Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a policy and charging rules node (PCRN), the method including: receiving a credit control request (CCR) message from a packet data network gateway (PGW) based upon a general radio packet service (GPRS) internet protocol connectivity access network (IP-CAN) session request; determining that no operator policy rule specifies an aggregate maximum bit rate (APN-AMBR) value; determining that the CCR message includes an APN-AMBR value; setting an APN-AMBR value for the GPRS IP-CAN session to an APN-AMBR value for a subscriber associated with the GPRS IP-CAN session; setting a GPRS IP-CAN session maximum bit rate download/upload (MBR DL/UL) value to the lowest of the subscriber APN-AMBR value and a subscriber MBR DL/UL value; and sending a credit control answer (CCA) message to the PGW with the selected APN-AMBR and MBR DL/UL values.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a policy and charging rules node (PCRN), the method including: receiving a credit control request (CCR) message from a packet data network gateway (PGW) based upon a general radio packet service (GPRS) internet protocol connectivity access network (IP-CAN) session request; determining that no operator policy rule specifies an aggregate maximum bit rate (APN-AMBR) value; determining that the CCR message includes an APN-AMBR value; setting an APN-AMBR value for the GPRS IP-CAN session to an APN-AMBR value for a subscriber associated with the GPRS IP-CAN session; setting a GPRS IP-CAN session maximum bit rate download/upload (MBR DL/UL) value to the lowest of the subscriber APN-AMBR value and a subscriber MBR DL/UL value; and sending a credit control answer (CCA) message to the PGW with the selected APN-AMBR and MBR DL/UL values.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a policy and charging rules node (PCRN), the method including: receiving a credit control request (CCR) message from a packet data network gateway (PGW) based upon a general radio packet service (GPRS) internet protocol connectivity access network (IP-CAN) session request; determining that an operator policy rule specifies an aggregate maximum bit rate (APN-AMBR) value; determining that the CCR message includes an APN-AMBR value; setting an APN-AMBR value for the GPRS IP-CAN session to the APN-AMBR value specified by the operator policy rule; setting a GPRS IP-CAN session maximum bit rate download/upload (MBR DL/UL) value to the lowest of the APN-AMBR value specified by the operator policy rule and a subscriber MBR DL/UL value; and sending a credit control answer (CCA) message to the PGW with the selected APN-AMBR and MBR DL/UL values.

Abstract: A method, and machine readable storage medium is disclosed for a method performed by policy and charging rules function (PCRF) node (PCRN) in a packet switching network, for identifying a Gn/Gp mode of an adjacent network node, in which the adjacent network node which is connected directly to a Serving General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Support Node (SGSN) node via a Gn/Gp interface, from an adjacent network node connected to a Serving Gateway (S-GW) via a S5/S8 interface, wherein the adjacent network node is a Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW) node or a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN). The method comprises receiving at the PCRN from the adjacent network node, a Diameter Credit Control Request (CCR) message requesting a IP-CAN session; determining whether the request message includes a SGSN-Address and does not include an AN-GW-Address.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a policy and charging rules node (PCRN), the method comprising: receiving an event trigger from a policy and charging enforcement node (PCEN) indicating that a subscriber is out of credit; installing temporary PCC rules to handle the out of credit status of the subscriber; receiving an indication that the subscriber has completed a reallocation of credit action; uninstalling the temporary PCC rules and restoring the original PCC rules after receiving an indication of reallocation of credit.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a policy and charging rules node (PCRN), the method including: receiving a credit control request (CCR) message from a packet data network gateway (PGW) based upon a general radio packet service (GPRS) internet protocol connectivity access network (IP-CAN) session request; determining that an operator policy rule specifies an aggregate maximum bit rate (APN-AMBR) value; determining that the CCR message includes an APN-AMBR value; setting an APN-AMBR value for the GPRS IP-CAN session to the APN-AMBR value specified by the operator policy rule; setting a GPRS IP-CAN session maximum bit rate download/upload (MBR DL/UL) value to the lowest of the APN-AMBR value specified by the operator policy rule and a subscriber MBR DL/UL value; and sending a credit control answer (CCA) message to the PGW with the selected APN-AMBR and MBR DL/UL values.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and machine readable storage medium is disclosed for handling Network-Request-Support (NRS) and Bearer Control Mode (BCM) at a Policy and Charging Rules Node (PCRN) and a Evolved Packet Core (EPC) gateway node. Embodiments maintain corresponding buffers for NRS values at the PCRN and the gateway and maintain synchronization between them. A gateway sends a credit control request (CCR) message to a PCRN and updates a local NRS buffer at the gateway when a successful credit control acknowledgement (CCA) response is received from the PCRN. Similarly, the PCRN updates a local NRS buffer at the PCRN when a successful credit control acknowledgement (CCA) response is sent to the gateway.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and machine readable storage medium is disclosed for handling Network-Request-Support (NRS) and Bearer Control Mode (BCM) at a Policy and Charging Rules Node (PCRN) and a Evolved Packet Core (EPC) gateway node. Embodiments maintain corresponding buffers for NRS values at the PCRN and the gateway and maintain synchronization between them. A gateway sends a credit control request (CCR) message to a PCRN and updates a local NRS buffer at the gateway when a successful credit control acknowledgement (CCA) response is received from the PCRN. Similarly, the PCRN updates a local NRS buffer at the PCRN when a successful credit control acknowledgement (CCA) response is sent to the gateway.

Abstract: A method, and machine readable storage medium is disclosed for a method performed by policy and charging rules function (PCRF) node (PCRN) in a packet switching network, for identifying a Gn/Gp mode of an adjacent network node, in which the adjacent network node which is connected directly to a Serving General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Support Node (SGSN) node via a Gn/Gp interface, from an adjacent network node connected to a Serving Gateway (S-GW) via a S5/S8 interface, wherein the adjacent network node is a Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW) node or a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN). The method comprises receiving at the PCRN from the adjacent network node, a Diameter Credit Control Request (CCR) message requesting a IP-CAN session; determining whether the request message includes a SGSN-Address and does not include an AN-GW-Address.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: selecting a connection of a plurality of connections; testing the selected connection to determine whether the selected connection is usable; and based on a determination that the selected connection is not usable: closing the selected connection and at least one additional connection of the plurality of connections, and reestablishing the selected connection and the at least one additional connection.

Abstract: The invention is directed to providing a method and apparatus for authorizing Quality of Service (QoS) at a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) node in response to receiving a service request for a subscriber having a requested QoS, a QoS Negotiation Attribute Value Pair (AVP) and a QoS Upgrade AVP such that the QoS Negotiation AVP takes precedence over the QoS Upgrade AVP.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a policy and charging rules node of provisioning event triggers. The method may include: receiving, from a requesting node, a request to provision a set of event triggers on a primary gateway; forwarding, to the primary gateway, the set of event triggers; storing the set of event triggers in association with a session; detecting a handover of the session; determining a new primary gateway; and forwarding, to the new primary gateway, the set of event triggers. The method may further include: receiving a message; determining whether the message includes the same set of event triggers; if the message includes the same set of event triggers, refraining from sending the set of event triggers to the primary gateway; and if the message includes a different set of event triggers, forwarding the different set of event triggers to the primary gateway.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a policy and charging rules node (PCRN), the method including: receiving an event trigger and a restriction filter rule associated with a first set of policy and charging control (PCC) rules from a policy and charging enforcement node (PCEN) indicating that a subscriber is out of credit; producing a second set of PCC rules to implement the restriction filter to handle the out of credit status of the subscriber; installing the second set of PCC rules; receiving an indication that the subscriber has received a reallocation of credit; and uninstalling the second set of PCC rules after receiving an indication that the subscriber has completed the reallocation of credit operation.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: selecting a connection of a plurality of connections; testing the selected connection to determine whether the selected connection is usable; and based on a determination that the selected connection is not usable: closing the selected connection and at least one additional connection of the plurality of connections, and reestablishing the selected connection and the at least one additional connection.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a policy and charging rules node (PCRN), the method comprising: receiving an event trigger from a policy and charging enforcement node (PCEN) indicating that a subscriber is out of credit; installing temporary PCC rules to handle the out of credit status of the subscriber; receiving an indication that the subscriber has completed a reallocation of credit action; uninstalling the temporary PCC rules and restoring the original PCC rules after receiving an indication of reallocation of credit.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a policy and charging rules node of provisioning event triggers. The method may include: receiving, from a requesting node, a request to provision a set of event triggers on a primary gateway; forwarding, to the primary gateway, the set of event triggers; storing the set of event triggers in association with a session; detecting a handover of the session; determining a new primary gateway; and forwarding, to the new primary gateway, the set of event triggers. The method may further include: receiving a message; determining whether the message includes the same set of event triggers; if the message includes the same set of event triggers, refraining from sending the set of event triggers to the primary gateway; and if the message includes a different set of event triggers, forwarding the different set of event triggers to the primary gateway.

Abstract: The invention is directed to providing a method and apparatus for authorizing Quality of Service (QoS) at a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) node in response to receiving a service request for a subscriber having a requested QoS, a QoS Negotiation Attribute Value Pair (AVP) and a QoS Upgrade AVP such that the QoS Negotiation AVP takes precedence over the QoS Upgrade AVP.