Abstract: A method for managing a session over a network that involves multiple end points obtaining services via an application server, the method involving: after the end points have registered with the application server for the session, establishing initial policies for network traffic flows for each end point participating in the session; after establishing the initial policies, determining information about the network traffic flows for at least some of the multiple end points participating in the session; from the information determined about the network traffic flows, identifying which of the multiple end points is functioning as a host server for the session; and after identifying which of the multiple end points is functioning as the host server, establishing new policies for network traffic flows for the multiple end points, wherein under the new policies fewer network resources are reserved for each of the multiple end points other than and as compared to the end point functioning as the host server.

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 and charging 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: A method of operating a policy server connected to a network including a plurality of network termination devices and a plurality of CPEs (customer premises equipment) that are behind the plurality of network termination devices, the method including: polling the plurality of termination devices for data maintained by the termination devices; processing the polled data to generate topology information, the topology information identifying which CPEs are behind which termination devices; and storing the topology information in a topology data structure.

Abstract: Among other things, at a server, information is received from applications, services, or content being used on user devices about usage of communication services attributable to each of the applications, services, or content. The information about the amounts of attributable communication services is used in allocating charges for the services to one or more paying parties in accordance with one or more applicable business rules.

Abstract: A method of managing dynamic services that are provided over a network, the method involving: storing rules for controlling admission to the network; keeping track of state of the network; receiving a request for establishing a session over the network; and using both the stored rules and the state of the network to determine whether to grant the request for establishing the session.

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 of disseminating topology information related to a subscriber in a system having one or more networks, each network having access devices and policy functions, includes identifying a current location of the subscriber by a serving policy function. The method further includes forwarding information relating to the current location from the serving policy function to an anchor policy function associated with the subscriber. The process of identifying the location of the subscriber and forwarding the information to the anchor policy server is repeated each time the subscriber changes its physical location. The system uses the current location information to route policy information from the anchor policy function to the policy function that is serving the subscriber. The system may use a push model, a pull model, or a combination thereof, to disseminate the topology information.

Abstract: A method of providing QoS to a session from a client to a first network includes providing data packets from the client to be conveyed in a session from the client to a first network, inserting each of the data packets into an encapsulating packet, and transmitting the encapsulating packets through the second network to the first network, forming a tunnel through the second network. The method includes receiving the encapsulating packets at a terminating device in the first network. The terminating device removes the encapsulating headers to recover the data packets. The method includes determining an association between the packet headers of the data packets and the encapsulating headers, identifying data packets requiring QoS, and using the association to identify encapsulating packets corresponding data packets requiring Quality of Service. The method includes applying QoS to the encapsulating packets, corresponding to the session of data packets requiring the QoS, being conveyed through the tunnel.

Abstract: A method of creating a network-initiated secondary packet data service instance includes sending a content request for application data from a mobile station to an application function through an access network. The method further includes sending a request for a secondary packet data service instance from the application function to a policy function, and evaluating the request for a secondary packet data service instance and determining one or more operational attributes from the evaluation. The method also includes creating the secondary packet data service instance between the application function to the mobile station by arranging one or more network components as a function of the one or more operational attributes. The method further includes transmitting the application data from the application function to the mobile station via the secondary packet data service instance.

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: A method of providing QoS to a session from a client to a first network includes providing data packets from the client to be conveyed in a session from the client to a first network, inserting each of the data packets into an encapsulating packet, and transmitting the encapsulating packets through the second network to the first network, forming a tunnel through the second network. The method includes receiving the encapsulating packets at a terminating device in the first network. The terminating device removes the encapsulating headers to recover the data packets. The method includes determining an association between the packet headers of the data packets and the encapsulating headers, identifying data packets requiring QoS, and using the association to identify encapsulating packets corresponding data packets requiring Quality of Service. The method includes applying QoS to the encapsulating packets, corresponding to the session of data packets requiring the QoS, being conveyed through the tunnel.

Abstract: A system for congestion control in a mobile communications network includes a monitoring module configured to monitor message traffic associated with a cell in a mobile communications network. The message traffic includes control plane and user plane messages. The monitoring module determines, based on the message traffic, whether a predetermined congestion threshold associated with the cell in the mobile communications network has been crossed. In response to the threshold being crossed, the monitoring module generates a cell congestion notification message that includes the identity of subscribers that are contributing to the congestion. A policy server receives the cell congestion notification message and generates a PCC rule that modifies the policy of the one or more identified subscribers and for communicating the PCC rule to a PCEF.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for SDF based subscription profile repository selection. The method includes receiving a first signaling message. The first signaling message includes service data flow information for identifying a service data flow. The method also includes selecting, using the service data flow information, an SPR from a plurality of SPRs, the SPR containing policy information associated with the service data flow.

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: A method of disseminating topology information related to a subscriber in a system having one or more networks, each network having access devices and policy functions, includes identifying a current location of the subscriber by a serving policy function. The method further includes forwarding information relating to the current location from the serving policy function to an anchor policy function associated with the subscriber. The process of identifying the location of the subscriber and forwarding the information to the anchor policy server is repeated each time the subscriber changes its physical location. The system uses the current location information to route policy information from the anchor policy function to the policy function that is serving the subscriber. The system may use a push model, a pull model, or a combination thereof, to disseminate the topology information.

Abstract: A method of disseminating topology information related to a subscriber in a system having one or more networks, each network having access devices and policy functions, includes identifying a current location of the subscriber by a serving policy function. The method further includes forwarding information relating to the current location from the serving policy function to an anchor policy function associated with the subscriber. The process of identifying the location of the subscriber and forwarding the information to the anchor policy server is repeated each time the subscriber changes its physical location. The system uses the current location information to route policy information from the anchor policy function to the policy function that is serving the subscriber. The system may use a push model, a pull model, or a combination thereof, to disseminate the topology information.