Method for allocating network resources

• US 6,823,059 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2002
• Issued: 11/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ramakrishnan, Kadangode K., Nortz, Douglas M., Mishra, Partho Pratim, Kalmanek, Charles Robert Jr., Marshall, William Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui, Bing Q.
• Application Number:
  US10/179,684
• Publication Number:
  US 20030002512A1
• Time in Patent Office: 883 Days
• Field of Search: 379/219, 379/202.01, 379/220.01, 379/204.01, 379/205.01, 379/207.01, 379/211.01, 379/211.02, 379/114.02, 379/221.07, 379/112.05, 379/221.14
• US Class Current: 379/219
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/70 Admission control; Resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/724 at intermediate nodes, e.g. resource reservation protocol [RSVP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/803 Application aware
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/805 QOS or priority aware
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/806 Broadcast or multicast traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/2514 between local and global IP addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/2517 using port numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/2539 Hiding addresses; Keeping addresses anonymous
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/2564 for a higher-layer protocol, e.g. for session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/103 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1043 Gateway controllers, e.g. media gateway control protocol [MGCP] controllers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1106 Call signalling protocols; H.323 and related
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/65 Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/752 : adapting media to network capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 : at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/765 : intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 : Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 : Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 : in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 : Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1275 : Methods and means to improve the telephone service quality, e.g. reservation, prioritisation or admission control
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1307 : Call setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 : CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 : PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 : Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13102 : Common translator
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 : Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 : Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13145 : Rerouting upon failure
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1315 : Call waiting
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 : Common channel signaling, CCS7
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13196 : Connection circuit/link/trunk/junction, bridge, router, gateway
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1324 : Conference call
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1328 : Call transfer, e.g. in PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1329 : Asynchronous transfer mode, ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13298 : Local loop systems, access network
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13339 : Ciphering, encryption, security
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13348 : Channel/line reservation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13405 : Dual frequency signaling, DTMF
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 : Provisions for signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0045 : involving hybrid, i.e. a mixture of public and private, or multi-vendor systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 : Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

Network resources for a call between a calling party and a called party are allocated. The network resources for the call are reserved based on a reservation request. The network resources are reserved before any one network resource from the reserved network resources is committed. The reserved network resources for the call are committed when a called party indicates acceptance for the call.

Claims

1. A method for use in a packet-carrying communication network in which calls originating from respective originating interface units are routed through a routing entity of said network, the method comprising

responsive to call setup requests originating from the originating interface units, establishing parameters for said calls on a call-by-call basis, and

causing at least one of said established parameters to be stored in said routing entity, said routing entity operating to ensure that access to resources of said network is consistent with said at least one of said stored parameters,

wherein said routing entity is a network edge device.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said network edge device is a packet router.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said network edge device is a bridge.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said originating interface units are connected to one end of an access network and said network edge device is connected to the other end of said access network.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the quality of service for at least ones of said calls is determined by at least one of the parameters established for those calls.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the parameters established for a call include transmission priority.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein the parameters established for a call include operation, policy and traffic parameters.

8. The invention of claim 1 wherein said parameters established for a call are established by a gate controller, said gate controller thereupon communicating those parameters to said routing entity, said gate controller being an entity of said network through which calls are not routed.

9. The invention of claim 1 further comprising establishing a gate for said each call at said network edge device, said gate being a call-admission control mechanism for a call defined at least in part by the parameters established for the call.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein the parameters established for a call are established by a gate controller that communicates with said originating interface units.

11. A method for use in a packet-carrying communication network in which calls originating from respective originating interface units are routed through a routing entity of said network, the method comprising:

responsive to call setup requests originating from the originating interface units, establishing parameters for said calls on a call-by-call basis, and

causing at least one of said established parameters to be stored in said routing entity, said routing entity operating to ensure that access to resources of said network is consistent with said at least one of said stored parameters,

wherein at least one of said parameters established for a call controls at least one of;

bounded packet loss and latency.

12. A method for use in a packet-carrying communication network in which calls originating from respective originating interface units are routed through a routing entity of said network, the method comprising:

responsive to call setup requests originating from the originating interface units, establishing parameters for said calls on a call-by-call basis, and

causing at least one of said established parameters to be stored in said routing entity, said routing entity operating to ensure that access to resources of said network is consistent with said at least one of said stored parameters,

wherein the parameters established for a call include at least one of;

packet size and inter-packet interval.

13. A method for use in a packet-carrying communication network in which calls originating from respective originating interface units are routed through a routing entity of said network, the method comprising:

responsive to call setup requests originating from the originating interface units, establishing parameters for each of said calls on a call-by-call basis, the quality of service for said each call being determined by at least one of the parameters established for that call,

causing at least one of said established parameters to be stored in said routing entity,

receiving, at said routing entity, packets for said each call from the respective originating interface unit, said routing entity routing said packets to said network and said routing entity utilizing said at least one of said parameters to control admission of said packets into said network in such a way as to provide a quality of service for said call that is no greater than a quality of service previously authorized for that call.

14. The invention of claim 13 wherein said at least one of the parameters is received by said routing entity from a gate controller through which said calls are not routed.

15. The invention of claim 14 wherein said parameters established for said each call and stored at said routing entity include billing parameters for that call.

16. The invention of claim 15 further comprising tracking resource usage at said routing entity for said each call.

17. The invention of claim 14 wherein said parameters established for said each call and stored at said routing entity include at least one of:

a source network address and a destination network address.

18. The invention of claim 14 wherein said network edge device is a bridge.

19. The invention of claim 13 wherein said routing entity is a network edge device.

20. The invention of claim 19 wherein said network edge device is a packet router.

21. The invention of claim 19 wherein said originating interface units are connected to one end of an access network and said network edge device is connected to the other end of said access network.

22. The invention of claim 13 wherein at least one of said parameters for said each call controls its bandwidth.

23. The invention of claim 13 wherein the parameters established for said each call that determine its quality of service include transmission priority.

24. The invention of claim 13 wherein the parameters established for said each call include operation, policy and traffic parameters.

25. The invention of claim 13 wherein said parameters for said each call are used in a gate established for said each call at said network edge device, said gate being a call-admission control mechanism for said each call defined at least in part by said parameters established for that call.

26. A method for use in a packet-carrying communication network in which calls originating from respective originating interface units are routed through a routing entity of said network, the method comprising:

responsive to call setup requests originating from the originating interface units, establishing parameters for each of said calls on a call-by-call basis, the quality of service for said each call being determined by at least one of the parameters established for that call,

causing at least one of said established parameters to be stored in said routing entity,

receiving, at said routing entity, packets for said each call from the respective originating interface unit, said routing entity routing said packets to said network and said routing entity utilizing said at least one of said parameters to control admission of said packets into said network in such a way as to provide a quality of service for said call that is no greater than a quality of service previously authorized for that call,

wherein the parameters established for said each call that determine its quality of service include packet size and inter-packet interval.

27. Apparatus for use in a packet-carrying communication network in which calls originating from respective originating interface units are routed through a routing entity of said network, the apparatus comprising:

means for establishing parameters for each of said calls on a call-by-call basis in response call setup requests originating from the originating interface units, and

means for causing at least one of said established parameters to be stored in said routing entity,

said routing entity being a network edge device,

whereby said routing entity is able to operate in such a way as to ensure that access to resources of said network during said each call is consistent with said at least one of said stored parameters.

28. The invention of claim 27 wherein the parameters established for at least ones of said calls include at least one of:

a source network address and a destination network address.

29. The invention of claim 27 wherein the quality of service for at least ones of said calls is determined by at least one of the parameters established for those calls.

30. The invention of claim 29 wherein said parameters that determine quality include transmission priority.

31. The invention of claim 27 wherein the parameters established for said each call include operation, policy and traffic parameters.

32. The invention of claim 27 wherein said apparatus is a gate controller not adapted to route packets during said calls.

33. The invention of claim 32 wherein said means for causing at least one of said established parameters to be stored in said routing entity comprises means for establishing a gate for said each call at said routing entity, said gate being a call-admission control mechanism for said each call defined at least in part by said parameters established for the call.

34. Apparatus for use in a packet-carrying communication network in which calls originating from respective originating interface units are routed through a routing entity of said network, the apparatus comprising:

means for establishing parameters for each of said calls on a call-by-call basis in response call setup requests originating from the originating interface units, and

means for causing at least one of said established parameters to be stored in said routing entity,

wherein a quality of service for at least particular ones of said calls is determined by at least one of the parameters established for said particular ones of said calls,

wherein at least one of said parameters established for said each call controls at least one of a) bounded packet loss and b) latency, of said each call.

35. Apparatus for use in a packet-carrying communication network in which calls originating from respective originating interface units are routed through a routing entity of said network, the apparatus comprising:

means for establishing parameters for each of said calls on a call-by-call basis in response call setup requests originating from the originating interface units, and

means for causing at least one of said established parameters to be stored in said routing entity,

wherein a quality of service for at least particular ones of said calls is determined by at least one of the parameters established for said particular ones of said calls,

and wherein said parameters that determine quality of service include packet size and inter-packet interval.

36. A packet routing device for use in a packet-carrying communication network in which calls originating from respective originating interface units are routed through said packet routing device, the packet routing device comprising:

means for receiving and storing packet parameters that were established on a call-by-call basis responsive to call setup requests originating from the originating interface units, and

means for routing, to said network, packets that were received for each call from the respective originating interface unit, said packet routing device being adapted to utilize said at least one of said packet parameters to control admission of said packets into said network.

37. The invention of claim 36 wherein said means for receiving and storing is adapted to receive and store at said routing entity billing parameters for said calls.

38. The invention of claim 37 further comprising means for tracking resource usage at said routing entity for said each call.

39. The invention of claim 36 wherein said means for receiving and storing is adapted to receive and store parameters at said routing entity that include at least one of:

a source network address and a destination network address.

40. The invention of claim 36 wherein said packet routing device is a packet router.

41. The invention of claim 36 wherein said packet routing device is a bridge.

42. The invention of claim 36 wherein at least one of said parameters for said each call controls its bandwidth.

43. The invention of claim 36 wherein the parameters established for said each call include transmission priority.

44. The invention of claim 36 wherein the parameters established for said each call include operation, policy and traffic parameters.

45. The invention of claim 36 wherein said parameters for said each call are used in a gate established for said each call at said packet routing device, said gate being a call-admission control mechanism for said each call defined at least in part by said parameters established for the call.

46. A packet routing device for use in a packet-carrying communication network in which calls originating from respective originating interface units are routed through said packet routing device, the packet routing device comprising:

means for receiving and storing parameters that were established for said calls on a call-by-call basis responsive to call setup requests originating from the originating interface units, and

means for routing, to said network, packets that were received for each call from the respective originating interface unit, said packet routing device being adapted to utilize said at least one of said parameters to control admission of said packets into said network,

wherein the parameters established for said each call include packet size and inter-packet interval.

47. A method for use in a packet-carrying communication network in which a call originating from an originating interface unit is routed through a packet routing entity of said network, the method comprising:

receiving a call setup request originating from the originating interface unit, the call setup request including at least an identification of a terminating location,

subsequent to receipt of the call setup request, establishing quality-of-service parameters for the call, and causing at least one of said established parameters to be stored in said packet routing entity, and

responsive to the call setup request, establishing an end-to-end connection between the originating interface unit and the terminating location, said packet routing entity operating during the call to ensure that access by packets to resources of said network is consistent with said at least one of said stored parameters.

48. The invention of claim 47 wherein said routing entity is a network edge device.

49. The invention of claim 48 wherein said network edge device is a packet router.

50. The invention of claim 48 wherein the originating interface unit is connected to one end of an access network and said network edge device is connected to the other end of said access network.

51. The invention of claim 48 further comprising establishing a gate for the call at said network edge device, said gate being a call-admission control mechanism for the call defined at least in part by the parameters established for the call.

53. The invention of claim 47 wherein the parameters established for the call include at least one of:

a source network address and a destination network address.

54. The invention of claim 47 wherein the quality of service for the call is determined by at least one of the stored parameters.

55. The invention of claim 47 wherein the parameters established for the call include at least one of:

packet size and inter-packet interval.

56. The invention of claim 47 wherein the parameters established for the call include transmission priority.

57. The invention of claim 47 wherein the parameters established for the call include operation, policy and traffic parameters.

58. The invention of claim 47 wherein said parameters established for a call are established by a gate controller, said gate controller thereupon communicating those parameters to said routing entity, said gate controller being an entity of said network through which calls are not routed.

59. The invention of claim 58 wherein said routing entity is a network edge device.

52. The invention of 51 wherein the parameters established for the call are established by a gate controller that communicates with said originating interface unit.