Mechanism for executing server discovery

Abstract

A mechanism to ensure that the same server/proxy is selected by different server/proxy discovery mechanisms executed in a network control element and a terminal equipment, respectively. A first selection of a server/proxy is executed by a network control element on the basis of a first discovery procedure. Then, a second selection of a server/proxy is started by a terminal equipment on the basis of a second discovery procedure. A relay agent element is used for responding to the request on behalf of a configuration server or for modifying a configuration server response so that the same server/proxy is selected by the network control element and the terminal equipment.

1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, at a gateway network element, a packet data network request from a user equipment;   selecting, by the gateway network element, a policy control element based on a user identity;   causing transmission, by the gateway network element, of an initial message to the selected policy control element;   receiving, at the gateway network element, an authorization message from the selected policy control element; and   activating, by the gateway network element, a primary packet data network context in response to reception of the packet data network request and reception of the authorization message.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, at the gateway network element, an updated policy and charging control rule information from the selected policy control element; and   causing transmission, by the gateway network element, of a reauthorization request message to the selected policy control element.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selected policy control element comprises:
 an external policy and charging rules function; or   a policy and charging rules function collocated with the gateway network element, wherein if the policy and charging rules function is collocated with the gateway network element, the method further comprises:
 causing transmission, by the gateway network element, of one or more discovered addresses to the user equipment. 
   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user identity is provided by a mobile subscribed integrated services digital network. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the initial message comprises a credit control request message, and wherein the credit control request message comprises a context-type attribute value pair set to primary and an internet protocol address assigned to the user equipment. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the authorization messages comprises a credit control answer message, and wherein the credit control answer message comprises one or more of:
 a result attribute value pair set to success,   a maximum quality of service limit for the packet data network context; or   a preconfigured charging rule.   
     
     
         7 . An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and stored computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least:
 receive, at a gateway network element, a packet data network request from a user equipment;   select, by the gateway network element, a policy control element based on a user identity;   cause transmission, by the gateway network element, of an initial message to the selected policy control element;   receive, at the gateway network element, an authorization message from the selected policy control element; and   activate, by the gateway network element, a primary packet data network context in response to reception of the packet data network request and reception of the authorization message.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one memory and stored computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to further cause the apparatus to:
 Receive, at the gateway network element, an updated policy and charging control rule information from the selected policy control element; and   cause transmission, by the gateway network element, of a reauthorization request message to the selected policy control element.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the selected policy control element comprises:
 an external policy and charging rules function; or   a policy and charging rules function collocated with the gateway network element, wherein if the policy and charging rules function is collocated with the gateway network element, the at least one memory and stored computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to further cause the apparatus to:
 cause transmission, by the gateway network element, of one or more discovered addresses to the user equipment. 
   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the user identity is provided by a mobile subscribed integrated services digital network. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the initial message comprises a credit control request message, and wherein the credit control request message comprises a context-type attribute value pair set to primary and an internet protocol address assigned to the user equipment. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the authorization messages comprises a credit control answer message, and wherein the credit control answer message comprises one or more of:
 a result attribute value pair set to success,   a maximum quality of service limit for the packet data network context; or   a preconfigured charging rule.   
     
     
         13 . A computer program product for a computer, comprising a non-transitory memory storing software code portions for causing, when said software code portions are run on the computer, said computer to:
 receive, at a gateway network element, a packet data network request from a user equipment;   select, by the gateway network element, a policy control element based on a user identity;   cause transmission, by the gateway network element, of an initial message to the selected policy control element;   receive, at the gateway network element, an authorization message from the selected policy control element; and   activate, by the gateway network element, a primary packet data network context in response to reception of the packet data network request and reception of the authorization message.   
     
     
         14 . The computer program product according to  claim 13 , wherein the non-transitory memory further stores software code portions for causing, when said software code portions are run on the computer, said computer to further:
 receive at the gateway network element, an updated policy and charging control rule information from the selected policy control element; and   cause transmission, by the gateway network element, of a reauthorization request message to the selected policy control element.   
     
     
         15 . The computer program product according to  claim 13 , wherein the selected policy control element comprises:
 an external policy and charging rules function; or   a policy and charging rules function collocated with the gateway network element, wherein if the policy and charging rules function is collocated with the gateway network element, the non-transitory memory further stores software code portions for causing, when said software code portions are run on the computer, said computer to further:
 cause transmission, by the gateway network element, of one or more discovered addresses to the user equipment. 
   
     
     
         16 . The computer program product according to  claim 13 , wherein the user identity is provided by a mobile subscribed integrated services digital network. 
     
     
         17 . The computer program product according to  claim 13 , wherein the initial message comprises a credit control request message, and wherein the credit control request message comprises a context-type attribute value pair set to primary and an internet protocol address assigned to the user equipment. 
     
     
         18 . The computer program product according to  claim 13 , wherein the authorization messages comprises a credit control answer message, and wherein the credit control answer message comprises one or more of:
 a result attribute value pair set to success,   a maximum quality of service limit for the packet data network context; or   a preconfigured charging rule.