Methods for handling packet filters for interworking between a service based architecture, SBA, network and an evolved packet system, EPS, network as well as corresponding devices

1 . A method performed by a session management function, SMF, in a service based architecture, SBA, network for handling packet filters related to a session of User Equipment, UE, in the SBA network, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting, by the SMF, to a Policy Control Function, PCF, in the SBA network, a policy control request in relation to the session of the UE with the SBA network;

receiving, by the SMF, from the PCF, a policy control response, the policy control response comprising applicable packet filters for the session of the UE with the SBA network;

determining, by said the SMF, that a number of the applicable packet filters received from said the PCF exceeds a number of packet filters supported by said the UE; and

transmitting, by the SMF, to the PCF, an update message with rule report comprising a failure code indicating that at least one of the applicable packet filters cannot be installed or updated due to that a maximum number of packet filters has been reached.

2 . The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the first transmitting step is performed as a consequence of a PDU session establishment request message transmitted by the UE.

3 . The method in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the number of packet filters supported by the UE is indicated in the PDU session establishment request message or the PDU session modification request message transmitted by the UE.

4 . The method in accordance with claim 2 , further comprising the step of:

marking, by the SMF, affected Policy and Charging Control, PCC, rules with packet filters not installed or updated, due to that a maximum number of packet filters has been reached, as inactive, wherein the update message with rule report also comprises the PCC rules marked as inactive.

5 . The method in accordance with claim 2 , further comprising the step of:

receiving, by the SMF, from the PCF, an updated policy decision determined by the PCF.

6 . The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the first transmitting step is performed as a consequence of a PDU session modification request message transmitted by the UE.

7 . The method in accordance with claim 6 , further comprising the step of:

marking, by the SMF, affected Policy and Charging Control, PCC, rules with packet filters not installed or updated, due to that a maximum number of packet filters has been reached, as inactive, wherein the update message with rule report also comprises the PCC rules marked as inactive.

8 . The method in accordance with claim 6 , further comprising the step of:

receiving, by the SMF, from the PCF, an updated policy decision determined by the PCF.

9 . The method in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

marking, by the SMF, affected Policy and Charging Control, PCC, rules with packet filters not installed or updated, due to that a maximum number of packet filters has been reached, as inactive, wherein the update message with rule report also comprises the PCC rules marked as inactive.

10 . The method in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

receiving, by the SMF, from the PCF, an updated policy decision determined by the PCF.

11 . A method performed by a Policy Control Function, PCF, in a service based architecture, SBA, network for handling packet filters related to a session of User Equipment, UE, in the SBA network, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving, by the PCF, from a Session Management Function, SMF, in SBA network, a policy control request in relation to a session of a User Equipment, UE, with the SBA network;

transmitting, by the PCF, to the SMF, a policy control response, the policy control response comprising applicable packet filters for the session of the UE with the SBA network; and

receiving, by the PCF, from the SMF, an update message with rule report comprising a failure code indicating that at least one of the applicable packet filters cannot be installed or updated due to that a maximum number of packet filters supported by the UE has been reached.

12 . The method in accordance with claim 11 , wherein the policy control request in relation to a session of a UE with the SBA network is received from the SMF as a consequence of a PDU session establishment request message or a PDU session modification request message transmitted by the UE.

13 . The method in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the number of packet filters supported by the UE is indicated in the PDU session establishment request message or the PDU session modification request message transmitted by the UE.

14 . The method in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the received update message with rule report also comprises affected Policy and Charging Control, PCC, rules with packet filters not installed or updated, due to that a maximum number of packet filters has been reached, marked as inactive by the SMF.

15 . The method in accordance with claim 12 , further comprising the step of:

transmitting, by the PCF, to the SMF, an updated policy decision determined by the PCF.

16 . The method in accordance with claim 7 , wherein the received update message with rule report also comprises affected Policy and Charging Control, PCC, rules with packet filters not installed or updated, due to that a maximum number of packet filters has been reached, marked as inactive by the SMF.

17 . The method in accordance with claim 11 , further comprising the step of:

transmitting, by said the PCF, to said the SMF, an updated policy decision determined by the PCF.

18 . A network node in a service based architecture, SBA, network, for handling packet filters related to a session of User Equipment, UE, in the SBA network, the network node comprising:

processing circuitry configured to:

transmit, to a Policy Control Function, PCF, in the SBA network, a policy control request in relation to the session of the UE with the SBA network;

receive, from the PCF, a policy control response, the policy control response comprising applicable packet filters for the session of the UE with the SBA network;

determine that a number of the applicable packet filters received from the PCF exceeds a number of packet filters supported by the UE; and

transmit, to the PCF, an update message with rule report comprising a failure code indicating that at least one of the applicable packet filters cannot be installed or updated due to that a maximum number of packet filters has been reached; and

power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the processing circuitry.

19 . A network node in a service based architecture, SBA, network, for handling packet filters related to a session of User Equipment, UE, in the SBA network, the network node comprising:

processing circuitry configured to:

transmit, to the SMF, a policy control response, the policy control response comprising applicable packet filters for the session of the UE with the SBA network; and

receive, from the SMF, an update message with rule report comprising a failure code indicating that at least one of the applicable packet filters cannot be installed or updated due to that a maximum number of packet filters supported by the UE has been reached; and

power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the processing circuitry.