from one policy to another.

As described herein, various embodiments can provide mechanisms to coordinate use of policies (e.g., coordinated roll forward, coordinated roll back).

As described herein, various embodiments can provide mechanisms to check for compatibility between (or among) policies.

As described herein, various embodiments can provide mechanisms to coordinate policy usage among a control plane, a PCRF, and a user plane (wherein the coordination is performed “out-of-band”).

As described herein, in various embodiments the PCRF can be the policy arbiter, the control plane can facilitate the out-of-band signaling, and the user plane can handle the user traffic.

As described herein, in various embodiments the policy rule bases can comprise command line information.

As described herein, various embodiments can provide mechanisms to facilitate reverting to a legacy policy.

As described herein, various embodiments can facilitate a coordinated roll forward and/or a coordinated roll backward.

As described herein, various embodiments can facilitate a negotiation with respect to determining a most current policy that is shared among the PCRF, CP, and UP.

As described herein, in various embodiments a given policy rule base can be identified via versioning and/or by labels.

As described herein, a billing parameter can comprise an indication of a rate plan of a subscriber, a tier of a subscriber, or any combination thereof.

As described herein, a billing parameter can be indicative of a subscriber falling within various rate or billing plans (e.g., prepaid, postpaid, enterprise, etc.) as the service provider structures or bills differentiated services. Additionally, a billing parameter can be indicative of one or more grandfathered plans (in this regard, it is noted that companies may be forced to support grandfathered plans over time). Additionally, a billing parameter can be indicative of one or more subscriber treatments (in this regard, it is noted that plans may incorporate subscriber treatments based upon usage (e.g., quota, time of day, content, policing or shaping to a rate plan, and/or differentiated speeds)).

As described herein, an operating parameter can be indicative of speed characteristics (e.g., Available Bitrate, Guaranteed Bitrate, Maximum Bitrate, QoS Class Identifier (QCI), Allocation and Retention Priority (ARP), Diffserv Code Point (DSCP), Next-Hop Route Selection, and/or Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tags.

As described herein, an operating parameter can be indicative of service characteristics (e.g., optimization of video traffic, scanning for viruses, and/or scanning for phishing).

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram 300 is shown illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication network in accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular a virtualized communication network is presented that can be used to implement some or all of the subsystems and functions of system 100, some or all of the subsystems and functions of system 200, and/or some or all of the methods 2000, 2100, 2200. For example, virtualized communication network 300 can facilitate in whole or in part coordinating and communicating information (such as policy rules/parameters) among a control plane, a user plane, and/or a policy charging and rules function (in one example, the policy rules/parameters can be embodied within one or more policy rule bases).

In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that leverages cloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and scalability via a transport layer 350, a virtualized network function cloud 325 and/or one or more cloud computing environments 375. In various embodiments, this cloud networking architecture is an open architecture that leverages application programming interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity from services and operations; supports more nimble business models; and rapidly and seamlessly scales to meet evolving customer requirements including traffic growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity of performance and reliability expectations.

In an embodiment, the transport layer 350 includes fiber, cable, wired and/or wireless transport elements, network elements and interfaces to provide broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or access to content sources 175 for distribution of content to any or all of the access technologies. In particular, in some cases a network element needs to be positioned at a specific place, and this allows for less sharing of common infrastructure. Other times, the network elements have specific physical layer adapters that cannot be abstracted or virtualized and might require special DSP code and analog front ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementation as VNEs 330, 332 or 334. These network elements can be included in transport layer 350.

The virtualized network function cloud 325 interfaces with the transport layer 350 to provide the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide specific NFVs. In particular, the virtualized network function cloud 325 leverages cloud operations, applications, and architectures to support networking workloads. The virtualized network elements 330, 332 and 334 can employ network function software that provides either a one-for-one mapping of traditional network element function or alternately some combination of network functions designed for cloud computing. For example, VNEs 330, 332 and 334 can include route reflectors, domain name system (DNS) servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) servers, system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility management entity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers for IP-VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers, distributers and other network elements. Because these elements do not typically need to forward large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributed across a number of servers-each of which adds a portion of the capability, and which creates an elastic function with higher availability overall than its former monolithic version. These virtual network elements 330, 332, 334, etc. can be instantiated and managed using an orchestration approach similar to those used in cloud compute services.

The cloud computing environments 375 can interface with the virtualized network function cloud 325 via APIs that expose functional capabilities of the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide the flexible and expanded capabilities to the virtualized network function cloud 325. In particular, network workloads may have applications distributed across the virtualized network function cloud 325 and cloud computing environment 375 and in the commercial cloud or might simply orchestrate workloads supported entirely in NFV infrastructure from these third-party locations.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a block diagram of a computing environment in accordance with various aspects described herein. In order to provide additional context for various embodiments of the embodiments described herein, FIG. 4 and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment 400 in which the various embodiments of the subject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computing environment 400 can be used in the implementation of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156, access terminal 112, base station or access point 122, switching device 132, media terminal 142, and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. Each of these devices can be implemented via computer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers, and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software. For example, computing environment 400 can facilitate in whole or in part coordinating and communicating information (such as policy rules/parameters) among a control plane, a user plane, and/or a policy charging and rules function (in one example, the policy rules/parameters can be embodied within one or more policy rule bases).

With reference again to FIG. 4, the example environment can comprise a computer 402, the computer 402 comprising a processing unit 404, a system memory 406 and a system bus 408. The system bus 408 couples system components including, but not limited to, the system memory 406 to the processing unit 404. The processing unit 404 can be any of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors and other multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as the processing unit 404.

The system bus 408 can be any of several types of bus structure that can further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memory controller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of commercially available bus architectures. The system memory 406 comprises ROM 410 and RAM 412. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can be stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computer 402, such as during startup. The RAM 412 can also comprise a high-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 402 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 414 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD 414 can also be configured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 416, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette 418) and an optical disk drive 420, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 422 or, to read from or write to other high-capacity optical media such as the DVD). The HDD 414, magnetic FDD 416 and optical disk drive 420 can be connected to the system bus 408 by a hard disk drive interface 424, a magnetic disk drive interface 426 and an optical drive interface 428, respectively. The hard disk drive interface 424 for external drive implementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies are within contemplation of the embodiments described herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 412, comprising an operating system 430, one or more application programs 432, other program modules 434 and program data 436. All or portions of the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also be cached in the RAM 412. The systems and methods described herein can be implemented utilizing various commercially available operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 402 through one or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 438 and a pointing device, such as a mouse 440. Other input devices (not shown) can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 404 through an input device interface 442 that can be coupled to the system bus 408, but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 444 or other type of display device can be also connected to the system bus 408 via an interface, such as a video adapter 446. It will also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 444 can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display, a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving display information associated with computer 402 via any communication means, including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to the monitor 444, a computer typically comprises other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 402 can operate in a networked environment using logical connections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 448. The remote computer(s) 448 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, a personal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainment appliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typically comprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer 402, although, for purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storage device 450 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprise wired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 452 and/or larger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 454. Such LAN and WAN networking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, and facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which can connect to a global communications network, e.g., the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 402 can be connected to the LAN 452 through a wired and/or wireless communication network interface or adapter 456. The adapter 456 can facilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 452, which can also comprise a wireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter 456.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 402 can comprise a modem 458 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN 454 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 454, such as by way of the Internet. The modem 458, which can be internal or external and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the system bus 408 via the input device interface 442. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 402 or portions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 450. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are example and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers can be used.

Turning now to FIG. 5, an embodiment 500 of a mobile network platform 510 is shown that is an example of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156, and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. For example, platform 510 can facilitate in whole or in part coordinating and communicating information (such as policy rules/parameters) among a control plane, a user plane, and/or a policy charging and rules function (in one example, the policy rules/parameters can be embodied within one or more policy rule bases). In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform 510 can generate and receive signals transmitted and received by base stations or access points such as base station or access point 122. Generally, mobile network platform 510 can comprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, or disparate platforms, that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well as control generation for networked wireless telecommunication. As a non-limiting example, mobile network platform 510 can be included in telecommunications carrier networks and can be considered carrier-side components as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 510 comprises CS gateway node(s) 512 which can interface CS traffic received from legacy networks like telephony network(s) 540 (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network 560. CS gateway node(s) 512 can authorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CS gateway node(s) 512 can access mobility, or roaming, data generated through SS7 network 560; for instance, mobility data stored in a visited location register (VLR), which can reside in memory 530. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 512 interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PS gateway node(s) 518. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gateway node(s) 512 can be realized at least in part in gateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated that functionality and specific operation of CS gateway node(s) 512, PS gateway node(s) 518, and serving node(s) 516, is provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilized by mobile network platform 510 for telecommunication over a radio access network 520 with other devices, such as a radiotelephone 575.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic and signaling, PS gateway node(s) 518 can authorize and authenticate PS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions can comprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to the mobile network platform 510, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 550, enterprise network(s) 570, and service network(s) 580, which can be embodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced with mobile network platform 510 through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to be noted that WANs 550 and enterprise network(s) 570 can embody, at least in part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Based on radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) or radio access network 520, PS gateway node(s) 518 can generate packet data protocol contexts when a data session is established; other data structures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can be generated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 518 can comprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in 3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetized communication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Fi networks.

In embodiment 500, mobile network platform 510 also comprises serving node(s) 516 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) within technology resource(s) in the radio access network 520, convey the various packetized flows of data streams received through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) that rely primarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver traffic without reliance on PS gateway node(s) 518; for example, server node(s) can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 516 can be embodied in serving GPRS support node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s) 514 in mobile network platform 510 can execute numerous applications that can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows, and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Such application(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (for example, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided by mobile network platform 510. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that are part of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gateway node(s) 518 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a data session, and to serving node(s) 516 for communication thereafter. In addition to application server, server(s) 514 can comprise utility server(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, an operations and maintenance server, a security server that can implement at least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as other security mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s) secure communication served through mobile network platform 510 to ensure network's operation and data integrity in addition to authorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 512 and PS gateway node(s) 518 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s) can provision services from external network(s) like networks operated by a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 550 or Global Positioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s) can also provision coverage through networks associated to mobile network platform 510 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same service provider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in FIG. 1(s) that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more network coverage.

It is to be noted that server(s) 514 can comprise one or more processors configured to confer at least in part the functionality of mobile network platform 510. To that end, the one or more processors can execute code instructions stored in memory 530, for example. It should be appreciated that server(s) 514 can comprise a content manager, which operates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment 500, memory 530 can store information related to operation of mobile network platform 510. Other operational information can comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served through mobile network platform 510, subscriber databases; application intelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rate programs, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistent with telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, or wireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 530 can also store information from at least one of telephony network(s) 540, WAN 550, SS7 network 560, or enterprise network(s) 570. In an aspect, memory 530 can be, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as a remotely connected memory store.

Turning now to FIG. 6, an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 600 is shown. The communication device 600 can serve as an illustrative embodiment of devices such as data terminals 114, mobile devices 124, vehicle 126, display devices 144 or other client devices for communication via either communications network 125. For example, computing device 600 can facilitate in whole or in part coordinating and communicating information (such as policy rules/parameters) among a control plane, a user plane, and/or a policy charging and rules function (in one example, the policy rules/parameters can be embodied within one or more policy rule bases).

The communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, a power supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion sensor 618, an orientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for managing operations thereof. The transceiver 602 can support short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, Wi-Fi, DECT, or cellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth® and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special Interest Group and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communication technologies as they arise. The transceiver 602 can also be adapted to support circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VOIP, etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or a navigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device 600. The keypad 608 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of the communication device 600 or an independent device operably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or a wireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 608 can represent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTY keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display 610 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology for conveying images to an end user of the communication device 600. In an embodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all of the keypad 608 can be presented by way of the display 610 with navigation features.

The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a user interface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, the communication device 600 can be adapted to present a user interface having graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a user with a touch of a finger. The display 610 can be equipped with capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can be used to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the user interface. The display 610 can be an integral part of the housing assembly of the communication device 600 or an independent device communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that utilizes audio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard in proximity of a human ear) and high-volume audio (such as speakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system 612 can further include a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audio system 612 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI 604 can further include an image sensor 613 such as a charged coupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologies such as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulation technologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energy to the components of the communication device 600 to facilitate long-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or in combination, the charging system can utilize external power sources such as DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port or other suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS for identifying a location of the communication device 600 based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used for facilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 618 can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motion of the communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. The orientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology such as a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device 600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations in degrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to also determine a proximity to a cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, or other wireless access points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time of flight (TOF) measurements. The controller 606 can utilize computing technologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executing computer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by the aforementioned components of the communication device 600.

Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communication device 600 can include a slot for adding or removing an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifying subscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so on.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more features described herein. The embodiments (e.g., in connection with automatically coordinating and communicating information (such as policy rules/parameters) among a control plane, a user plane, and/or a policy charging and rules function) can employ various AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodiments thereof. Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a ranking or priority of each policy, rule, control plane, user plane, and/or policy charging and rules function. A classifier is a function that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4. . . . xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is, f(x)=confidence (class). Such classification can employ a probabilistic and/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilities and costs) to determine or infer an action that a user desires to be automatically performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is an example of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates by finding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which the hypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria from the non-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classification correct for testing data that is near, but not identical to training data. Other directed and undirected model classification approaches comprise, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification models providing different patterns of independence can be employed. Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statistical regression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments can employ classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generic training data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UE behavior, operator preferences, historical information, receiving extrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via a learning or training phase within a classifier constructor and feature selection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automatically learn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited to determining according to predetermined criteria which of the policies, rules, control planes, user planes, and/or policy charging and rules functions will receive priority.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to mean serving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances.

In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.