Functions and methods for handling pre-configured profiles for sets of detection and enforcement rules

1. A method, performed by a user plane function (UPF), for handling pre-configured profiles for sets of detection and enforcement rules, wherein the UPF comprises one or more pre-configured profiles applicable to any session, wherein each pre-configured profile comprises a set of detection and enforcement rules, and wherein each pre-configured profile comprises a profile identity (ID) for identifying the pre-configured profile and the set of detection or enforcement rules for the pre-configured profile, the method comprising the UPF:

sending, to a control plane function (CPF), information indicating that the UPF supports pre configuration of the one or more profiles for the sets of detection and enforcement rules;

receiving, from the CPF, a first request for session establishment comprising at least one indication for profile activation for each pre-configured profile to be activated, wherein the at least one indication for profile activation comprises the profile ID of the pre-configured profile to be activated;

establishing the session indicated in the first request;

for the established session, activating the at least one pre-configured profile identified by the profile ID by instantiating the set of detection and enforcement rules for the pre-configured profile,

wherein the pre-configured profile is a pre-configured Packet Detection Rule (PDR) profile for the set of detection and enforcement rules, wherein each rule of the set of detection and enforcement rules is a PDR, wherein each pre-configured PDR profile is associated with a profile precedence, wherein the UPF comprises a rule precedence offset associated with each PDR in the set of detection and enforcement rules of the pre-configured PDR profile,

wherein the method further comprises determining an instantiated precedence based on the profile precedence and the rule precedence offset, and

wherein when the instantiated set of detection and enforcement rules are Forwarding Action Rules (FARs), the indication for profile activation comprises at least one remote Fully Qualified-Tunnel Endpoint Identifier (F-TEID) and an associated remote F-TEID index, wherein a parameter identified by the remote F-TEID index is replaced by a remote F-TEID value and is included in the instantiated FAR.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, from the CPF, a second request for session modification comprising at least one modified detection and enforcement rule; and

replacing at least one of the pre-configured detection and enforcement rules in the instantiated set with the at least one modified detection and enforcement rule for the established session.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

receiving, from the CPF, a third request for session modification comprising at least one additional detection and enforcement rule; and

combining the at least one additional detection and enforcement rule with at least one of the detection and enforcement rules of the instantiated set of detection and enforcement rules for the established session.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein, when the one or more pre-configured profiles is for the set of detection and enforcement rules being PDRs, the indication for profile activation comprises a Fully Qualified-Tunnel Endpoint Identifier (F-TEID) prefix and one or more User Equipment (UE) Internet Protocol (IP) address for the established session.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein

the F-TEID prefix and a UE IP address are matched with corresponding parameters in at least one of the PDRs in the pre-configured profile, and

the F-TEID prefix and the UE IP address replaces the corresponding parameters in the PDRs when they are instantiated.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein

the at least one remote F-TEID index is matched with the FARs in the pre-configured profile, and

the at least one remote F-TEID value replaces a corresponding parameter with the same remote F-TEID index in the received first request and included in the instantiated FAR.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pre-configured detection and enforcement rules are at least one of the PDR, a Forwarding Action Rule, a Quality of Service Enforcement Rule, a Usage Reporting Rule, or a Buffering Action Rule.

8. A user plane function (UPF), wherein the UPF comprises one or more pre-configured profiles applicable to any session, wherein each pre-configured profile comprises a set of detection and enforcement rules, and wherein each pre-configured profile comprises a profile identity (ID) for identifying the pre-configured profile and the set of detection or enforcement rules for the pre-configured profile, the UPF comprising:

processing circuitry; and

memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the UPF is operative to:

send, to a control plane function (CPF), information indicating that the user plane function supports pre-configuration of the one or more profiles for sets of detection and enforcement rules;

receive, from the CPF, a first request for session establishment comprising at least one indication for profile activation for each pre-configured profile to be activated; wherein the at least one indication profile activation comprises the profile ID of the pre-configured profile to be activated;

establish the session indicated in the first request;

for the established session, activate the at least one pre-configured profile identified by the profile ID by instantiating the set of detection and enforcement rules for the pre-configured profile,

wherein the pre-configured profile is a pre-configured Packet Detection Rule (PDR) profile for the set of detection and enforcement rules, wherein each rule of the set of detection and enforcement rules is a PDR, wherein each pre-configured PDR profile is associated with a profile precedence,

wherein the UPF comprises a rule precedence offset associated with each PDR in the set of detection and enforcement rules of the pre-configured PDR profile,

wherein the UPF is further operative to determine an instantiated precedence based on the profile precedence and the rule precedence offset, and

wherein when the instantiated set of detection and enforcement rules are Forwarding Action Rules (FARs), the indication for profile activation comprises at least one remote Fully Qualified-Tunnel Endpoint Identifier (F-TEID) and an associated remote F-TEID index, wherein a parameter identified by the remote F-TEID index is replaced by a remote F-TEID value and is included in the instantiated FAR.