In order to simplify network connectivity, PCA will typically be deployed with one or two pairs of IPFEs per PCA DSR site. IPFE is not mandatory, however; it is up to the customer whether it should be included.
The following deployment scenarios involving IPFE are possible:
- A single site PCA in which the PCRFs and/or OCSs are not capable of initiating connections to the PCA. For example:
- A PCA DSR Site with a pair of IPFE blades, 8 DA-MP blades, and some Policy SBR blades
- Four Policy and Charging Clients connected to two IPFE TSAs, with primary connections and secondary connections
- The DA-MP blades are split into two groups that host connections to TSA1 and TSA2 respectively. This is necessary to ensure that a Policy and Charging Client’s primary and secondary connections do not end up being connected to the same DA-MP.
- One IPFE blade is primary for TSA1 and standby for TSA2; the other IPFE blade is primary for TSA2 and standby for TSA1.
- PCA MPs-to-PCRFs or MPs-to-OCSs connectivity need not be fully meshed.
- An IPFE configuration in which Policy and Charging Clients are connected to a PCA mated pair, but PCRFs and/or OCSs are not capable of initiating connections to the PCA. Each Policy Client has a primary connection to one PCA site and a secondary connection to the mate site. For example:
- Two PCA DSR sites, each with a pair of IPFE blades and 4 DA-MP blades
- Three Policy and Charging Clients with a primary connection to PCA DSR Site 1 and secondary connections to PCA DSR Site 2.
- Three Policy and Charging Clients with a primary connection to PCA DSR Site 2 and secondary connections to PCA DSR Site 1.
- Two PCRFs or OCSs with primary connections to PCA DSR Site1 and secondary connections to PCA DSR Site 2.
- Two PCRFs or OCSs with primary connections to PCA DSR Site2 and secondary connections to PCA DSR Site 1.
- One IPFE at PCA DSR Site 1 is primary for TSA1. The other IPFE is standby for TSA1.
- One IPFE at PCA DSR Site 2 is primary for TSA2. The other IPFE is standby for TSA2.
- A single site PCA in which a single IPFE pair is used for both Policy and Charging Clients and PCRFs and/or OCSs. The use of IPFE for PCRFs is possible only if the PCRF can be configured to initiate connections towards the PCA. Some customers refer to an IPFE used by PCRFs as an IP Back-End, or IPBE, although there is no difference between an IPBE and an IPFE from a software or configuration perspective. For example:
- One pair of IPFE blades, each blade supporting two TSAs
- Four Policy and Charging Clients connect to TSA1 with their secondary connection going to TSA3, or vice-versa.
- The PCRFs or OCSs connect to TSA2 with their secondary connection going to TSA4, or vice-versa.
- Six PCA MP servers, each capable of hosting connections from Policy and Charging Clients and PCRFs or OCSs
- One IPFE blade is primary for TSA1 and TSA2, and standby for TSA3 and TSA4.
- The other IPFE blade is primary for TSA3 and TSA4, and standby for TSA1 and TSA2.
- A single site PCA in which IPFE is used for both Policy Clients and PCRFs. In this case, two pairs of IPFE blades are deployed in order to support high Diameter signaling bandwidth. For example:
- Two pairs of IPFEs, each supporting a two TSAs
- The Policy and Charging Clients connect to either TSA1 or TSA2, with their secondary connection going to the other TSA.
- The PCRFs or OCSs connect to either TSA3 or TSA4, with their secondary connection going to the other TSA.
- Eight PCA DA-MPs, each capable of hosting connections from Policy and Charging Clients and PCRFs or OCSs
- One IPFE blade on the Policy and Charging Client side is primary for TSA1 and standby for TSA2. The other IPFE blade is primary for TSA2 and standby for TSA1.
- One IPFE blade on the PCRF or OCS side is primary for TSA3 and standby for TSA4. The other IPFE blade is primary for TSA4 and standby for TSA3.
- A PCA mated pair configured with an IPFE for Policy Clients and a separate IPFE for PCRFs. The Policy and Charging Clients and PCRFs have a primary connection to their local PCA DSR and a secondary connection to the mate PCA DSR. For example:
- Two PCA DSR sites, each with a two pairs of IPFE blades and 6 DA-MP blades
- Three Policy and Charging Clients with a primary connection to PCA DSR Site 1 and secondary connections to PCA DSR Site 2.
- Three Policy and Charging Clients with a primary connection to PCA DSR Site 2 and secondary connections to PCA DSR Site 1.
- Two PCRFs or OCSs with primary connections to PCA DSR Site1 and secondary connections to PCA DSR Site 2.
- Two PCRFs or OCSs with primary connections to PCA DSR Site2 and secondary connections to PCA DSR Site 1.
- One IPFE on the Policy and Charging Client side at PCA DSR Site 1 is primary for TSA1. The other IPFE is standby for TSA1.
- One IPFE on the Policy and Charging Client side at PCA DSR Site 2 is primary for TSA3. The other IPFE is standby for TSA3.
- One IPFE on the PCRF or OCS side at PCA DSR Site 1 is primary for TSA2. The other IPFE is standby for TSA2.
- One IPFE on the PCRF OCS side at PCA DSR Site 2 is primary for TSA4. The other IPFE is standby for TSA4.