Methods and apparatus for controlling resource allocation where tunneling and access link packet aggregation are used in combination
First Claim
1. A communications method for use in a communications system including an access node, at least one mobile node coupled to said access node by a wireless communications link, a first network node coupled to said access node by an access link and a second network node coupled to said first network node, a first packet tunnel existing between said second network node and said first network node and passing over said access link, said first packet tunnel terminating at one of said access node and said mobile node, said first packet tunnel being used to communicate at least one packet tunnel constituent packet flow, the method comprising:
- storing packet classification information in said access node, said packet classification information including;
i) information used to identify packets corresponding to said first packet tunnel, and ii) information used to identify packets corresponding to a first access link packet aggregate; and
operating the access node to communicate said packet classification information to the first network node.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for aggregating IP packets over an access link between a wireless access router and a core node and for managing resource allocation to access link packet aggregates, e.g., as a function of the status of wireless communications links used to couple mobile nodes to the access router are described. Improved aggregate resource control messages and use of such messages are described. Some of the new messages allow aggregate resources for both upstream and downstream aggregates to be controlled in a single message. A single message may include information corresponding to multiple aggregates and/or multiple constituent flows included in an aggregate with aggregate direction information being included. Use of tunnels to communicate management messages, e.g., messages used to control resource allocation to aggregates is also described. Propagation of access link aggregate information is communicated to tunnel end nodes which generate packets that are communicated over the access link.
136 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A communications method for use in a communications system including an access node, at least one mobile node coupled to said access node by a wireless communications link, a first network node coupled to said access node by an access link and a second network node coupled to said first network node, a first packet tunnel existing between said second network node and said first network node and passing over said access link, said first packet tunnel terminating at one of said access node and said mobile node, said first packet tunnel being used to communicate at least one packet tunnel constituent packet flow, the method comprising:
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storing packet classification information in said access node, said packet classification information including;
i) information used to identify packets corresponding to said first packet tunnel, and ii) information used to identify packets corresponding to a first access link packet aggregate; and
operating the access node to communicate said packet classification information to the first network node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A communications system comprising:
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an access node;
at least one mobile node coupled to said access node by a wireless communications link;
a first network node coupled to said access node by an access link;
a second network node coupled to said first network node, a first packet tunnel existing between said second network node and said first network node and passing over said access link, said first packet tunnel terminating at one of said access node and said mobile node, said first packet tunnel being used to communicate at least one packet tunnel constituent packet flow;
said access node including stored packet classification information, said packet classification information including;
i) information used to identify packets corresponding to said first packet tunnel, and ii) information used to identify packets corresponding to a first access link packet aggregate;
said access node further including means for using said stored information to map packets received from said first tunnel to said first access link packet aggregate; and
means for transmitting a packet received from said first tunnel through said first access link packet aggregate. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification