Multi-domain policy architecture for IP multimedia subsystem in UMTS

Abstract

The UMTS IMS network offers IP based multimedia applications with end-to-end QoS guarantee by using policy-based control principles. To support end-to-end QoS, the UMTS IMS network should be scalable, reliable and flexible in policy deployment and enforcement, characteristics that are not found in a single-domain policy architecture. We propose that a hierarchical architecture be applied to a single-operator multidomain environment, while multi-operator networks are peered at their hierarchical roots. This multi-operator multi-domain policy architecture potentially minimizes the session setup delay and policy exchange load while maximizing network scalability. © 2003 by Springer Science+Business Media New York.