Abstract: There is provided a method of operating a Service Communication Proxy, SCP, node (608, 1000) in a communication network as a proxy network repository function, NRF, for a first network function, NF, producer node in the communication network. The first NF producer node (602, 1100) is to migrate from a direct communication mode with a first NF consumer node (606) to an indirect communication mode with the first NF consumer node (606) via the SCP node (608, 1000).

Abstract: There is provided a method of operating a Service Communication Proxy, SCP, node (608, 1000) in a communication network as a proxy network repository function, NRF, for a first network function, NF, producer node in the communication network. The first NF producer node (602, 1100) is to migrate from a direct communication mode with a first NF consumer node (606) to an indirect communication mode with the first NF consumer node (606) via the SCP node (608, 1000).

Abstract: The present application generally relates to wireless communication technology. More particularly, the present application relates to a method and apparatus for performing protection control in a core network with separation between control plane and user plane. The present application also relates to computer program product adapted for the same purpose. According to one embodiment, a method for performing protection control in a core network with separation between control plane and user plane, comprises the following steps performed on the user plane: —a) pairing a User Plane Function (UPF) and at least one User Plane Security Function (UPSF); and —b) notifying a pairing relationship between the UPF and the UPSF to the control plane so that the pair of the UPF and the UPSF can be controlled by a Control Plane Function (CPF) via the same reference point.

Abstract: A system, method, node and computer program for allocating a user equipment, UE, (30) roaming in a visited network (10), to a dedicated core network, DCN, (120) out of a plurality of DCN (120) available in the visited network (10), is provided. The method comprises receiving a trigger comprising a DCN-type indicator from a home network (20) of the roaming UE (30), and determining, responsive to the reception of the DCN-type indicator, whether an DCN-type indicated by the received DCN-type indicator is supported by the visited network (10). The method further comprises determining, if the DCN-type is not supported by the visited network (10), an alternative DCN-type supported by the visited network (10) and allocating, by the visited network (10), the roaming UE (30) to a DCN (120) of the alternative DCN-type.

Abstract: A system, method, node and computer program for allocating a user equipment, UE, (30) roaming in a visited network (10), to a dedicated core network, DCN, (120) out of a plurality of DCN (120) available in the visited network (10), is provided. The method comprises receiving a trigger comprising a DCN-type indicator from a home network (20) of the roaming UE (30), and determining, responsive to the reception of the DCN-type indicator, whether an DCN-type indicated by the received DCN-type indicator is supported by the visited network (10). The method further comprises determining, if the DCN-type is not supported by the visited network (10), an alternative DCN-type supported by the visited network (10) and allocating, by the visited network (10), the roaming UE (30) to a DCN (120) of the alternative DCN-type.

Abstract: A message flow shaping approach for a network element capable of message routing is presented. The network element is configured to receive one or more logical ingress message flows and to output one or more logical egress message flows, wherein a flow priority level is allocated to each ingress and egress message flow. A method implementation of the technique presented herein comprises the step of the determining a message flow congestion state per flow priority level at an egress side of the network element. The method further comprises the step of triggering a message flow shaping operation. The message flow shaping operation is triggered per flow priority level at an ingress side of the network element dependent on the congestion state determined for at least one associated flow priority level at the egress side.

Abstract: A signalling proxy system for a switching center server is provided, as well as a method of operating a signalling proxy system for a switching center server. The signalling proxy system comprises two signalling proxies for routing signalling traffic between a network node and a plurality of switching center server units. Each signalling proxy is addressable by an address code and is operable in one of an active state and a passive state towards the network node.

Abstract: Apparatus configured to operate within a communication network as a pool proxy, routing signalling traffic between a node of a first network and one of a set of pooled nodes within a second network. The apparatus is further configured to operate in one of an active state and a passive state towards the first network node and, when in said active state to send a heartbeat signal to at least one of said pooled nodes for relaying to a peer pool proxy and, when in said passive state, to receive a heartbeat signal from a peer pool proxy relayed via at least one of said pooled nodes. In the event that no heartbeat signal is received when in the passive state, the apparatus is configured to activate itself as pool proxy towards the first network node.

Abstract: According to the invention, it provides a Network Element (NE) acting as an originating NE for End-to-End (E2E) Circuit Service (CS) call tracing functionality, the NE comprising: a receiver configured to receive a trace activation message which contains trace control and configuration parameters, wherein the trace control and configuration parameters include at least a Trace Reference, a start triggering event, a stop triggering event, an E2E call tracing option and an address of a Trace Collection Entity; a storage device configured to store the trace control and configuration parameters received by the receiver; a trace data reporter configured to start a trace session with the Trace Reference, to start a Trace Recording Session with a Trace Recording Session Reference when the start triggering event occurs, and to record and output trace data according to the stored trace control and configuration parameters; and a sender configured to detect that the E2E call tracing option is included in the trace activ

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for selectively providing access to a network node for testing and verification associated with a testing classification and requests are received from a network component to initiate a call via the net-work node. If it is determined that with the testing classification, service is provided via the network node.

Abstract: Apparatus configured to operate within a communication network as a pool proxy, routing signalling traffic between a node of a first network and one of a set of pooled nodes within a second network. The apparatus is further configured to operate in one of an active state and a passive state towards the first network node and, when in said active state to send a heartbeat signal to at least one of said pooled nodes for relaying to a peer pool proxy and, when in said passive state, to receive a heartbeat signal from a peer pool proxy relayed via at least one of said pooled nodes. In the event that no heartbeat signal is received when in the passive state, the apparatus is configured to activate itself as pool proxy towards the first network node.

Abstract: A signalling proxy system for a switching center server is provided, as well as a method of operating a signalling proxy system for a switching center server. The signalling proxy system comprises two signalling proxies for routing signalling traffic between a network node and a plurality of switching center server units. Each signalling proxy is addressable by an address code and is operable in one of an active state and a passive state towards the network node.

Abstract: Method, devices and computer programs for routing a message to a first network server (MSC1) in a server pool (CNSP) of a mobile communication system are disclosed. The mobile communication system comprises a controller (BSC2) of an access network (AN) connectable to the first network server (MSC1) and at least one further network server (MSC2) in the server pool (CNSP), wherein service points are defined (S100) and one or more of the service points are allocated (S110) uniquely to each of the network servers (MSC1, MSC2) in the server pool (CNSP). At least one of the network servers (MSC1, MSC2) has allocated (S110) at least two of the service points. A temporary identity is assigned (S150) by the first network server (MSC1) to a mobile device (MS). The temporary identity includes a selected service point which is selected (S140) from the one or more service points allocated to the first network server (MSC1).

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for selectively providing access to a network node for testing and verification associated with a testing classification and requests are received from a network component to initiate a call via the net-work node. If it is determined that with the testing classification, service is provided via the network node.

Abstract: To achieve an efficient and flexible routing of signaling messages between a core network and an access network in a mobile communication cellular network, it is proposed to provide a pool of mobile switching apparatuses between the core network and the access network. Each mobile switching apparatus in the pool (10) comprises a signaling unit (32) adapted to issue a paging message to the access network for connection establishment to a mobile terminal. Further, according to the present invention it is proposed to provide each mobile switching apparatus in the pool (10) with a relay unit (28) adapted to receive a paging response from the access network. Further, the relay unit (28) is adapted to determine a mobile switching apparatus in the pool (10) of mobile switching apparatuses handling the paging response.

Abstract: Method, devices and computer programs for routing a message to a first network server (MSC1) in a server pool (CNSP) of a mobile communication system are disclosed. The mobile communication system comprises a controller (BSC2) of an access network (AN) connectable to the first network server (MSC1) and at least one further network server (MSC2) in the server pool (CNSP), wherein service points are defined (S100) and one or more of the service points are allocated (S110) uniquely to each of the network servers (MSC1, MSC2) in the server pool (CNSP). At least one of the network servers (MSC1, MSC2) has allocated (S110) at least two of the service points. A temporary identity is assigned (S150) by the first network server (MSC1) to a mobile device (MS). The temporary identity includes a selected service point which is selected (S140) from the one or more service points allocated to the first network server (MSC1).

Abstract: Method, devices, and computer programs for routing a message to a first network server (MSC1) in a server pool (CNSP) of a mobile communication system are disclosed. The mobile communication system comprises a controller (BSC2) of an access network (AN) connectable to the first network server (MSC1) and at least one further network server (MSC2) in the server pool (CNSP), wherein service points are defined (S100) and one or more of the service points are allocated (S110) uniquely to each of the network servers (MSC1), MSC2) in the server pool (CNSP). At least one of the network servers (MSC1, MSC2) has allocated (S110) at least two of the service points. A temporary identity is assigned (S150) by the first network server (MSC1) to a mobile device (MS). The temporary identity includes a selected service point which is selected (S140) from the one or more service points allocated to the first network server (MSC1).

Abstract: A communication apparatus running a protocol stack implementation for interworking between a signaling source node and a signaling target node provides improved support for introducing server pools in packet networks and for achieving transparency for applications. A first protocol implementation unit (SCTP) runs a signaling control layer on top of a packet transfer network (IP) for exchanging signaling messages via one or more signaling associations. A second protocol implementation unit (SUA, M3UA) runs a user adaptation layer on top of the signaling control layer SCTP for supporting signaling connection control services (RANAP) used by the signaling source node. A name mapping unit receives a signaling target node name from the signaling source node and maps the name into a peer signaling association.

Abstract: A system and methods of global paging of mobile stations in a wireless network. The system includes a MSC pool (50) for servicing mobile stations within a specified service area of the network and a radio configuration database (70) defining a plurality of global paging areas (80, 82, 84) within the specified service area. The radio configuration database (70) is accessible by any mobile switching center (52, 54, 56) in the pool (50) to allow paging of a mobile station (28) roaming within the specified service area according to one or more global paging areas (80, 82, 84). The radio configuration database (70) can be structured in a hierarchy including cells, locations areas, and base station controller/radio network controller (20) for each global paging area in the specified service area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and means for a system initiated subscriber information redistribution in order to achieve a load redistribution within a pool of core network nodes. The subscribers, that are affected by the redistribution, are determined by the bit values in their TMSI's. These specific TMSI's are then arranged to be treated as invalid by the cellular system. Messages etc. from subscribers with invalid TMSI's will be “trapped” in the cellular system and the subscriber information that belongs to these subscribers will be redistributed to new core network nodes.