DNS-Based Solution for Operator Control of Selected IP Traffic Offload

In this paper, we consider the Selected IP Traffic Offload (SIPTO) approach to handle increased data traffic of both local and macro-cellular networks. We devise different approaches based on operator defined offload policies on a per destination domain name basis, which offer operators fine-grained control of whether a new IP connection should be offloaded or provided via the core network. Two of our solutions are based on Network Address Translation (NAT) named simple-NATing and twice-NATing, while a third one employs simple tunneling. These solutions support all kinds of UEs including those that support a single Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context/Packet Data Network (PDN) connection. In a forth solution, we consider the case where a User Equipment (UE) supports multiple PDP contexts/PDN connections, with at least one dedicated for SIPTO traffic. A qualitative analysis and a simulation study are presented.