Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for PCRF node selection. According to one aspect, a system for PCRF node selection is provided. The system includes a first PCRF selection node for receiving a first request message for which PCRF node selection is required. The first PCRF selection node determines whether to select the PCRF or to delegate selection of the PCRF. In response to a determination to delegate the selection of the PCRF, the first PCRF selection node generates and sends a second request message related to the first request message. The system further includes a second PCRF node for, in response to receiving the second request message from the first PCRF selection node, determining whether to select the PCRF or to delegate selection of the PCRF. In response to determining to select the PCRF, the second PCRF selection node selects the PCRF.

Abstract: A method implemented by a gateway device which handles sessions over a network to which the gateway device is connected and which also enforces conditions of service provided to those network sessions, the method involving: receiving from a policy server a policy rules package, wherein the policy rules package specifies a set of rules that are to be applied to certain sessions handled by the gateway device and a set of criteria for identifying among a plurality of subscribers a group of all subscribers to which the rules are to be applied by the gateway device; based on set of criteria in the policy rules package identifying all subscribers with currently active sessions to whom the policy rules are to be applied; and applying the set of rules to the sessions of the identified subscribers.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for access network discovery and selection are disclosed. According to one aspect, a system for access network discovery and selection includes an access network discovery and selection function (ANDSF) network element for identifying to a user equipment (UE) an access network through which the UE can connect to a core network, the ANDSF including an interface for communicating with nodes in a core network. The ANDSF is configured to receive information from a node in the core network and perform an access network discovery or selection operation based at least in part on the received information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for enhanced service detection and policy rule determination are disclosed. According to one method, a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) node requests, from a deep packet inspection (DPI) node notification of detection of traffic relating to a service. The DPI node identifies at least one traffic classifier usable to detect traffic corresponding to the service, uses the traffic classifier to detect traffic corresponding to the service, and notifies the PCRF of the detection and of the traffic classifier. The PCRF node receives the at least one traffic classifier, determines a policy rule based on the at least one traffic classifier, and communicates the policy rule to a policy enforcement node.

Abstract: A method implemented by a gateway device which handles sessions over a network to which the gateway device is connected and which also enforces conditions of service provided to those network sessions, the method involving: receiving from a policy server a policy rules package, wherein the policy rules package specifies a set of rules that are to be applied to certain sessions handled by the gateway device and a set of criteria for identifying among a plurality of subscribers a group of all subscribers to which the rules are to be applied by the gateway device; based on set of criteria in the policy rules package identifying all subscribers with currently active sessions to whom the policy rules are to be applied; and applying the set of rules to the sessions of the identified subscribers.

Abstract: A method implemented by a policy server operating on a network to which is connected a device that performs a data packet inspection function, the method involving: sending a first message over the network from the policy server to the device, the first message instructing the device to detect an occurrence of a particular network traffic or service taking place over a connection on the network and to send a notification to the policy server upon detecting the occurrence of that particular network traffic or service; at the policy server receiving a notification from the device that the device has detected the occurrence of that particular network traffic or service; and in response to receiving the notification, sending a second message over the network from the policy server to a network component, the second message containing information associated with the notification.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for steering a subscriber between access networks are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for steering a subscriber between access networks includes, at a first policy and charging rules function (PCRF) that serves a first access network, identifying a subscriber of the first access network as a candidate for steering to a second access network that is served by a second PCRF, querying the second PCRF to determine whether the candidate subscriber is allowed access to the second access network, and, upon a determination that the candidate subscriber is allowed access to the second access network, steering the candidate subscriber to the second access network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for PCRF fault tolerance are disclosed. One exemplary method for PCRF fault tolerance includes sending, from the PCRF to a Diameter peer, a message concerning Diameter application session state information associated with Diameter application sessions currently or previously managed by the PCRF. The method further includes receiving, by the PCRF, a message from the Diameter peer in response to the message concerning the Diameter application session state information. The method further includes, determining, by the PCRF and based on the response, whether the Diameter application session state information maintained by the PCRF is accurate. The method further includes, in response to determining that the Diameter application session state information maintained by the PCRF is not accurate, requesting, by the PCRF, Diameter application session state information.

Abstract: A method implemented by a gateway device which handles sessions over a network to which the gateway device is connected and which also enforces conditions of service provided to those network sessions, the method involving: receiving from a policy server a policy rules package, wherein the policy rules package specifies a set of rules that are to be applied to certain sessions handled by the gateway device and a set of criteria for identifying among a plurality of subscribers a group of all subscribers to which the rules are to be applied by the gateway device; based on set of criteria in the policy rules package identifying all subscribers with currently active sessions to whom the policy rules are to be applied; and applying the set of rules to the sessions of the identified subscribers.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for providing nested policy configuration in a communications network are disclosed. The method is performed at a policy charging and rules function (PCRF) node. According to one method, first policy profile information associated with a first identifier is obtained from a policy profile database, where the first identifier is associated with a first subscriber and where the first policy profile information includes a second identifier. Second policy profile information associated with the second subscriber is obtained, using the second identifier obtained with the first policy profile information, from the policy profile database.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for automatic, repetitive enforcement of a policy rule according to a schedule are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for automatic, recurrent enforcement of a policy rule includes providing, to a node for enforcing policy rules in a telecommunications network, an automatically recurrent policy rule, the policy rule defining an enforcement activation condition and including an enforcement recurrence attribute; and using, at the node, the enforcement activation condition and the enforcement recurrence attribute to recurrently activate the enforcement of the policy rule according to the enforcement recurrence attribute.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for communicating policy information. The method includes steps occurring at a policy charging and rules function (PCRF) node. The method also includes receiving, from a service node, a message requesting a policy rule, wherein the message includes an Internet protocol (IP) address associated with a subscriber. The method further includes determining a network access identifier (NAI) for the subscriber based on the IP address. The method further includes selecting a policy rule for the subscriber based on the NAI. The method further includes communicating the policy rule to the service node.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for performing PCRF-based IP CAN session information pass-through are disclosed. According to one method, a policy charging and rules function (PCRF) receives Internet protocol connectivity access network (IP CAN) session information from an access network-aware gateway. The PCRF forwards at least a portion of the IP CAN session information to a deep packet inspection (DPI) node.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for initiating a session. The method includes steps occurring at a policy charging and rules function (PCRF) node. The method also includes determining, independent of contact from a service node, that the service node requires policy information. The method further includes in response to determining that the service node requires policy information, communicating a session independent trigger message to the service node, wherein the trigger message comprises information instructing the service node to initiate a session with the PCRF node to obtain the policy information from the PCRF node.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for policy enforcement correlation are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for policy enforcement correlation includes, at a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) node: receiving, from a first network node, first policy and charging related information associated with a first user of a telecommunication network; receiving, from a second network node, second policy and charging related information; correlating the first and second policy and charging related information; and, in response to correlating the first and second policy and charging information, issuing a policy and charging control (PCC)-related instruction. In one embodiment, the PCC-related instruction may be sent to the first network node, the second network node, a third network node, or some combination of the above.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for enhanced service detection and policy rule determination are disclosed. According to one method, a policy charging and rules function (PCRF) node requests, from a deep packet inspection (DPI) node notification of detection of traffic relating to a service. The DPI node identifies at least one traffic classifier usable to detect traffic corresponding to the service, uses the traffic classifier to detect traffic corresponding to the service, and notifies the PCRF of the detection and of the traffic classifier. The PCRF node receives the at least one traffic classifier, determines a policy rule based on the at least one traffic classifier, and communicates the policy rule to a policy enforcement node.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for communicating service data flow (SDF) event information. The method includes steps occurring at a policy charging and rules function (PCRF) node. The method also includes communicating, via an Rx interface, a request to a deep packet inspection (DPI) node to be notified when an SDF event occurs. The method further includes receiving notification from the DPI node that the SDF event has occurred.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for providing group policy configuration in a communications network using a fake user are disclosed. The method is performed at a policy charging and rules function (PCRF) node. According to one method, first policy profile information associated with a first subscriber identifier is obtained from a policy profile database, where the first subscriber identifier is associated with a first subscriber. Second policy profile information associated with a second subscriber identifier is obtained from the policy profile database, where the second subscriber identifier is associated with a group of subscribers that also includes the first subscriber. At least a portion of the second policy profile information is applied to the first subscriber.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for PCRF node selection. According to one aspect, a system for PCRF node selection is provided. The system includes a first PCRF selection node for receiving a first request message for which PCRF node selection is required. The first PCRF selection node determines whether to select the PCRF or to delegate selection of the PCRF. In response to a determination to delegate the selection of the PCRF, the first PCRF selection node generates and sends a second request message related to the first request message. The system further includes a second PCRF node for, in response to receiving the second request message from the first PCRF selection node, determining whether to select the PCRF or to delegate selection of the PCRF. In response to determining to select the PCRF, the second PCRF selection node selects the PCRF.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for detecting a service data flow using a Gx rule are disclosed. According to one method, a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) node sends to a policy and charging enforcement function (PCEF) node, a Gx rule for triggering the PCEF node to generate a notification message upon initiation of a service data flow. The PCEF node receives and installs the Gx rule and uses the Gx rule to detect and report initiation of a service data flow.