Network-initiated connection transfer
Apparatus, systems, computer-readable media, and methods for switching user plane function nodes associated with connections in communication systems are described. Some embodiments include moving one or more existing traffic flows from a first connection with a data network to a second connection with the data network, wherein the first connection at least partially overlaps, in time, with the second connection.
1. One or more non-transitory, computer-readable media having instructions that, when executed, cause processing circuitry to:
determine to switch a user equipment (UE) from a first user plane function (UPF) node associated with a first connection with a data network, wherein the first connection is associated with a first Internet protocol (IP) address or prefix; and
generate a message to cause the UE to switch from the first UPF node to a second UPF node associated with a second connection with the data network, wherein the second connection is associated with a second IP address or prefix,
wherein one or more existing traffic flows are moved from the first connection to the second connection, and the first connection at least partially overlaps, in time, with the second connection.
2. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 1 , wherein the message is a non-access stratum (NAS) message to be transmitted to the UE.
3. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 1 , wherein the message is a first message and the instructions, when executed, further cause the processing circuitry to:
generate a second message to be transmitted to the UE, the second message to include at least a portion of the second IP address or prefix.
4. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 3 , wherein the second message is a router advertisement message that includes an IPv6 prefix.
5. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processing circuitry to: instruct one or more user-plane nodes to establish the second connection.
6. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processing circuitry to:
select the second UPF node based on a geographical proximity of the UE to the second UPF node.
7. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processing circuitry to:
instruct the first UPF node to release the first connection.
8. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is to be implemented in a control-plane network node.
9. One or more non-transitory, computer-readable media having instructions that, when executed, cause processing circuitry to:
establish a first connection with a data network, wherein the first connection is associated with a first user plane function (UPF) node and a first Internet Protocol (IP) address or prefix;
process a message received from a control-plane network node;
establish, based on the message, a second connection with the data network, wherein the second connection is associated with a second UPF node and a second IP address or prefix; and
move one or more existing traffic flows from the first connection to the second connection, wherein the first connection at least partially overlaps, in time, with the second connection.
10. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 9 , wherein the message is a non-access stratum (NAS) message.
11. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 9 , wherein the message is a first message and the instructions, when executed, further cause the processing circuitry to:
process a second message, from the control-plane network node, to identify at least a portion of the second IP address or prefix.
12. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the second message is a router advertisement message.
13. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 12 , wherein the second IP address or prefix includes an IPv6 prefix.
14. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 9 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processing circuitry to:
identify routing rules; and
generate a signal, based on the routing rules, to transmit data from an application via the second connection.
15. A method comprising:
establishing a first connection with a data network, wherein the first connection is associated with a first user plane function (UPF) node and a first Internet Protocol (IP) address or prefix;
processing a message received from a control-plane network node;
establishing, based on the message, a second connection with the data network, wherein the second connection is associated with a second UPF node and a second IP address or prefix; and
moving one or more existing traffic flows from the first connection to the second connection, wherein the first connection at least partially overlaps, in time, with the second connection.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the message is a non-access stratum (NAS) message.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the message is a first message and the method further comprises:
processing a second message, from the control-plane network node, to identify at least a portion of the second IP address or prefix.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the second message is a router advertisement message.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the second IP address or prefix includes an IPv6 prefix.
20. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
identifying routing rules; and
generating a signal, based on the routing rules, to transmit data from an application via the second connection.