CN1214555C - Method for unified managing resource in packet network of PLMN - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of wideband code division multiplexing (WCDMA)/general packet radio service (GPRS) mobile communication, and a method for unified management of resources in a public land mobile network (PLMN) packet network. This method adds a GMC (GGSN Manage Center), a device for unified management of the entire network resources, to the original WCDMA/GPRS system, and correspondingly adds and changes the activation process, update process and deletion process of the system to realize the support of the general packet wireless service gateway Point (GGSN) access user number management, GGSN bandwidth management, access point name (APN) management, IP address management, APN billing management, etc., effectively solve the problem of operators' management of PLMN resources, and provide operators with a Centralized and efficient operation and management methods can effectively improve the utilization rate of network resources, and the method is simple and practical.

Description

A method for unified resource management in public land mobile network (PLMN) packet network

Technical field

The invention relates to the field of wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA)/general packet radio service (GPRS) mobile communication, especially the management of network resources.

Background technique

In the WCDMA/GPRS system, mobile operators associate with Access Point Name (APN) operators to provide high-speed packet transmission services for mobile users. The packet wireless service gateway support point (GGSN) device is used as the access device for mobile users in the PLMN to access the external packet data network APN (including ISP, Internet, enterprise users, private networks of the PLMN, etc.), mainly including user session management and user data management , data forwarding and billing, access to external data networks and other functions; APN provides the function of carrying external packet data and accessing the application server. Their positions in the network are shown in Figure 1. When a user surfs the Internet, GGSN is responsible for authenticating the user to the AAA server of APN, assigning a dynamic IP address belonging to the APN address space, establishing a connection channel with APN, and generating a user context. After successful completion, the user can go online normally; During the process, GGSN is responsible for the forwarding of user data and the collection of billing information; when the user logs off the network, the user IP address is recovered and the user link is broken.

In the current WCDMA/GPRS network, there are mainly the following problems.

1. In order to facilitate user access in a network, there are multiple GGSNs distributed in different places of the whole network, and these GGSNs can be connected to the same APN. If there are many APNs, this kind of access is very complicated. At present Mobile operators lack an effective method for network-wide management of APNs, such as managing information such as which APNs can be accessed through the mobile network, attributes of these APNs, and the like. APNs connected to this GGSN can also be managed on a GGSN device, but this management is partial and incomplete.

2. The access capabilities provided by a network through GGSN, including the number of users and the total bandwidth, are limited. The method for effective operation and management of the network by mobile operators is to "wholesale" these access capabilities to each APN (mainly is an ISP). Similar to the fixed network, mobile operators focus on wireless access, and ISPs focus on packet access and service provision to share benefits. However, there is currently a lack of methods for managing the number of access users and bandwidth of all GGSNs on the network. It is not economically reasonable to let each APN have a GGSN.

3. When a user accesses an APN through a GGSN, a dynamic IP address needs to be assigned to the user. The current IP address is part of the address space of each GGSN device managing the APN, and the address utilization rate is low. When the addresses in the APN address space are in short supply, unified management of IP addresses throughout the network can increase the utilization rate. At present, there is a lack of a method for allocating and reclaiming the address space of the APN in the entire network.

4. The mobile operator provides the wireless network access function to the APN operator, and the mobile operator needs to charge a certain fee from the APN operator. The current billing method is that the mobile operator and the APN operator bill the user separately, and the APN operator pays the operator on a monthly basis, or the mobile operator bills the user uniformly, and then divides it into the APN operator in proportion. This billing method is a rough billing method, and the mobile operator lacks a method for accurately charging the APN, such as charging the APN according to the actual usage of the user's access to the APN.

Contents of Invention

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for unified management of resources in a WCDMA/GPRS network. The ability of unified management includes access point name (APN) management, IP address management, general packet wireless service gateway support point (GGSN) access Incoming users and bandwidth management, billing for access point names, etc. The specific technical scheme is as follows.

(1) System function description:

In the WCDMA/GPRS system, add a device that manages the resources of the entire network in a unified manner, that is, the General Packet Radio Service Gateway Support Point Management Center (GMC). The location of this device in the network is shown in Figure 2.

The main functions of the GPRS gateway support point management center equipment include:

1. User management:

Unify the maximum number of access users for GPRS gateway support points and the maximum number of access users for "wholesale" to each access point name

manage. When the number of users accessing the access point name exceeds the maximum allowable number, deny the access of new users with the access point name. The mobile operator charges the operator of the access point name according to the "wholesale" number of users, so as to improve the utilization rate of the ability of the GPRS gateway to support the number of users accessing the point.

2. Bandwidth management:

Unified management of the maximum access bandwidth of GPRS gateway support points and the maximum bandwidth "wholesale" to each access point name. When the total bandwidth used by users accessing the access point name exceeds the maximum allowable number, the new user access of the access point name is rejected. The mobile operator charges the operator of the access point name according to the number of "wholesale" users, so as to improve the utilization rate of the access bandwidth capability of the GPRS gateway support point.

Calculation method of the access point name bandwidth: when the user activates the context and updates the context, it needs to negotiate the quality of service with the GPRS GSP, and the GPRS GSP management center will base on the quality of service negotiated by the user (including the user Bandwidth used) is accumulated to obtain the total bandwidth used by the access point name. The definition of service quality is specified in the 3GPP agreement.

3. Access point name management:

Perform unified maintenance, management and statistics on the access point names accessed through the mobile network. Access point name maintenance management includes basic information management of access point names, connection relationship management between access point names and general packet wireless service gateway support points, and service provision management, etc., here and in the management of access point names in HLR The difference is: HLR mainly manages the signing information of the access point name; the statistics of the access point name include the business volume statistics of the access point name, the business volume statistics of individual users, etc.; combined with the "wholesale" function of user number and bandwidth, Provide operators with a method to implement flexible operation management strategies.

4. IP address management:

Manage the IP address space of the access point name in a unified manner, assign IP addresses to users when they are activated, and recycle IP addresses when they are deactivated to improve the utilization rate of IP addresses.

5. Accounting for the access point name:

Make statistics and records of users' use of external packet data network resources, including historical records of user access point names, traffic and time period statistics of user access point names, and other records that can be used for access Point name billing information. This information is used as the basis for billing the Access Point Name operator.

6. GPRSG supports usage and status monitoring functions of point equipment;

7. It can also include the function of portal (Portal) server, push (PUSH) service domain name server function, authentication, authorization and accounting server function, etc.

(2) Process description:

Completing the functions described above will have a certain impact on the original activation, update, and deactivation processes of the system, and the process needs to be changed to support new functions. The new process is as follows (the processes not involved remain unchanged by default):

1. As shown in Figure 3, the activation process is described as follows:

(1) The user activates the context, and the GPRS gateway support point requests the authentication, authorization and accounting server to authenticate the user;

(2) After passing the authentication, the GPRS gateway support point sends a resource request message to the GPRS gateway support point management center, and the message content includes at least:

User ID

General Packet Radio Services Gateway Support Point Identification

General Packet Radio Services Gateway Support Point Address

Calling number (MSISDN or IMSI)

Called Number (Access Point Name)

User Request Quality of Service

Whether to assign a dynamic address

(3) The functions of the GPRS gateway support point management center to process the request message include:

a. Count the number of users who access the name of the access point, and detect whether the number of users exceeds the number of "wholesale", and if it exceeds, the user who accesses the name of the access point is refused to activate;

b. For user request service quality negotiation, according to the negotiated service quality, count the bandwidth of the access point name, and detect whether it exceeds the "wholesale" bandwidth, and if it exceeds, reject the user to access the access point name;

c. Assign IP addresses to users;

d. Record the information of the user using the access point name, so as to charge the access point name operator;

e. According to the basic information of the access point name, return the method and authority of the user to access the access point name.

(4) If the access point name of the user cannot meet the requirements, that is, the number of users who cannot meet the access point name does not reach the maximum allowable number, and the bandwidth of the access point name does not exceed the maximum allowable number. Requirements, the name of the access point is returned by the GPRS GSS point management center to the GPRS GWS point failure message, and the content of the failure message includes at least:

User ID

failure reason

(5) Otherwise, a successful message is returned, and the content of the message includes at least:

Quality of service after user negotiation

dynamic IP address

Whether to charge twice and the method of charging

Access point name information or permissions associated with the user

(6) After receiving the failure response message, the GPRS GW support point returns the activation failure to the user; otherwise, it notifies the authentication, authorization and accounting server to start accounting, and then returns a success response to the user. Activation is complete.

2. As shown in Figure 4, the update process is described as follows:

(1) The GPRS gateway support point receives the context update request, and reports the charging-related information to the authentication, authorization and charging server;

(2) If the user requests a quality of service update, it is necessary to notify the GPRS Gateway Support Point Management Center to check whether the access point name meets the update request, that is, whether the number of users accessing the access point name does not reach the maximum allowable number, and Whether the bandwidth of the access point name does not exceed the maximum allowable number; the quality of service GPRSG support point management center access point name If the GPRSG support point management center is charging the user twice, it needs to Report the billing-related information to the GPRS GSP management center, and when updating, the message content sent by the GPRS GW support point to the GPRS GSP management center includes at least:

User ID

General Packet Radio Services Gateway Support Point Identification

General Packet Radio Services Gateway Support Point Address

Calling number (MSISDN or IMSI)

Called Number (Access Point Name)

User Request Quality of Service

(3) If the access point name meets the requirements, the GPRS GSS management center returns a successful response to the GPRS GSS support point, and the message content includes at least:

User ID

Negotiated Quality of Service

(4) Otherwise, return a failure response to the GPRS gateway support point, and the message content includes at least:

User ID

failure reason

3. As shown in Figure 5, the deletion process is described as follows:

(1) When the context is deleted, the GPRS GW support point reports to the GPRS GW support point management center, and the content of the reported message includes at least:

User ID

General Packet Radio Services Gateway Support Point Identification

General Packet Radio Services Gateway Support Point Address

Calling number (MSISDN or IMSI)

Called Number (Access Point Name)

Quality of service used by users

The IP address used by the user

(2) GPRSG support point management center releases the IP address of the user; re-statistics the number of users of the access point name and the bandwidth used; the statistics record the situation of the user accessing the access point name, as the access point name The basis for the operator's charges; return a response to the GPRS Gateway support point, and the message content includes at least:

User ID

Is it normal to delete

(3) Communication between the GPRS GW support point and the GPRS GW support point management center equipment:

1. Communication reliability and security:

In the communication between the GPRSG support point and the GPRSG support point management center, a timeout retransmission mechanism can be used to ensure reliability;

Encryption or tunneling technology can be used to ensure the security of information;

2. Maintenance message between devices:

During normal operation of the GPRS GSS, the GPRS GSS periodically sends a handshake message to the GPRS GSS management center. The content of the message includes:

General Packet Radio Services Gateway Support Point Identification

General Packet Radio Services Gateway Support Point Address

After the GPRS GSS is started, the GPRS GSP management center sends a normal operation message to the GPRS GSS management center. The content of the message includes:

General Packet Radio Services Gateway Support Point Identification

General Packet Radio Services Gateway Support Point Address

Before restarting, the GPRSG support point reports the abnormal event to the GPRSG support point management center. The content of the message includes:

General Packet Radio Services Gateway Support Point Identification

General Packet Radio Services Gateway Support Point Address

The effect of the method of the invention is that it can effectively solve the management problem of operators on PLMN resources, provide operators with a centralized and efficient operation management method, effectively improve the utilization rate of network resources, and the method is simple and practical.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 The prior art implements network resource management.

Fig. 2 The present invention realizes unified management of network resources.

Fig. 3 is the activation process of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is the updating process of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is the deletion process of the present invention.

Detailed ways

In the WCDMA/GPRS system, add a device GMC for unified management of the entire network resources, that is, GGSN ManageCenter, which is connected to each GGSN on the core network of the network. At the same time, the original activation, update, and deletion processes of the system cannot meet the requirements, so in cooperation with GMC, the system process has also been added and changed.

When a user requests to access the Internet, the GGSN receives an activation context request message and requests the AAA server to authenticate the user. After the authentication is passed, the GGSN sends a resource request message to the GMC, such as user ID, GGSN ID, GGSN address, calling number, QOS requested by the user, and whether to allocate a dynamic address. At this time, the GMC judges the request information, that is, whether to allow the user to access. For example, GMC counts the number of users accessing the APN, and detects whether the number of "wholesale" users is exceeded. When the number of users accessing the APN exceeds the maximum allowable number, the new APN user access is rejected, so that the mobile operator charges the APN operator according to the "wholesale" number of users, improving the utilization rate of the GGSN access user capacity. For another example, when a user requests QOS negotiation, the GMC counts the bandwidth of accessing the APN according to the QOS after negotiation, and detects whether it exceeds the "wholesale" bandwidth. When the total bandwidth used by users accessing the APN exceeds the maximum allowable number, new users of the APN are denied access, so that the mobile operator charges the APN operator according to the number of "wholesale" users, improving the utilization of the GGSN access bandwidth capability Rate.

If the APN that the user accesses meets the requirements, that is, the number of users accessing the APN does not reach the maximum allowable number, and the bandwidth of accessing the APN does not exceed the maximum allowable number, then GMC will assign an IP address to the user, and collect information about the APN used by the user. Record, as the basis for APN billing, and based on the basic information of the APN, return the method and authority of the user to access this APN, such as the billing method and the services that the user can use. The GMC returns a success message to the GGSN. The content of the message includes the QOS negotiated by the user, the dynamic IP address, whether to charge twice and the charging method, and the APN information or authority related to the user. At this time, the user is in an active state. At this point, the GMC starts to charge for the APN, including the statistics of the user's access to the APN traffic and time period, and monitors the usage and status of the GGSN equipment.

When the user QOS is updated, the content of the message sent by the GGSN to the GMC includes the user ID, GGSN ID, GGSN address, calling number, called number, and the QOS requested by the user. Whether the number of APN users reaches the maximum allowable number and whether the bandwidth accessing the APN exceeds the maximum allowable number. If the number of users accessing the APN does not reach the maximum allowable number, and the bandwidth of accessing the APN does not exceed the maximum allowable number, then the GMC returns a successful response to the GGSN, such as the user ID and the negotiated QOS information, indicating that the user update is successful; otherwise, the GMC Return a failure response to the GGSN, such as user ID and failure reason information, indicating that the user update failed.

When the user goes off the network, the GGSN reports to the GMC information such as user identification, GGSN identification, GGSN address, calling number, called number, QOS used by the user, and IP address used by the user. At this time, the GMC releases the IP address of the user and improves The utilization rate of the IP address is calculated, and the number of APN users and the bandwidth used are counted again, and the statistics and records of the users' access to the APN are used as the basis for charging the APN operator, and the response is returned to the GGSN, including the user ID and whether it is deleted normally. information.

Claims (8)

1, a kind of method of unified management resource in the public land mobile network (PLMN) packet network, have general packet wireless service gateway support point management center (GMC) in this packet network, it is characterized in that, concrete steps are as follows: a) activate a-1) The user activates the context, and the GPRS gateway support point requests the Authentication Authorization Accounting (AAA) server to authenticate the user; a-2) After the authentication is passed, the GPRSG support point sends a resource request message to the GPRSG support point management center, and the message content includes at least: user identification, GPRSG support point Wireless service gateway support point address, calling number (MSISDN or IMSI), access point name, user request service quality, whether to assign a dynamic address; a-3) the GPRS gateway support point management center processes the request message; a-4) If the access point name of the user cannot meet the requirements, that is, the number of users who cannot meet the access point name does not reach the maximum allowable number, and the bandwidth of the access point name does not exceed the maximum allowable number GPRS GWSG support point management center returns a failure message to the GPRS GWSG support point. The content of the failure message includes at least the user ID and failure reason. After the GPRS GWSG support point receives the failure response message, Return user activation failure; a-5) Otherwise, a successful message is returned, and the content of the message at least includes: the quality of service negotiated by the user, the dynamic IP address, whether to charge twice and the charging method, the access point name information or authority related to the user, and the general group After the wireless service gateway support point receives the success message, it notifies the authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) server to start accounting, and then returns a success response to the user, and the activation is completed; a-6) end; b) update b-1) The GPRS gateway support point receives the context update request, and reports the charging-related information to the authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) server; b-2) If the user requests a quality of service update, it is necessary to notify the GPRS Gateway Support Point Management Center to check whether the access point name meets the update request, that is, whether the number of users accessing the access point name does not reach the maximum allowable number, and Whether the bandwidth of the access point name does not exceed the maximum allowable number; if the GPRS GW support point management center is charging the user twice, it needs to report the billing-related information to the GPRS GW support In the point management center, the content of the message sent by the GPRS gateway support point to the GPRS gateway support point management center at least includes: user identification, GPRS gateway support point address, calling number, and access point name when updating , User request service quality; b-3) If the access point name meets the requirements, the GPRS GSS management center returns a successful response to the GPRS GSS point, and the message content includes at least the user identification and the negotiated quality of service; b-4) Otherwise, return a failure response to the GPRS GW support point, and the message content includes at least the user identification and failure reason; b-5) end; c) delete c-1) When the context is deleted, the GPRS GW support point reports to the GPRS GW support point management center, and the content of the reported message includes at least the user ID, GPRS GW support point ID, and GPRS GW support Point address, calling number, access point name, quality of service used by the user, and IP address used by the user; c-2) GPRSG support point management center releases the user's IP address; re-counts the number of users of the access point name and the bandwidth used, and counts the situation of the number of users accessing the access point name as a pair of access points Point the basis for charging by the name operator, return a reply to the GPRS GW support point, and the content of the message includes at least the user ID and whether it is deleted normally; c-3) End. 2. A method for unified management of resources in a PLMN packet network as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that said GPRS gateway support point management center is located on the core network of the system and connects each GPRS Gateway support point. 3. A method for unified resource management in the PLMN packet network as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that said GPRS gateway support point management center processing request message comprises the following steps: 1) Count the number of users who access the name of the access point, and detect whether it exceeds the number of users of "wholesale", and if it exceeds, the user who accesses the name of the access point is refused to activate; 2) The user requests service quality negotiation, according to the service quality after negotiation, counts the bandwidth of the access point name, and detects whether it exceeds the bandwidth of "wholesale", if it exceeds, then refuses the user to access the access point name; 3) Assign IP addresses to users; 4) Record the information of the user using the access point name, so as to charge for the access point name; 5) According to the basic information of the access point name, return the method and authority of the user to access the access point name; 6) End. 4. A method for unified management of resources in the PLMN packet network as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that, the communication between the GPRS GSS support point management center and the GPRS GW support point uses Timeout retransmission mechanism and encryption or tunneling technology. 5. A method for unified management of resources in the PLMN packet network as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that, said GPRS gateway support point management center includes a portal (Portal) server, push (PUSH) service Domain name server and Authentication Authorization Accounting (AAA) server. 6. A method for unified management of resources in a PLMN packet network as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that, the GPRS GW support point sends the GPRS GW support point management center during normal operation A handshake message, the content of which includes the GPRS GSP support point identifier and GPRS GSP support point address. 7. A method for unified management of resources in the PLMN packet network as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that, after the GPRS GW support point is started, it sends the GPRS GW support point management center A normal operation start message, the content of which includes the GPRS GSP support point identifier and GPRS GSP support point address. 8. A method for uniformly managing resources in a PLMN packet network according to claim 1, further characterized in that, before restarting, the GPRS GW support point reports to the GPRS GW support point management center For this abnormal event, the message content includes the GPRS GSP support point identifier and GPRS GW support point address.

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