Method, apparatus and computer program for enforcing policy across associated sessions taking into account a total usage quota for associated user

摘要

A server configured to provide a policy decision point for a packet-based communication network. The server comprises a user account manager for maintaining and/or determining, for each of a plurality of users, an available total usage quota and a set of registered, linked connection identifiers. A request handler is provided for receiving from a policy enforcement point, a request for allocation of a quota in respect of a packet session associated with a specified connection identifier. A quota determiner responds to receipt of a quota request by determining a quota for said packet session taking into account the total usage quota for the associated user and any currently ongoing sessions associated with other connection identifiers belonging to the same set as said specified connection identifier. A responder is provided for sending the determined quota to said policy enforcement point.