Network traffic management
There is provided a method performed by an entity for managing traffic between a network gateway and an application server. In response to a user equipment (UE) connecting to or disconnecting from the network gateway, a network prefix assigned to a DNS view is updated ( 102 ). The network prefix comprises one or more internet protocol (IP) addresses that each identify a UE that is connected to the network gateway and to which the DNS view is accessible. Traffic between the network gateway and the application server is steered according to the DNS view to which the updated network prefix is assigned.
1 . A method performed by a computing device for managing traffic between a network gateway and an application server, the method comprising:
collecting one or more policies;
receiving a notification that a user equipment (UE) has connected to or disconnected from the network gateway, the notification comprising an identifier of the UE;
updating a network prefix that is currently assigned to a domain name service (DNS) view in response to receiving the notification and based on the one or more policies that are applicable to the UE, the updating comprising:
calculating a second network prefix;
assigning the calculated second network prefix to the DNS view at one or more DNS servers that comprise the DNS view, the second network prefix being different from the first network prefix; and
unassigning the first network prefix from the DNS view at the one or more DNS servers that comprise the DNS view;
the first network prefix that is currently assigned to the DNS view comprising two or more internet protocol (IP) addresses that each identify a UE that is connected to the network gateway; and
traffic between the network gateway and the application server being steered according to the DNS view when the traffic originates from a UE having an IP address that falls within the network prefix currently assigned to the DNS view.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein updating the first network prefix assigned to the DNS view comprises:
deleting the first network prefix that is currently assigned to the DNS view.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein:
deleting the first network prefix that is currently assigned to the DNS view is performed in response to the UE disconnecting from the network gateway; and/or
assigning the second network prefix to the DNS view is performed in response to the UE connecting to the network gateway.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein:
deleting the first network prefix that is currently assigned to the DNS view comprises deleting the first network prefix at one or more DNS servers that comprise the DNS view; and/or
assigning the second network prefix to the DNS view comprises assigning the second network prefix at the one or more DNS servers that comprise the DNS view.
5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising identifying the one or more DNS servers that comprise the DNS view to which the first network prefix is assigned.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the notification comprises an identifier that identifies:
the UE that is connecting to or disconnecting from the network gateway; and/or
the network gateway.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the notification comprises the second network prefix.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more policies are associated with the UE only or a group of UEs that comprises the UE.
9 . A computing device comprising:
processing circuitry and memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the computing device is configured to:
collect one or more policies;
receive a notification that a user equipment (UE) has connected to or disconnected from a network gateway, the notification comprising an identifier of the UE;
update a first network prefix that is currently assigned to a domain name service (DNS) view in response to receiving the notification and based on the one or more policies that are applicable to the UE, the updating comprising:
calculate a second network prefix;
assign the calculated second network prefix to the DNS view at one or more DNS servers that comprise the DNS view, the second network prefix being different from the first network prefix; and
unassign the first network prefix from the DNS view at the one or more DNS servers that comprise the DNS view;
the first network prefix that is currently assigned to the DNS view comprising two or more internet protocol (IP) addresses that each identify a UE that is connected to the network gateway; and
traffic between the network gateway and an application server being steered according to the DNS view when the traffic originates from a UE having an IP address that falls within the network prefix currently assigned to the DNS view.
10 . The computing device of claim 9 , wherein to update the first network prefix assigned to the DNS view, the computing device is configured to:
delete the first network prefix that is currently assigned to the DNS view.
11 . The computing device of claim 10 , wherein the computing device is configured to:
delete the first network prefix that is currently assigned to the DNS view in response to the UE disconnecting from the network gateway; and/or
assign the second network prefix to the DNS view in response to the UE connecting to the network gateway.
12 . The computing device of claim 10 , wherein the computing device is configured to:
delete the first network prefix that is currently assigned to the DNS view at one or more DNS servers that comprise the DNS view; and/or
assign the second network prefix to the DNS view at the one or more DNS servers that comprise the DNS view.
13 . The computing device of claim 12 , wherein the computing device is further configured to identify the one or more DNS servers that comprise the DNS view to which the first network prefix is assigned.
14 . The computing device of claim 9 , wherein the notification comprises an identifier that identifies:
the UE that is connecting to or disconnecting from the network gateway; and/or
the network gateway.
15 . The computing device of claim 9 , wherein the notification comprises the second network prefix.
16 . A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on processing circuitry of a computing device, cause the processing circuitry to:
collect one or more policies;
receive a notification that a user equipment (UE) has connected to or disconnected from a network gateway, the notification comprising an identifier of the UE;
update a first network prefix that is currently assigned to a domain name service (DNS) view in response to receiving the notification and based on the one or more policies that are applicable to the UE, the updating comprising:
calculate a second network prefix;
assign the calculated second network prefix to the DNS view at one or more DNS servers that comprise the DNS view, the second network prefix being different from the first network prefix; and
unassign the first network prefix from the DNS view at the one or more DNS servers that comprise the DNS view;
the first network prefix that is currently assigned to the DNS view comprising two or more internet protocol (IP) addresses that each identify a UE that is connected to the network gateway; and
traffic between the network gateway and an application server being steered according to the DNS view when the traffic originates from a UE having an IP address that falls within the network prefix currently assigned to the DNS view.