Routing Data In A Network

• US 20150350063A1
• Filed: 11/25/2013
• Published: 12/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke KPN NV, Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek Tno
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke KPN NV, Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek Tno
• Inventors: Stokking, Hans Maarten, Den Hartog, Frank, Hillen, Bernardus, Herrera Van Der Nood, Manuel, Smets, Robertus
• Granted Patent: US 10,148,553 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5022 by giving priorities, e.g. assigning classes of service
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/22 Alternate routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/20 Traffic policing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2433 Allocation of priorities to traffic types
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2491 Mapping quality of service [QoS] requirements between different networks

Abstract

A method and system is described for delivering data streams in a network comprising devices connected to the network via adapters and wherein at least some of the devices are programmed to indicate priority of a data stream using priority parameter values of respective priority parameter types. One device in the network operates as a controller and the accompanying controller adapter is configured to perform priority enforcement on data streams according to all priority parameter types used within the datastreams in the network. A controller is also described and the controller can be a gateway configured to allow data streams into and out of the network. The method, system and controller find particular application in networks based on shared network segments, for example power line communication or networks based on coaxial cable.

Claims

1. A method of delivering data streams in a network comprising devices connected to the network via adapters, wherein at least some of the devices are programmed to indicate priority of a data stream and to insert priority parameter values of respective priority parameter types, the method comprising:

rerouting data streams through a single device in the network, chosen to operate as a controller for the network, and

performing ingress of the data streams for delivery to the respective destination addresses into the network according to the priority parameter values carried in the data streams.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the controller is connected to the network with a controller adapter and the controller is configured to

either transmit the data streams unaltered from the controller to the controller adapter when the priority parameter values of the data streams indicate that the data streams have different priorities from each other and where the priority parameter values are of priority parameter types supported by the controller adapter, or

further determine prioritization of the data streams at the controller when the priority parameter values of the data streams inserted at the devices indicate that the data streams cannot be prioritized by the controller adapter, and transmit the data streams from the controller to the controller adapter.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein further determining prioritization of the data streams at the controller comprises

inserting new priority parameter values which indicate the further determined prioritization, and/or

translating priority parameter values in the data streams that are of priority parameter types not supported by the controller adapter into those of a priority parameter type supported by the controller adapter.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the controller is connected to the network with a controller adapter and the controller adapter is configured to enforce priority according to the priority parameter values carried in the data streams.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the controller is connected to the network with a controller adapter and the controller is configured to enforce priority according to the priority parameter values carried in the data streams.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the controller is a gateway device and further allows data streams into and out of the network.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the gateway adapter is configured to perform prioritization of the data streams relative to further streams entering the network through the gateway according to the priority parameter values carried in the data streams.

8. A method according to claim 6 wherein the gateway is configured to perform prioritization of the data streams relative to further streams entering the network through the gateway according to the priority parameter values carried in the data streams.

9. A system for delivering data streams, the system comprising a network of devices attached to the network via adapters:

wherein one of the devices is a controller and wherein the controller is attached to the network via a controller adapter,

wherein at least some of the devices are configured to generate data streams, each for delivery to a destination address within the network, and are further configured to indicate priority of the data streams using priority parameter values of a respective priority parameter type, and are further configured to route the data streams to the controller,

wherein the controller is configured to receive the data streams,

and wherein the controller adapter is configured to perform ingress of the data streams into the network for delivery to the respective destination addresses according to the inserted priority parameter values.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein the controller is configured to

either transmit the data streams unaltered from the controller to the controller adapter when the priority parameter values of the data streams indicate that the data streams have different priorities from each other and where the priority parameter values are of priority parameter types supported by the controller adapter, or

further determine prioritization of the data streams at the controller when the priority parameter values of the data streams inserted at the devices indicate that the data streams cannot be prioritized by the controller adapter, and transmit the data streams from the controller to the controller adapter.

11. A system according to claim 10 wherein further determining prioritization of the data streams at the controller comprises

inserting new priority parameter values which indicate the further determined prioritization, and/or

translating priority parameter values in the data streams that are of priority parameter types not supported by the controller adapter into those of a priority parameter type supported by the controller adapter.

12. A system according to claim 9 wherein the controller adapter is configured to enforce priority according to the priority parameter values carried in the data streams.

13. A system according to claim 9 wherein the controller is configured to enforce priority according to the priority parameter values carried in the data streams.

14. A system according to claim 9 wherein the controller is a gateway device configured to allow data streams into and out of the network.

15. A system according to claim 9 wherein the network is a power line network and the adapters are power line adapters.

16. A system according to claim 9 wherein the network comprises coaxial cables.

17. A controller for a network of devices in which the devices are attached to the network via an adapter and are configured to generate data streams for delivery within the network and are further configured to indicate priority of the data streams using priority parameter values of a respective priority parameter type,

wherein the controller is configured to be attached to the network via a controller adapter,

wherein the controller is configured to receive data streams from devices in the network, which data streams are for delivery to destination addresses within the network, and wherein the data streams carry priority parameter values indicating relative priority of the data streams,

and wherein the controller is configured to transmit the data streams unaltered to the controller adapter when the priority parameter values of the data streams indicate that the data streams have different priorities from each other, which priorities are readable by the controller adapter, or wherein the controller is configured to further determine prioritization of the data streams when the priority parameter values of the data streams inserted at the devices indicate that the data streams cannot be prioritized by the controller adapter and transmit the data streams to the controller adapter.

18. A controller according to claim 17 wherein further determining prioritization of the data streams at the controller comprises

inserting new priority parameter values which indicate the further determined prioritization, and/or

translating priority parameter values in the data streams that are of priority parameter types not supported by the controller adapter into those of a priority parameter type supported by the controller adapter.

19. A controller according to claim 17 wherein the controller is further configured to enforce priority according to the priority parameter values carried in the data streams.

20. A controller according to claim 17 wherein the controller is further configured to operate as a network gateway and is configured to allow data streams into and out of the network.

21. A controller according to claim 20 wherein the gateway is further configured to perform prioritization of the data streams relative to further streams entering the network through the gateway according to the priority parameter values carried in the data streams.