< draft-ietf-dime-ovli-02.txt   draft-ietf-dime-ovli-03.txt >
Diameter Maintenance and Extensions (DIME) J. Korhonen, Ed. Diameter Maintenance and Extensions (DIME) J. Korhonen, Ed.
Internet-Draft Broadcom Internet-Draft Broadcom
Intended status: Standards Track S. Donovan, Ed. Intended status: Standards Track S. Donovan, Ed.
Expires: September 28, 2014 B. Campbell Expires: January 4, 2015 B. Campbell
Oracle Oracle
L. Morand L. Morand
Orange Labs Orange Labs
March 27, 2014 July 3, 2014
Diameter Overload Indication Conveyance Diameter Overload Indication Conveyance
draft-ietf-dime-ovli-02.txt draft-ietf-dime-ovli-03.txt
Abstract Abstract
This specification documents a Diameter Overload Control (DOC) base This specification documents a Diameter Overload Control (DOC) base
solution and the dissemination of the overload report information. solution and the dissemination of the overload report information.
Requirements Requirements
The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT", The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
"SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this
skipping to change at page 1, line 41 skipping to change at page 1, line 41
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This Internet-Draft will expire on September 28, 2014. This Internet-Draft will expire on January 4, 2015.
Copyright Notice Copyright Notice
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document authors. All rights reserved. document authors. All rights reserved.
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Table of Contents Table of Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2. Terminology and Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2. Terminology and Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3. Solution Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3. Solution Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.1. Architectural Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 3.1. Overload Control Endpoints (Non normative) . . . . . . . 6
3.1.1. Application Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 3.2. Piggybacking Principle (Non normative) . . . . . . . . . 10
3.1.2. Application Type Overload Implications . . . . . . . 7 3.3. DOIC Capability Announcement (Non normative) . . . . . . 11
3.1.3. Request Transaction Classification . . . . . . . . . 8 3.4. DOIC Overload Condition Reporting (Non normative) . . . . 12
3.1.4. Request Type Overload Implications . . . . . . . . . 9 3.5. DOIC Extensibility (Non normative) . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.1.5. Diameter Agent Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 3.6. Simplified Example Architecture (Non normative) . . . . . 14
3.1.6. Simplified Example Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . 11 3.7. Considerations for Applications Integrating the DOIC
3.2. Conveyance of the Overload Indication . . . . . . . . . . 12 Solution (Non normative) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.2.1. DOIC Capability Discovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 3.7.1. Application Classification (Non normative) . . . . . 15
3.3. Overload Condition Indication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 3.7.2. Application Type Overload Implications (Non
4. Attribute Value Pairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 normative) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.1. OC-Supported-Features AVP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 3.7.3. Request Transaction Classification (Non normative) . 18
4.2. OC-Feature-Vector AVP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 3.7.4. Request Type Overload Implications (Non normative) . 18
4.3. OC-OLR AVP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 4. Solution Procedures (Normative) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4.4. OC-Sequence-Number AVP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 4.1. Capability Announcement (Normative) . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4.5. OC-Validity-Duration AVP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 4.1.1. Reacting Node Behavior (Normative) . . . . . . . . . 20
4.6. OC-Report-Type AVP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 4.1.2. Reporting Node Behavior (Normative) . . . . . . . . 21
4.7. OC-Reduction-Percentage AVP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 4.1.3. Agent Behavior (Normative) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.8. Attribute Value Pair flag rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 4.2. Overload Report Processing (Normative) . . . . . . . . . 22
5. Overload Control Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 4.2.1. Overload Control State (Normative) . . . . . . . . . 22
5.1. Overload Control Endpoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 4.2.2. Reacting Node Behavior (Normative) . . . . . . . . . 24
5.2. Piggybacking Principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 4.2.3. Reporting Node Behavior (Normative) . . . . . . . . 26
5.3. Capability Announcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 4.2.4. Agent Behavior (Normative) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
5.3.1. Reacting Node Endpoint Considerations . . . . . . . . 24 4.3. Protocol Extensibility (Normative) . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5.3.2. Reporting Node Endpoint Considerations . . . . . . . 24 5. Loss Algorithm (Normative) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
5.3.3. Agent Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 5.1. Overview (Non normative) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
5.4. Protocol Extensibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 5.2. Use of OC-Reduction-Percentage AVP . . . . . . . . . . . 29
5.5. Overload Report Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 5.3. Reporting Node Behavior (Normative) . . . . . . . . . . . 29
5.5.1. Overload Control State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 5.4. Reacting Node Behavior (Normative) . . . . . . . . . . . 29
5.5.2. Reacting Node Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 6. Attribute Value Pairs (Normative) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
5.5.3. Reporting Node Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 6.1. OC-Supported-Features AVP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
5.5.4. Agent Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 6.2. OC-Feature-Vector AVP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
6. Transport Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 6.3. OC-OLR AVP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
7. IANA Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 6.4. OC-Sequence-Number AVP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
7.1. AVP codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 6.5. OC-Validity-Duration AVP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
7.2. New registries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 6.6. OC-Report-Type AVP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
8. Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 6.7. OC-Reduction-Percentage AVP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
8.1. Potential Threat Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 6.8. Attribute Value Pair flag rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
8.2. Denial of Service Attacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 7. Error Response Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
8.3. Non-Compliant Nodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 8. IANA Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
8.4. End-to End-Security Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 8.1. AVP codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
9. Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 8.2. New registries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
10. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 9. Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
10.1. Normative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 9.1. Potential Threat Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
10.2. Informative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 9.2. Denial of Service Attacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Appendix A. Issues left for future specifications . . . . . . . 36 9.3. Non-Compliant Nodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
A.1. Additional traffic abatement algorithms . . . . . . . . . 36 9.4. End-to End-Security Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
A.2. Agent Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 10. Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
A.3. DIAMETER_TOO_BUSY clarifications . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 11. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Appendix B. Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 11.1. Normative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
11.2. Informative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Appendix A. Issues left for future specifications . . . . . . . 41
A.1. Additional traffic abatement algorithms . . . . . . . . . 41
A.2. Agent Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
A.3. DIAMETER_TOO_BUSY clarifications . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Appendix B. Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
B.1. Mix of Destination-Realm routed requests and Destination- B.1. Mix of Destination-Realm routed requests and Destination-
Host routed requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Host routed requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Authors' Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Appendix C. Restructuring of -02 version of the draft . . . . . 45
Authors' Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
1. Introduction 1. Introduction
This specification defines a base solution for Diameter Overload This specification defines a base solution for Diameter Overload
Control (DOC). The requirements for the solution are described and Control (DOC), refered to as Diameter Overload Indication Conveyance
(DOIC). The requirements for the solution are described and
discussed in the corresponding design requirements document discussed in the corresponding design requirements document
[RFC7068]. Note that the overload control solution defined in this [RFC7068]. Note that the overload control solution defined in this
specification does not address all the requirements listed in specification does not address all the requirements listed in
[RFC7068]. A number of overload control related features are left [RFC7068]. A number of overload control related features are left
for the future specifications. for the future specifications.
The solution defined in this specification addresses the Diameter The solution defined in this specification addresses Diameter
overload control between two endpoints (see Section 5.1). overload control between two endpoints (see Section 3.1).
Furthermore, the solution is designed to apply to existing and future Furthermore, the solution is designed to apply to existing and future
Diameter applications, requires no changes to the Diameter base Diameter applications, requires no changes to the Diameter base
protocol [RFC6733] and is deployable in environments where some protocol [RFC6733] and is deployable in environments where some
Diameter nodes do not implement the Diameter overload control Diameter nodes do not implement the Diameter overload control
solution defined in this specification. solution defined in this specification.
2. Terminology and Abbreviations 2. Terminology and Abbreviations
Abatement Algorithm Abatement Algorithm
An algorithm requested by reporting nodes and used by reacting An algorithm requested by reporting nodes and used by reacting
nodes to reduce the amount of traffic sent to the reporting node nodes to reduce the amount of traffic sent during an occurrence of
during an occurrence of overload control. overload control.
Throttling: Throttling
Throttling is the reduction of the number of requests sent to an Throttling is the reduction of the number of requests sent to an
entity. Throttling can include a client dropping requests, or an entity. Throttling can include a client dropping requests, or an
agent rejecting requests with appropriate error responses. agent rejecting requests with appropriate error responses.
Clients and agents can also choose to redirect throttled requests Clients and agents can also choose to redirect throttled requests
to some other entity or entities capable of handling them. to some other entity or entities capable of handling them.
Editor's note: Propose to add a definition of Abatement to include
both throttling and diversion (redirecting of messages) actions.
Then to modify this definition to include just the rejecting of
requests and adding a definition of diversion.
Reporting Node Reporting Node
A Diameter node that generates an overload report. (This may or A Diameter node that generates an overload report. (This may or
may not be the overloaded node.) may not be the overloaded node.)
Reacting Node Reacting Node
A Diameter node that consumes and acts upon a report. Note that A Diameter node that consumes and acts upon a report. Note that
"act upon" does not necessarily mean the reacting node applies an "act upon" does not necessarily mean the reacting node applies an
abatement algorithm; it might decide to delegate that downstream, abatement algorithm; it might decide to delegate that downstream,
skipping to change at page 5, line 10 skipping to change at page 5, line 26
Reporting node may report overload on its own behalf, or on behalf of Reporting node may report overload on its own behalf, or on behalf of
other (typically upstream) nodes. Likewise, a reacting node may other (typically upstream) nodes. Likewise, a reacting node may
perform overload abatement on its own behalf, or on behalf of other perform overload abatement on its own behalf, or on behalf of other
(typically downstream) nodes. (typically downstream) nodes.
A node's role as a DOIC endpoint is independent of its Diameter role. A node's role as a DOIC endpoint is independent of its Diameter role.
For example, Diameter relay and proxy agents may act as DOIC For example, Diameter relay and proxy agents may act as DOIC
endpoints, even though they are not endpoints in the Diameter sense. endpoints, even though they are not endpoints in the Diameter sense.
Since Diameter enables bi-directional applications, where Diameter Since Diameter enables bi-directional applications, where Diameter
servers can send requests towards Diameter clients, a given Diameter servers can send requests towards Diameter clients, a given Diameter
node can simultaneously act as a reporting node and reacting node. node can simultaneously act as a reporting node and a reacting node.
Likewise, a relay or proxy agent may act as a reacting node from the Likewise, a relay or proxy agent may act as a reacting node from the
perspective of upstream nodes, and a reporting node from the perspective of upstream nodes, and a reporting node from the
perspective of downstream nodes. perspective of downstream nodes.
DOIC endpoints do not generate new messages to carry DOIC related DOIC endpoints do not generate new messages to carry DOIC related
information. Rather, they "piggyback" DOIC information over existing information. Rather, they "piggyback" DOIC information over existing
Diameter messages by inserting new AVPs into existing Diameter Diameter messages by inserting new AVPs into existing Diameter
requests and responses. Nodes indicate support for DOIC, and any requests and responses. Nodes indicate support for DOIC, and any
needed DOIC parameters by inserting an OC_Supported_Features AVP needed DOIC parameters by inserting an OC_Supported_Features AVP
(Section 4.1) into existing requests and responses. Reporting nodes (Section 6.2) into existing requests and responses. Reporting nodes
send OLRs by inserting OC-OLR AVPs. (Section 4.3) send OLRs by inserting OC-OLR AVPs (Section 6.3).
A given OLR applies to the Diameter realm and application of the A given OLR applies to the Diameter realm and application of the
Diameter message that carries it. If a reporting node supports more Diameter message that carries it. If a reporting node supports more
than one realm and/or application, it reports independently for each than one realm and/or application, it reports independently for each
combination of realm and application. Similarly, OC-Feature-Vector combination of realm and application. Similarly, OC-Feature-Vector
AVPs apply to the realm and application of the enclosing message. AVPs apply to the realm and application of the enclosing message.
This implies that a node may support DOIC for one application and/or This implies that a node may support DOIC for one application and/or
realm, but not another, and may indicate different DOIC parameters realm, but not another, and may indicate different DOIC parameters
for each application and realm for which it supports DOIC. for each application and realm for which it supports DOIC.
Reacting nodes perform overload abatement according to an agreed-upon Reacting nodes perform overload abatement according to an agreed-upon
abatement algorithm. An abatement algorithm defines the meaning of abatement algorithm. An abatement algorithm defines the meaning of
the parameters of an OLR, and the procedures required for overload the parameters of an OLR, and the procedures required for overload
abatement. This document specifies a single must-support algorithm, abatement. This document specifies a single must-support algorithm,
namely the "loss" algorithm [ref?]. Future specifications may namely the "loss" algorithm Section 5). Future specifications may
introduce new algorithms. introduce new algorithms.
Editor's note: The need to restructure the document to contain a
section that describes the loss algorithm. This likely means
separating the description of the mechanisms for reporting the need
for overload control from the description of the loss algorithm.
Overload conditions may vary in scope. For example, a single Overload conditions may vary in scope. For example, a single
Diameter node may be overloaded, in which case reacting nodes may Diameter node may be overloaded, in which case reacting nodes may
reasonably attempt to send throttled requests to other destinations reasonably attempt to send throttled requests to other destinations
or via other agents. On the other hand, an entire Diameter realm may or via other agents. On the other hand, an entire Diameter realm may
be overloaded, in which case such attempts would do harm. DOIC OLRs be overloaded, in which case such attempts would do harm. DOIC OLRs
have a concept of "report type" (Section 4.6), where the type defines have a concept of "report type" (Section 6.6), where the type defines
such behaviors. Report types are extensible. This document defines such behaviors. Report types are extensible. This document defines
report types for overload of a specific server, and for overload of report types for overload of a specific server, and for overload of
an entire realm. an entire realm.
While a reporting node sends OLRs to "adjacent" reacting nodes, nodes While a reporting node sends OLRs to "adjacent" reacting nodes, nodes
that are "adjacent" for DOIC purposes may not be adjacent from a that are "adjacent" for DOIC purposes may not be adjacent from a
Diameter, or transport, perspective. For example, one or more Diameter, or transport, perspective. For example, one or more
Diameter agents that do not support DOIC may exist between a given Diameter agents that do not support DOIC may exist between a given
pair of reporting and reacting nodes, as long as those agents pass pair of reporting and reacting nodes, as long as those agents pass
unknown AVPs through unmolested. The report types described in this unknown AVPs through unmolested. The report types described in this
document can safely pass through non-supporting agents. This may not document can safely pass through non-supporting agents. This may not
be true for report types defined in future specifications. Documents be true for report types defined in future specifications. Documents
that introduce new report types MUST describe any limitations on that introduce new report types MUST describe any limitations on
their use across non-supporting agents. their use across non-supporting agents.
3.1. Architectural Assumptions 3.1. Overload Control Endpoints (Non normative)
This section describes the high-level architectural and semantic The overload control solution can be considered as an overlay on top
assumptions that underlie the Diameter Overload Control Mechanism. of an arbitrary Diameter network. The overload control information
is exchanged over on a "DOIC association" established between two
communication endpoints. The endpoints, namely the "reacting node"
and the "reporting node" do not need to be adjacent Diameter peer
nodes, nor they need to be the end-to-end Diameter nodes in a typical
"client-server" deployment with multiple intermediate Diameter agent
nodes in between. The overload control endpoints are the two
Diameter nodes that decide to exchange overload control information
between each other. How the endpoints are determined is specific to
a deployment, a Diameter node role in that deployment and local
configuration.
3.1.1. Application Classification The following diagrams illustrate the concept of Diameter Overload
Endpoints and how they differ from the standard [RFC6733] defined
client, server and agent Diameter nodes. The following is the key to
the elements in the diagrams:
C Diameter client as defined in [RFC6733].
S Diameter server as defined in [RFC6733].
A Diameter agent, in either a relay or proxy mode, as defined in
[RFC6733].
DEP Diameter Overload Endpoint as defined in this document. In the
following figures a DEP may terminate two different DOIC
associations being a reporter and reactor at the same time.
Diameter Session A Diameter session as defined in [RFC6733].
DOIC Association A DOIC association exists between two Diameter
Overload Endpoints. One of the endpoints is the overload reporter
and the other is the overload reactor.
Figure 1 illustrates the most basic configuration where a client is
connected directly to a server. In this case, the Diameter session
and the DOIC association are both between the client and server.
+-----+ +-----+
| C | | S |
+-----+ +-----+
| DEP | | DEP |
+--+--+ +--+--+
| |
| |
|{Diameter Session}|
| |
|{DOIC Association}|
| |
Figure 1: Basic DOIC deployment
In Figure 2 there is an agent that is not participating directly in
the exchange of overload reports. As a result, the Diameter session
and the DOIC association are still established between the client and
the server.
+-----+ +-----+ +-----+
| C | | A | | S |
+-----+ +--+--+ +-----+
| DEP | | | DEP |
+--+--+ | +--+--+
| | |
| | |
|----------{Diameter Session}---------|
| | |
|----------{DOIC Association}---------|
| | |
Figure 2: DOIC deployment with non participating agent
Figure 3 illustrates the case where the client does not support
Diameter overload. In this case, the DOIC association is between the
agent and the server. The agent handles the role of the reactor for
overload reports generated by the server.
+-----+ +-----+ +-----+
| C | | A | | S |
+--+--+ +-----+ +-----+
| | DEP | | DEP |
| +--+--+ +--+--+
| | |
| | |
|----------{Diameter Session}---------|
| | |
| |{DOIC Association}|
| | |
Figure 3: DOIC deployment with non-DOIC client and DOIC enabled agent
In Figure 4 there is a DOIC association between the client and the
agent and a second DOIC association between the agent and the server.
One use case requiring this configuration is when the agent is
serving as a SFE for a set of servers.
+-----+ +-----+ +-----+
| C | | A | | S |
+-----+ +-----+ +-----+
| DEP | | DEP | | DEP |
+--+--+ +--+--+ +--+--+
| | |
| | |
|----------{Diameter Session}---------|
| | |
|{DOIC Association}|{DOIC Association}|
| | and/or
|----------{DOIC Association}---------|
| | |
Figure 4: A deployment where all nodes support DOIC
Figure 5 illustrates a deployment where some clients support Diameter
overload control and some do not. In this case the agent must
support Diameter overload control for the non supporting client. It
might also need to have a DOIC association with the server, as shown
here, to handle overload for a server farm and/or for managing Realm
overload.
+-----+ +-----+ +-----+ +-----+
| C1 | | C2 | | A | | S |
+-----+ +--+--+ +-----+ +-----+
| DEP | | | DEP | | DEP |
+--+--+ | +--+--+ +--+--+
| | | |
| | | |
|-------------------{Diameter Session}-------------------|
| | | |
| |--------{Diameter Session}-----------|
| | | |
|---------{DOIC Association}----------|{DOIC Association}|
| | | and/or
|-------------------{DOIC Association}-------------------|
| | | |
Figure 5: A deployment with DOIC and non-DOIC supporting clients
Editor's note: Propose to remove C1, which is already shown in a
previous figure. Have this focus just on the non supporting client
scenario.
Figure 6 illustrates a deployment where some agents support Diameter
overload control and others do not.
+-----+ +-----+ +-----+ +-----+
| C | | A | | A | | S |
+-----+ +--+--+ +-----+ +-----+
| DEP | | | DEP | | DEP |
+--+--+ | +--+--+ +--+--+
| | | |
| | | |
|-------------------{Diameter Session}-------------------|
| | | |
| | | |
|---------{DOIC Association}----------|{DOIC Association}|
| | | and/or
|-------------------{DOIC Association}-------------------|
| | | |
Figure 6: A deployment with DOIC and non-DOIC supporting agents
Editor's note: Propose to add a non supporting server scenario.
3.2. Piggybacking Principle (Non normative)
The overload control AVPs defined in this specification have been
designed to be piggybacked on top of existing application message
exchanges. This is made possible by adding overload control top
level AVPs, the OC-OLR AVP and the OC-Supported-Features AVP as
optional AVPs into existing commands when the corresponding Command
Code Format (CCF) specification allows adding new optional AVPs (see
Section 1.3.4 of [RFC6733]).
Reacting nodes indicate support for DOIC by including the OC-
Supported-Features AVP all request messages originated or relayed by
the Diameter node.
Reporting nodes indicate support for DOIC by including the OC-
Supported-Features AVP in all answer messages originated or relayed
by the Diameter node. Reporting nodes also include overload reports
using the OC-OLR AVP in answer messages.
Note: There is no new Diameter application defined to carry
overload related AVPs. The DOIC AVPs are carried in existing
Diameter application messages.
Note that the overload control solution does not have fixed server
and client roles. The endpoint role is determined based on the
message type: whether the message is a request (i.e. sent by a
"reacting node") or an answer (i.e. send by a "reporting node").
Therefore, in a typical "client-server" deployment, the "client" MAY
report its overload condition to the "server" for any server
initiated message exchange. An example of such is the server
requesting a re-authentication from a client.
3.3. DOIC Capability Announcement (Non normative)
The DOIC solutions supports the ability for Diameter nodes to
determine if other nodes in the path of a request support the
solution. This capability is refered to as DOIC Capability
Announcement (DCA) and is separate from Diameter Capability Exchange.
The DCA mechanism is built around the piggybacking principle used for
transporting Diameter overload AVPs. This includes both DCA AVPs and
AVPs associated with Diameter overload reports. This allows for the
DCA AVPs to be carried across Diameter nodes that do not support the
DOIC solution.
The DCA mechanism uses the OC-Supported-Features AVPs to indicate the
Diameter overload features supported.
The first node in the path of a Diameter request that supports the
DOIC solution inserts the OC-Supported-Feature AVP in the request
message. This includes an indication that it supports the loss
overload abatement algorithm defined in this specification (see
Section 5). This insures that there is at least one commonly
supported overload abatement algorithm between the reporting node and
the reacting nodes in the path of the request.
DOIC must support deployments where Diameter Clients and/or
Diameter servers do not support the DOIC solution. In this
scenario, it is assumed that Diameter Agents that support the DOIC
solution will handle overload abatement for the non supporting
clients. In this case the DOIC agent will insert the OC-
Supporting-Features AVP in requests that do not already contain
one, telling the reporting node that there is a DOIC node that
will handle overload abatement.
The reporting node inserts the OC-Supported-Feature AVP in all answer
messages to requests that contained the OC-Supported-Feature AVP.
The contents of the reporting node's OC-Supported-Feature AVP
indicate the set of Diameter overload features supported by the
reporting node with one exception.
The reporting node only includes an indication of support for one
overload abatement algorithm. This is the algorithm that the
reporting node intends to use should it enter an overload condition.
Reacting nodes can use the indicated overload abatement algorithm to
prepare for possible overload reports.
Note that the loss algorithm defined in this document is a
stateless abatement algorithm. As a result it does not require
any actions by reacting nodes prior to the receipt of an overload
report. Stateful abatement algorithms that base the abatement
logic on a history of request messages sent might require reacting
nodes to maintain state to insure that overload reports can be
properly handled.
The individual features supported by the DOIC nodes are indicated in
the OC-Feature-Vector AVP. Any semantics associated with the
features will be defined in extension specifications that introduce
the features.
The DCA mechanism must also support the scenario where the set of
features supported by the sender of a request and by agents in the
path of a request differ. In this case, the agent updates the OC-
Supported-Feature AVP to reflect the mixture of the two sets of
supported features.
The logic to determine the content of the modified OC-Supported-
Feature AVP is out-of-scope for this specification and is left to
implementation decisions. Care must be taken in doing so not to
introduce interoperability issues for downstream or upstream DOIC
nodes.
3.4. DOIC Overload Condition Reporting (Non normative)
As with DOIC Capability Announcement, Overload Condition Reporting
uses new AVPs (Section 6.3) to indicate an overload condition.
The OC-OLR AVP is referred to as an overload report. The OC-OLR AVP
includes the type of report, an overload report ID, the length of
time that the report is valid and abatement algorithm specific AVPs.
Two types of overload reports are defined in this document, host
reports and realm reports.
Host reports apply to traffic that is sent to a specific Diameter
host. The applies to requests that contain the Destination-Host AVP
that contains a DiameterIdentity that matches that of the overload
report. These requests are referred to as host-routed requests. A
host report also applies to realm-routed requests, requests that do
not have a Destination-Host AVP, when the selected route for the
request is a connection to the impacted host.
Realm reports apply to realm-routed requests for a specific realm as
indicated in the Destination-Realm AVP.
Reporting nodes are responsible for determining the need for a
reduction of traffic. The method for making this determination is
implementation specific and depend on the type of overload report
being generated. A host report, for instance, will generally be
generated by tracking utilization of resources required by the host
to handle transactions for the the Diameter application. A realm
report will generally impact the traffic sent to multiple hosts and,
as such, will typically require tracking the capacity of the servers
able to handle realm-routed requests for the application.
Once a reporting node determines the need for a reduction in traffic,
it uses the DOIC defined AVPs to report on the condition. These AVPs
are included in answer messages sent or relayed by the reporting
node. The reporting node indicates the overload abatement algorithm
that is to be used to handle the traffic reduction in the OC-
Supported-Features AVP. The OC-OLR AVP is used to communicate
information about the requested reduction.
Reacting nodes, upon receipt of an overload report, are responsible
for applying the abatement algorithm to traffic impacted by the
overload report. The method used for that abatement is dependent on
the abatement algorithm. The loss abatement algorithm is defined in
this document (Section 5). Other abatement algorithms can be defined
in extensions to the DOIC solutions.
As the conditions that lead to the generation of the overload report
change the reporting node can send new overload reports requesting
greater reduction if the condition gets worse or less reduction if
the condition improves. The reporting node sends an overload report
with a duration of zero to indicate that the overlaod condition has
ended and use of the abatement algorithm is no longer needed.
The reacting node also determines when the overload report expires
based on the OC-Validaty-Duration AVP in the overload report and
stops applying the abatement algorithm when the report expires.
3.5. DOIC Extensibility (Non normative)
The DOIC solutions is designed to be extensible. This extensibility
is based on existing Diameter based extensibility mechanisms.
There are multiple categories of extensions that are expected. This
includes the definition of new overload abatement algorithms, the
definition of new report types and new definitions of the scope of
messages impacted by an overload report.
The DOIC solution uses the OC-Supported-Features AVP for DOIC nodes
to communicate supported features. The specific features supported
by the DOIC node are indicated in the OC-Feature-Vector AVP. DOIC
extensions must define new values for the OC-Feature-Vector AVP.
DOIC extensions also have the ability to add new AVPs to the OC-
Supported-Features AVP, if additional information about the new
feature is required to be communicate.
Overload abatement algorithms use the OC-OLR AVP to communicate
overload occurances. This AVP can also be extended to add new AVPs
allowing a reporting nodes to communicate additional information
about handling an overload condition.
If necessary, new extensions can also define new top level AVPs. It
is, however, recommended that DOIC extensions use the OC-Supported-
Features and OC-OLR to carry all DOIC related AVPs.
3.6. Simplified Example Architecture (Non normative)
Figure 7 illustrates the simplified architecture for Diameter
overload information conveyance. See Section 3.1 for more discussion
and details how different Diameter nodes fit into the architecture
from the DOIC point of view.
Realm X Same or other Realms
<--------------------------------------> <---------------------->
+--^-----+ : (optional) :
|Diameter| : :
|Server A|--+ .--. : +---^----+ : .--.
+--------+ | _( `. : |Diameter| : _( `. +---^----+
+--( )--:-| Agent |-:--( )--|Diameter|
+--------+ | ( ` . ) ) : +-----^--+ : ( ` . ) ) | Client |
|Diameter|--+ `--(___.-' : : `--(___.-' +-----^--+
|Server B| : :
+---^----+ : :
End-to-end Overload Indication
1) <----------------------------------------------->
Diameter Application Y
Overload Indication A Overload Indication A'
2) <----------------------> <---------------------->
standard base protocol standard base protocol
Figure 7: Simplified architecture choices for overload indication
delivery
In Figure 7, the Diameter overload indication can be conveyed (1)
end-to-end between servers and clients or (2) between servers and
Diameter agent inside the realm and then between the Diameter agent
and the clients when the Diameter agent acting as back-to-back-agent
for DOIC purposes.
3.7. Considerations for Applications Integrating the DOIC Solution (Non
normative)
THis section outlines considerations to be taken into account when
integrating the DOIC solution into Diameter applications.
3.7.1. Application Classification (Non normative)
The following is a classification of Diameter applications and The following is a classification of Diameter applications and
requests. This discussion is meant to document factors that play requests. This discussion is meant to document factors that play
into decisions made by the Diameter identity responsible for handling into decisions made by the Diameter identity responsible for handling
overload reports. overload reports.
Section 8.1 of [RFC6733] defines two state machines that imply two Section 8.1 of [RFC6733] defines two state machines that imply two
types of applications, session-less and session-based applications. types of applications, session-less and session-based applications.
The primary difference between these types of applications is the The primary difference between these types of applications is the
lifetime of Session-Ids. lifetime of Session-Ids.
For session-based applications, the Session-Id is used to tie For session-based applications, the Session-Id is used to tie
multiple requests into a single session. multiple requests into a single session.
In session-less applications, the lifetime of the Session-Id is a In session-less applications, the lifetime of the Session-Id is a
single Diameter transaction, i.e. the session is implicitly single Diameter transaction, i.e. the session is implicitly
terminated after a single Diameter transaction and a new Session-Id terminated after a single Diameter transaction and a new Session-Id
is generated for each Diameter request. is generated for each Diameter request.
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Applications that do not rely on the Session-Id AVP for Applications that do not rely on the Session-Id AVP for
correlation of application messages related to the same session correlation of application messages related to the same session
but use other session-related information in the Diameter requests but use other session-related information in the Diameter requests
for this purpose. The 3GPP defined Cx application [Cx] is an for this purpose. The 3GPP defined Cx application [Cx] is an
example of a pseudo-session application. example of a pseudo-session application.
The Credit-Control application defined in [RFC4006] is an example of The Credit-Control application defined in [RFC4006] is an example of
a Diameter session-based application. a Diameter session-based application.
The handling of overload reports must take the type of application The handling of overload reports must take the type of application
into consideration, as discussed in Section 3.1.2. into consideration, as discussed in Section 3.7.2.
3.1.2. Application Type Overload Implications 3.7.2. Application Type Overload Implications (Non normative)
This section discusses considerations for mitigating overload This section discusses considerations for mitigating overload
reported by a Diameter entity. This discussion focuses on the type reported by a Diameter entity. This discussion focuses on the type
of application. Section 3.1.3 discusses considerations for handling of application. Section 3.7.3 discusses considerations for handling
various request types when the target server is known to be in an various request types when the target server is known to be in an
overloaded state. overloaded state.
These discussions assume that the strategy for mitigating the These discussions assume that the strategy for mitigating the
reported overload is to reduce the overall workload sent to the reported overload is to reduce the overall workload sent to the
overloaded entity. The concept of applying overload treatment to overloaded entity. The concept of applying overload treatment to
requests targeted for an overloaded Diameter entity is inherent to requests targeted for an overloaded Diameter entity is inherent to
this discussion. The method used to reduce offered load is not this discussion. The method used to reduce offered load is not
specified here but could include routing requests to another Diameter specified here but could include routing requests to another Diameter
entity known to be able to handle them, or it could mean rejecting entity known to be able to handle them, or it could mean rejecting
skipping to change at page 8, line 34 skipping to change at page 18, line 5
towards an overloaded Diameter entity for a session-based towards an overloaded Diameter entity for a session-based
application might tend to reject new session requests prior to application might tend to reject new session requests prior to
rejecting intra-session requests. In addition, session ending rejecting intra-session requests. In addition, session ending
requests might be given a lower probability of being rejected as requests might be given a lower probability of being rejected as
rejecting session ending requests could result in session status rejecting session ending requests could result in session status
being out of sync between the Diameter clients and servers. being out of sync between the Diameter clients and servers.
Application designers that would decide to reject mid-session Application designers that would decide to reject mid-session
requests will need to consider whether the rejection invalidates requests will need to consider whether the rejection invalidates
the session and any resulting session clean-up procedures. the session and any resulting session clean-up procedures.
3.1.3. Request Transaction Classification 3.7.3. Request Transaction Classification (Non normative)
Independent Request: Independent Request:
An independent request is not correlated to any other requests An independent request is not correlated to any other requests
and, as such, the lifetime of the session-id is constrained to an and, as such, the lifetime of the session-id is constrained to an
individual transaction. individual transaction.
Session-Initiating Request: Session-Initiating Request:
A session-initiating request is the initial message that A session-initiating request is the initial message that
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Pseudo-Session Requests: Pseudo-Session Requests:
Pseudo-session requests are independent requests and do not use Pseudo-session requests are independent requests and do not use
the same Session-Id but are correlated by other session-related the same Session-Id but are correlated by other session-related
information contained in the request. There exists Diameter information contained in the request. There exists Diameter
applications that define an expected ordering of transactions. applications that define an expected ordering of transactions.
This sequencing of independent transactions results in a pseudo This sequencing of independent transactions results in a pseudo
session. The AIR, MAR and SAR requests in the 3GPP defined Cx session. The AIR, MAR and SAR requests in the 3GPP defined Cx
[Cx] application are examples of pseudo-session requests. [Cx] application are examples of pseudo-session requests.
3.1.4. Request Type Overload Implications 3.7.4. Request Type Overload Implications (Non normative)
The request classes identified in Section 3.1.3 have implications on The request classes identified in Section 3.7.3 have implications on
decisions about which requests should be throttled first. The decisions about which requests should be throttled first. The
following list of request treatment regarding throttling is provided following list of request treatment regarding throttling is provided
as guidelines for application designers when implementing the as guidelines for application designers when implementing the
Diameter overload control mechanism described in this document. The Diameter overload control mechanism described in this document. The
exact behavior regarding throttling is a matter of local policy, exact behavior regarding throttling is a matter of local policy,
unless specifically defined for the application. unless specifically defined for the application.
Independent requests: Independent requests:
Independent requests can be given equal treatment when making Independent requests can be given equal treatment when making
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and server to maintain the ongoing session state. Session and server to maintain the ongoing session state. Session
terminating requests should be throttled less aggressively in terminating requests should be throttled less aggressively in
order to gracefully terminate sessions, allow clean-up of the order to gracefully terminate sessions, allow clean-up of the
related resources (e.g. session state) and get rid of the need for related resources (e.g. session state) and get rid of the need for
other intra-session requests, reducing the session management other intra-session requests, reducing the session management
impact on the overloaded entity. The default handling of other impact on the overloaded entity. The default handling of other
intra-session requests might be to treat them equally when making intra-session requests might be to treat them equally when making
throttling decisions. There might also be application level throttling decisions. There might also be application level
considerations whether some request types are favored over others. considerations whether some request types are favored over others.
3.1.5. Diameter Agent Behavior 4. Solution Procedures (Normative)
Editor's note: This section needs to be revisited once definition of This section outlines the normative behavior associated with the DOIC
DOIC endpoints is finalized. solution.
In the context of the Diameter Overload Indication Conveyance (DOIC) 4.1. Capability Announcement (Normative)
and reacting to the overload information, the functional behavior of
Diameter agents in front of servers, especially Diameter proxies,
needs to be common. This is important because agents may actively
participate in the handling of an overload conditions. For example,
they may make intelligent next hop selection decisions based on
overload conditions, or aggregate overload information to be
disseminated downstream. Diameter agents may have other deployment
related tasks that are not defined in the Diameter base protocol
[RFC6733]. These include, among other tasks, topology hiding, or
agent acting as a Server Front End (SFE) for a farm of Diameter
servers.
Since the solution defined in this specification must not break the This section defines DOIC Capability Announcement (DCA) behavior.
Diameter base protocol [RFC6733] at any time, great care has to be
taken not to assume functionality from the Diameter agents that would
break base protocol behavior, or to assume agent functionality beyond
the Diameter base protocol. Effectively this means the following
from a Diameter agent:
o If a Diameter agent presents itself as the "end node", as an agent The DCA procedures are used to indicate support for DOIC and support
acting as an topology hiding SFE, the agent is the final for DOIC features. The DOIC features include overload abatement
destination of requests initiated by Diameter clients, the algorithms supported. It might also include new report types or
original source for the corresponding answers and server-initiated other extensions documented in the future.
requests. As a consequence, the DOIC mechanism MUST NOT leak
information of the Diameter nodes behind it. This requirement
means that such a Diameter agent acts as a back-to-back-agent for
DOIC purposes. How the Diameter agent in this case appears to the
Diameter servers in the farm, is specific to the implementation
and deployment within the realm the Diameter agent is deployed.
o If the Diameter agent does not impersonate the servers behind it, Diameter nodes indicate support for DOIC by including the OC-
the Diameter dialogue is established between clients and servers Supported-Features AVP in messages sent or handled by the node.
and any overload information received by a client would be from
the server identified by the Origin-Host identity contained in the
Diameter message.
3.1.6. Simplified Example Architecture Diameter agents that support DOIC MUST ensure that all messages have
the OC-Supporting-Features AVP. If a message handled by the DOIC
agent does not include the OC-Supported-Features AVP then the DOIC
agent inserts the AVP. If the message already has the AVP then the
agent either leaves it unchanged in the relayed message or modifies
it to reflect a mixed set of DOIC features.
Figure 1 illustrates the simplified architecture for Diameter 4.1.1. Reacting Node Behavior (Normative)
overload information conveyance. See Section 5.1 for more discussion
and details how different Diameter nodes fit into the architecture
from the DOIC point of view.
Realm X Same or other Realms A reacting node MUST include the OC-Supported-Features AVP in all
<--------------------------------------> <----------------------> request messages.
+--^-----+ : (optional) : A reacting node MUST include the OC-Feature-Vector AVP with an
|Diameter| : : indication of the loss algorithm.
|Server A|--+ .--. : +---^----+ : .--.
+--------+ | _( `. : |Diameter| : _( `. +---^----+
+--( )--:-| Agent |-:--( )--|Diameter|
+--------+ | ( ` . ) ) : +-----^--+ : ( ` . ) ) | Client |
|Diameter|--+ `--(___.-' : : `--(___.-' +-----^--+
|Server B| : :
+---^----+ : :
End-to-end Overload Indication A reacting node SHOULD indicate support for all other DOIC features
1) <-----------------------------------------------> it supports.
Diameter Application Y
Overload Indication A Overload Indication A' An OC-Supported-Features AVP in answer messages indicates there is a
2) <----------------------> <----------------------> reporting node for the transaction. The reacting node MAY take
standard base protocol standard base protocol action based on the features indicated in the OC-Feature-Vector AVP.
Figure 1: Simplified architecture choices for overload indication Note that the loss abatement algorithm is the only feature
delivery described in this document and it does not require action to be
taken by the reacting node except when the answer message also has
an overload report. This behavior is described in Section 4.2 and
Section 5.
In Figure 1, the Diameter overload indication can be conveyed (1) 4.1.2. Reporting Node Behavior (Normative)
end-to-end between servers and clients or (2) between servers and
Diameter agent inside the realm and then between the Diameter agent
and the clients when the Diameter agent acting as back-to-back-agent
for DOIC purposes.
3.2. Conveyance of the Overload Indication Upon receipt of a request message, a reporting node determines if
there is a reacting node for the transaction based on the presence of
the OC-Supported-Features AVP.
The following sections describe new Diameter AVPs used for sending Based on the content of the OC-Supported-Features AVP in the request
overload reports, and for declaring support for certain DOIC message, the reporting node knows what overload control functionality
features. supported by reacting node(s). The reporting node then acts
accordingly for the subsequent answer messages it initiates.
3.2.1. DOIC Capability Discovery If the reqeust message contains an OC-Supported-Features AVP then the
reporting node MUST include the OC-Supported-Features AVP in the
answer message for that transaction.
Support of DOIC may be specified as part of the functionality The reporting node MUST indicate support for one and only one
supported by a new Diameter application. In this way, support of the abatement algorithm in the OC-Feature-Vector AVP. The abatement
considered Diameter application (discovered during capabilities algorithm included MUST be from the set of abatement algorithms
exchange phase as defined in Diameter base protocol [RFC6733]) contained in the request messages OC-Supported-Features AVP. The
indicates implicit support of the DOIC mechanism. abatement algorithm included indicates the abatement algorithm the
reporting node wants the reacting node to use when the reporting node
enters an overload condition.
Editor's Note: This method does not work in general when agents are The reporting node MUST NOT change the selected algorithm during a
part of the deployment. period of time that it is in an overload condition and, as a result,
is sending OC-OLR AVPs in answer messages.
When the DOIC mechanism is introduced in existing Diameter The reporting node SHOULD indicate support for other DOIC features it
applications, a specific capability discovery mechanism is required. supports and that apply to the transaction.
The "DOIC capability discovery mechanism" is based on the presence of
specific optional AVPs in the Diameter messages, such as the OC-
Supported-Features AVP (see Section 4.1). Although the OC-Supported-
Features AVP can be used to advertise a certain set of new or
existing Diameter overload control capabilities, it is not a
versioning solution per se, however, it can be used to achieve the
same result.
From the Diameter overload control functionality point of view, the Note that not all DOIC features will apply to all Diameter
"Reacting node" is the requester of the overload report information applications or deployment scenarios. The features included in
and the "Reporting node" is the provider of the overload report. The the OC-Feature-Vector AVP is based on local reporting node policy.
OC-Supported-Features AVP in the request message is always
interpreted as an announcement of "DOIC supported capabilities". The
OC-Supported-Features AVP in the answer is also interpreted as a
report of "DOIC supported capabilities" and at least one of supported
capabilities MUST be common with the "Reacting node" (see
Section 4.1).
3.3. Overload Condition Indication The reporting node MUST NOT include the OC-Supported-Features AVP,
OC-OLR AVP or any other overload control AVPs defined in extension
drafts in response messages for transactions where the request
message does not include the OC-Supported-Features AVP. Lack of the
OC-Supported-Features AVP in the request message indicates that there
is no reacting node for the transaction.
Diameter nodes can request a reduction in offered load by indicating An agent MAY modify the OC-Supported-Features AVP carried in answer
an overload condition in the form of an overload report. The messages.
overload report contains information about how much load should be
reduced, and may contain other information about the overload
condition. This information is conveyed in Diameter Attribute Value
Pairs (AVPs).
Certain new AVPs may also be used to declare certain DOIC 4.1.3. Agent Behavior (Normative)
capabilities and extensions.
4. Attribute Value Pairs Editor's note -- Need to add this section.
4.2. Overload Report Processing (Normative)
4.2.1. Overload Control State (Normative)
Both reacting and reporting nodes maintain an overload control state
(OCS) for each endpoint (a host or a realm) they communicate with and
both endpoints have announced support for DOIC. See Sections 6.1 and
4.1 for discussion about how the support for DOIC is determined.
4.2.1.1. Overload Control State for Reacting Nodes
A reacting node maintains the following OCS per supported Diameter
application:
o A host-type Overload Control State for each Destination-Host
towards which it sends host-type requests and
o A realm-type Overload Control State for each Destination-Realm
towards which it sends realm-type requests.
A host-type Overload Control State may be identified by the pair of
Application-Id and Destination-Host. A realm-type Overload Control
State may be identified by the pair of Application-Id and
Destination-Realm. The host-type/realm-type Overload Control State
for a given pair of Application and Destination-Host / Destination-
Realm could include the following information:
o Sequence number (as received in OC-OLR)
o Time of expiry (deviated from validity duration as received in OC-
OLR and time of reception)
o Selected Abatement Algorithm (as received in OC-Supported-
Features)
o Algorithm specific input data (as received within OC-OLR, e.g.
Reduction Percentage for Loss)
4.2.1.2. Overload Control States for Reporting Nodes
A reporting node maintains per supported Diameter application and per
supported (and eventually selected) Abatement Algorithm an Overload
Control State.
An Overload Control State may be identified by the pair of
Application-Id and supported Abatement Algorithm.
The Overload Control State for a given pair of Application and
Abatement Algorithm could include the information:
o Sequence number
o Validity Duration and Expiry Time
o Algorithm specific input data (e.g. Reduction Percentage for
Loss)
Overload Control States for reporting nodes containing a validity
duration of 0 sec. should not expire before any previously sent
(stale) OLR has timed out at any reacting node.
Editor's note: This statement is unclear and contradictory with other
statements. A validity timer of zero seconds indicates that the
overload condition has ended and abatement is no longer requested.
4.2.1.3. Maintaining Overload Control State
Reacting nodes create a host-type OCS identified by OCS-Id = (app-
id,host-id) when receiving an answer message of application app-id
containing an Orig-Host of host-id and a host-type OC-OLR AVP unless
such host-type OCS already exists.
Reacting nodes create a realm-type OCS identified by OCS-Id = (app-
id,realm-id) when receiving an answer message of application app-id
containing an Orig-Realm of realm-id and a realm-type OC-OLR AVP
unless such realm type OCS already exists.
Reacting nodes delete an OCS when it expires (i.e. when current time
minus reception time is greater than validity duration).
Editor's note: Reacting nodes also delete on OCS with an updated OLR
is received with a validity duration of zero.
Reacting nodes update the host-type OCS identified by OCS-Id = (app-
id,host-id) when receiving an answer message of application app-id
containing an Orig-Host of host-id and a host-type OC-OLR AVP with a
sequence number higher than the stored sequence number.
Reacting nodes update the realm-type OCS identified by OCS-Id = (app-
id,realm-id) when receiving an answer message of application app-id
containing an Orig-Realm of realm-id and a realm-type OC-OLR AVP with
a sequence number higher than the stored sequence number.
Reacting nodes do not delete an OCS when receiving an answer message
that does not contain an OC-OLR AVP (i.e. absence of OLR means "no
change").
Reporting nodes create an OCS identified by OCS-Id = (app-id,Alg)
when receiving a request of application app-id containing an OC-
Supported-Features AVP indicating support of the Abatement Algorithm
Alg (which the reporting node selects) while being overloaded, unless
such OCS already exists.
Reporting nodes delete an OCS when it expires.
Editor's note: Reporting nodes should send updated overload reports
with a validity duration of zero for a period of time after an OCS
expires or is removed due to the overload condition ending.
Reporting nodes update the OCS identified by OCS-Id = (app-id,Alg)
when they detect the need to modify the requested amount of
application app-id traffic reduction.
4.2.2. Reacting Node Behavior (Normative)
Once a reacting node receives an OC-OLR AVP from a reporting node, it
applies traffic abatement based on the selected algorithm with the
reporting node and the current overload condition. The reacting node
learns the reporting node supported abatement algorithms directly
from the received answer message containing the OC-Supported-Features
AVP.
The received OC-Supported-Features AVP does not change the existing
overload condition and/or traffic abatement algorithm settings if the
OC-Sequence-Number AVP contains a value that is equal to the
previously received/recorded value. If the OC-Supported-Features AVP
is received for the first time for the reporting node or the OC-
Sequence-Number AVP value is less than the previously received/
recorded value (and is outside the valid overflow window), then the
sequence number is stale (e.g. an intentional or unintentional
replay) and SHOULD be silently discarded.
As described in Section 6.3, the OC-OLR AVP contains the necessary
information for the overload condition on the reporting node.
From the OC-Report-Type AVP contained in the OC-OLR AVP, the reacting
node learns whether the overload condition report concerns a specific
host (as identified by the Origin-Host AVP of the answer message
containing the OC-OLR AVP) or the entire realm (as identified by the
Origin-Realm AVP of the answer message containing the OC-OLR AVP).
The reacting node learns the Diameter application to which the
overload report applies from the Application-ID of the answer message
containing the OC-OLR AVP. The reacting node MUST use this
information as an input for its traffic abatement algorithm. The
idea is that the reacting node applies different handling of the
traffic abatement, whether sent request messages are targeted to a
specific host (identified by the Diameter-Host AVP in the request) or
to any host in a realm (when only the Destination-Realm AVP is
present in the request). Note that future specifications MAY define
new OC-Report-Type AVP values that imply different handling of the
OC-OLR AVP. For example, in a form of new additional AVPs inside the
Grouped OC-OLR AVP that would define report target in a finer
granularity than just a host.
Editor's note: The above behavior for Realm reports is
inconsistent with the definition of realm reports in section
Section 6.6.
If the OC-OLR AVP is received for the first time, the reacting node
MUST create overload control state associated with the related realm
or a specific host in the realm identified in the message carrying
the OC-OLR AVP, as described in Section 4.2.1.
If the value of the OC-Sequence-Number AVP contained in the received
OC-OLR AVP is equal to or less than the value stored in an existing
overload control state, the received OC-OLR AVP SHOULD be silently
discarded. If the value of the OC-Sequence-Number AVP contained in
the received OC-OLR AVP is greater than the value stored in an
existing overload control state or there is no previously recorded
sequence number, the reacting node MUST update the overload control
state associated with the realm or the specific node in the realm.
When an overload control state is created or updated, the reacting
node MUST apply the traffic abatement requested in the OC-OLR AVP
using the algorithm announced in the OC-Supported-Features AVP
contained in the received answer message along with the OC-OLR AVP.
The validity duration of the overload information contained in the
OC-OLR AVP is either explicitly indicated in the OC-Validity-Duration
AVP or is implicitly equals to the default value (5 seconds) if the
OC-Validity-Duration AVP is absent. The reacting node MUST maintain
the validity duration in the overload control state. Once the
validity duration times out, the reacting node MUST assume the
overload condition reported in a previous OC-OLR AVP has ended.
A value of zero ("0") received in the OC-Validity-Duration in an
updated overload report indicates that the overload condition has
ended and that the overload state is no longer valid.
In the case that the validity duration expires or is explicitly
signaled as being no longer valid the state associated with the
overload report MUST be removed and any abatement associated with the
overload report MUST be ended in a controlled fashion. After
removing the overload state the sequence number MUST NOT be used for
future comparisons of sequence numbers.
4.2.3. Reporting Node Behavior (Normative)
A reporting node is a Diameter node inserting an OC-OLR AVP in a
Diameter message in order to inform a reacting node about an overload
condition and request Diameter traffic abatement.
The operation on the reporting node is straight forward. The
reporting node learns the capabilities of the reacting node when it
receives the OC-Supported-Features AVP as part of any Diameter
request message. If the reporting node shares at least one common
feature with the reacting node, then the DOIC can be enabled between
these two endpoints. See Section 4.1 for further discussion on the
capability and feature announcement between two endpoints.
When a traffic reduction is required due to an overload condition and
the overload control solution is supported by the sender of the
Diameter request, the reporting node MUST include an OC-Supported-
Features AVP and an OC-OLR AVP in the corresponding Diameter answer.
The OC-OLR AVP contains the required traffic reduction and the OC-
Supported-Features AVP indicates the traffic abatement algorithm to
apply. This algorithm MUST be one of the algorithms advertised by
the request sender.
A reporting node MAY rely on the OC-Validity-Duration AVP values for
the implicit overload control state cleanup on the reacting node.
However, it is RECOMMENDED that the reporting node always explicitly
indicates the end of a overload condition.
The reporting node SHOULD indicate the end of an overload occurrence
by sending a new OLR with OC-Validity-Duration set to a value of zero
("0"). The reporting node SHOULD insure that all reacting nodes
receive the updated overload report.
4.2.4. Agent Behavior (Normative)
Editor's note -- Need to add this section.
4.3. Protocol Extensibility (Normative)
The overload control solution can be extended, e.g. with new traffic
abatement algorithms, new report types or other new functionality.
When defining a new extension a new feature bit MUST be defined for
the OC-Feature-Vector. This feature bit is used to communicate
support for the new feature.
The extention may also define new AVPs for use in DOIC Capability
Anouncement and for use in DOIC Overload reporting. These new AVP
should be defined to be extensions to the OC-Supported-Features and
OC-OLR AVPs defined in this document.
It should be noted that [RFC6733] defined Grouped AVP extension
mechanisms apply. This allows, for example, defining a new feature
that is mandatory to be understood even when piggybacked on an
existing applications. More specifically, the sub-AVPs inside the
OC-Supported-Features and OC-OLR AVP MAY have the M-bit set.
However, when overload control AVPs are piggybacked on top of an
existing applications, setting M-bit in sub-AVPs is NOT RECOMMENDED.
The handling of feature bits in the OC-Feature-Vector AVP that are
not associated with overload abatement algorithms MUST be specified
by the extensions that define the features.
When defining new report type values, the corresponding specification
MUST define the semantics of the new report types and how they affect
the OC-OLR AVP handling. The specification MUST also reserve a
corresponding new feature, see the OC-Supported-Features and OC-
Feature-Vector AVPs.
The OC-OLR AVP can be expanded with optional sub-AVPs only if a
legacy implementation can safely ignore them without breaking
backward compatibility for the given OC-Report-Type AVP value implied
report handling semantics. If the new sub-AVPs imply new semantics
for handling the indicated report type, then a new OC-Report-Type AVP
value MUST be defined.
New features (feature bits in the OC-Feature-Vector AVP) and report
types (in the OC-Report-Type AVP) MUST be registered with IANA. As
with any Diameter specification, new AVPs MUST also be registered
with IANA. See Section 8 for the required procedures.
5. Loss Algorithm (Normative)
This section documents the Diameter overload loss abatement
algorithm.
5.1. Overview (Non normative)
The DOIC specification supports the ability for multiple overload
abatement algorithms to be specified. The abatement algorithm used
for any instance of overload is determined by the Diameter Overload
Capability Announcement process documented in Section 4.1.
The loss algorithm described in this section is the default algorithm
that must be supported by all Diameter nodes that support DOIC.
The loss algorithm is designed to be a straightforward and stateless
overload abatement algorithm. It is used by reporting nodes to
request a percentage reduction in the amount of traffic sent. The
traffic impacted by the requested reduction depends on the type of
overload report.
Reporting nodes use a strategy of applying abatement logic to the
requested percentage of request messages sent (or handled in the case
of agents) by the reacting node that are impacted by the overload
report.
From a conceptual level, the logic at the reacting node could be
outlined as follows. In this discussion assume that the reacting
node is also the sending node.
1. An overload report is received and the associated overload state
is saved by the reacting node.
2. A new Diameter request is generated by the application running on
the reacting node.
3. The reacting node determines that an active overload report
applies to the request.
4. The reacting node determines if abatement should be applied to
the request. One approach that could be taken would be to select
a random number between 1 and 100. If the random number is less
than the indicated reduction percentage then the request is given
abatement treatment, otherwise the request is given normal
routing treatment.
5.2. Use of OC-Reduction-Percentage AVP
A reporting node using the loss algorithm must use the OC-Reduction-
Percentage AVP (Section 6.7 to indicated the desired percentage of
traffic reduction.)
Editor's note: The above duplicates what is in the OC-Reduction-
Percentage AVP section can probably be removed.
5.3. Reporting Node Behavior (Normative)
The method a reporting nodes uses to determine the amount of traffic
reduction required to address an overload condition is an
implementation decision.
When a reporting node that has selected the loss abatement algorithm
determines the need to request a traffic reduction it must include an
OC-OLR AVP in all response messages.
The reporting node must indicate a percentage reduction in the OC-
Reduction-Percentage AVP.
The reporting node may change the reduction percentage in subsequent
overload reports. When doing so the reporting node must conform to
overload report handing specified in Section 4.2.3.
When the reporting node determines it no longer needs a reduction in
traffic the reporting node should send an overload report indicating
the overload report is no longer valid, as specified in
Section 4.2.3.
5.4. Reacting Node Behavior (Normative)
The method a reacting node uses to determine which request messages
are given abatement treatment is an implementation decision.
When receiving an OC-OLR in an answer message where the algorithm
indicated in the OC-Supported-Features AVP is the loss algorithm, the
reacting node must attempt to apply abatement treatment to the
requested percentage of request messages sent.
Note: the loss algorithm is a stateless algorithm. As a result,
the reacting node does not guarantee that there will be an
absolute reduction in traffic sent. Rather, it guarantees that
the requested percentage of new requests will be given abatement
treatment.
If reacting node comes out of the 100 percent traffic reduction as a
result of the overload report timing out, the following concerns are
RECOMMENDED to be applied. The reacting node sending the traffic
should be conservative and, for example, first send "probe" messages
to learn the overload condition of the overloaded node before
converging to any traffic amount/rate decided by the sender. Similar
concerns apply in all cases when the overload report times out unless
the previous overload report stated 0 percent reduction.
Editor's note: Need to add additional guidance to slowly increase
the rate of traffic sent to avoid a sudden spike in traffic, as
the spike in traffic could result in oscillation of the need for
overload control.
If the reacting node does not receive a an OLR in messages sent to
the formally overloaded node then the reacting node should slowly
increase the rate of traffic sent to the overloaded node.
It is suggested that the reacting node decrease the amount of traffic
given abatement treatment by 20% each second until the reduction is
completely removed and no traffic is given abatement treatment.
The goal of this behavior is to reduce the probability of overload
condition thrashing where an immediate transition from 100%
reduction to 0% reduction results in the reporting node moving
quickly back into an overload condition.
6. Attribute Value Pairs (Normative)
This section describes the encoding and semantics of the Diameter This section describes the encoding and semantics of the Diameter
Overload Indication Attribute Value Pairs (AVPs) defined in this Overload Indication Attribute Value Pairs (AVPs) defined in this
document. document.
4.1. OC-Supported-Features AVP When added to existing commands, both OC-Feature-Vector and OC-OLR
AVPs SHOULD have the M-bit flag cleared to avoid backward
compatibility issues.
A new application specification can incorporate the overload control
mechanism specified in this document by making it mandatory to
implement for the application and referencing this specification
normatively. In such a case, the OC-Feature-Vector and OC-OLR AVPs
reused in newly defined Diameter applications SHOULD have the M-bit
flag set. However, it is the responsibility of the Diameter
application designers to define how overload control mechanisms works
on that application.
6.1. OC-Supported-Features AVP
The OC-Supported-Features AVP (AVP code TBD1) is type of Grouped and The OC-Supported-Features AVP (AVP code TBD1) is type of Grouped and
serves for two purposes. First, it announces a node's support for serves for two purposes. First, it announces a node's support for
the DOIC in general. Second, it contains the description of the the DOIC in general. Second, it contains the description of the
supported DOIC features of the sending node. The OC-Supported- supported DOIC features of the sending node. The OC-Supported-
Features AVP MUST be included in every Diameter message a DOIC Features AVP MUST be included in every Diameter message a DOIC
supporting node sends. supporting node sends.
OC-Supported-Features ::= < AVP Header: TBD1 > OC-Supported-Features ::= < AVP Header: TBD1 >
[ OC-Feature-Vector ] [ OC-Feature-Vector ]
* [ AVP ] * [ AVP ]
The OC-Feature-Vector sub-AVP is used to announce the DOIC features The OC-Feature-Vector sub-AVP is used to announce the DOIC features
supported by the endpoint, in the form of a flag bits field in which supported by the endpoint, in the form of a flag bits field in which
each bit announces one feature or capability supported by the node each bit announces one feature or capability supported by the node
(see Section 4.2). The absence of the OC-Feature-Vector AVP (see Section 6.2). The absence of the OC-Feature-Vector AVP
indicates that only the default traffic abatement algorithm described indicates that only the default traffic abatement algorithm described
in this specification is supported. in this specification is supported.
A reacting node includes this AVP to indicate its capabilities to a A reacting node includes this AVP to indicate its capabilities to a
reporting node. For example, the endpoint (reacting node) may reporting node. For example, the endpoint (reacting node) may
indicate which (future defined) traffic abatement algorithms it indicate which (future defined) traffic abatement algorithms it
supports in addition to the default. supports in addition to the default.
During the message exchange the overload control endpoints express During the message exchange the overload control endpoints express
their common set of supported capabilities. The reacting node their common set of supported capabilities. The reacting node
includes the OC-Supported-Features AVP that announces what it includes the OC-Supported-Features AVP that announces what it
supports. The reporting node that sends the answer also includes the supports. The reporting node that sends the answer also includes the
OC-Supported-Features AVP that describes the capabilities it OC-Supported-Features AVP that describes the capabilities it
supports. The set of capabilities advertised by the reporting node supports. The set of capabilities advertised by the reporting node
depends on local policies. At least one of the announced depends on local policies. At least one of the announced
capabilities MUST match. If there is no single matching capability capabilities MUST match. If there is no single matching capability
the reacting node MUST act as if it does not implement DOIC and cease the reacting node MUST act as if it does not implement DOIC and cease
inserting any DOIC related AVPs into any Diameter messages with this inserting any DOIC related AVPs into any Diameter messages with this
specific reacting node. specific reacting node.
Editor's note: The last sentence conflicts with the last sentence two Editor's note: The last sentence conflicts with the last sentence
paragraphs up. In reality, there will always be at least one two paragraphs up. In reality, there will always be at least one
matching capability as all nodes supporting DOIC must support the matching capability as all nodes supporting DOIC must support the
loss algorithm. Suggest removing the last sentence. loss algorithm. Suggest removing the last sentence.
4.2. OC-Feature-Vector AVP 6.2. OC-Feature-Vector AVP
The OC-Feature-Vector AVP (AVP code TBD6) is type of Unsigned64 and The OC-Feature-Vector AVP (AVP code TBD6) is type of Unsigned64 and
contains a 64 bit flags field of announced capabilities of an contains a 64 bit flags field of announced capabilities of an
overload control endpoint. The value of zero (0) is reserved. overload control endpoint. The value of zero (0) is reserved.
The following capabilities are defined in this document: The following capabilities are defined in this document:
OLR_DEFAULT_ALGO (0x0000000000000001) OLR_DEFAULT_ALGO (0x0000000000000001)
When this flag is set by the overload control endpoint it means When this flag is set by the overload control endpoint it means
that the default traffic abatement (loss) algorithm is supported. that the default traffic abatement (loss) algorithm is supported.
4.3. OC-OLR AVP 6.3. OC-OLR AVP
The OC-OLR AVP (AVP code TBD2) is type of Grouped and contains the The OC-OLR AVP (AVP code TBD2) is type of Grouped and contains the
necessary information to convey an overload report. The OC-OLR AVP necessary information to convey an overload report. The OC-OLR AVP
does not explicitly contain all information needed by the reacting does not explicitly contain all information needed by the reacting
node to decide whether a subsequent request must undergo a throttling node to decide whether a subsequent request must undergo a throttling
process with the received reduction percentage. The value of the OC- process with the received reduction percentage. The value of the OC-
Report-Type AVP within the OC-OLR AVP indicates which implicit Report-Type AVP within the OC-OLR AVP indicates which implicit
information is relevant for this decision (see Section 4.6). The information is relevant for this decision (see Section 6.6). The
application the OC-OLR AVP applies to is the same as the Application- application the OC-OLR AVP applies to is the same as the Application-
Id found in the Diameter message header. The identity the OC-OLR AVP Id found in the Diameter message header. The identity the OC-OLR AVP
concerns is determined from the Origin-Host AVP (and Origin-Realm AVP concerns is determined from the Origin-Host AVP (and Origin-Realm AVP
as well) found from the encapsulating Diameter command. The OC-OLR as well) found from the encapsulating Diameter command. The OC-OLR
AVP is intended to be sent only by a reporting node. AVP is intended to be sent only by a reporting node.
OC-OLR ::= < AVP Header: TBD2 > OC-OLR ::= < AVP Header: TBD2 >
< OC-Sequence-Number > < OC-Sequence-Number >
< OC-Report-Type > < OC-Report-Type >
[ OC-Reduction-Percentage ] [ OC-Reduction-Percentage ]
skipping to change at page 15, line 42 skipping to change at page 32, line 47
updated after reception of subsequent OC-OLR AVPs with the same updated after reception of subsequent OC-OLR AVPs with the same
sequence number. The default value for the OC-Validity-Duration AVP sequence number. The default value for the OC-Validity-Duration AVP
value is 5 (i.e., 5 seconds). When the OC-Validity-Duration AVP is value is 5 (i.e., 5 seconds). When the OC-Validity-Duration AVP is
not present in the OC-OLR AVP, the default value applies. not present in the OC-OLR AVP, the default value applies.
Note that if a Diameter command were to contain multiple OC-OLR AVPs Note that if a Diameter command were to contain multiple OC-OLR AVPs
they all MUST have different OC-Report-Type AVP value. OC-OLR AVPs they all MUST have different OC-Report-Type AVP value. OC-OLR AVPs
with unknown values SHOULD be silently discarded and the event SHOULD with unknown values SHOULD be silently discarded and the event SHOULD
be logged. be logged.
Editor's note: Need to specify what happens when two reports of the Editor's note: Need to specify what happens when two reports of
same type are received. the same type are received.
The OC-OLR AVP can be expanded with optional sub-AVPs only if a
legacy implementation can safely ignore them without breaking
backward compatibility for the given OC-Report-Type AVP value implied
report handling semantics. If the new sub-AVPs imply new semantics
for the report handling, then a new OC-Report-Type AVP value MUST be
defined.
4.4. OC-Sequence-Number AVP 6.4. OC-Sequence-Number AVP
The OC-Sequence-Number AVP (AVP code TBD3) is type of Unsigned64. The OC-Sequence-Number AVP (AVP code TBD3) is type of Unsigned64.
Its usage in the context of overload control is described in Its usage in the context of overload control is described in
Section 4.3. Section 4.2.
From the functionality point of view, the OC-Sequence-Number AVP MUST From the functionality point of view, the OC-Sequence-Number AVP MUST
be used as a non-volatile increasing counter between two overload be used as a non-volatile increasing counter between two overload
control endpoints. The sequence number is only required to be unique control endpoints. The sequence number is only required to be unique
between two overload control endpoints. Sequence numbers are treated between two overload control endpoints. Sequence numbers are treated
in a uni-directional manner, i.e. two sequence numbers on each in a uni-directional manner, i.e. two sequence numbers on each
direction between two endpoints are not related or correlated. direction between two endpoints are not related or correlated.
When generating sequence numbers, the new sequence number MUST be When generating sequence numbers, the new sequence number MUST be
greater than any sequence number in an active overload report greater than any sequence number in an active overload report
previously sent by the reporting node. This property MUST hold over previously sent by the reporting node. This property MUST hold over
a reboot of the reporting node. a reboot of the reporting node.
4.5. OC-Validity-Duration AVP 6.5. OC-Validity-Duration AVP
The OC-Validity-Duration AVP (AVP code TBD4) is type of Unsigned32 The OC-Validity-Duration AVP (AVP code TBD4) is type of Unsigned32
and indicates in seconds the validity time of the overload report. and indicates in seconds the validity time of the overload report.
The number of seconds is measured after reception of the first OC-OLR The number of seconds is measured after reception of the first OC-OLR
AVP with a given value of OC-Sequence-Number AVP. The default value AVP with a given value of OC-Sequence-Number AVP. The default value
for the OC-Validity-Duration AVP is 5 (i.e., 5 seconds). When the for the OC-Validity-Duration AVP is 5 (i.e., 5 seconds). When the
OC-Validity-Duration AVP is not present in the OC-OLR AVP, the OC-Validity-Duration AVP is not present in the OC-OLR AVP, the
default value applies. Validity duration with values above 86400 default value applies. Validity duration with values above 86400
(i.e.; 24 hours) MUST NOT be used. Invalid duration values are (i.e.; 24 hours) MUST NOT be used. Invalid duration values are
treated as if the OC-Validity-Duration AVP were not present and treated as if the OC-Validity-Duration AVP were not present and
result in the default value being used. result in the default value being used.
A timeout of the overload report has specific concerns that need to A timeout of the overload report has specific concerns that need to
be taken into account by the endpoint acting on the earlier received be taken into account by the endpoint acting on the earlier received
overload report(s). Section 4.7 discusses the impacts of timeout in overload report(s). Section 6.7 discusses the impacts of timeout in
the scope of the traffic abatement algorithms. the scope of the traffic abatement algorithms.
When a reporting node has recovered from overload, it SHOULD When a reporting node has recovered from overload, it SHOULD
invalidate any existing overload reports in a timely matter. This invalidate any existing overload reports in a timely matter. This
can be achieved by sending an updated overload report (meaning the can be achieved by sending an updated overload report (meaning the
OLR contains a new sequence number) with the OC-Validity-Duration AVP OLR contains a new sequence number) with the OC-Validity-Duration AVP
value set to zero ("0"). If the overload report is about to expire value set to zero ("0"). If the overload report is about to expire
naturally, the reporting node MAY choose to simply let it do so. naturally, the reporting node MAY choose to simply let it do so.
A reacting node MUST invalidate and remove an overload report that A reacting node MUST invalidate and remove an overload report that
expires without an explicit overload report containing an OC- expires without an explicit overload report containing an OC-
Validity-Duration value set to zero ("0"). Validity-Duration value set to zero ("0").
4.6. OC-Report-Type AVP 6.6. OC-Report-Type AVP
The OC-Report-Type AVP (AVP code TBD5) is type of Enumerated. The The OC-Report-Type AVP (AVP code TBD5) is type of Enumerated. The
value of the AVP describes what the overload report concerns. The value of the AVP describes what the overload report concerns. The
following values are initially defined: following values are initially defined:
0 A host report. The overload treatment should apply to requests 0 A host report. The overload treatment should apply to requests
for which all of the following conditions are true: for which all of the following conditions are true:
The Destination-Host AVP is present in the request and its value Either the Destination-Host AVP is present in the request and its
matches the value of the Origin-Host AVP of the received message value matches the value of the Origin-Host AVP of the received
that contained the OC-OLR AVP. message that contained the OC-OLR AVP; or the Destination-Host is
not present in the request but the value of peer identity
associated with the connection used to send the request matches
the value of the Origin-Host AVP of the received message that
contained the OC-OLR AVP.
The value of the Destination-Realm AVP in the request matches the The value of the Destination-Realm AVP in the request matches the
value of the Origin-Realm AVP of the received message that value of the Origin-Realm AVP of the received message that
contained the OC-OLR AVP. contained the OC-OLR AVP.
The value of the Application-ID in the Diameter Header of the The value of the Application-ID in the Diameter Header of the
request matches the value of the Application-ID of the Diameter request matches the value of the Application-ID of the Diameter
Header of the received message that contained the OC-OLR AVP. Header of the received message that contained the OC-OLR AVP.
1 A realm report. The overload treatment should apply to requests 1 A realm report. The overload treatment should apply to requests
skipping to change at page 17, line 39 skipping to change at page 34, line 43
The Destination-Host AVP is absent in the request. The Destination-Host AVP is absent in the request.
The value of the Destination-Realm AVP in the request matches the The value of the Destination-Realm AVP in the request matches the
value of the Origin-Realm AVP of the received message that value of the Origin-Realm AVP of the received message that
contained the OC-OLR AVP. contained the OC-OLR AVP.
The value of the Application-ID in the Diameter Header of the The value of the Application-ID in the Diameter Header of the
request matches the value of the Application-ID of the Diameter request matches the value of the Application-ID of the Diameter
Header of the received message that contained the OC-OLR AVP. Header of the received message that contained the OC-OLR AVP.
Editor's note: There is still an open issue on the definition of Editor's note: There is still an open issue on the definition of
Realm reports and whether what report types should be supported. Realm reports and whether what report types should be supported.
There is consensus that host reports should be supported. There is There is consensus that host reports should be supported. There
discussion on Realm reports and Realm-Routed-Request reports. The is discussion on Realm reports and Realm-Routed-Request reports.
above definition applies to Realm-Routed-Request reports where Realm The above definition applies to Realm-Routed-Request reports where
reports are defined to apply to all requests that match the realm, Realm reports are defined to apply to all requests that match the
independent of the presence, absence or value of the Destination-Host realm, independent of the presence, absence or value of the
AVP. Destination-Host AVP.
The default value of the OC-Report-Type AVP is 0 (i.e. the host The default value of the OC-Report-Type AVP is 0 (i.e. the host
report). report).
The OC-Report-Type AVP is envisioned to be useful for situations The OC-Report-Type AVP is envisioned to be useful for situations
where a reacting node needs to apply different overload treatments where a reacting node needs to apply different overload treatments
for different "types" of overload. For example, the reacting node(s) for different "types" of overload. For example, the reacting node(s)
might need to throttle differently requests sent to a specific server might need to throttle differently requests sent to a specific server
(identified by the Destination-Host AVP in the request) and requests (identified by the Destination-Host AVP in the request) and requests
that can be handled by any server in a realm. The example in that can be handled by any server in a realm. The example in
Appendix B.1 illustrates this usage. Appendix B.1 illustrates this usage.
When defining new report type values, the corresponding specification 6.7. OC-Reduction-Percentage AVP
MUST define the semantics of the new report types and how they affect
the OC-OLR AVP handling. The specification MUST also reserve a
corresponding new feature, see the OC-Supported-Features and OC-
Feature-Vector AVPs.
4.7. OC-Reduction-Percentage AVP
The OC-Reduction-Percentage AVP (AVP code TBD8) is type of Unsigned32 The OC-Reduction-Percentage AVP (AVP code TBD8) is type of Unsigned32
and describes the percentage of the traffic that the sender is and describes the percentage of the traffic that the sender is
requested to reduce, compared to what it otherwise would send. The requested to reduce, compared to what it otherwise would send. The
OC-Reduction-Percentage AVP applies to the default (loss) algorithm OC-Reduction-Percentage AVP applies to the default (loss) algorithm
specified in this specification. However, the AVP can be reused for specified in this specification. However, the AVP can be reused for
future abatement algorithms, if its semantics fit into the new future abatement algorithms, if its semantics fit into the new
algorithm. algorithm.
The value of the Reduction-Percentage AVP is between zero (0) and one The value of the Reduction-Percentage AVP is between zero (0) and one
hundred (100). Values greater than 100 are ignored. The value of hundred (100). Values greater than 100 are ignored. The value of
100 means that all traffic is to be throttled, i.e. the reporting 100 means that all traffic is to be throttled, i.e. the reporting
node is under a severe load and ceases to process any new messages. node is under a severe load and ceases to process any new messages.
The value of 0 means that the reporting node is in a stable state and The value of 0 means that the reporting node is in a stable state and
has no need for the other endpoint to apply any traffic abatement. has no need for the other endpoint to apply any traffic abatement.
The default value of the OC-Reduction-Percentage AVP is 0. When the The default value of the OC-Reduction-Percentage AVP is 0. When the
OC-Reduction-Percentage AVP is not present in the overload report, OC-Reduction-Percentage AVP is not present in the overload report,
the default value applies. the default value applies.
If an overload control endpoint comes out of the 100 percent traffic 6.8. Attribute Value Pair flag rules
reduction as a result of the overload report timing out, the
following concerns are RECOMMENDED to be applied. The reacting node
sending the traffic should be conservative and, for example, first
send "probe" messages to learn the overload condition of the
overloaded node before converging to any traffic amount/rate decided
by the sender. Similar concerns apply in all cases when the overload
report times out unless the previous overload report stated 0 percent
reduction.
Editor's note: Need to add additional guidance to slowly increase the
rate of traffic sent to avoid a sudden spike in traffic, as the spike
in traffic could result in oscillation of the need for overload
control.
4.8. Attribute Value Pair flag rules
+---------+ +---------+
|AVP flag | |AVP flag |
|rules | |rules |
+----+----+ +----+----+
AVP Section | |MUST| AVP Section | |MUST|
Attribute Name Code Defined Value Type |MUST| NOT| Attribute Name Code Defined Value Type |MUST| NOT|
+--------------------------------------------------+----+----+ +--------------------------------------------------+----+----+
|OC-Supported-Features TBD1 x.x Grouped | | V | |OC-Supported-Features TBD1 x.x Grouped | | V |
+--------------------------------------------------+----+----+ +--------------------------------------------------+----+----+
|OC-OLR TBD2 x.x Grouped | | V | |OC-OLR TBD2 x.x Grouped | | V |
skipping to change at page 19, line 40 skipping to change at page 36, line 37
As described in the Diameter base protocol [RFC6733], the M-bit As described in the Diameter base protocol [RFC6733], the M-bit
setting for a given AVP is relevant to an application and each setting for a given AVP is relevant to an application and each
command within that application that includes the AVP. command within that application that includes the AVP.
The Diameter overload control AVPs SHOULD always be sent with the The Diameter overload control AVPs SHOULD always be sent with the
M-bit cleared when used within existing Diameter applications to M-bit cleared when used within existing Diameter applications to
avoid backward compatibility issues. Otherwise, when reused in newly avoid backward compatibility issues. Otherwise, when reused in newly
defined Diameter applications, the DOC related AVPs SHOULD have the defined Diameter applications, the DOC related AVPs SHOULD have the
M-bit set. M-bit set.
5. Overload Control Operation 7. Error Response Codes
Editor's note: The concept of endpoints requires additional thought
and specification.
5.1. Overload Control Endpoints
The overload control solution can be considered as an overlay on top
of an arbitrary Diameter network. The overload control information
is exchanged over on a "DOIC association" established between two
communication endpoints. The endpoints, namely the "reacting node"
and the "reporting node" do not need to be adjacent Diameter peer
nodes, nor they need to be the end-to-end Diameter nodes in a typical
"client-server" deployment with multiple intermediate Diameter agent
nodes in between. The overload control endpoints are the two
Diameter nodes that decide to exchange overload control information
between each other. How the endpoints are determined is specific to
a deployment, a Diameter node role in that deployment and local
configuration.
The following diagrams illustrate the concept of Diameter Overload
End-Points and how they differ from the standard [RFC6733] defined
client, server and agent Diameter nodes. The following is the key to
the elements in the diagrams:
C Diameter client as defined in [RFC6733].
S Diameter server as defined in [RFC6733].
A Diameter agent, in either a relay or proxy mode, as defined in
[RFC6733].
DEP Diameter Overload End-Point as defined in this document. In the
following figures a DEP may terminate two different DOIC
associations being a reporter and reactor at the same time.
Diameter Session A Diameter session as defined in [RFC6733].
DOIC Association A DOIC association exists between two Diameter
Overload End-Points. One of the end-points is the overload
reporter and the other is the overload reactor.
Figure 2 illustrates the most basic configuration where a client is
connected directly to a server. In this case, the Diameter session
and the DOIC association are both between the client and server.
+-----+ +-----+
| C | | S |
+-----+ +-----+
| DEP | | DEP |
+--+--+ +--+--+
| |
| |
|{Diameter Session}|
| |
|{DOIC Association}|
| |
Figure 2: Basic DOIC deployment
In Figure 3 there is an agent that is not participating directly in
the exchange of overload reports. As a result, the Diameter session
and the DOIC association are still established between the client and
the server.
+-----+ +-----+ +-----+
| C | | A | | S |
+-----+ +--+--+ +-----+
| DEP | | | DEP |
+--+--+ | +--+--+
| | |
| | |
|----------{Diameter Session}---------|
| | |
|----------{DOIC Association}---------|
| | |
Figure 3: DOIC deployment with non participating agent
Figure 4 illustrates the case where the client does not support
Diameter overload. In this case, the DOIC association is between the
agent and the server. The agent handles the role of the reactor for
overload reports generated by the server.
+-----+ +-----+ +-----+
| C | | A | | S |
+--+--+ +-----+ +-----+
| | DEP | | DEP |
| +--+--+ +--+--+
| | |
| | |
|----------{Diameter Session}---------|
| | |
| |{DOIC Association}|
| | |
Figure 4: DOIC deployment with non-DOIC client and DOIC enabled agent
In Figure 5 there is a DOIC association between the client and the
agent and a second DOIC association between the agent and the server.
One use case requiring this configuration is when the agent is
serving as a SFE for a set of servers.
+-----+ +-----+ +-----+
| C | | A | | S |
+-----+ +-----+ +-----+
| DEP | | DEP | | DEP |
+--+--+ +--+--+ +--+--+
| | |
| | |
|----------{Diameter Session}---------|
| | |
|{DOIC Association}|{DOIC Association}|
| | and/or
|----------{DOIC Association}---------|
| | |
Figure 5: A deployment where all nodes support DOIC
Figure 6 illustrates a deployment where some clients support Diameter
overload control and some do not. In this case the agent must
support Diameter overload control for the non supporting client. It
might also need to have a DOIC association with the server, as shown
here, to handle overload for a server farm and/or for managing Realm
overload.
+-----+ +-----+ +-----+ +-----+
| C1 | | C2 | | A | | S |
+-----+ +--+--+ +-----+ +-----+
| DEP | | | DEP | | DEP |
+--+--+ | +--+--+ +--+--+
| | | |
| | | |
|-------------------{Diameter Session}-------------------|
| | | |
| |--------{Diameter Session}-----------|
| | | |
|---------{DOIC Association}----------|{DOIC Association}|
| | | and/or
|-------------------{DOIC Association}-------------------|
| | | |
Figure 6: A deployment with DOIC and non-DOIC supporting clients
Figure 7 illustrates a deployment where some agents support Diameter
overload control and others do not.
+-----+ +-----+ +-----+ +-----+
| C | | A | | A | | S |
+-----+ +--+--+ +-----+ +-----+
| DEP | | | DEP | | DEP |
+--+--+ | +--+--+ +--+--+
| | | |
| | | |
|-------------------{Diameter Session}-------------------|
| | | |
| | | |
|---------{DOIC Association}----------|{DOIC Association}|
| | | and/or
|-------------------{DOIC Association}-------------------|
| | | |
Figure 7: A deployment with DOIC and non-DOIC supporting agents
5.2. Piggybacking Principle
The overload control AVPs defined in this specification have been
designed to be piggybacked on top of existing application message
exchanges. This is made possible by adding overload control top
level AVPs, the OC-OLR AVP and the OC-Supported-Features AVP as
optional AVPs into existing commands when the corresponding Command
Code Format (CCF) specification allows adding new optional AVPs (see
Section 1.3.4 of [RFC6733]).
When added to existing commands, both OC-Feature-Vector and OC-OLR
AVPs SHOULD have the M-bit flag cleared to avoid backward
compatibility issues.
A new application specification can incorporate the overload control
mechanism specified in this document by making it mandatory to
implement for the application and referencing this specification
normatively. In such a case, the OC-Feature-Vector and OC-OLR AVPs
reused in newly defined Diameter applications SHOULD have the M-bit
flag set. However, it is the responsibility of the Diameter
application designers to define how overload control mechanisms works
on that application.
Note that the overload control solution does not have fixed server
and client roles. The endpoint role is determined based on the
message type: whether the message is a request (i.e. sent by a
"reacting node") or an answer (i.e. send by a "reporting node").
Therefore, in a typical "client-server" deployment, the "client" MAY
report its overload condition to the "server" for any server
initiated message exchange. An example of such is the server
requesting a re-authentication from a client.
5.3. Capability Announcement
Since the overload control solution relies on the piggybacking
principle for the overload reporting and the overload control
endpoint are not adjacent peers, finding out whether the other
endpoint supports overload control or the common traffic abatement
algorithm to apply for the traffic. The approach defined in this
specification for end-to-end capability announcement relies on the
exchange of the OC-Supported-Features AVPs between the endpoints.
The feature announcement solution also works when carried out on
existing applications. For the newly defined applications the
negotiation can be more exact based on the application specification.
Editor's note: Suggest removing the reference to the feature
announcement solution.
5.3.1. Reacting Node Endpoint Considerations
The basic principle is that the request message initiating endpoint
(i.e. the "reacting node") announces its support for the overload
control mechanism by including in the request message the OC-
Supported-Features AVP with the capabilities it supports and is
willing to use for this Diameter transaction. The lifetime of a
capability announcement is limited to a single transaction. As a
result, the reacting node MUST include the capability announcement in
all request messages.
Once the endpoint that initiated the request message receives an
answer message from the remote endpoint, it can detect from the
received answer message whether the remote endpoint supports the
overload control solution and in a case it does, what features are
supported. The support for the overload control solution is based on
the presence of the OC-Supported-Features AVP in the Diameter answer.
5.3.2. Reporting Node Endpoint Considerations
When a remote endpoint (i.e. a "reporting node") receives a request
message, it can detect whether the request message initiating
endpoint supports the overload control solution based on the presence
of the OC-Supported-Features AVP. For the newly defined applications
the overload control solution support can be part of the application
specification. Based on the content of the OC-Supported-Features AVP
the request message receiving endpoint knows what overload control
functionality the other endpoint supports and then acts accordingly
for the subsequent answer messages it initiates. The reporting node
MUST include the OC-Supported-Features AVP in all response messages
for transactions where the request message included the OC-Supported-
Features AVP. The reporting node MUST announce support of the single
algorithm that the reporting node will request the reacting node to
use to mitigate overload instances. The reporting node MUST NOT
change the selected algorithm during a period of time that it is in
an overload state and, as a result, is sending OC-OLR AVPs in answer
messages.
Note: There will always be at least one algorithm supported by both
the reacting and reporting nodes as all nodes that support DOIC must
support the loss algorithm defined in this document.
The handling of feature bits in the OC-Feature-Vector AVP that are
not associated with overload abatement algorithms MUST be specified
by the extensions that define the features.
The reporting node MUST NOT include the OC-Supported-Features AVP,
OC-OLR AVP or any other overload control AVPs defined in extension
drafts in response messages for transactions where the request
message does not include the OC-Supported-Features AVP. Lack of the
OC-Supported-Features AVP in the request message indicates that the
sender of the request message does not support DOIC.
5.3.3. Agent Considerations
Editor's note -- Need to add this section.
5.4. Protocol Extensibility
The overload control solution can be extended, e.g. with new traffic
abatement algorithms, new report types or other new functionality.
The new features and algorithms MUST be registered with the IANA and
for use with the OC-Supported-Features for announcing the support for
the new features (see Section 7 for the required procedures).
It should be noted that [RFC6733] defined Grouped AVP extension
mechanisms also apply. This allows, for example, defining a new
feature that is mandatory to understand even when piggybacked on an
existing applications. More specifically, the sub-AVPs inside the
OC-OLR AVP MAY have the M-bit set. However, when overload control
AVPs are piggybacked on top of an existing applications, setting
M-bit in sub-AVPs is NOT RECOMMENDED.
5.5. Overload Report Processing
5.5.1. Overload Control State
Both reacting and reporting nodes maintain an overload control state
(OCS) for each endpoint (a host or a realm) they communicate with and
both endpoints have announced support for DOIC. See Sections 4.1 and
5.3 for discussion about how the support for DOIC is determined.
5.5.1.1. Overload Control State for Reacting Nodes
A reacting node maintains the following OCS per supported Diameter
application:
o A host-type Overload Control State for each Destination-Host
towards which it sends host-type requests and
o A realm-type Overload Control State for each Destination-Realm
towards which it sends realm-type requests.
A host-type Overload Control State may be identified by the pair of
Application-Id and Destination-Host. A realm-type Overload Control
State may be identified by the pair of Application-Id and
Destination-Realm. The host-type/realm-type Overload Control State
for a given pair of Application and Destination-Host / Destination-
Realm could include the following information:
o Sequence number (as received in OC-OLR)
o Time of expiry (deviated from validity duration as received in OC-
OLR and time of reception)
o Selected Abatement Algorithm (as received in OC-Supported-
Features)
o Algorithm specific input data (as received within OC-OLR, e.g.
Reduction Percentage for Loss)
5.5.1.2. Overload Control States for Reporting Nodes
A reporting node maintains per supported Diameter application and per
supported (and eventually selected) Abatement Algorithm an Overload
Control State.
An Overload Control State may be identified by the pair of
Application-Id and supported Abatement Algorithm.
The Overload Control State for a given pair of Application and
Abatement Algorithm could include the information:
o Sequence number
o Validity Duration and Expiry Time
o Algorithm specific input data (e.g. Reduction Percentage for Loss)
Overload Control States for reporting nodes containing a validity
duration of 0 sec. should not expire before any previously sent
(stale) OLR has timed out at any reacting node.
5.5.1.3. Maintaining Overload Control State
Reacting nodes create a host-type OCS identified by OCS-Id = (app-id
,host-id) when receiving an answer message of application app-id
containing an Orig-Host of host-id and a host-type OC-OLR AVP unless
such host-type OCS already exists.
Reacting nodes create a realm-type OCS identified by OCS-Id = (app-id
,realm-id) when receiving an answer message of application app-id
containing an Orig-Realm of realm-id and a realm-type OC-OLR AVP
unless such realm type OCS already exists.
Reacting nodes delete an OCS when it expires (i.e. when current time
minus reception time is greater than validity duration).
Reacting nodes update the host-type OCS identified by OCS-Id = (app-
id,host-id) when receiving an answer message of application app-id
containing an Orig-Host of host-id and a host-type OC-OLR AVP with a
sequence number higher than the stored sequence number.
Reacting nodes update the realm-type OCS identified by OCS-Id = (app-
id,realm-id) when receiving an answer message of application app-id
containing an Orig-Realm of realm-id and a realm-type OC-OLR AVP with
a sequence number higher than the stored sequence number.
Reacting nodes do not delete an OCS when receiving an answer message
that does not contain an OC-OLR AVP (i.e. absence of OLR means "no
change").
Reporting nodes create an OCS identified by OCS-Id = (app-id,Alg)
when receiving a request of application app-id containing an OC-
Supported-Features AVP indicating support of the Abatement Algorithm
Alg (which the reporting node selects) while being overloaded, unless
such OCS already exists.
Reporting nodes delete an OCS when it expires.
Reporting nodes update the OCS identified by OCS-Id = (app-id,Alg)
when they detect the need to modify the requested amount of
application app-id traffic reduction.
5.5.2. Reacting Node Considerations
Once a reacting node receives an OC-OLR AVP from a reporting node, it
applies traffic abatement based on the selected algorithm with the
reporting node and the current overload condition. The reacting node
learns the reporting node supported abatement algorithms directly
from the received answer message containing the OC-Supported-Features
AVP.
The received OC-Supported-Features AVP does not change the existing
overload condition and/or traffic abatement algorithm settings if the
OC-Sequence-Number AVP contains a value that is equal to the
previously received/recorded value. If the OC-Supported-Features AVP
is received for the first time for the reporting node or the OC-
Sequence-Number AVP value is less than the previously received/
recorded value (and is outside the valid overflow window), then the
sequence number is stale (e.g. an intentional or unintentional
replay) and SHOULD be silently discarded.
As described in Section 4.3, the OC-OLR AVP contains the necessary
information for the overload condition on the reporting node.
From the OC-Report-Type AVP contained in the OC-OLR AVP, the reacting
node learns whether the overload condition report concerns a specific
host (as identified by the Origin-Host AVP of the answer message
containing the OC-OLR AVP) or the entire realm (as identified by the
Origin-Realm AVP of the answer message containing the OC-OLR AVP).
The reacting node learns the Diameter application to which the
overload report applies from the Application-ID of the answer message
containing the OC-OLR AVP. The reacting node MUST use this
information as an input for its traffic abatement algorithm. The
idea is that the reacting node applies different handling of the
traffic abatement, whether sent request messages are targeted to a
specific host (identified by the Diameter-Host AVP in the request) or
to any host in a realm (when only the Destination-Realm AVP is
present in the request). Note that future specifications MAY define
new OC-Report-Type AVP values that imply different handling of the
OC-OLR AVP. For example, in a form of new additional AVPs inside the
Grouped OC-OLR AVP that would define report target in a finer
granularity than just a host.
Editor's note: The above behavior for Realm reports is inconsistent
with the definition of realm reports in section Section 4.6.
In the context of this specification and the default traffic
abatement algorithm, the OC-Reduction-Percentage AVP value MUST be
interpreted in the following way:
value == 0
Indicates that no traffic reduction has been requested. As a
result the overload state, including the sequence number, MUST NOT
be removed and future overload reports of the same type from the
same reporting node must follow the rules for new sequence
numbers.
value == 100
Indicates that the reporting node (or realm) does not want to
receive any traffic from the reacting node for the application the
report concerns. The reacting node MUST not send traffic to the
reporting node (or realm) as long as the overload condition
changes or expires.
0 < value < 100
Indicates that the reporting node urges the reacting node to
reduce its traffic by a given percentage. For example if an OC-
Reduction-Percentage value of 10 has been received, the reacting
node which would otherwise send 100 requests MUST only send 90
requests to the reporting node. How the reacting node achieves
the "true reduction" in transactions leading to the sent request
messages is up to the implementation. The reacting node MAY
simply drop every 10th request from its output queue and let the
generic application logic try to recover from it.
If the OC-OLR AVP is received for the first time, the reacting node
MUST create overload control state associated with the related realm
or a specific host in the realm identified in the message carrying
the OC-OLR AVP, as described in Section 5.5.1.
If the value of the OC-Sequence-Number AVP contained in the received
OC-OLR AVP is equal to or less than the value stored in an existing
overload control state, the received OC-OLR AVP SHOULD be silently
discarded. If the value of the OC-Sequence-Number AVP contained in
the received OC-OLR AVP is greater than the value stored in an
existing overload control state or there is no previously recorded
sequence number, the reacting node MUST update the overload control
state associated with the realm or the specific node in the realm.
When an overload control state is created or updated, the reacting
node MUST apply the traffic abatement requested in the OC-OLR AVP
using the algorithm announced in the OC-Supported-Features AVP
contained in the received answer message along with the OC-OLR AVP.
The validity duration of the overload information contained in the
OC-OLR AVP is either explicitly indicated in the OC-Validity-Duration
AVP or is implicitly equals to the default value (5 seconds) if the
OC-Validity-Duration AVP is absent. The reacting node MUST maintain
the validity duration in the overload control state. Once the
validity duration times out, the reacting node MUST assume the
overload condition reported in a previous OC-OLR AVP has ended.
A value of zero ("0") received in the OC-Validity-Duration in an
updated overload report indicates that the overload condition has
ended and that the overload state is no longer valid.
In the case that the validity duration expires or is explicitly
signaled as being no longer valid the state associated with the
overload report MUST be removed and any abatement associated with the
overload report MUST be ended in a controlled fashion. After
removing the overload state the sequence number MUST NOT be used for
future comparisons of sequence numbers.
5.5.3. Reporting Node Considerations
A reporting node is a Diameter node inserting an OC-OLR AVP in a
Diameter message in order to inform a reacting node about an overload
condition and request Diameter traffic abatement.
The operation on the reporting node is straight forward. The
reporting node learns the capabilities of the reacting node when it
receives the OC-Supported-Features AVP as part of any Diameter
request message. If the reporting node shares at least one common
feature with the reacting node, then the DOIC can be enabled between
these two endpoints. See Section 5.3 for further discussion on the
capability and feature announcement between two endpoints.
When a traffic reduction is required due to an overload condition and
the overload control solution is supported by the sender of the
Diameter request, the reporting node MUST include an OC-Supported-
Features AVP and an OC-OLR AVP in the corresponding Diameter answer.
The OC-OLR AVP contains the required traffic reduction and the OC-
Supported-Features AVP indicates the traffic abatement algorithm to
apply. This algorithm MUST be one of the algorithms advertised by
the request sender.
A reporting node MAY rely on the OC-Validity-Duration AVP values for
the implicit overload control state cleanup on the reacting node.
However, it is RECOMMENDED that the reporting node always explicitly
indicates the end of a overload condition.
The reporting node SHOULD indicate the end of an overload occurrence
by sending a new OLR with OC-Validity-Duration set to a value of zero
("0"). The reporting node SHOULD insure that all reacting nodes
receive the updated overload report.
5.5.4. Agent Considerations
Editor's note -- Need to add this section.
6. Transport Considerations
In order to reduce overload control introduced additional AVP and
message processing it might be desirable/beneficial to signal whether
the Diameter command carries overload control information that should
be of interest of an overload aware Diameter node.
Should such indication be include is not part of this specification. Editor's note: This section depends on resolution of issue #27.
It has not either been concluded at what layer such possible
indication should be. Obvious candidates include transport layer
protocols (e.g., SCTP PPID or TCP flags) or Diameter command header
flags.
7. IANA Considerations 8. IANA Considerations
7.1. AVP codes 8.1. AVP codes
New AVPs defined by this specification are listed in Section 4. All New AVPs defined by this specification are listed in Section 6. All
AVP codes allocated from the 'Authentication, Authorization, and AVP codes allocated from the 'Authentication, Authorization, and
Accounting (AAA) Parameters' AVP Codes registry. Accounting (AAA) Parameters' AVP Codes registry.
7.2. New registries 8.2. New registries
Three new registries are needed under the 'Authentication, Three new registries are needed under the 'Authentication,
Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) Parameters' registry. Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) Parameters' registry.
Section 4.2 defines a new "Overload Control Feature Vector" registry Section 6.2 defines a new "Overload Control Feature Vector" registry
including the initial assignments. New values can be added into the including the initial assignments. New values can be added into the
registry using the Specification Required policy [RFC5226]. See registry using the Specification Required policy [RFC5226]. See
Section 4.2 for the initial assignment in the registry. Section 6.2 for the initial assignment in the registry.
Section 4.6 defines a new "Overload Report Type" registry with its Section 6.6 defines a new "Overload Report Type" registry with its
initial assignments. New types can be added using the Specification initial assignments. New types can be added using the Specification
Required policy [RFC5226]. Required policy [RFC5226].
8. Security Considerations 9. Security Considerations
This mechanism gives Diameter nodes the ability to request that This mechanism gives Diameter nodes the ability to request that
downstream nodes send fewer Diameter requests. Nodes do this by downstream nodes send fewer Diameter requests. Nodes do this by
exchanging overload reports that directly affect this reduction. exchanging overload reports that directly affect this reduction.
This exchange is potentially subject to multiple methods of attack, This exchange is potentially subject to multiple methods of attack,
and has the potential to be used as a Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack and has the potential to be used as a Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack
vector. vector.
Overload reports may contain information about the topology and Overload reports may contain information about the topology and
current status of a Diameter network. This information is current status of a Diameter network. This information is
potentially sensitive. Network operators may wish to control potentially sensitive. Network operators may wish to control
disclosure of overload reports to unauthorized parties to avoid its disclosure of overload reports to unauthorized parties to avoid its
use for competitive intelligence or to target attacks. use for competitive intelligence or to target attacks.
Diameter does not include features to provide end-to-end Diameter does not include features to provide end-to-end
authentication, integrity protection, or confidentiality. This may authentication, integrity protection, or confidentiality. This may
cause complications when sending overload reports between non- cause complications when sending overload reports between non-
adjacent nodes. adjacent nodes.
8.1. Potential Threat Modes 9.1. Potential Threat Modes
The Diameter protocol involves transactions in the form of requests The Diameter protocol involves transactions in the form of requests
and answers exchanged between clients and servers. These clients and and answers exchanged between clients and servers. These clients and
servers may be peers, that is,they may share a direct transport (e.g. servers may be peers, that is,they may share a direct transport (e.g.
TCP or SCTP) connection, or the messages may traverse one or more TCP or SCTP) connection, or the messages may traverse one or more
intermediaries, known as Diameter Agents. Diameter nodes use TLS, intermediaries, known as Diameter Agents. Diameter nodes use TLS,
DTLS, or IPSec to authenticate peers, and to provide confidentiality DTLS, or IPSec to authenticate peers, and to provide confidentiality
and integrity protection of traffic between peers. Nodes can make and integrity protection of traffic between peers. Nodes can make
authorization decisions based on the peer identities authenticated at authorization decisions based on the peer identities authenticated at
the transport layer. the transport layer.
skipping to change at page 33, line 29 skipping to change at page 38, line 42
acting on the report or forwarding the report to other peers. For acting on the report or forwarding the report to other peers. For
example, an overload report from an peer that applies to a realm not example, an overload report from an peer that applies to a realm not
handled by that peer is suspect. handled by that peer is suspect.
An attacker might use the information in an overload report to assist An attacker might use the information in an overload report to assist
in certain attacks. For example, an attacker could use information in certain attacks. For example, an attacker could use information
about current overload conditions to time a DoS attack for maximum about current overload conditions to time a DoS attack for maximum
effect, or use subsequent overload reports as a feedback mechanism to effect, or use subsequent overload reports as a feedback mechanism to
learn the results of a previous or ongoing attack. learn the results of a previous or ongoing attack.
8.2. Denial of Service Attacks 9.2. Denial of Service Attacks
Diameter overload reports can cause a node to cease sending some or Diameter overload reports can cause a node to cease sending some or
all Diameter requests for an extended period. This makes them a all Diameter requests for an extended period. This makes them a
tempting vector for DoS tacks. Furthermore, since Diameter is almost tempting vector for DoS tacks. Furthermore, since Diameter is almost
always used in support of other protocols, a DoS attack on Diameter always used in support of other protocols, a DoS attack on Diameter
is likely to impact those protocols as well. Therefore, Diameter is likely to impact those protocols as well. Therefore, Diameter
nodes MUST NOT honor or forward overload reports from unauthorized or nodes MUST NOT honor or forward overload reports from unauthorized or
otherwise untrusted sources. otherwise untrusted sources.
8.3. Non-Compliant Nodes 9.3. Non-Compliant Nodes
When a Diameter node sends an overload report, it cannot assume that When a Diameter node sends an overload report, it cannot assume that
all nodes will comply. A non-compliant node might continue to send all nodes will comply. A non-compliant node might continue to send
requests with no reduction in load. Requirement 28 [RFC7068] requests with no reduction in load. Requirement 28 [RFC7068]
indicates that the overload control solution cannot assume that all indicates that the overload control solution cannot assume that all
Diameter nodes in a network are necessarily trusted, and that Diameter nodes in a network are necessarily trusted, and that
malicious nodes not be allowed to take advantage of the overload malicious nodes not be allowed to take advantage of the overload
control mechanism to get more than their fair share of service. control mechanism to get more than their fair share of service.
In the absence of an overload control mechanism, Diameter nodes need In the absence of an overload control mechanism, Diameter nodes need
to implement strategies to protect themselves from floods of to implement strategies to protect themselves from floods of
requests, and to make sure that a disproportionate load from one requests, and to make sure that a disproportionate load from one
source does not prevent other sources from receiving service. For source does not prevent other sources from receiving service. For
example, a Diameter server might reject a certain percentage of example, a Diameter server might reject a certain percentage of
requests from sources that exceed certain limits. Overload control requests from sources that exceed certain limits. Overload control
can be thought of as an optimization for such strategies, where can be thought of as an optimization for such strategies, where
downstream nodes never send the excess requests in the first place. downstream nodes never send the excess requests in the first place.
However, the presence of an overload control mechanism does not However, the presence of an overload control mechanism does not
remove the need for these other protection strategies. remove the need for these other protection strategies.
8.4. End-to End-Security Issues 9.4. End-to End-Security Issues
The lack of end-to-end security features makes it far more difficult The lack of end-to-end security features makes it far more difficult
to establish trust in overload reports that originate from non- to establish trust in overload reports that originate from non-
adjacent nodes. Any agents in the message path may insert or modify adjacent nodes. Any agents in the message path may insert or modify
overload reports. Nodes must trust that their adjacent peers perform overload reports. Nodes must trust that their adjacent peers perform
proper checks on overload reports from their peers, and so on, proper checks on overload reports from their peers, and so on,
creating a transitive-trust requirement extending for potentially creating a transitive-trust requirement extending for potentially
long chains of nodes. Network operators must determine if this long chains of nodes. Network operators must determine if this
transitive trust requirement is acceptable for their deployments. transitive trust requirement is acceptable for their deployments.
Nodes supporting Diameter overload control MUST give operators the Nodes supporting Diameter overload control MUST give operators the
skipping to change at page 34, line 38 skipping to change at page 40, line 4
contents of that report. In addition to the requirement to select contents of that report. In addition to the requirement to select
which peers are trusted to send overload reports, operators MUST be which peers are trusted to send overload reports, operators MUST be
able to select which peers are authorized to receive reports. A node able to select which peers are authorized to receive reports. A node
MUST not send an overload report to a peer not authorized to receive MUST not send an overload report to a peer not authorized to receive
it. Furthermore, an agent MUST remove any overload reports that it. Furthermore, an agent MUST remove any overload reports that
might have been inserted by other nodes before forwarding a Diameter might have been inserted by other nodes before forwarding a Diameter
message to a peer that is not authorized to receive overload reports. message to a peer that is not authorized to receive overload reports.
At the time of this writing, the DIME working group is studying At the time of this writing, the DIME working group is studying
requirements for adding end-to-end security requirements for adding end-to-end security
[I-D.ietf-dime-e2e-sec-req] features to Diameter. These features, [I-D.ietf-dime-e2e-sec-req] features to Diameter. These features,
when they become available, might make it easier to establish trust when they become available, might make it easier to establish trust
in non-adjacent nodes for overload control purposes. Readers should in non-adjacent nodes for overload control purposes. Readers should
be reminded, however, that the overload control mechanism encourages be reminded, however, that the overload control mechanism encourages
Diameter agents to modify AVPs in, or insert additional AVPs into, Diameter agents to modify AVPs in, or insert additional AVPs into,
existing messages that are originated by other nodes. If end-to-end existing messages that are originated by other nodes. If end-to-end
security is enabled, there is a risk that such modification could security is enabled, there is a risk that such modification could
violate integrity protection. The details of using any future violate integrity protection. The details of using any future
Diameter end-to-end security mechanism with overload control will Diameter end-to-end security mechanism with overload control will
require careful consideration, and are beyond the scope of this require careful consideration, and are beyond the scope of this
document. document.
9. Contributors 10. Contributors
The following people contributed substantial ideas, feedback, and The following people contributed substantial ideas, feedback, and
discussion to this document: discussion to this document:
o Eric McMurry o Eric McMurry
o Hannes Tschofenig o Hannes Tschofenig
o Ulrich Wiehe o Ulrich Wiehe
o Jean-Jacques Trottin o Jean-Jacques Trottin
o Maria Cruz Bartolome o Maria Cruz Bartolome
o Martin Dolly o Martin Dolly
o Nirav Salot o Nirav Salot
o Susan Shishufeng o Susan Shishufeng
10. References 11. References
10.1. Normative References 11.1. Normative References
[RFC2119] Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate [RFC2119] Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate
Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, March 1997. Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, March 1997.
[RFC5226] Narten, T. and H. Alvestrand, "Guidelines for Writing an [RFC5226] Narten, T. and H. Alvestrand, "Guidelines for Writing an
IANA Considerations Section in RFCs", BCP 26, RFC 5226, IANA Considerations Section in RFCs", BCP 26, RFC 5226,
May 2008. May 2008.
[RFC5905] Mills, D., Martin, J., Burbank, J., and W. Kasch, "Network [RFC5905] Mills, D., Martin, J., Burbank, J., and W. Kasch, "Network
Time Protocol Version 4: Protocol and Algorithms Time Protocol Version 4: Protocol and Algorithms
Specification", RFC 5905, June 2010. Specification", RFC 5905, June 2010.
[RFC6733] Fajardo, V., Arkko, J., Loughney, J., and G. Zorn, [RFC6733] Fajardo, V., Arkko, J., Loughney, J., and G. Zorn,
"Diameter Base Protocol", RFC 6733, October 2012. "Diameter Base Protocol", RFC 6733, October 2012.
10.2. Informative References 11.2. Informative References
[Cx] 3GPP, , "ETSI TS 129 229 V11.4.0", August 2013. [Cx] 3GPP, , "ETSI TS 129 229 V11.4.0", August 2013.
[I-D.ietf-dime-e2e-sec-req] [I-D.ietf-dime-e2e-sec-req]
Tschofenig, H., Korhonen, J., Zorn, G., and K. Pillay, Tschofenig, H., Korhonen, J., Zorn, G., and K. Pillay,
"Diameter AVP Level Security: Scenarios and Requirements", "Diameter AVP Level Security: Scenarios and Requirements",
draft-ietf-dime-e2e-sec-req-00 (work in progress), draft-ietf-dime-e2e-sec-req-00 (work in progress),
September 2013. September 2013.
[PCC] 3GPP, , "ETSI TS 123 203 V11.12.0", December 2013. [PCC] 3GPP, , "ETSI TS 123 203 V11.12.0", December 2013.
skipping to change at page 36, line 31 skipping to change at page 41, line 44
The base solution for the overload control does not cover all The base solution for the overload control does not cover all
possible use cases. A number of solution aspects were intentionally possible use cases. A number of solution aspects were intentionally
left for future specification and protocol work. left for future specification and protocol work.
A.1. Additional traffic abatement algorithms A.1. Additional traffic abatement algorithms
This specification describes only means for a simple loss based This specification describes only means for a simple loss based
algorithm. Future algorithms can be added using the designed algorithm. Future algorithms can be added using the designed
solution extension mechanism. The new algorithms need to be solution extension mechanism. The new algorithms need to be
registered with IANA. See Sections 4.1 and 7 for the required IANA registered with IANA. See Sections 6.1 and 8 for the required IANA
steps. steps.
A.2. Agent Overload A.2. Agent Overload
This specification focuses on Diameter end-point (server or client) This specification focuses on Diameter endpoint (server or client)
overload. A separate extension will be required to outline the overload. A separate extension will be required to outline the
handling the case of agent overload. handling the case of agent overload.
A.3. DIAMETER_TOO_BUSY clarifications A.3. DIAMETER_TOO_BUSY clarifications
The current [RFC6733] behavior in a case of DIAMETER_TOO_BUSY is The current [RFC6733] behavior in a case of DIAMETER_TOO_BUSY is
somewhat under specified. For example, there is no information how somewhat under specified. For example, there is no information how
long the specific Diameter node is willing to be unavailable. A long the specific Diameter node is willing to be unavailable. A
specification updating [RFC6733] should clarify the handling of specification updating [RFC6733] should clarify the handling of
DIAMETER_TOO_BUSY from the error answer initiating Diameter node DIAMETER_TOO_BUSY from the error answer initiating Diameter node
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likely different than that for either S1 or S2. The agent likely different than that for either S1 or S2. The agent
forward's S2's report back to the client in the Diameter answer. forward's S2's report back to the client in the Diameter answer.
Additionally, the agent generates a new report for the realm of Additionally, the agent generates a new report for the realm of
"realm", and inserts that report into the answer. The client "realm", and inserts that report into the answer. The client
throttles requests with Destination-Host:S1 at one rate, requests throttles requests with Destination-Host:S1 at one rate, requests
with Destination-Host:S2 at another rate, and requests with no with Destination-Host:S2 at another rate, and requests with no
Destination-Host AVP at yet a third rate. (Since S3 has not Destination-Host AVP at yet a third rate. (Since S3 has not
indicated overload, the client does not throttle requests with indicated overload, the client does not throttle requests with
Destination-Host:S3.) Destination-Host:S3.)
Appendix C. Restructuring of -02 version of the draft
This section captures the initial plan for restructuring the DOIC
specification from the -02 version to the new -03 version.
1. Introduction (non normative)
-- Existing Text from section 1. --
2. Terminology and Abbreviations (non normative)
-- Existing Text from section 2. --
3. Solution Overview (Non normative)
-- Existing text from section 3. --
3.1 Overload Control Endpoints (Non normative)
-- New text leveraging text from existing section 5.1 --
3.2 Piggybacking Principle (Non normative)
-- Existing text from existing section 5.2, with enhancements --
3.3 DOIC Capability Discovery (Non normative)
-- New text leveraging text from existing section 5.3 --
3.4 DOIC Overload Condition Reporting (Non normative)
-- New text --
3.5 DOIC Extensibility (Non normative)
-- New text leveraging text from existing Section 5.4 --
3.5 Simplified Example Architecture (Non normative)
-- Existing text from section 3.1.6, with enhancements --
3.6 Considerations for Applications Integrating the DOIC Solution (Non normative)
-- New text --
3.6.1. Application Classification (Non normative)
-- Existing text from section 3.1.1 --
3.6.2. Application Type Overload Implications (Non normative)
-- Existing text from section 3.1.2 --
3.6.3. Request Transaction Classification (Non normative)
-- Existing text from section 3.1.3 --
3.6.4. Request Type Overload Implications (Non normative)
-- Existing text from section 3.1.4 --
4. Solution Procedures (Normative)
4.1 Capability Announcement (Normative)
-- Existing text from section 5.3 --
4.1.1. Reacting Node Behavior (Normative)
-- Existing text from section 5.3.1 --
4.1.2. Reporting Node Behavior (Normative)
-- Existing text from section 5.3.2 --
4.1.3. Agent Behavior (Normative)
-- Existing text from section 5.3.3 --
4.2. Overload Report Processing (Normative)
4.2.1. Overload Control State (Normative)
-- Existing text from section 5.5.1 --
4.2.2. Reacting Node Behavior (Normative)
-- Existing text from section 5.5.2 --
4.2.3. Reporting Node Behavior (Normative)
-- Existing text from section 5.5.3 --
4.2.4. Agent Behavior (Normative)
-- Existing text from section 5.5.4 --
4.3. Protocol Extensibility (Normative)
-- Existing text from section 5.4 --
5. Loss Algorithm (Normative)
-- New text pulling from information spread through the document --
5.1. Overview (Non normative)
-- New text pulling from information spread through the document --
5.2. Reporting Node Behavior (Normative)
-- New text pulling from information spread through the document --
5.3. Reacting Node Behavior (Normative)
-- New text pulling from information spread through the document --
6. Attribute Value Pairs (Normative)
-- Existing text from section 4. --
6.1. OC-Supported-Features AVP
-- Existing text from section 4.1 --
6.2. OC-Feature-Vector AVP
-- Existing text from section 4.2 --
6.3. OC-OLR AVP
-- Existing text from section 4.3 --
6.4. OC-Sequence-Number AVP
-- Existing text from section 4.4 --
6.5. OC-Validity-Duration AVP
-- Existing text from section 4.5 --
6.6. OC-Report-Type AVP
-- Existing text from section 4.6 --
6.7. OC-Reduction-Percentage AVP
-- Existing text from section 4.7 --
6.8. Attribute Value Pair flag rules
-- Existing text from section 4.8 --
7. Error Response Codes
-- New text based on resolution of issue --
8. IANA Considerations
-- Existing text from section 7. --
8.1. AVP codes
-- Existing text from section 7.1 --
8.2. New registries
-- Existing text from section 7.2 --
9. Security Considerations
-- Existing text from section 8. --
9.1. Potential Threat Modes
-- Existing text from section 8.1 --
9.2. Denial of Service Attacks
-- Existing text from section 8.2 --
9.3. Non-Compliant Nodes
-- Existing text from section 8.3 --
9.4. End-to End-Security Issues
-- Existing text from section 8.4 --
10. Contributors
11. References
11.1. Normative References
11.2. Informative References
Appendix A. Issues left for future specifications
A.1. Additional traffic abatement algorithms
A.2. Agent Overload
A.3. DIAMETER_TOO_BUSY clarifications
A.4. Per reacting node reports
Appendix B. Examples
B.1. Mix of Destination-Realm routed requests and Destination-
Host routed requests
Authors' Addresses
Authors' Addresses Authors' Addresses
Jouni Korhonen (editor) Jouni Korhonen (editor)
Broadcom Broadcom
Porkkalankatu 24 Porkkalankatu 24
Helsinki FIN-00180 Helsinki FIN-00180
Finland Finland
Email: jouni.nospam@gmail.com Email: jouni.nospam@gmail.com
Steve Donovan (editor) Steve Donovan (editor)
Oracle Oracle
7460 Warren Parkway 7460 Warren Parkway
Frisco, Texas 75034 Frisco, Texas 75034
United States United States
Email: srdonovan@usdonovans.com Email: srdonovan@usdonovans.com
Ben Campbell Ben Campbell
Oracle Oracle
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