Method and Apparatus for Pooling Network Resources
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for selecting a network resource from a plurality of network resources in a communications network. A selection node receives a request for a network resource from a terminal, and then retrieves, from at least one further network node, data relating to the plurality of network resources. On the basis of the retrieved data, the selection node selects a network resource from the plurality of network resources. A response is then sent to the terminal, the response including information identifying the selected network resource.
95 Citations
35 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A method for selecting a network resource from a plurality of network resources in a communications network, the method comprising:
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at a selection node, receiving from a terminal a request for a network resource; retrieving, from a dynamically updated database, data relating to the status and capabilities of each network resource of the plurality of network resources; on the basis of the retrieved data, selecting a network resource from the plurality of network resources; and sending a response to the terminal, the response including information identifying the selected network resource. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A selection node operable in a communications network including a plurality of network resources, the selection node comprising:
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a receiver operative to receive a request from a terminal for a network resource; a retriever operative to retrieve, from a dynamically updated database, data relating to the status and capabilities of each network resource of the plurality of network resources; a selector operative to select a network resource from a plurality of network resources on the basis of the retrieved data; and a transmitter operative to send a message to the terminal, the message including information identifying the selected network resource. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A terminal operative in a communications network, the terminal comprising:
a processor operative to generate a request message for a network resource, the request message comprising a Domain Name System query, the Domain Name System query further comprising the identity of the terminal encoded in a Fully Qualified Domain Name.
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35. A computer readable medium including program instructions operative to cause a processor at a selection node in a communications network including a plurality of network resources to perform the following steps:
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receiving from a terminal a request for a network resource; retrieving, from a dynamically updated database, data relating to the status and capabilities of each network resource of the plurality of network resources; on the basis of the retrieved data, selecting a network resource from the plurality of network resources; and sending a response to the terminal, the response including information identifying the selected network resource.
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Specification