What is the Difference Between PCRF and PCEF?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function) and PCEF (Policy and Charging Enforcement Function) are both functional entities involved in different levels of charging policy control. They play crucial roles in managing network control and billing functions, but they have distinct differences.
PCRF is mainly responsible for making policy control decisions and flow-based charging control decisions. It operates at the core of the network and has access to subscriber databases and other specialized charging systems. PCRF consists of one or more policy servers that provide policy and charging management functions, as well as Subscriber Profile Repositories (SPR) that store subscription information.
On the other hand, PCEF is more concerned with the application of policies and follow-up billing. It is situated inside the Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN GW or PGW) and is responsible for user traffic handling and Quality of Service (QoS) at the Gateway. PCEF enforces the rules set by PCRF and ensures that services are billed accordingly.
The main differences between PCRF and PCEF include:
- PCRF mainly includes policy control decision and flow-based charging control functions, while PCEF is more focused on policy enforcement and follow-up billing.
- PCRF operates based on the received session and media information via the Application Function (AF) and applies the PCC rules to the PCEF using the Gateway interface.
- PCEF supports online and offline charging interactions, while PCRF does not.
In summary, PCRF and PCEF are essential components in managing network control and billing functions. PCRF is responsible for policy control decisions and flow-based charging control, while PCEF enforces these rules and ensures appropriate billing for services.
Comparative Table: PCRF vs PCEF
Here is a table comparing the differences between PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function) and PCEF (Policy and Charging Enforcement Function):
| Feature | PCRF | PCEF |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Centralized policy decision point | Policy enforcement and traffic handling |
| Location | Part of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) | Located within the Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN GW) or Packet Data Network (PGW) |
| Charging | Supports service data flow detection, policy enforcement, and flow-based charging | Supports offline and online charging, as well as user traffic handling and quality of service (QoS) at the Gateway |
| Policy Control | Mainly policy control decision and flow-based charging control functions | Policy enforcement at different levels, located at the gateway |
| Information | Aggregates information inside the hosting network and is considered part of the PCC architecture | Located at different levels and serves as a gateway |
In summary, PCRF is responsible for policy control decision-making and flow-based charging control functions, while PCEF handles policy enforcement at different levels, user traffic handling, and quality of service at the Gateway.