EPC Architecture Javier Alejandro Díaz Bulla

Evolved Packet Core Architecture

HSS:
Basically, the HSS (for Home Subscriber Server) is a database that contains user-related and
subscriber-related information. It also provides support functions in mobility management, call
and session setup, user authentication and access authorization. It is based on the pre-3GPP
Release 4 - Home Location Register (HLR) and Authentication Centre (AuC).

Serving GW:
The gateways (Serving GW and PDN GW) deal with the user plane. They transport the IP data
traffic between the User Equipment (UE) and the external networks. The Serving GW is the point
of interconnect between the radio-side and the EPC. As its name indicates, this gateway serves
the UE by routing the incoming and outgoing IP packets. It is the anchor point for the intra-LTE
mobility (i.e. in case of handover between eNodeBs) and between LTE and other 3GPP accesses.
It is logically connected to the other gateway, the PDN GW.

PDN GW:
The PDN GW is the point of interconnect between the EPC and the external IP networks. These
networks are called PDN (Packet Data Network), hence the name. The PDN GW routes packets
to and from the PDNs. The PDN GW also performs various functions such as IP address / IP prefix
allocation or policy control and charging. 3GPP specifies these gateways independently but in
practice they may be combined in a single "box" by network vendors.

MME (for Mobility Management Entity):

Deals with the control plane. It handles the signaling related to mobility and security for E-UTRAN
access. The MME is responsible for the tracking and the paging of UE in idle-mode. It is the
termination point of the Non-Access Stratum (NAS).

PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function):

Network-wide control of flows: detection, gating, QoS and flow-based charging, authorizes
network-wide use of QoS resources (manages millions on service data flows).

Link to the presentation: https://youtu.be/0LSYUVWshTY