Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for distributing policy rules from a data content network to user equipment in a mobile network are disclosed. In one example, the method includes obtaining, by a mobile offload gateway (MOG) located in a core data content network, at least one mobile policy rule associated with a mobile subscriber. The method further includes transmitting, from the MOG, the at least one mobile policy rule to a user equipment (UE) located outside of the core data content network, wherein the UE is associated with the mobile subscriber and configuring the UE to function in accordance to the at least one mobile policy rule.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for communicating RAN congestion status information for large numbers of users are disclosed. In one example, a method for communicating RAN congestion status information for a large number of users includes steps performed PCRF including one or more processors. The method further includes receiving a user-specific message from an RCAF. The method further includes determining that the user-specific message indicates that one or more eNodeBs monitored by the RCAF is congested for a plurality of users using the one or more eNodeBs for radio access to a telecommunications network. The method further includes, in response to determining that the user-specific message indicates that the one or more eNodeBs are congested, performing one or more actions to mitigate the congestion.

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: 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: 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 communicating RAN congestion status information for large numbers of users are disclosed. In one example, a method for communicating RAN congestion status information for a large number of users includes steps performed PCRF including one or more processors. The method further includes receiving a user-specific message from an RCAF. The method further includes determining that the user-specific message indicates that one or more eNodeBs monitored by the RCAF is congested for a plurality of users using the one or more eNodeBs for radio access to a telecommunications network. The method further includes, in response to determining that the user-specific message indicates that the one or more eNodeBs are congested, performing one or more actions to mitigate the congestion.

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.

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 and charging 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: A Diameter based network that includes nodes and accommodates Diameter communication sessions between nodes establishes a first Diameter communication session between a first node and a second node, and at some point determines that the first Diameter communication session is lost. The first node generates a query using a second Diameter communication session that is a different session than the first Diameter communication session. The first node transmits the query to the second node, where the query includes a session type and key identifiers for the first Diameter communication session. The second node re-establishes the first Diameter communication session with the first node and transmits, in response to the query, an indication that the first Diameter communication session exists.

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: A policy and charging rules function (PCRF), generates a Diameter audit message concerning an application level Diameter session for which local resources are maintained by the PCRF. The PCRF includes, in the audit message, a fake parameter value. The PCRF sends the audit message with the fake parameter value to the OCS or the AF over an Sy or Rx interface. The PCRF receives a response to the audit message from the OCS or AF. The PCRF determines, based on the response, whether the application level session comprises and orphan session. The PCRF, in response to determining that the application level Diameter session comprises an orphan session frees the local resources maintained by the PCRF for the orphan session.

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 and charging 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: A Diameter based network that includes nodes and accommodates Diameter communication sessions between nodes establishes a first Diameter communication session between a first node and a second node, and at some point determines that the first Diameter communication session is lost. The first node generates a query using a second Diameter communication session that is a different session than the first Diameter communication session. The first node transmits the query to the second node, where the query includes a session type and key identifiers for the first Diameter communication session. The second node re-establishes the first Diameter communication session with the first node and transmits, in response to the query, an indication that the first Diameter communication session exists.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes systems, methods, and computer readable media for utilizing quota usage policy control in a Diameter-based communication network. An exemplary method includes, at a policy server, sending a request for quota usage information associated with a subscriber to an online charging system (OCS) node. The method further includes receiving the quota usage information from the OCS node, generating at least one policy and charging control (PCC) rule for modifying a quality of service (QoS) policy attribute associated with the subscriber based on the quota usage information, and communicating the at least one PCC rule to a Diameter network element.

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: 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: A policy and charging rules function (PCRF), generates a Diameter audit message concerning an application level Diameter session for which local resources are maintained by the PCRF. The PCRF includes, in the audit message, a fake parameter value. The PCRF sends the audit message with the fake parameter value to the OCS or the AF over an Sy or Rx interface. The PCRF receives a response to the audit message from the OCS or AF. The PCRF determines, based on the response, whether the application level session comprises and orphan session. The PCRF, in response to determining that the application level Diameter session comprises an orphan session frees the local resources maintained by the PCRF for the orphan session.

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 and charging 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 distributing policy rules from a data content network to user equipment in a mobile network are disclosed. In one example, the method includes obtaining, by a mobile offload gateway (MOG) located in a core data content network, at least one mobile policy rule associated with a mobile subscriber. The method further includes transmitting, from the MOG, the at least one mobile policy rule to a user equipment (UE) located outside of the core data content network, wherein the UE is associated with the mobile subscriber and configuring the UE to function in accordance to the at least one mobile policy rule.

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.