Ericsson CIP (application id: 16777232)

The Charging Interrogation Protocol (CIP) is an application built on top of the Diameter protocol, primarily designed for handling charging-related functions in telecommunications networks. CIP enables communication between a CIP/IP Client (e.g., part of a Charging Control Node or Online Charging System) and a Service Data Point (SDP), facilitating session-based and event-based charging. 

The main objective of CIP is to manage charging sessions by providing mechanisms for clients to query and interact with a charging system. This interaction ensures that services are billed accurately and promptly, either based on sessions (e.g., ongoing calls or data usage) or events (e.g., one-time balance checks or refunds). CIP plays a pivotal role in ensuring proper authorization, charging, and billing within the network, including support for multiple services within a single session.

Key Features

• Session-Based Charging: CIP manages multiple services within a single charging session, allowing for simultaneous charging of ongoing services like voice, SMS, and data.
• Event-Based Charging: Supports one-time transactions, such as balance inquiries, refunds, or direct debit operations.
• Multi-Service Credit Control (MSCC): CIP uses Multi-Service Credit Control AVPs to handle the charging of multiple services in parallel. Each service is identified using specific parameters like the Service-Identifier or Rating-Group.
• Re-Authorization: Supports server-initiated re-authorization using Re-Auth-Request (RAR) and Re-Auth-Answer (RAA) messages, enabling the charging system to reassess and update the ongoing service authorization during the session.
• CIR/CIA Commands: The protocol extends the Diameter Credit-Control Request (CCR) and Answer (CCA) commands into Charging Interrogation Request (CIR) and Charging Interrogation Answer (CIA) for the purpose of exchanging charging-related information between the CIP/IP Client and the SDP.
• Capability Exchange and Watchdog Support: Integrates Capability Exchange Request (CER) and Device Watchdog Request (DWR) messages for establishing peer-to-peer communication and ensuring system health.

Workflow

1. Session Initiation: A charging session begins when the CIP/IP Client sends a Charging Interrogation Request (CIR) to the Service Data Point (SDP). The request contains details about the services that need to be charged.
2. Service Management: Multi-Service Credit Control (MSCC) AVPs are used to define the individual services within the session. These AVPs include service-specific parameters such as the Service-Identifier or Rating-Group.
3. Session Updates: As the session progresses, the CIP/IP Client may send update requests to modify the session parameters (e.g., adding a new service or modifying an ongoing service).
4. Re-Authorization: During the session, the SDP can trigger a Re-Auth-Request (RAR) if additional authorization is required (e.g., for ongoing services or due to changing balance or service rules). The client responds with a Re-Auth-Answer (RAA).
5. Session Termination: When all services are completed, or the session is no longer needed, the client sends a termination request, signaling the end of the charging session.
6. Final Interrogation: After the session is terminated, the system performs a final interrogation to confirm the charges applied for the services rendered during the session.
    

Ericsson CIP interface operates in compliance with the Diameter Credit-Control Application [RFC 4006] and Diameter Base Protocol [RFC 3588].