Partitioned IP multimedia subsystem call session control function

1. A network system of a network service provider for providing IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) service to users within a leasing entity, the leasing entity providing a media application to the users, the network system comprising:

a plurality of network elements connected to form a core domain operated by the network service provider;

a master IMS instance configured within the core domain and including a core call session control function (CSCF) with a master CSCF address;

a partitioned IMS instance configured as a virtual core within the core domain and including 1) a partitioned CSCF with a partitioned CSCF address accessible by the users from outside the core domain and 2) a leasing-entity home subscriber server (HSS) storing user profiles identifying an application server providing the media application, wherein the leasing-entity HSS is accessed to obtain a corresponding user profile when a user of the leasing entity accesses the partitioned IMS using the partitioned CSCF address; and

an IMS service control interface between the master IMS instance, the partitioned IMS instance, and the application server so that the partitioned CSCF has access to the core CSCF via the master CSCF address for establishing transfer of media according to the media application as defined in the user profile.

2. The network system of claim 1 wherein the IMS service control interface comprises service point triggers transferred to the core CSCF from the leasing-entity HSS in response to a user profile.

3. The network system of claim 1 wherein the IMS service control interface sends session initiation protocol (SIP) messages to an identified application server including P-Headers inserted by the IMS service control interface in response to the user profiles.

4. The network system of claim 1 further comprising an application server coupled to the core domain for implementing the media application, wherein the master IMS instance is configured for accessing the application server, and wherein the partitioned IMS instance accesses the application server through the IMS service control interface and the master IMS instance.

5. The network system of claim 1 further comprising a core home subscriber server (HSS), wherein the core HSS and the leasing-entity HSS are coupled via the IMS service control interface for sharing user data between the master IMS instance and the partitioned IMS instance.

6. The network system of claim 1 wherein the partitioned CSCF includes a Proxy-CSCF and wherein the core CSCF includes a Serving-CSCF.

7. The network system of claim 1 wherein the partitioned CSCF and the core CSCF each include a respective Interrogating-CSCF.

8. The network system of claim 7 wherein the Interrogating-CSCFs are chained together.

9. The network system of claim 1 further comprising:

a second partitioned IMS instance for a second leasing entity configured as a virtual core within the core domain and including 1) a second partitioned CSCF with a second partitioned CSCF address accessible by users of the second leasing entity from outside the core domain and 2) a second leasing-entity home subscriber server (HSS) storing user profiles identifying an application server providing a second media application, wherein the second leasing-entity HSS is accessed to obtain a corresponding user profile when a second user of the second leasing entity accesses the second partitioned IMS using the second partitioned CSCF address;

wherein the IMS service control interface further interfaces between the master IMS instance and the second partitioned IMS instance so that the second partitioned CSCF has access to the core CSCF via the master CSCF address for establishing transfer of media according to the second media application as defined in the second user profile, and wherein the IMS service control interfaces between the first and second partitioned IMS instances to enable sharing of services between the leasing entities.

10. A method of providing IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) service from within a core domain operated by a network service provider to users of a leasing entity, comprising the steps of:

configuring an instance of a master IMS within the core domain including a core call session control function (CSCF) with a master CSCF address;

configuring a partitioned IMS instance as a virtual core within the core domain and including 1) a partitioned CSCF with a partitioned CSCF address accessible by the users from outside the core domain and 2) a leasing-entity home subscriber server (HSS) storing user profiles identifying an application server providing a media application of the leasing entity;

directing a service request for the media application addressed to the partitioned CSCF address and received by the core domain to the partitioned IMS;

the partitioned IMS determining proper handling of the request by accessing a user profile of the user;

the partitioned IMS forwarding the service request to the master IMS via the master CSCF address; and

the master IMS controlling a call session between the user and the media application.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of:

transferring service point triggers to the core CSCF from the leasing-entity HSS in response to a user profile.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of the master IMS controlling a call session includes sending session initiation protocol (SIP) messages to an identified application server including P-Headers inserted by an IMS service control (ISC) interface in response to the user profiles.