Mobile gateways in pool for session resilience

摘要

Embodiments of the invention include a method for providing UE session resilience performed in a first PDN-GW that is coupled to a second PDN-GW, which are both in a PDN-GW pool. The method provides UE session resilience by allowing the first PDN-GW to provide connectivity for UE sessions previously serviced by the second PDN-GW after the second PDN-GW becomes non-operational. The first PDN-GW recognizes that the second PDN-GW failed and then activates a plurality of standby UE sessions. Each standby UE session is a backup UE session corresponding to a previously active UE session serviced on the second PDN-GW. Each standby UE session is associated with a UE device and a network resource identifier of an APN slice. The first PDN-GW transmits a message to a SGW that is servicing the UE sessions that indicates that the SGW should direct traffic previously bound for the second PDN-GW to the first PDN-GW.

主权项

1. A method in a first packet data network gateway (PDN-GW) in a PDN-GW pool of a plurality of PDN-GWs providing data connectivity between user equipment (UE) devices and an external PDN, wherein the first PDN-GW is communicatively coupled to a second PDN-GW in the PDN-GW pool, the method for providing UE session resilience by allowing the first PDN-GW to provide connectivity for a UE session previously serviced by the second PDN-GW after the second PDN-GW becomes non-operational, the method comprising:
receiving, from the second PDN-GW, a Create Session Request message for the UE session, wherein the second PDN-GW received another Create Session Request message for the UE session from a Serving Gateway (SGW), and wherein the second PDN-GW is to become the active PDN-GW for the UE session; transmitting, to the SGW, a Create Session Response message indicating that the first PDN-GW will be a standby PDN-GW for the UE session and further indicating an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the first PDN-GW; receiving, from the second PDN-GW, session information of the UE session; and responsive to detecting that the second PDN-GW has entered or is about to enter into a non-operational state, switching to become the active PDN-GW for the UE session.