Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including: receiving, at the network device, a traffic message including an IP address; identifying the traffic message as belonging to a new session; generating a request message based on identifying the traffic message as belonging to a new session, wherein the request message includes the IP address; transmitting the request message to a policy server; and receiving, from the policy server, a policy message including a policy. Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including: receiving, at the policy server, a request message from a network device, the request message including a subscriber IP and a network device identifier; identifying a subscriber session associated with the IP address; recording the network device identifier in association with the subscriber session; retrieving a policy associated with the subscriber session; and transmitting the policy to the network device.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including: receiving, at the network device, a traffic message including an IP address; identifying the traffic message as belonging to a new session; generating a request message based on identifying the traffic message as belonging to a new session, wherein the request message includes the IP address; transmitting the request message to a policy server; and receiving, from the policy server, a policy message including a policy. Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including: receiving, at the policy server, a request message from a network device, the request message including a subscriber IP and a network device identifier; identifying a subscriber session associated with the IP address; recording the network device identifier in association with the subscriber session; retrieving a policy associated with the subscriber session; and transmitting the policy to the network device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for allowing a single platform to recognize and process both Diameter messages and Radius messages. A gateway is provided for translating Radius messages received from a wireline device into NASReq messages. A Diameter Proxy Agent receives both Diameter messages from a wireless device and the NASReq messages from the gateway. The Diameter Proxy Agent selects a PCRF to which to pass a NASReq message, and upon receipt of a NASReq message the PCRF either creates or updates a NASReq session object. By recognizing and processing Radius messages, wireline services can be offered at the same time as wireless services without requiring the use of a second platform. In addition, use of the PCRF server to support wireline services offers much better scalability than that offered by traditional AAA servers.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a session management node. A session management node may include: a receiver that receives an accounting message indicating network usage of a subscriber, the message including at least one field; a NAS profile that maps the accounting message to a type of usage based on the field; a session information storage that includes a record of accumulated network usage for the type of usage; and a usage reporter that updates the subscriber's accumulated network usage. Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method of measuring network usage of a subscriber. The method may include: receiving an accounting message; determining a type of usage; and monitoring the subscriber's usage according to the type of usage. In various exemplary embodiments, various messages including vendor specific fields may be mapped to the same type of usage. A rating factor for monitoring may be assigned to a type of usage.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a session management node. A session management node may include: a receiver configured to receive an accounting message; a session information storage that includes a record of accumulated network usage of the subscriber; a session manager configured to determine a Quality of Service (QoS) for the subscriber based upon the subscriber's accumulated network usage and an update time; and a transmitter configured to send an authorization message to the NAS. A session management node may also include: a configurable NAS profile; a usage reporter; a policy engine; and a reauthorization scheduler. Various exemplary embodiments may relate to a method of authorizing QoS based on subscriber usage and current time period. The method may include: receiving an accounting message; monitoring the usage of the subscriber; authorizing a QoS; and transmitting an authorization message. Subscriber network usage may be associated with a monitoring key and/or rating factor.

Abstract: A method for establishing a session between a policy and charging rules node (PCRN) and an auxiliary host, includes: receiving, at the PCRN, an application session request message from a packet data network gateway (PGW); establishing an access session with the packet data network gateway; receiving, at the PCRN, an auxiliary session request message from the auxiliary host; and establishing an auxiliary access session with the auxiliary host corresponding to the access session with the packet data network gateway.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for allowing a single platform to recognize and process both Diameter messages and Radius messages. A gateway is provided for translating Radius messages received from a wireline device into NASReq messages. A Diameter Proxy Agent receives both Diameter messages from a wireless device and the NASReq messages from the gateway. The Diameter Proxy Agent selects a PCRF to which to pass a NASReq message, and upon receipt of a NASReq message the PCRF either creates or updates a NASReq session object. By recognizing and processing Radius messages, wireline services can be offered at the same time as wireless services without requiring the use of a second platform. In addition, use of the PCRF server to support wireline services offers much better scalability than that offered by traditional AAA servers.