Integrated signaling between mobile data networks and enterprise networks

Abstract

A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a request from a first network element associated with a first network for establishing a first communication session between the first network element to a first user device associated with a second network. The request includes a first user identifier used to identify a first user associated with the first user device within the first network. The method further includes translating the first user identifier to a second user identifier in which the second user identifier is used to identify the first user within the second network. The method still further includes sending a first query including the second user identifier to a second network element, and receiving a first response message including quality of service information indicated by a policy associated with the second user identifier.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method, comprising:
 receiving a request from a first network element associated with a first network for establishing a first communication session between the first network element to a first user device associated with a second network, the request including a first user identifier used to identify a first user associated with the first user device within the first network, wherein the first network is a mobile network and the second network is an enterprise network; 
 translating the first user identifier to a second user identifier, the second user identifier used to identify the first user within the second network; 
 sending a first query including the second user identifier to a second network element; 
 receiving a first response message including quality of service information indicated by a policy associated with the second user identifier; 
 translating the first response message with the second use identifier to a policy query message with the first user identifier to determine whether the first user identified by the first user identifier has a policy associated with the first user; 
 determining a performance quality threshold for the first communication session based upon the quality of service information; and 
 establishing the first communication session between the first network element and the first user device. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving performance data including at least one performance metric indicating a quality of delivery of content to the first user device by the first communication session. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising determining whether the at least one performance metric exceeds the performance quality threshold. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , further comprising determining whether the quality of delivery is to be improved for the first user when it is determined that the at least one performance metric exceeds the performance quality threshold. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising increasing a first quality of service value for the first communication session if it is determined that the quality of delivery is to be improved for the first user. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising decreasing a second quality of service value for a second session associated with a second user device if it is determined that the quality of delivery is to be improved for the first user. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first network element includes a policy and charging rules function (PCRF). 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second network element is an application server for providing one or more applications or services to first user equipment. 
     
     
       9. Logic encoded in one or more non-transitory tangible media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor operable to perform operations comprising:
 receiving a request from a first network element associated with a first network for establishing a first communication session between the first network element to a first user device associated with a second network, the request including a first user identifier used to identify a first user associated with the first user device within the first network, wherein the first network is a mobile network and the second network is an enterprise network; 
 translating the first user identifier to a second user identifier, the second user identifier used to identify the first user within the second network; 
 sending a first query including the second user identifier to a second network element; 
 receiving a first response message including quality of service information indicated by a policy associated with the second user identifier; 
 translating the first response message with the second user identifier to a policy query message with the first user identifier to determine whether the first user identified by the first user identifier has a policy associated with the first user; 
 determining a performance quality threshold for the first communication session based upon the quality of service information; and 
 establishing the first communication session between the first network element and the first user device. 
 
     
     
       10. The media of  claim 9 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving performance data including at least one performance metric indicating a quality of delivery of content to the first user device by the first communication session. 
     
     
       11. The media of  claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprise determining whether the at least one performance metric exceeds the performance quality threshold. 
     
     
       12. The media of  claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprise determining whether the quality of delivery is to be improved for the first user when it is determined that the at least one performance metric exceeds the performance quality threshold. 
     
     
       13. The media of  claim 12 , wherein the operations further comprise increasing a first quality of service value for the first communication session if it is determined that the quality of delivery is to be improved for the first user. 
     
     
       14. The media of  claim 12 , wherein the operations further comprise decreasing a second quality of service value for a second session associated with a second user device if it is determined that the quality of delivery is to be improved for the first user. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus, comprising:
 a memory element configured to store data, 
 a processor operable to execute instructions associated with the data, and 
 at least one module, the at least one module being configured to: 
 receive a request from a first network element associated with a first network for establishing a first communication session between the first network element to a first user device associated with a second network, the request including a first user identifier used to identify a first user associated with the first user device within the first network, wherein the first network is a mobile network and the second network is an enterprise network; 
 translate the first user identifier to a second user identifier, the second user identifier used to identify the first user within the second network; 
 send a first query including the second user identifier to a second network element; 
 receive a first response message including quality of service information indicated by a policy associated with the second user identifier; 
 translate the first response message with the second user identifier to a policy query message with the first user identifier to determine whether the first user identified by the first user identifier has a policy associated with the first user; 
 determine a performance quality threshold for the first communication session based upon the quality of service information; and 
 establish the first communication session between the first network element and the first user device. 
 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one module is further configured to receive performance data including at least one performance metric indicating a quality of delivery of content to the first user device by the first communication session. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one module is further configured to determine whether the at least one performance metric exceeds the performance quality threshold. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one module is further configured to determine whether the quality of delivery is to be improved for the first user when it is determined that the at least one performance metric exceeds the performance quality threshold. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one module is further configured to increase a first quality of service value for the first communication session if it is determined that the quality of delivery is to be improved for the first user. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one module is further configured to decrease a second quality of service value for a second session associated with a second user device if it is determined that the quality of delivery is to be improved for the first user.