BoardHop PCRF
BoardHop PCRF
BoardHop PCRF
Ian Campbell, Chief Architect, BroadHop, Inc. and Chase Wolfinger Senior Technical Architect, BroadHop, Inc.
To successfully rollout global broadband services, network service providers need to control, monetize, and personalize their networks in order to maximize their return on investment (ROI) and satisfy todays savvy subscribers. Meeting these needs requires multiple levels of service, realtime charging and quota management, on-demand and location-based applications, real-time service provisioning, quota and pre-paid services, admission and access control, as well as voice, video, and data services that can be transported across multiple access network types. Significantly more complex than the earliest networks, these next-generation networks must have the granularity to control access for each individual subscriber, have the ability to automatically adjust a subscribers services in real time, and communicate with each subscriber, even while working across converged, multi-access (wireless and wireline) networks. How is this achieved? By implementing a policy-driven approach, network service providers can automate user self-provisioning, engage in two-way interactive communication with subscribers, maintain control, charge accordingly, and maximize their ROI. The newest tool to achieve this is the policy charging and rules function (PCRF), which centralizes network policy control.
What is PCRF?
It is a little hard to explain what PCRF is without first addressing a number of initials and acronyms. As a start, PCRF stands for policy charging and rules function, and it evolved out of the 3GPP (third generation partnership product for 3G mobile networks) specification as a component for IP Multimedia Subsystem networks (IMS), an architectural framework for delivering multimedia services using Internet Protocol (IP), a common transport protocol that allows for access independence and enables a single-core multimedia network. (Today, PCRF is not exclusively tied to IMS networks but is applicable across many network types.) To better understand how PCRF fits into a network, it might be helpful to take a step back and gain a basic understanding of IMS and policy itself. First, IMS1 is a network infrastructure that was specifically designed to handle detailed, real-time multimedia services that incorporate audio and video components.2 IMS uses the session initiation protocol (SIP), which was developed for Internet traffic, to enable session setup and teardown. In addition, IMS typically uses the Diameter protocol (which was derived from the RADIUS protocol)3 for policy and charging control (PCC). An important contribution of IMS is that it introduced the concept of access technology independence, meaning that various wireless and wireline access networks and interfaces could come together in a single core network. Originally introduced as part of the 3GPP IMS standardization effort in order to dynamically authorize and link IMS sessions with mobile packet access resources, today policy plays a key role in the functionality of an IMS, 3G, or Long Term Evolution (LTE) network (regardless of the access technology or air interface). Policy encompasses the business and technological rules that govern which network services a subscriber can access, at what bandwidth level, when, and for how long. Generally speaking, the policy function queries, coordinates, and adjusts all of the network resources to provide the required services to individual, authorized subscribers. It identifies the appropriate policy rules for the situation and enforces them.4
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So, what is this IMS thingy?? http://theimsjungle.wordpress.com/. April 27, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2009. Boden, John. IMS:Addressing the infrastructure challenges of converged multimedia services delivery http://www.nortel.com/corporate/news/collateral/ntj4_ims.pdf. Accessed December 11, 2009. Introduction to Diameter http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/wireless/library/wi-diameter/. Accessed December 8, 2009. Introduction to the Policy Function, http://www.wimax.com/commentary/spotlight/evolution-of-qos-and-charging-framework-in-wimax. Accessed December 8, 2009.
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Figure 1: An advanced PCRF solution can enable tiered, mobile services that personalize services and improve the quality of experience for each individual subscriber.
Despite its inception as part of the 3GPP initiative, the PCRF concept has evolved along its own path. While not necessarily tied to GSM, 3GPP, IMS, or LTE networks exclusively, the PCRF is typically compatible with them. Most importantly, PCRF enables the policy function for multimedia networks. As a policy tool, the PCRF plays a central role in next-generation networks. Unlike earlier policy engines that were added on to an existing network to enforce policy, the PCRF is a software component that operates at the network core and efficiently accesses subscriber databases and other specialized functions, such as a charging systems, in a scalable, reliable, and centralized manner. One could think of the PCRF as the part of the network architecture that aggregates information to and from the network, operational support systems, and other sources (such as portals) in real time, supporting the creation of rules and then automatically making intelligent policy decisions for each subscriber active on the network. Such a network might offer multiple services, quality of service (QoS) levels, and charging rules. Figure 1 shows a policy-based, tiered, mobile-services use case. In this example, the advanced PCRF policy server acts on direct customer requests to manage service plans, service classes, and available bandwidth. It interacts with multiple network elements including policy and charging enforcement functions (PCEFs) such as mobile gateway GPRS support nodes (GGSNs) and deep packet inspection devices (DPIs). In addition, this advanced PCRF solution uses charging system and subscriber database information to deliver personalized and profitable services. As an example of personalized services, a subscriber could access a network portal and sign up to try a turbo boost feature for an hour, sending a message to the PCRF through the portal. After the PCRF receives the request, it sends a message to upgrade that particular subscribers Mb/s rate and updates billing records.
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Depending on the PCRF product selected, the following applications or use cases may be supported: Fair Usage and Quota Control
When fair usage is activated, the service provider defines indicators that automatically reduce the bandwidth for a particular service or user, optimizing the load on network resources and user experiences for all subscribers in real time. Automated quota control, usage notifications, and redirecting users to a payment or services portal when quota is reached may also be supported.
Network/Smartphone Congestion
Bandwidth-intensive applications such as streaming video are becoming more popular, but they can result in network congestion during peak hours. Using real-time information from the access network, the PCRF allows the service provider to restrict a subscribers usage based on user class and/or apply fair use policies to intensive-use subscribers during times of congestion.
Parental Control
Parental control and enterprise control are important features for todays networks. With this feature, parents or enterprises can limit access to certain services during specific times of the day and apply content filtering. If a restriction is detected, the session may be redirected to a notification server and denied access to the regulated services.
Service Bundling
With this feature, service providers can use the PCRF to manage services as a group or a bundle rather than individually. They can also rapidly create tiered services, offering diversified packages to appeal to a broad range of subscribers.
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Charging Policies
PCRF can provide service providers with a range of charging policies. For example, they can easily enact postpaid/prepaid charging categories, activate prepaid accounts, and define and offer hourly/daily/monthly data passes.
Roaming Services
With PCRFs location-based policies, it is possible to rapidly enact roaming controls, allow or restrict services depending on geography, track variable billing schemes that are based on location (e.g. domestic, international), and set up home-zone charging plans.
Promotions
A PCRF can be used to quickly design, launch, and enforce special promotions, including bandwidth on demand or turbo button services.
However before selecting a policy solution, be sure to determine these capabilities: Service Velocity and Flexibility
Given how rapidly the broadband market is changing, do you know exactly what applications, services, and network equipment you will need now and over the next 36 months? If yes, then you can select any policy vendor. If not, then it is critical to select an open platform that allows rapid deployment of new policy as new capabilities are added. Without an open platform, such as the Quantum Network Suite from BroadHop, service providers will more than likely have to go back to the vendor for new code. With an open platform, Java-trained systems integrators can develop the new code. With the Quantum Network Suite, for example, developers can leverage the Open Policy SDK (which allows operators to build new APIs to extend the platform on their own) and Policy Builder (which allows rapid deployment of new policy rules).
Two-Way Interaction
The development and uptake of smartphones have dramatically changed the way consumers use their mobile devices on your network. Radio access networks that were originally designed to handle cellular voice calls are being overwhelmed. Even after upgrading networks to increase bandwidth for voice, data, and video services, service providers can greatly benefit from a policy server that can automatically communicate with subscribers about the current network status and service upgrade options. An advanced PCRF solution, such as the Quantum Network Suite, can effectively manage bandwidth and service tiers for subscribers, ensuring quality of service for premium subscribers, and offering automatic upgrades for other subscribers.
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Multi-technology Support
Todays networks use multiple access technologies and are made up of legacy and new network equipment. The PCRF solution should support all of these access technologies and network types, including Wi-Fi offload support in a converged wireline/wireless network.
Scaling
Ensure that the policy solution makes it possible to easily add extra capacity into the network. Much of the newer access technologies, such as LTE and Wi-Fi, are always-on architectures, which demand more capacity as subscribers move around the network.
For more information on how the BroadHop Quantum Network Suite can address today's network challenges, visit http://www.broadhop.com/products_qns.html or contact BroadHop at [email protected].
2010 BroadHop, Inc. All Rights Reserved 6/14/2010 6