How it Works

The Access Control System (ACS) command line interface (CLI) is configured on the user-plane and the CLI module sends it to the ACS Controller (ACSCtrl). The ACSCtrl verifies the CLI and sends it to the Session Controller (SessCtrl). The SessCtrl stores the configuration in the SCT.

The SessCtrl maintains and stores different configuration types in a skiplist. When the length of the skiplist reaches the maximum (BULK configuration length) for a particular configuration type, the entire list is pushed in BULK from the Sessctrl to the Session Manager (SessMgr). As a result, the number of messenger event/message transactions between proclets is greatly reduced since the configurations are sent in BULK in a single message. On the expiry of the bulk configuration timeout (2 seconds), the Bulk Configuration timer – which runs constantly at the Session Controller – pushes the different types of configurations to the SessMgrs.

  • The following configuration types are supported for the Bulk Configuration push:

  • Ruledef

  • Charging Action

  • Action Priority Lines

  • Group of Ruledef Configuration

  • Rule in Group of Ruledef Configuration

  • Rulebase L3/L4/L7 Info Configuration

  • APN Configuration

  • ACS service Configuration

The configurations are pushed only through the bulk push mechanism for configurations that are either added or modified. On the other hand, when configurations are deleted, it is removed immediately without waiting for any response from the Bulk configuration push timer. The deleted configuration is removed from the SCT and other SessMgrs immediately.

Note
The Bulk configuration timeout function is invoked forcefully to push all the pending configurations to the SessMgrs before pushing the configuration delete to avoid any race conditions.
  • The configuration changes applied to all the new and existing calls are listed in Table as follows

Configuration Changes on New and Existing Call Flows
Change in ConfigurationImpact on Existing Calls Current FlowsImpact on Existing Calls New FlowsImpact on New Calls
Existing ruledef contents/New rule additionRule match is not enforced on existing flows after configuration change. TRM is not disengaged on existing flows. This may lead to billing issues if ruledef contents were changed for ongoing flows.The configuration changes apply on new flows. For new flows, anyways fresh rule match would happen and the ruledef changes are applied on new flows for existing calls.The configuration changes apply on new calls. For new flows, anyways fresh rule match would happen and the ruledef changes are applied on flows for new calls.
No Ruledef Rule in use cannot be deleted. Rule in use cannot be deletedRule in use cannot be deleted
New Group of Ruledefs/Changes to existing Group of Ruledefs contents (Add or Delete Rule in Group of Ruledefs)Rule match is not enforced on existing flows after configuration change. TRM is not disengaged on existing flows. This may lead to billing issues if Group of Ruledefs contents were changed for ongoing flows.The configuration changes apply on new flows. For new flows, anyways fresh rule match would happen and the Group of Ruledefs changes are applied on new flows for existing calls.The configuration changes apply on new calls. For new flows, anyways fresh rule match would happen and the Group of Ruledefs changes are applied on flows for new calls.
No Group of RuledefsGroup of Ruledefs in use cannot be deletedGroup of Ruledefs in use cannot be deletedGroup of Ruledefs in use cannot be deleted
No Rule in GoRFlows continue to match the ruledef defined in Group of Ruledefs unless the ruledef itself is deletedNew flows go through a fresh rule match and configuration change takes effect.New flows go through a fresh rule match and configuration change takes effect.
Action Priority Changes/Action Priority additionTRM is not disengaged for ongoing flows. configuration changes do not apply on existing flowsConfiguration changes apply on new flows.Configuration changes apply on new calls.
No Action PriorityNo Impact on existing flowsConfiguration changes apply on new flows.Configuration changes apply on new calls.
Rulebase parameters changeSome parameter changes apply on existing callsSome parameter changes apply on existing callsConfiguration changes apply on new calls
No RulebaseNo Rulebase is not supportedNo Rulebase is not supportedNo Rulebase is not supported
No APNNo APN is not supportedNo APN is not supportedNo APN is not supported
IP source violationNo impact on existing callsNo impact on existing callsConfiguration changes apply on new calls.