Resource determination in IP-based networks

• US 20040196846A1
• Filed: 06/09/2003
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Salonen, Jukka V.
• Granted Patent: US 7,768,946 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/392
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/02 Topology update or discovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/03 by updating link state protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/42 Centralised routing

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method, system and router device for determining resources in an IP-based network, wherein a probe functionality is provided at a specific router device (90) located in a predetermined area (RA) of the IP-based network (50). When a link state change is detected in the specific router device (90), the probe functionality (P) forwards a list of router devices located in the predetermined area (RA) to a resource managing function which then requests at least one of a topology information and a link information from the router devices indicated in the list. Thereby, the resource information at the resource managing function can be kept updated at reduced signaling load and fast response times due to the fact that resource information is requested only from predetermined areas and at times of change.

Claims

1. A method of determining resources in an IP-based network (50), said method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a probe functionality (P) at a router device (90) located in a predetermined area (RA) of said IP-based network (50);

b) receiving a list of router devices located in said predetermined area, said list being generated by said probe functionality (P) in response to a detected change of a link state at said router device (90); and

c) requesting at least one of a topology information and a link information from said router devices indicated in said list.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said topology information comprises at least a subset of routing tables and said link information comprises link capacities of said listed router devices.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said subset of routing tables includes all network links at a respective one of said listed routers.

4. A method according to claim 1 any one of the preceding claims, wherein said IP-based network is a cellular radio access network (50).

5. A method according to claim 1 any one of the preceding claims, wherein said router list is received together with an area identification of said predetermined area (RA).

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said predetermined area is a routing area (RA).

7. A method according to claim 1 any one of the preceding claims, wherein said list of router devices comprises router identities of said listed router devices.

8. A method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of:

mapping said router identities to IP addresses used in said requesting step.

9. A router device for an IP-based network (50), said router device (90) comprising:

d) a detector unit for detecting a change in a link state information provided at said router device (90); and

e) a probe function (P) for transmitting a list of router devices located in a predetermined area (RA), in response to a detected change in said link state information.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said link state information is stored in a link state database (903).

11. A device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said probe function (P) is configured to transmit said router list together with an area identification of said predetermined area (RA).

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined area is a routing area (RA).

13. A device according to claim 9 any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein said router list comprises router identities of said listed router devices.

14. A device according to claim 9 any one of claims 9 to 13, further comprising means for deactivating said probe function (P).

15. A system for determining resources in an IP-based network, said system comprising a router device (90) as claimed in claim 9 any one of claims 9 to 14, and a resource managing device 40 having a receiver unit (404) for receiving said router list, and a polling unit (406) for polling at least one of a topology information and a link information from said router devices indicated in said router list.