APN Resolve and Redirect for GSM and

WCDMA Access

TECHNICAL PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

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 Contents

Contents

1 Introduction 1
1.1 Scope 1
1.2 Target Groups 1

2 Overview 3

3 APN Redirection 5
3.1 APN Conversion 5
3.2 APN Redirection 5

4 APN Resolution Functional Extension 9

5 APN Local Breakout Control 11

6 APN-OI Replacement 13

7 Configuration Guidelines 15

8 Parameters 17

9 Counters and Gauges 19

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APN Resolve and Redirect for GSM and WCDMA Access

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 Introduction

1 Introduction

This document describes the license-controlled APN Resolve and Redirect

feature for GSM and WCDMA access.

1.1 Scope
The document covers the following areas:

• An overview of the APN Resolve and Redirect feature

• APN Resolve and Redirect functionalities

• Configuration guidelines

1.2 Target Groups

This document is intended as an introduction to APN Resolve and Redirect for
network operators, network and service planners, and system engineers and
administrators. It assumes a basic knowledge of datacom and telecom.

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 Overview

2 Overview

The APN Resolve and Redirect feature includes the following three
functionalities, which are controlled by the same license, but can be used
separately or in combination.

• APN Redirection

• APN Resolution Functional Extension

• APN Local Breakout Control

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 APN Redirection

3 APN Redirection

The APN Redirection functionality includes APN Conversion and APN

Redirection.

Note: The APN Redirection functionality is only applicable for home

subscribers.

3.1 APN Conversion

The APN Conversion functionality converts an APN requested by the UE
according to the APN conversion criteria. If the optional license-controlled APN
Redirection functionality is enabled, the SGSN converts UE requested APN
according to the configured APN conversion criteria. APN Conversion can be
enabled based on IMSINS, or based on a combination of IMSINS and APN.

3.2 APN Redirection

APN Redirection replaces an invalid APN (missing, incorrectly formatted or
misspelled) , requested by the UE or an APN converted by the SGSN (if the
APN is converted) with either a subscribed APN or the SGSN default APN (if it
is subscribed) before the query is sent to the DNS.

If the DNS query on the APN fails, APN Redirection replaces the APN with
the SGSN default APN for GPRS subscribers or the subscribed default APN
for EPS subscribers.

3.2.1 APN Redirection for GPRS Subscribers

This section describes APN Redirection for GPRS subscribers.

APN Redirection is enabled by setting the apn_redirection parameter to on. If

it is not enabled, the SGSN rejects the Activate PDP Context Request
messages with invalid APNs.

The Activate PDP Context Request message with an invalid APN is also
rejected if one of the following conditions is true:

• The SGSNApnRedirectToSubscribedApn parameter is set to false.

• The SGSNApnRedirectToSubscribedApn parameter is set to true but the

IMEI-TAC of the MS is in the APN Redirection criteria. For more information
about how to configure the APN Redirection criteria, see Configuring APN
Resolve and Redirect.

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If the SGSNApnRedirectToSubscribedApn parameter is set to true and the

IMEI-TAC of the MS is not in the APN Redirection criteria, the APN is replaced
as follows:

• If the DNS query on the APN fails, APN Redirection replaces the APN
with the SGSN default APN.

Note: The SGSN default APN must be subscribed. Otherwise, the SGSN
rejects the request.

• If the requested PDP type and PDP address match a single logical
subscribed APN and the requested APN is misspelled, the SGSN
replaces the APN or rejects the request depending on the value of the
SGSNApnRedirectForSingleApn parameter. For more information, see
Table 1.

• If the requested PDP type and PDP address match multiple logical
subscribed APNs, the SGSN replaces the APN with the SGSN default
APN (when the SGSN default APN is subscribed) or one of the
subscribed APNs, or rejects the request depending on the value of the
SGSNApnRedirectForMultipleApn parameter. For more information, see
Table 1.

• If the requested PDP type and PDP address does not match any logical
subscribed APN, the SGSN rejects the request. For more information,
see Table 1.

The following APN redirection is performed regardless of the setting of the

apn_redirection parameter:

• If the requested PDP type and PDP address match a single logical
subscribed APN, and the requested APN is missing or incorrectly formatted,
the SGSN replaces the APN or rejects the request depending on the value
of the SGSNRejectEmptyApnForSinglePdpSubscription parameter. For
more information, see Table 1.

• When the requested APN and PDP type are missing, the requested APN is
replaced as follows:

0 If a single APN is subscribed, the requested APN is replaced with the

subscribed APN.

0 If only one wildcard is subscribed, the requested APN is replaced with

the default APN.

0 If multiple APNs are subscribed, the SGSN rejects the request.

Note: Two subscribed APNs are considered as one logical subscribed APN if
they differ only regarding the configurable 3GDT prefix.

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 APN Redirection

Table 1 APN Redirection for GPRS Subscribers

Match Type of Parameter Value Behavior
Result Invalid APN
Single Misspelled SGSNApnRe subscribed Use the
APN directForSing subscribed
leApn APN
reject Reject the
request
Missing or SGSNReject true Reject the
incorrectly EmptyApnFo request
formatted rSinglePdpS false Use the
ubscription
subscribed
APN
Multiple Missing, SGSNApnRe sgsnDefault Use the SGSN
APNs misspelled, directForMult Apn default APN
or incorrectly ipleApn if it is on the
formatted matched APNs
list, otherwise
reject the
request
lowestPdpCo Use the
ntextId subscribed
APN with the
lowest PDP
context ID
sgsnDefault Use the SGSN
OrLowest default APN
if it is on
the matched
APNs list,
otherwise use
the subscribed
APN with the
lowest PDP
context ID
reject Reject the
request
No APN N/A N/A N/A Reject the
request

3.2.2 APN Redirection for EPS Subscribers

This section describes APN Redirection for EPS subscribers.

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 APN Resolve and Redirect for GSM and WCDMA Access

Note: APN Redirection for EPS Subscribers is only applicable for an

S4-SGSN, supporting the S6d interface.

If the IMEI-TAC of the MS is in the APN Redirection criteria, the SGSN rejects
the APN Redirection. Otherwise, if the requested APN is invalid and the
IMEI-TAC of the MS is not in the APN Redirection criteria, the following applies:

• If the DNS query on the APN fails, APN Redirection replaces the APN with
the subscribed default APN.

• The value of the EPSApnRedirectForSingleApn parameter determines

whether the SGSN replaces the APN or rejects the request. This action
occurs if the requested PDP type and PDP address match a single
subscribed APN. For more information, see Table 2.

• The value of the EPSApnRedirectForMultipleApn parameter determines

whether the SGSN replaces the APN with the subscribed default APN or
one of the subscribed APNs, or rejects the request. This action occurs if the
requested PDP type and PDP address match multiple subscribed APNs.
For more information, see Table 2.

• If the requested PDP type and PDP address does not match any subscribed
APN, the SGSN rejects the request. For more information, see Table 2.

Table 2 APN Redirection for EPS Subscribers

Match Parameter Value Behavior
Result
Single APN EpsApnRedire subscribed Use the subscribed
ctForSingleA APN
pn
reject Reject the request
Multiple EpsApnRedire subscribedDefau Use the subscribed
APNs ctForMultipl ltApn default APN if it is on
eApn the matched APNs
list, otherwise reject
the request
lowestContextId Use the subscribed
APN with the lowest
PDN context ID
subscribedDefau Use the subscribed
ltOrLowest default APN if it is on
the matched APNs
list, otherwise use
the subscribed APN
with the lowest PDN
context ID
reject Reject the request
No APN N/A N/A Reject the request

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 APN Resolution Functional Extension

4 APN Resolution Functional Extension

APN Resolution Functional Extension connects UEs to a specific GGSN

or PGW. APN Resolution Functional Extension selects the GGSN or PGW
by adding an extension to the APN before a query is sent to the DNS. The
extended APN is then configured in the DNS server pointing to a specific
GGSN or PGW.

APN Resolution Functional Extension can be performed based on the APN, the
IMSINS, or the combination of APN and IMSINS.

Note: APN Resolution Functional Extension is applicable only for the PDP
context activation procedure.

APN Resolution Functional Extension is applicable only for home

subscribers.

APN Resolution Functional Extension supports extension of the APN Network

Identifier (APN-NI) with extra strings such as the MSISDN. Extra strings, if any,
are inserted immediately after the <APN-NI> tag.

It is possible to create an APN Extension by performing one of the following

actions:

• Adding parts of the MSISDN number to the APN

• Using the 4-bit Charging Characteristics Profile Index

Note: Charging Characteristics (CC) are optional in the subscriber

data. If the SGSN does not receive CC from the HSS, the APN
Resolution Functional Extension ignores CC as the APN resolution
criteria.

• Using the Geographical Area (GA)

• Using any combination of MSISDN, CC, and GA

The configuration is flexible and can be adjusted for different network

configurations. Extensions are only used for the DNS query and therefore
do not affect CDR data or messages including the APN such as Create PDP
Context Request messages. The function needs the configuration of a list
of APNs and each APN has a specific APN extension for DNS query. The list of
APNs determines whether APNs are subject to the extension. For more details,
refer to APN Resolution Extension (CLI).

To use the GA-based APN extension, configure the following:

• Routing Area (RA)

• GA

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• Association between the RA and the GA

• Geographical Area Group (GAG)

• Association between the GA and the GAG

• APN resolution criteria for each APN

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 APN Local Breakout Control

5 APN Local Breakout Control

APN Local Breakout Control restricts the local breakout for roaming subscribers
per IMSINS to only specified APNs, when the subscription data allows it. For
the IMSINS in restriction mode, local breakout is disabled for all non-specified
APNs, independent of the subscription data. Allowed APNs, except IMS APN,
can be listed in a configurable APN list.

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 APN-OI Replacement

6 APN-OI Replacement

APN-OI replacement enables the SGSN to redirect a UE to a specific PGW by

replacing the APN-OI in the DNS query. The APN-OI is replaced according to
the APN-OI-Replacement information in the subscription data.

The functionality supports UE level APN-OI-Replacement and APN level

APN-OI-Replacement. APN level APN-OI-Replacement has higher priority
than UE level APN-OI-Replacement.

APN-OI replacement and the Static Gateway Selection function are mutually
exclusive.

Note: APN-OI replacement is applicable for both roaming and home

subscribers. For roaming subscribers, the feature applies only for
home routed cases.

Note: APN-OI replacement is only applicable to WCDMA access and

LTE access. If a subscriber only has GPRS-Subscription-Data,
the apn_oi_replacement parameter is not supported. See APN
Resolve and Redirect for LTE Access for more information about
APN-OI replacement for LTE access.

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 Configuration Guidelines

7 Configuration Guidelines

For instructions on how to configure APN Resolve and Redirect for GSM and
WCDMA access, see Configuring APN Resolve and Redirect.

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 Parameters

8 Parameters

The following parameters are related to APN Resolve and Redirect for GSM
and WCDMA access types:

• apn_local_breakout_control

• apn_resolution_extension

• AclList

• ApnBased

• ApnConversionId

• ApnIndex1

• ApnIndex2

• ApnIndex3

• ApnName

• ApnNiExceptionId

• ApnRedirectionAction

• ApnRedirectionId

• ArlName

• ChargingCharacteristic

• ChargingCharacteristicsName

• ChargingCharacteristicsTriggerInvert

• ChargingCharacteristicsTriggerValue

• ConfigAreaName

• ConvertedApnNiName

• DefaultApnName

• ImsiNsBased

• LocalBreakoutMode

• LocalBreakoutProfileId

• OriginalApnNiName

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• SGSNApnRedirectForMultipleApn

• SGSNApnRedirectForSingleApn

• SGSNApnRedirectToSubscribedApn

• SubscriberIDType

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 Counters and Gauges

9 Counters and Gauges

The following counters are related to APN Resolve and Redirect for GSM and
WCDMA access types:

• SM.ActPdpContextRedirectDisabledbyTAC.G

• SM.ActPdpContextRedirectDisabledByTAC.U

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