A system includes a first device that communicates a first configuration signal, an IP address and port identifier to a second device. The second device includes a router having a quality of service module therein. The second device deep packet inspects communication signals destined for the first device based on the IP address and port identifier. The quality of service module applies a quality of service policy to the communication signals based on deep packet inspecting to form modified communication signals. The first device performs a function in response to the modified communication signals.

Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments are described herein for controlling policy in integrated small cell and Wi-Fi networks (ISWNs). It is recognized herein that multiple actors within an ISWN may have needs or preferences that conflict with each other, and that the best way of reconciling those conflicting needs is not always to simply give one actor preference over another. As described herein, optimum management decisions may be dynamically based on current network conditions and preferences of multiple actors.

A Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) device of a network having a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) device. The PCEF device includes a processing unit that detects a tunneled packet and the packet's Internet Protocol version type and determines whether activation of PCC rules in accordance with the IP version type of the tunneled packet is required from the PCRF device. The PCEF device includes a network interface unit in communication with the processing unit and the network that requests from the PCRF device required activation of PCC rules and identifies the IP version type of the tunneled packet to the PCRF device with the request and receives from the PCRF device the PCC rules activation. The processing unit enforces the PCC rules on the tunneled packet. Methods of handling and enforcing rules at a PCEF device of a network and at a PCRF device are also disclosed.

A core network (CN) may establish and distribute a quality of service (QoS) policy across a wireless communication system, e.g., by sending QoS policy information to an access network and to user equipment. The QoS policy may be implemented with respect to data network (DN) sessions as well as data sessions. For each DN session or data session, the QoS policy may be applied by explicit or implicit request, and data sessions may in some examples utilize pre-authorized QoS policies without the need to request the QoS. Other aspects, embodiments, and features may also be claimed and described.

Various methods are provided for providing dynamic and adaptive QoS and QoE management of U-Plane traffic while implementing user and application specific differentiation and maximizing system resource utilization by, for example, providing utilizing a system comprised of a policy server and one or more enforcement points. In one example system, the policy server may be a logical entity configured for storing a plurality of QoS/QoE policies, each of the plurality of policies identifying at least one of a user, service vertical, application, or context, and associated QoE targets. The policy server may be further configured to provide one or more of the plurality of QoS/QoE policies to the one or more enforcement points. In some embodiments, the QoS/QoE policies may be configured to provide QoE targets, for example, at a high abstraction level and/or at an application session level.

A vehicle to everything application function (V2X AF) transmits a DIAMETER AA-request command to a policy and charging rule function (PCRF). The DIAMETER AA-request command comprises: an attribute value pairs (AVP) identifying a V2X application, and one of more quality of service (QoS) parameters. The one of more quality of service (QoS) parameters indicate a QoS of a V2X bearer for the V2X application employed by a wireless device. The PCRF decides one or more policy and charging control (PCC) provisions for the QoS provided for the V2X application identified by the AVP. The PCRF transmits a DIAMETER command to a policy charging enforcement function (PCEF). The DIAMETER command comprises the one or more PCC provisions for the QoS. The PCEF enforces the one or more PCC provisions for the QoS on a plurality of packets transmitted via the V2X bearer to the wireless device.

A method, a network, and a network element use dynamic packet traffic performance adjustment techniques. In an exemplary embodiment, the dynamic resizing techniques utilize different packet connections providing connectivity to same sites between which bandwidth resizing is needed. Each of the packet connections has a separate and independent bandwidth profile that governs an amount of traffic that is dispatched over each packet connection. A network element sourcing traffic into the packet connections uses bridge functionality that dispatches client traffic onto all of the packet connections or an individual packet connection. This effectively means that the transport network bandwidth utilization is only consumed by a single packet connection, i.e., the packet connection-A (even through there are multiple configured). The network element sinking the traffic selects from a single active packet connection.

Network tool optimizers and related methods are disclosed that provide automated discovery and configuration of network tool devices. The disclosed embodiments include tool processors having tool discovery engines and tool configuration engines that provide discovery of tool information and generation of rules for filter engines within the network tool optimizer (NTO) so that relevant network traffic received by the NTO is forwarded to network tool devices connected to the NTO. New network traffic sources connected to the NTO can also be automatically configured to forward relevant traffic to the network tool devices based upon the discovered tool information. Further, a database of tool information can be stored within the NTO and can be used by the NTO in determining relevant traffic for connected tool devices. A variety of different implementations can use the automatic tool discovery and configuration embodiments.

An apparatus including at least one processing circuitry, and at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processing circuitry, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: to acquire data indicating at least one available external service function or at least one external service function chain via a predetermined interface, to decide whether at least one of the indicated at least one external service function or at least one external service function chain is usable in a communication of a service data flow in the communication network, to select at least one from the indicated at least one external service function or at least one external service function chain for use on the basis of the decision whether at least one of the advertised at least one external service function or external service function chain is usable in a communication of a service data flow, and to provide, to an external service function providing side, information related to an intended usage of at least one external service function or at least one external service function chain in a service data flow communicated in a communication network. Implements service function chaining and cloud bursting.

An apparatus including at least one processing circuitry, and at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processing circuitry, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: to acquire generic service policy rules to be applied to a communication of a service data flow in a communication network, wherein the generic service policy rules are to be used for routing a service data flow to and within at least one external service function or at least one external service function chain; and to provide, to an external service function providing side, the acquired generic service policy rules as information related to an intended usage of at least one external service function or at least one external service function chain in a service data flow communicated in a communication network.