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 and charging 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: 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 (200) for determining capability of a serving system for anchoring a call using an intelligent network protocol is provided. A communication network (100) includes a plurality of serving systems. Each serving system of the plurality of serving systems is associated with a unique identifier (ID). The method at a communication device (124) includes detecting (204) a movement of the communication device from a first serving system (102) to a second serving system (104) based on the unique ID of the first serving system and the unique ID of the second serving system. Further, the method includes accessing (206) a list that includes a mapping of the unique ID of each serving system with the intelligent network protocol capability of the serving system. Furthermore, the method includes determining (208), based on the list, whether the second serving system supports the intelligent network protocol for anchoring a call.

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: 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: 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 (200) for determining capability of a serving system for anchoring a call using an intelligent network protocol is provided. A communication network (100) includes a plurality of serving systems. Each serving system of the plurality of serving systems is associated with a unique identifier (ID). The method at a communication device (124) includes detecting (204) a movement of the communication device from a first serving system (102) to a second serving system (104) based on the unique ID of the first serving system and the unique ID of the second serving system. Further, the method includes accessing (206) a list that includes a mapping of the unique ID of each serving system with the intelligent network protocol capability of the serving system. Furthermore, the method includes determining (208), based on the list, whether the second serving system supports the intelligent network protocol for anchoring a call.