PROVIDING SERVICES TO PACKET FLOWS IN A NETWORK
First Claim
1. A gateway comprising:
- an interface configured to transmit and receive data;
a memory configured to store subscriber profile information and software for providing services to mobile nodes;
an IP services gateway (IPSG) manager that is configured to activate sessions for mobile nodes based on packet flows received at the interface, and to obtain information from received packets in order to link the received packets to a subscriber profile associated with a mobile node and to set up provision of a service to the packet flows;
a session manager module that is configured to obtain subscriber profile information based on information received from the IPSG, to set up a network processing unit flow to direct incoming packets to the session manager for processing, and to manage services provided to the packet flow received at the interface; and
a network processing unit (NPU) that is configured to direct packets received on the interface to a particular session manager based on information received from the session manager so services can be provided to the packet flow.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for providing services to packet flows in a communication network. The services include enhanced charging, stateful firewalls, traffic performance optimization (TPO) and advanced services such as content differentiated charging, per-subscriber stateful firewalls, and VPNs, for example. A gateway can be used to route each packet flow through the services on a per-subscriber basis by inspecting accounting messages and checking subscriber profiles prior to setting up a new packet flow session. By directing the packet flow through the services requested latency can be reduced as well as the need to have equipment for each session regardless of whether the service is provided to the packet flow. The services can be provided in-line as well.
83 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A gateway comprising:
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an interface configured to transmit and receive data; a memory configured to store subscriber profile information and software for providing services to mobile nodes; an IP services gateway (IPSG) manager that is configured to activate sessions for mobile nodes based on packet flows received at the interface, and to obtain information from received packets in order to link the received packets to a subscriber profile associated with a mobile node and to set up provision of a service to the packet flows; a session manager module that is configured to obtain subscriber profile information based on information received from the IPSG, to set up a network processing unit flow to direct incoming packets to the session manager for processing, and to manage services provided to the packet flow received at the interface; and a network processing unit (NPU) that is configured to direct packets received on the interface to a particular session manager based on information received from the session manager so services can be provided to the packet flow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method comprising:
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receiving packets at an IP services gateway (IPSG) manager; inspecting the packets and determining from the packets whether to activate a new session for a mobile node at the IPSG manager; extracting information from the packets in order to link packet information to a subscriber profile associated with a mobile node and set up provision of services to a packet flow received from the mobile node; obtaining subscriber profile information based on information received from the IPSG to set up a network processing unit (NPU) to direct incoming packets to a session manager for processing; managing services provided to the packet flow received at the gateway based on the subscriber profile; and directing the packets received at the NPU to a particular session manager based on information received from the session manager to provide services to the packet flow. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. Logic encoded on one or more tangible computer readable media for execution and when executed operable to:
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receive packets at an IP services gateway (IPSG) manager; inspect the packets and determine from the packets whether to activate a new session for a mobile node at the IPSG manager; extract information from the packets in order to link packet information to a subscriber profile associated with a mobile node and set up provision of services to a packet flow received from the mobile node; obtain subscriber profile information based on information received from the IPSG to set up a network processing unit (NPU) to direct incoming packets to a session manager for processing; manage services provided to the packet flow received at the gateway based on the subscriber profile; and direct the packets received at the NPU to a particular session manager based on information received from the session manager to provide services to the packet flow. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification