Real-time charging & session management for Data - Radius based (FT-1010.002)

About this document

Scope

This document provides background information as well as a functional description of the FT-1010.002 Real-time charging & session management for Data - Radius based advanced feature. The described feature is supported from the release version 4.0 onward.

Note

Real-time charging & session management for Data - Radius based is an advanced feature and requires a special license. Ensure that you have agreed with Mavoco about the usage of this feature before taking it into use.

This feature is part of the Data Services functionality with number FN-1010.

Feature Availability

Benefits

MAVOCO CMP has the capacity to be deeply integrated into the MNO’s network. The CMP supports multiple protocols to enable the data integration including RADIUS for real-time charging and session management. The choice between RADIUS or Diameter depends on the specific requirements of the IoT deployment and the capabilities offered by the MNO’s Core network, and the MAVOCO CMP offers this flexibility.

Feature overview

Goals

The aim of the Real-time charging & session management for Data - Radius based feature is to support real-time charging and real-time session management for data using the 3GPP standard Radius interface.

Functionality of the feature

Real-time data charging can be achieved by integration of the MAVOCO CMP into the Network Operator's Core Network Packet Gateway (PGW) using the standard RADIUS Authentication and Accounting Interface. The integration supports real-time charging as well as real-time session management (e.g., service blocking if the set conditions are not met) for data.

When a SIM requests the establishment of a PDP Context, the Core Network Packet Gateway sends a RADIUS authentication request. CMP checks to verify that the SIM is known in the CMP, that the SIM Card's status allows data usage, and so on. If all of the checks pass, CMP authorizes the data session by responding to the RADIUS Authentication request. The PGW then makes a RADIUS Accounting Request which CMP acknowledges with a ‘grant’ to the PGW for a specific IMSI session defined in terms of volume and duration. When the grant expires, the PGW returns usage and requests a further grant. When the PDP context (session) ends, the PGW reports usage, and each interaction generates an EDR in the MAVOCO CMP, which is visible in the Enterprise Portal. CMP keeps track of data usage, both actual and assigned for a session.

Radius integration supports Static IP Address allocation via the Radius authentication response, along with the SIM Authentication Service, whereby the username and password are checked as part of the session authentication.

CMP maintains real-time counters for all SIMs and SIM Pools, enabling features such as

• blocking of service if the included allowance is consumed,

• SIM Usage Limit, and

• usage thresholds of Automation Rules.

CMP expects the Core Network to provide the SIM location (MCC+MNC) in order for the SIM Card to be rated based on the Zone in which the SIM Card is located. If this information is not available, CMP treats the SIM as if it is in the Rest of World Zone.