Diameter Solution Suite™ Use Case
HSS and PCRF Load Balancing and Binding for Non-3GPP Access
Problem Solution
The Evolved Packet Core (EPC) uses Diameter for access to the Diametriq, an innovator in Diameter signaling control technolo-
HSS and PCRF for non-3GPP access. The HSS is used to obtain gies, offers an exceptional suite of Diameter Signaling Control-
subscriber data, and, when there are a large number of subscrib- ler (DSC) solutions which can be configured to your specific
ers, they may be partitioned across multiple HSS instances de- network requirements.
ployed in a network. Similarly for the PCRF, there may be multiple
instances of the PCRF so load balancing is required. Additionally The Diameter Solution Suite™ (DSS) can be deployed in the
for the PCRF, multiple Diameter interfaces for the same UE/ EPC to act as a DRA. The non-3GPP access elements connect
session need to select the same instance; this is called binding. to the DSS and all Diameter traffic passes through the DSS.
The 3GPP defines the Diameter Routing Agent (DRA) entity to be The DSS examines the Diameter messages and performs load
used to select the correct instance. The logic to load balance balancing and binding across the multiple instances of the
across multiple instances and to bind requests may be done at HSS and PCRF. This may be used for trusted non-3GPP ac-
the access gateway. However, this results in an inefficient mesh cess, e.g. CDMA ,as shown in the left diagram below or for
network that is difficult to manage. non-trusted, non-3GPP access, e.g. WLAN, as shown in the
right diagram below. The DSS may be deployed in a distribut-
ed or centralized configuration and optionally in a geographic
redundant configuration for disaster recovery. This results in a
more efficient network that is easier to manage.
DSS DSS DSS DSS
Diameter Solution Suite™
Interconnection Mesh Scalability
The Diameter Solution Suite (DSS) can be deployed at the core of The DSS has connections to all clients and servers. A client/
the PLMN in a highly scalable, highly available and redundant server instance can be added and a configuration change made
configuration where all Diameter signaling passes through the at the DSS without other servers or clients being affected.
DRE resulting in a hub rather than a mesh network.
Interoperability
Roaming and Interconnection
Vendors of client products need to interoperate with vendors of
In roaming scenarios where there are multiple MNO’s, the DSS is server products creating a large number interoperability testing
deployed at the edge of the PLMN and performs the Diameter combinations. The DSS has connections to all clients and
Edge Agent (DEA) role, passing all Diameter signaling through servers, so adding a new vendor only requires interoperability
the DSS while performing routing and security functions. testing with the DSS.
Congestion Control Diameter Interworking
The DSS detects congestion and can throttle the Diameter The DSS supports an interworking function (IWF) that interworks
signaling passing through the network. The DSS sees all between legacy SS7 elements within a PLMN or roaming
Diameter traffic and can be configured to detect overload and scenarios that involve a legacy PLMN.
perform overload control on a global or per server basis.
Transport Interworking
Security
The DSS supports an interworking function (IWF) that interworks
When there are untrusted elements, the DSS provides security at between Diameter over TCP and Diameter over SCTP.
the edge of a PLMN, including DoS, DDoS, NAT with topology
IP Interworking
hiding and IPsec and TLS for protocols.
The DSS supports an interworking function (IWF) that interworks
Selection and Distribution
between Diameter over IPv4 and Diameter over IPv6.
When there are multiple Diameter servers (HSS, PCRF, etc.), the
Value-added Applications
DSS selects and distributes across the multiple server instances
and sends all messages in a session to the same server. The The DRE provides a multi-application environment and API to
DSS can act as a proxy or redirect, e.g., the DSS performs the allow new Diameter-based applications to be developed, e.g.
role of a Subscriber Location Function (SLF) for an HSS or a Roamer Steering.
Diameter Routing Agent (DRA) for a PCRF.
Corporate Headquarters Development Center
1990 W. New Haven Ave. 210 Oxford Towers
Suite 303 139 Airport Road
Melbourne, FL 32904 USA Bangalore - 560017 India
Tel: + 1 321 726 0686
Fax: + 1 321 726 0683
Copyright © 2014 Diametriq, LLC, all rights reserved. Diametriq, Accelero, Convero, Diameter Routing Engine, Diameter Edge Appli-
ance, Diameter Traffic Calculator and Diameter Solution Suite are trademarks of Diametriq, LLC in the United States and/or other
countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
www.diametriq.com
