SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OFFLOADING DATA IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- receiving a downstream data packet transported on a backhaul link at a first network element, wherein the downstream data packet is associated with a user equipment;
identifying whether a downstream tunnel used to communicate the data packet to the user equipment has become dormant; and
communicating an in-band message to a second network element that the downstream tunnel is dormant.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a downstream data packet transported on a backhaul link at a first network element, the downstream data packet is associated with a user equipment; identifying whether a downstream tunnel used to communicate the data packet to the user equipment has become dormant; and communicating an in-band message to a second network element that the downstream tunnel is dormant. In other examples, the method can include dropping the data packet when a network address port translation binding has expired or does not exist. In certain implementations, the method can include identifying the downstream tunnel as dormant when an activity timer has expired, or identifying the downstream tunnel as dormant based on a stale state setting.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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receiving a downstream data packet transported on a backhaul link at a first network element, wherein the downstream data packet is associated with a user equipment; identifying whether a downstream tunnel used to communicate the data packet to the user equipment has become dormant; and communicating an in-band message to a second network element that the downstream tunnel is dormant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Logic encoded in one or more non-transitory media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor is operable to perform operations comprising:
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receiving a downstream data packet transported on a backhaul link at a first network element, wherein the downstream data packet is associated with a user equipment; identifying whether a downstream tunnel used to communicate the data packet to the user equipment has become dormant; and communicating an in-band message to a second network element that the downstream tunnel is dormant. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus, comprising:
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a memory element configured to store data; a processor operable to execute instructions associated with the data; a traffic offload module configured to interface with the memory element and the processor, wherein the apparatus is configured for; receiving a downstream data packet transported on a backhaul link at a first network element, wherein the downstream data packet is associated with a user equipment; identifying whether a downstream tunnel used to communicate the data packet to the user equipment has become dormant; and communicating an in-band message to a second network element that the downstream tunnel is dormant. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification