Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (publ)

Jan Backman

Stefan Rommer

Göran Hall

Lasse Olsson

Qian Chen

Maria Luisa Mas Rosique

Åsa Larsen

Jari Tapio Vikberg

Yong Yang

Attila Mihály

Gunnar Rydnell

Elena Myhre

Mattias Wahlqvist

Fredrik Garneij

Folke Ahlström

Hans Bertil Rönneke

Magnus Hallenstål

Dinand Roeland

György Miklós

Jari Arkko

Ari Keränen

Peter Ramle

Wenliang Xu

Ann-Christine Sander

Daniel Nilsson

Hans-Olof Sundell

Kaj Johansson

Krister Norlund

Per Svedberg

Magnus Olsson

Peter Jason

Linus Magnusson

Johan Kopman

Kim Martinsen

Anders Engstrom

A technique for generating an internet protocol, IP, address according to IPv6, for access to one of a plurality of wireless devices connected or connectable to a wireless network from an application node in a communications network is provided. As to a method aspect of the technique, an IPv6 address for access from the application node in the communications network to a respective one of the wireless devices is generated based on a subnet identifier of the wireless network and a device identifier of the respective one of the wireless devices. The generated IPv6 address is provided for the access from the application node in the communications network.

Generating or providing IPV6 addresses

The present disclosure relates to Edge Computing enhancements by provisioning applications with mobile network provided Domain Name System (DNS) settings. In one embodiment, a method performed by a User Equipment (UE), which supports an Edge Application Server (EAS) discovery procedure with an Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF), includes receiving a DNS setting provided by a mobile network, and storing a first copy of the DNS setting provided by the mobile network as a first DNS setting and a second copy of the DNS setting provided by the mobile network. Herein, the stored first DNS setting is not impacted by any changes made to the second copy of the DNS setting provided by the mobile network.

Provisioning applications with mobile network provided DNS settings

A Session Management Function, SMF, () determines that a first data path for a Packet Data Unit, PDU, session between an application client () and a first edge application server, EAS, () should be relocated from a first local PDU session anchor, PSA, () and a first uplink classifier and branching point, ULCL/BP, () to a second PSA () and a second ULCL/BP (). Further, the SMF () determines an edge client subnet, ECS, associated with the second PSA (). Further, the SMF () sends, to an application function, AF, () associated with the application client (), a notification of the relocation. The notification includes an identifier of the ECS and a data network access identifier, DNAI, associated with the second PSA (). From the AF (), the SMF () receives a response that includes an identifier of a second EAS () and the DNAI associated with the second PSA (). Based on the response, the SMF () establishes a second data path for the PDU session between the application client () and the second EAS () via the second PSA () and the second ULCL/BP ().

Coordination of edge application server reselection using edge client subnet

An Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) adapted for taking part in handover from a 5G system (5GS) to an Evolved Packet System (EPS).

PDN and PDU session type mapping and capability discovery

There is provided mechanisms for communicating non-IP data over a PDN of PDN type IPv4, IPv6, or IPv4IPv6. A method is performed by a core network gateway node. The method comprises communicating IP packets over a packet data network of PDN type IPv4, IPv6, or IPv4IPv6 with an application server, the IP packets comprising an IP header and being addressed to a wireless device. The method comprises communicating header-less payload packets over the packet data network with the wireless device. The header-less payload packets correspond to the IP packets having the IP header removed and represent the non-IP data.

Communication of non-IP data over packet data networks

The disclosure relates to a method executed in a domain name system (DNS) proxy, and to a DNS proxy, apparatus or system for application server (AS) discovery for edge computing in a mobile network. The method comprises receiving a DNS query from a user equipment (UE) with an application fully qualified domain name (FQDN). Based on FQDN, retrieving a location of the UE that sent the DNS query; adding subnet(s) or full IP address(es) of one or more preferred location for accessing to a data network (DN) as one or more Extension mechanisms for DNS (EDNS) client subnet (ECS) options in the DNS query; forwarding the DNS query to a mobile network operator (MNO) DNS; receiving a DNS response and based on the DNS response determining an AS site and AS IP address(es); requesting traffic steering and sending the DNS response to the UE.

Method for identification of traffic suitable for edge breakout and for traffic steering in a mobile network

A method, a wireless device and a session management node for IP version selection for a PDU session requested to be established by a WCD, that supports PDU sessions of both IPv4 and IPv6 and that is configured to operatively communicate via a RAN with a SM node in a core network, the method being performed by the WCD comprises: sending Sa first PDU session request message towards the SM node requesting establishment of a first PDU session, which request message comprises IP-version information indicating that the IP version of the requested first PDU session should be any one of IPv4 or IPv6; and receiving S, S, in response to sending the first PDU session request message, a first response message, which first response message comprises WCD information indicating the IP-version (i.e. IPv4 or IPv6) that has been selected for the requested first PDU session.

Selection of IP version

Disclosed herein is a method for implementing conditional packet forwarding control rules, performed by User Plane Function (UPF). The method comprises: receiving, from a Control Plane Function (CPF) a packet forwarding control rule comprising one or more rule enforcement conditions; and applying the packet forwarding control rule according to the rule enforcement condition(s).

Conditional packets forward control rules

Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF, adapted for taking part in handover from a 5G system, 5GS, to an Evolved Packet System, EPS, an interface being provided between a Mobility Management Entity, MME, of the EPS and the AMF. The AMF being adapted for signalling with a Session Management Function and Packet Data Network, PDN, Gateway-Control plane, SMF and PGW-C, entity, the AMF being adapted for&#x2014;providing a request (-) to the SMF and PGW-C entity to provide a Session Management, SM, Context that also includes mapped EPS, Bearer Contexts (); &#x2014;wherein for PDU Sessions with PDU Session type Ethernet or Unstructured, providing () a capability of a target MME of supporting a Non-IP PDN type to the PGW-C and SMF entity in the request (-) to allow the PGW-C and SMF entity to determine whether or not to include an EPS Bearer context for non-IP PDN type; &#x2014;transmitting the request (-) to the SMF.

Disclosed herein is a method, a wireless device and a session management node for IP version selection for a PDU session requested to be established by a WCD, that supports PDU sessions of both IPv4 and IPv6 and that is configured to operatively communicate via a RAN with a SM node in a core network lot, the method being performed by the WCD comprises: sending S110 a first PDU session request message towards the SM node requesting establishment of a first PDU session, which request message comprises IP-version information indicating that the IP version of the requested first PDU session should be any one of IPv4 or IPv6; and receiving S, S, in response to sending the first PDU session request message, a first response message, which first response message comprises WCD information indicating the IP-version (i.e. IPv4 or IPv6) that has been selected for the requested first PDU session.

Systems and methods relating to selection of user plane functions in a core network and a radio access network of a cellular communications network that take into consideration information related to application server selection are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a network node in a cellular communications network that comprises a radio access network and a core network comprises selecting a user plane function for a protocol data unit session for a wireless device based on information related to application server selection such that the protocol data unit session for the wireless device utilizes the selected user plane function. In this manner, optimal user plane connectivity between an application client in the wireless device and an application server is provided.

Application topology aware user plane selection in NR and 5GC

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for coordinated selection of a User Plane Function (UPF) in a core network and a Packet Processing Function (PPF) in a radio access network. In some embodiments, a method of operation of network node of a cellular communications network to enable coordinated UPF and PPF selection comprises receiving information indicative of a UPF selected for a protocol data unit session of a wireless device, where the UPF is part of a core network of the cellular communications network. The method further comprises selecting a PPF for the protocol data unit session of the wireless device based on the information indicative of the UPF selected for the protocol data unit session of the wireless device, where the PPF is part of a radio access network of the cellular communications network. In this manner, an optimal routing of user data traffic can be achieved.

Coordinated selection of user plane functions in core and radio access networks

Systems and methods for efficient delivery of infrequent small data are provided. A system for providing communication infrequent small Protocol Data Units (PDUs) to/from a UE includes an Access Node (AN); a session management functions node; and a User Plane (UP) functions entity. The session management functions node receives a session setup request and selects the UP functions entity and a tunnel identifier associated with the UE. In case of an IP PDU session type, trigger an establishment of a UP. The UP functions entity creates a UE context for the UE; stores the UE context for the UE; completes an establishment in a Control Plane (CP); and provides the AN with uplink tunnel information. The AN stores the UE context and transmits a session setup response to the UE. In this way, an improved ratio of the signalling/user data relation may be obtained for devices sending infrequent small data.

Growing community of inventors

Kärna, Sweden

Jan Backman