Network resource reallocation in iub

• US 20030093532A1
• Filed: 11/13/2002
• Published: 05/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Hwang, Woonhee, Marin, Jukka
• Granted Patent: US 7,742,470 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/56 Packet switching systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5607 Radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5632 Bandwidth allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5656 using the AAL2
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 Provisions for broadband connections

Abstract

A method of assigning resources within a network element within which a traffic termination point or AAL2 termination point has been established. The network element accepts a connection request, and it is then ascertained whether available resources have sufficient capacity to establish the requested connection. In the event that there is sufficient capacity, it is ascertained whether the termination points defined in relation to the available resources fragments the resources such that the connection cannt be established. If the resources are so fragmented, then one or more of the termination points are reallocated, without breaking the connection to which they relate, thereby defragmenting the resources sufficiently that the requested conenction can be established.

Claims

1. A method of assigning resources within a network element within which a traffic termination point or AAL2 termination point has been established, the method including the steps of:

accepting a connection request via the network element;

ascertaining whether available resources have sufficient capacity to establish the requested connection;

in the event that there is sufficient capacity, ascertaining whether the termination points defined in relation to the available resources fragments the resources such that the connection cannot be established;

in the event that the resources are so fragmented, reallocating one or more of the termination points, without breaking the connection to which they relate, thereby defragmenting the resources sufficiently that the requested connection can be established.

2. A method according to claim 1, further including the step, prior to reallocating the termination points, of ascertaining which of the existing termination points should be reallocated to minimize fragmentation of resources within the network element, the termination points then being changed in accordance with that determination.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of reallocating the one or more termination points includes the steps of:

sending a Termination Point Switching Request (TPSR) message to Radio Network Controller (RNC), the TPSR message including port information related to the termination points to be switched;

receiving from the RNC a Switching Request Commit (SRC) message, the SRC message including confirmation that the resource reallocation is to take place, and timing information for synchronization of the resource reallocation.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the TPSR includes one or more of the following:

a Binding ID;

a Transport Layer &

Node B Communication Context ID; and

a Communication Control Port ID.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the network element is a Node B element in accordance with a 3GPP UTRA specification.

6. A network element having resources to be allocated, within which a traffic termination point or AAL2 termination point has been established, the network element being configured to:

accept a connection request;

ascertain whether the available resources have sufficient capacity to establish the requested connection;

in the event that there is sufficient capacity, ascertain whether the termination points defined in relation to the available resources fragments the resources such that the connection cannot be established;

in the event that the resources are so fragmented, reallocate one or more of the termination points, without breaking the connection to which they relate, thereby defragmenting the resources sufficiently that the requested connection can be established.

7. A network element according to claim 6, configured to ascertain, prior to reallocating the termination points, which of the existing termination points should be reallocated to minimize fragmentation of resources within the network element, the termination points then being changed in accordance with that determination.

8. A network element according to claim 6 or 7, configured to reallocate the one or more termination points by:

sending a Termination Point Switching Request (TPSR) message to Radio Network Controller (RNC), the TPSR message including port information related to the termination points to be switched;

receiving from the RNC a Switching Request Commit (SRC) message, the SRC message including confirmation that the resource reallocation is to take place, and timing information for synchronization of the resource reallocation.

9. A network element according to claim 8, wherein the TPSR includes one or more of the following:

a Binding ID;

a Transport Layer &

Node B Communication Context ID; and

a Communication Control Port ID.

10. A network element according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the network element is a Node B element in accordance with a 3GPP UTRA specification.