Mechanisms for policy based umts qos and ip qos management in mobile ip networks

Mechanisms for QoS mapping rules on a mobile network between a UMTS layer and an IP layer are provided. A policy server is coupled to the SGSNs and GGSNs on the mobile network and maintains a centralized location for layer QoS mapping on the mobile network. Three mapping mechanisms have been provided, including an out-sourcing mechanism, a provisioning mechanism, and a hybrid mechanism. The out-sourcing mechanism uses the policy server to handle PDP context events and supply the appropriate rules to the appropriate support node. Under the provisioning mechanism, the policy server pushes down the corresponding mapping rules to each support node across the network in advance of any PDP context event. The hybrid mechanism utilizes a combination of the out-sourcing mechanism and the provisioning mechanism. The mechanisms ensure consistent UMTS layer QoS to IP layer QoS mapping across a mobile network.