To core network functions
In one aspect, a control plane Interworking Function (IWF-C) is used to establish a Packet Data Unit (PDU) session in a data communications network. A create session request is received, for example from a Mobile Management Entity (MME). A create session management context request is generated by the IWF-C and transmitted to a Session Management Function (SMF). A create session management context request response is received from the SMF. A create session request response is generated by the IWF-C and sent, for example to the MME. In other aspects, control plane policy interworking and user plane interworking is provided between components of 4G and 5G networks.
1 . A method of controlling a Packet Data Unit (PDU) session in a data communications network, the method comprising:
receiving, by a component of the data communications network, a Policy Control Function (PCF) request from a Session Management Function (SMF) of a 5G network, the component configured to implement interworking functionality between a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) of a 4G network and the SMF of the 5G network;
generating, by the component of the data communications network, a PCRF request based on the PCF request;
transmitting, by the component of the data communications network, the PCRF request to the PCRF via a Gx interface operable to enable 5G components to access the PCRF of the 4G network;
receiving, by the component of the data communications network, a PCRF request response from the PCRF via the PCRF interface;
generating, by the component of the data communications network, a PCF request response based on the PCRF request response; and
transmitting, by the component of the data communications network, the PCF request response to the SMF via an SMF interface.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the component is an interworking function (IWF).
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the PCF request is received over an N7 interface and the PCF request response is transmitted over the N7 interface.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the PCRF request is transmitted over a Gx interface and the PCRF request response is received over the Gx interface.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the generating of the PCRF request comprises transforming the received PCF request.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the generating of the PCF request response comprises transforming the received PCRF request response.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the component of the data communications network is configured to communicate with the SMF as a PCF component over an N7 interface.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the component of the data communications network is configured to communicate with to the PCRF as a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) over a Gx interface.
9 . A system configured to implement interworking functionality between a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) of a 4G network and a Session Management Function (SMF) of a 5G network, the system comprising:
one or more processors; and
a memory in communication with the one or more processors, the memory having computer-readable instructions stored thereupon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to perform operations comprising:
receiving a Policy Control Function (PCF) request from a Session Management Function (SMF) of a 5G network;
generating a PCRF request based on the PCF request;
transmitting the PCRF request to the PCRF via a Gx interface operable to enable 5G components to access the PCRF of the 4G network;
receiving a PCRF request response from the PCRF via the PCRF interface;
generating a PCF request response based on the PCRF request response; and
transmitting the PCF request response to the SMF via an SMF interface.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the operations are performed by an interworking function (IWF).
11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the PCF request is received over an N7 interface and the PCF request response is transmitted over the N7 interface.
12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the PCRF request is transmitted over a Gx interface and the PCRF request response is received over the Gx interface.
13 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the generating of the PCRF request comprises transforming the received PCF request.
14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the generating of the PCF request response comprises transforming the received PCRF request response.
15 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the system is configured to communicate with the SMF as a PCF component over an N7 interface and communicate with to the PCRF as a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) over a Gx interface.
16 . A non-transitory computer storage medium storing computer-readable instructions that when executed by a processor of a system, cause the system to:
receive a Policy Control Function (PCF) request from a Session Management Function (SMF) of a 5G network;
generate a PCRF request based on the PCF request;
transmit the PCRF request to the PCRF via a Gx interface operable to enable 5G components to access the PCRF of the 4G network;
receive a PCRF request response from the PCRF via the PCRF interface;
generate a PCF request response based on the PCRF request response; and
transmit the PCF request response to the SMF via an SMF interface.
17 . The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 16 , wherein the PCF request is received over an N7 interface and the PCF request response is transmitted over the N7 interface.
18 . The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 16 , wherein the PCRF request is transmitted over a Gx interface and the PCRF request response is received over the Gx interface.
19 . The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 16 , wherein the generating of the PCF request response comprises transforming the received PCRF request response.
20 . The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 16 , wherein the system is configured to communicate with the SMF as a PCF component over an N7 interface and communicate with to the PCRF as a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) over a Gx interface.