System and method for providing a connection in a communication network
First Claim
1. System for providing a connection in a communication network comprising several network elements and being adapted to establish a connection via a first network element and one or more of alternatively selectable core network elements, at least one of the network elements storing a list of core network elements selectable by the first network element, wherein the core network element(s) is adapted to maintain state information about user equipment(s), wherein the user equipment(s) is adapted to send an identifier identifying an area and/or an identifier identifying a desired core network element to the first network element which is adapted to select a core network element based on the sent identifier, and wherein at least two core network elements of same type are being assigned to the same area identifier.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention proposes a system and method for providing a connection in a communication network which comprises several network elements and is adapted to route a connection via a first network element such as a radio network controller and one or more of alternatively selectable second network elements such as serving nodes. The network comprises a network element which stores a list of selectable second network elements. The list is accessed using an identifier identifying a routing or location area or a desired second network element. The list can be stored in a DNS server which returns to an inquiring network element such as a radio network controller, e.g. IP addresses of serving nodes capable of serving a routing or location area of a connection originating or terminating network element. The connection originating or terminating network element may also be adapted to send an identifier identifying a specific network element such as an SGSN to which it desires to be connected.
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Citations
63 Claims
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1. System for providing a connection in a communication network comprising several network elements and being adapted to establish a connection via a first network element and one or more of alternatively selectable core network elements, at least one of the network elements storing a list of core network elements selectable by the first network element,
wherein the core network element(s) is adapted to maintain state information about user equipment(s), wherein the user equipment(s) is adapted to send an identifier identifying an area and/or an identifier identifying a desired core network element to the first network element which is adapted to select a core network element based on the sent identifier, and wherein at least two core network elements of same type are being assigned to the same area identifier.
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25. Method for selecting an address in a communication network comprising several network elements and being adapted to establish a connection via a first network element and one or more of alternatively selectable core network elements, at least one of the network elements storing a list of core network elements selectable by the first network element,
wherein the core network element(s) maintains state information about user equipment(s), wherein the user equipment(s) sends an identifier identifying an area and/or an identifier identifying a desired core network element to the first network element which is adapted to select a core network element based on the sent identifier, and wherein at least two core network elements of same type are being assigned to the same area identifier.
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28. Method according to any one of the preceding method claims, wherein said sent identifier is a CN identifier.
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29. Method according to any one of the preceding method claims, wherein the connection is maintained in the same selectable core network element(s) when a user equipment is moving inside the CN area.
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37. Method according to any one of the preceding method claims, wherein the core network elements belong to a packet-switched network.
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38. Method according to any one of the preceding method claims, wherein the first network element provides radio access to one or more user equipments.
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39. Method according to any one of the preceding method claims, wherein the first network element is a serving core network node, preferably an SGSN.
- 55. System wherein different Serving nodes assigned to different operators are adapted to use the same access network for access to a user equipment, the access network being adapted to select an appropriate Serving node by using an operator identifier or a CN identifier.
Specification