Dynamic-rate, differential class-based quality of service agent for internet protocol exchange systems

• US 6,594,277 B1
• Filed: 07/22/1999
• Issued: 07/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Avaya Technology Corporation Miami Lakes FLA US
• Inventors: Siddiqui, Anwar A., Chien, Anthony H., Moody, Taryn S., Chiang, Luo-Jen
• Primary Examiner(s): Vincent, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, BRIAN D
• Application Number:
  US09/358,413
• Time in Patent Office: 1,454 Days
• Field of Search: 370/465, 370/466, 370/468, 370/469, 370/477, 370/230, 370/231, 370/232, 370/235, 370/237, 370/352, 370/355, 370/356, 370/353, 370/357, 370/229, 370/252, 370/261, 370/262, 370/395.1, 370/396, 370/395.21, 370/395.42, 370/395.43, 370/395.5, 370/395.52, 370/395.53, 370/444, 370/455
• US Class Current: 370/465
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/10 Flow control; Congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/70 Admission control; Resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/748 Negotiation of resources, e.g. modification of a request
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/767 after changing the attachment point, e.g. after hand-off
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/801 Real time traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/805 QOS or priority aware
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/808 User-type aware
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/822 Collecting or measuring resource availability data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/824 Applicable to portable or mobile terminals

Abstract

A unique method and apparatus for a dynamic rate, differential class-based quality of service agent for a communication network that provides a quality of service guarantee by taking into account the existing state of the network and user-defined classes of service is provided. A flexible quality of service agent, separate from the control plane which contains call processing and network management, is provided which optimizes network performance by minimizing the amount of information transmitted over the network to set-up a call and media negotiation, implements admission control to maintain the quality of the ongoing calls and administers the system wide quality of service by providing instantaneous feedback on the current state of the system/network at both the transmitting and receiving end.

Claims

1. A method for negotiating a call between a first endpoint and a second endpoint of a communication system, said method comprising:

receiving a request to setup a call for a communication between said first endpoint and said second endpoint;

setting up said call based on information about at least said first endpoint;

determining if said communication system can admit said call at a predetermined quality of service level; and

if said communication system can admit said call at said predetermined quality of service level, admitting said call to said communication system, and

if said communication system cannot admit said call at said predetermined quality of service level, rejecting admission of said call to said communication system;

wherein said requested call setup is associated with a predetermined user class of service, and said step of determining further comprises;

converting said associated user class of service to a predefined network class of service.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said request is received from a user at said first endpoint, and said step of setting up said call further comprises:

setting up said call based on information about said user.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said step of setting up said call includes retrieving said information from a database.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said step of setting up said call further comprises:

receiving said information about said user from said user; and

storing said information in a database.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining further comprises:

determining if said communication system can provide adequate bandwidth to handle said network class of service for said requested call.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said step of determining if said communication system can admit said requested call further comprises:

determining if said communication system can provide said predefined network class of service to handle said requested call.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said step of determining if said communication system can admit said requested call further comprises:

determining if a port is available to transfer said requested call to a different communication system.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said different communication system includes a PSTN.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein said step of determining if said communication system can admit said requested call further comprises:

determining if said requested call will cause utilization of a communication server in said communication system to exceed a predefined level.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of rejecting admission of said requested call further comprises:

renegotiating admission of said requested call to said communication system.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein if said communication system admits said requested call, said method further comprises:

monitoring said admitted call;

determining if said communication system can maintain said admitted call;

continuing said call if said communication system can maintain said call; and

if said communication system cannot maintain said call, handing off said call to another communication system.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said step of handing off said call includes handing off said call to a PSTN.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein said step of determining if said communication system can maintain said admitted call further comprises:

determining if said communication system can provide adequate bandwidth to maintain said network class of service for said requested call.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said step of determining if said communication system can maintain said admitted call further comprises:

determining if said communication system can maintain said predefined network class of service to handle said requested call.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said step of determining if said communication system can maintain said admitted call further comprises:

determining if maintaining said requested call will cause utilization of a communication server in said communication system to exceed a predefined level.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein said communication system includes an IP network.

17. A method for maintaining a communication between a first end point and a second endpoint in a communication system, said method comprising:

monitoring said communication;

determining if said communication system can maintain said communication;

continuing said communication if said communication system can maintain said communication; and

if said communication system cannot maintain said communication, handing off said communication to another communication system;

wherein said communication is associated with a predetermined user class of service, and said step of determining if said communication system can maintain said communication further comprises;

converting said associated user class of service to a predefined network class of service.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said step of handing off said communication includes handing off said communication to a PSTN.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the step of determining if said communication system can maintain said communication further comprises:

determining if said communication system can provide adequate bandwidth to maintain said network class of service for said communication.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said step of determining if said communication system can maintain said communication further comprises:

determining if said communication system can maintain said predefined network class of service to handle said communication.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein said step of determining if said communication system can maintain said communication further comprises:

determining if maintaining said communication will cause utilization of a communication server in said communication system to exceed a predefined level.

22. The method according to claim 17, wherein said communication system includes an IP network.

23. A communication system comprising:

a communication network;

a plurality of endpoints, each of said plurality of endpoints adapted to communicate to another of said plurality of endpoints via said communication network;

a control device connected between said plurality of endpoints and said communication network, said control device adapted to establish and maintain a call from a first of said plurality of endpoints to a second of said plurality of endpoints, said control device further adapted to monitor a status of said communication network during said call; and

a database connected to said control device, said database storing information about at least said first endpoint,

wherein said control device is adapted to negotiate a call by determining if a predetermined quality of service level for said call based on said information about at least said first endpoint and said status of said communication network can be provided, said control device further adapted to reject admission of said call to said communication network if said communication system cannot provide said predetermined quality of service level for said call; and

wherein said call is associated with a predetermined user class of service, and said control device further comprises;

a translator to convert said user class of service to a predetermined network class of service.

24. The communication system according to claim 23, wherein said control device is further adapted to renegotiate admission of said call from said first of said plurality of endpoints to said second of said plurality of endpoints to said communication network if said communication system cannot provide said predetermined quality of service level for said call.

25. The communication system according to claim 24, wherein said communication network is an IP network.

26. The communication system according to claim 23, wherein said control device further comprises:

a call coordinator adapted to establish said call by negotiating with said communication network to implement said predetermined quality of service level.

27. The communication system according to claim 26, wherein said control device further comprises:

a management coordinator adapted to define a path for said call through said communication network.

28. The communication system according to claim 23, wherein said control device is further adapted to determine if said communication system can provide said predetermined quality of service level for said call by determining if said communication system can provide adequate bandwidth to handle said network class of service for said call.

29. The communication system according to claim 28, wherein said control device is further adapted to determine if said communication system can provide said predetermined quality of service level for said call by determining if said communication system can provide said predefined network class of service to handle said call.

30. The communication system according to claim 29, wherein said control device is further adapted to determine if said communication system can provide said predetermined quality of service level for said call by determining if a port is available to transfer said call to a different communication network.

31. The communication system according to claim 30, wherein said different communication network is a PSTN.

32. The communication system according to claim 30, wherein said control device is further adapted to determine if said communication system can provide said predetermined quality of service level for said call by determining if said call will cause utilization of a communication server in said communication network to exceed a predefined level.

33. The communication system according to claim 32, wherein said control device is further adapted to determine if said communication system can maintain said predetermined quality of service level for said call.

34. The communication system according to claim 33, wherein if said communication system cannot maintain said predetermined quality of service level for said call, said control device is further adapted to hand off said call to said different communication network through said port.

35. The communication system according to claim 34, wherein said control device is further adapted to determine if said communication system can maintain said predetermined quality of service level for said call by determining if said communication system can maintain adequate bandwidth to handle said network class of service for said call.

36. The communication system according to claim 35, wherein said control device is further adapted to determine if said communication system can maintain said predetermined quality of service level for said call by determining if said communication system can maintain said predefined network class of service to handle said call.

37. The communication system according to claim 36, wherein said control device is further adapted to determine if said communication system can maintain said predetermined quality of service level for said call by determining if said call is causing utilization of a communication server in said communication network to exceed a predefined level.

38. The communication system according to claim 23, wherein said plurality of endpoints includes a telephone.

39. The communication system according to claim 23, wherein said plurality of endpoints includes a personal computer.

40. The communication system according to claim 23, wherein said plurality of endpoints includes a personal data assistant.

41. A multi-layered communication network comprising:

a first layer to control implementation of a physical circuit between one or more endpoints in said communication network and to control transport of data through said physical circuit;

a second layer to control coordination of a call between said one or more endpoints in said communication network; and

a third layer to provide a quality of service agent to control a quality of service of said call,

wherein said quality of service agent is adapted to negotiate a call by determining if said communication network can provide a predetermined quality of service level for said call based on information about said one or more endpoints and a status of said communication network, and if said communication network can provide said predetermined quality of service level for said call, admit said call to said communication network; and

wherein said call is associated with a predetermined user class of service, and said quality of service agent is further adapted to convert said user class of service to a predetermined network class of service.

42. The communication network according to claim 41, wherein if said communication network cannot provide at said predetermined quality of service level for said call, said quality of service agent is further adapted to reject admission of said call to said communication network.

43. The communication network according to claim 42, wherein said plurality of service agent is further adapted to renegotiate admission of said call to said communication network.

44. The communication network according to claim 41, further comprising:

a database to store information about said one or more endpoints in said communication network.

45. The communication network according to claim 41, wherein if said call is admitted to said communication network, said quality of service agent is further adapted to determine if said communication network can maintain said predetermined quality of service level for said call.

46. The communication network according to claim 45, wherein if said communication network cannot maintain said predetermined quality of service level for said call, said quality of service agent is further adapted to hand off said call to a different communication network.

47. The communication network according to claim 46, wherein said different communication network is a PSTN.

48. The communication network according to claim 41, wherein said communication network is an IP network.

49. A communication apparatus comprising:

a control device connected to a plurality of endpoints and a communication network, said control device adapted to establish and maintain a call from a first of said plurality of endpoints to a second of said plurality of endpoints through said communication network, said control device further adapted to monitor a status of said communication network during said call; and

a database connected to said control device, said database storing information about at least said first endpoint,

wherein said control device is adapted to negotiate a call by determining if a predetermined quality of service level for said call based on said information about at least said first endpoint and said status of said communication network can be provided, said control device further adapted to reject admission of said call to said communication network if said control device cannot provide said predetermined quality of service level for said call; and

wherein said call is associated with a predetermined user class of service, and said control device further comprises;

a translator to convert said user class of service to a predetermined network class of service.

50. The apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said control device is further adapted to renegotiate admission of said call from said first of said plurality of endpoints to said second of said plurality of endpoints to said communication network if said communication network cannot provide said predetermined quality of service level for said call.

51. The apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said control device further comprises:

a call coordinator adapted to establish said call by negotiating with said communication network to implement said predetermined quality of service level.

52. The apparatus according to claim 51, wherein said control device further comprises:

a management coordinator adapted to define a path for said call through said communication network.

53. The apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said control device is further adapted to determine if said communication network can provide said predetermined quality of service level for said call by determining if said communication network can provide adequate bandwidth to handle said network class of service for said call.

54. The apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said control device is further adapted to determine if said communication network can provide said predetermined quality of service level for said call by determining if said communication network can provide said predefined network class of service to handle said call.

55. The apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said control device is further adapted to determine if said communication network can provide said predetermined quality of service level for said call by determining if a port is available to transfer said call to a different communication network.

56. The apparatus according to claim 55, wherein said different communication network is a PSTN.

57. The apparatus according to claim 55, wherein said control device is further adapted to determine if said communication network can provide said predetermined quality of service level for said call by determining if said call will cause utilization of a communication server in said communication network to exceed a predefined level.

58. The apparatus according to claim 57, wherein said control device is further adapted to determine if said communication network can maintain said predetermined quality of service level for said call.

59. The apparatus according to claim 58, wherein if said communication network cannot maintain said predetermined quality of service level for said call, said control device is further adapted to hand off said call to said different communication network through said port.

60. The apparatus according to claim 59, wherein said control device is further adapted to determine if said communication network can maintain said predetermined quality of service level for said call by determined if said communication network can maintain adequate bandwidth to handle said network class of service for said call.

61. The apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said control device is further adapted to determine if said communication network can maintain said predetermined quality of service level for said call by determining if said communication network can maintain said predefined network class of service to handle said call.

62. The apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said control device is further adapted to determine if said communication network can maintain said predetermined quality of service level for said call by determining if said call is causing utilization of a communication server in said communication network to exceed a predefined level.

63. The apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said plurality of endpoints includes a telephone.

64. The apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said plurality of endpoints includes a personal computer.

65. The apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said plurality of endpoints includes a personal data assistant.

66. A quality of service agent for a communication network to control a quality of service of a call between two or more endpoints in said communication network, said quality of service agent being adapted to negotiate a call by determining if said communication network can provide a predetermined quality of service level for said call based on information about at least one endpoint of said two or more endpoints and a status of said communication network, and if said communication network can provide said predetermined quality of service level for said call, admit said call to said communication network, wherein said call is associated with a predetermined user class of service, and said quality of service agent is further adapted to convert said user class of service to a predetermined network class of service.

67. The quality of service agent according to claim 66, wherein if said communication network cannot provide said predetermined quality of service level for said call, said quality of service agent is further adapted to reject admission of said call to said communication network.

68. The quality of service agent according to claim 67, wherein said quality of service agent is further adapted to renegotiate admission of said call to said communication network.

69. The quality of service agent according to claim 66, further comprising:

a database to store information about said at least one endpoint of said two or more endpoints in said communication network.

70. The quality of service agent according to claim 66, wherein if said call is admitted to said communication network, said quality of service agent is further adapted to determine if said communication network can maintain said predetermined quality of service level for said call.

71. The quality of service agent according to claim 70, wherein if said communication network cannot maintain said predetermined quality of service level for said call, said quality of service agent is further adapted to hand off said call to a different communication network.