Routing information packets in a distributed network

• US 6,831,902 B1
• Filed: 06/23/2000
• Issued: 12/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cook, Charles I., Hohnstein, Donald L., Dougherty, Angus O., Wells, Guy M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pham, Brenda
• Application Number:
  US09/603,123
• Time in Patent Office: 1,635 Days
• Field of Search: 370/230, 370/235, 370/237, 370/252, 370/310, 370/310.2, 370/328, 370/351, 370/386, 370/389, 370/401, 370/400, 370/402, 370/338, 370/395.21, 370/395.3, 370/395.41, 370/395.42, 455/524, 455/525, 455/179.1
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/06 Means for the lighting or illuminating of antennas, e.g. for purpose of warning
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1242 Rigid masts specially adapted for supporting an aerial
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4608 LAN interconnection over ATM networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6402 Hybrid switching fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5607 Radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/561 Star, e.g. cross-connect, concentrator, subscriber group equipment, remote electronics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5618 Bridges, gateways [GW] or interworking units [IWU]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5671 Support of voice
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/10 of different types
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5061 Pools of addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5076 Update or notification mechanisms, e.g. DynDNS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5084 Providing for device mobility network addressing or numbering for mobility support in wireless networks H04W8/26; mobile IP H04W80/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 Provisions for broadband connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 : Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/085 : Access point devices with remote components

Abstract

Information packets are routed through a distributed routing network by determining a forwarding equivalency class (FEC) for each subscriber unit accessing the network. The FEC to which each subscriber unit belongs is based on the point at which the subscriber unit accesses the network. The forwarding equivalency class for each subscriber unit is updated if the subscriber unit accesses the network at a different point. Information packets are routed from a distribution point by determining the next point connected to the distribution point based on the forwarding equivalency class for the destination subscriber unit specified in the packet.

Claims

1. A method of routing information packets through a communication system comprising:

establishing a distributed network of distribution points, each distribution point in direct communication with at least one additional distribution point in the network of distribution points;

determining an assigned access point for each subscriber unit accessing the communication system, the assigned access point in communication with at least one distribution point in the network of distribution points;

determining a forwarding equivalency class for each subscriber unit based on the assign access point;

distributing the equivalency class to each distribution point in the network of distribution points; and

routing packets received by each distribution point based on the forwarding equivalency class.

2. A method of routing information packets as in claim 1 further comprising placing the IP address for each subscriber unit in the determined forwarding equivalency class.

3. A method of routing information packets as in claim 1 further comprising:

determining that a subscriber unit should be assigned to a different access point;

determining a new assigned access point for the subscriber unit;

determining a forwarding equivalency class for the subscriber unit based on the new assigned access point; and

notifying each distribution point in the network of distribution points of the forwarding equivalency class.

4. A communication system for distributing packetized information comprising:

a plurality of access points, each access point operative to transmit packets to and receive packets from at least one subscriber unit accessing the communication system through the access point; and

a plurality of distribution points, the access points and distribution points forming a distributed network, each distribution point in communication with at least one other distribution point, each access point in communication with at least one distribution point, each distribution point routing information packets received by the distribution point based on a forwarding equivalency class for a recipient subscriber unit specified in the information packet.

5. A communication system for distributing packetized information as in claim 4 wherein access points are in wireless communication with distribution points.

6. A communication system for distributing packetized information as in claim 4 wherein the distributed network is a wireless distributed network.

7. A communication system for distributing packetized information as in claim 4 wherein at least one distribution point is in wireless communication with at least one other distribution point.

8. A communication system for distributing packetized information as in claim 4 wherein the forwarding equivalency class for a recipient user is determined based on the access point through which the recipient user is accessing the communication system.

9. A communication system for distributing packetized information as in claim 4 wherein routing an information packet is based on an IP address within the information packet.

10. A communication system for distributing packetized information as in claim 4 wherein each distribution point is further operative to change the forwarding equivalency class for a subscriber unit.

11. A communication system for distributing packetized information as in claim 10 wherein the change in the forwarding equivalency class is based on a determination that the subscriber unit is accessing the communication system through a second access point different than a first access point through which the subscriber unit accessed the communication network.

12. A communication system for distributing packetized information as in claim 11 wherein each distribution point is further operative to transmit an indication for the second access point.

13. A communication system for distributing packetized information as in claim 11 wherein the subscriber unit is no longer accessing the communication system through the first access point, each distribution point further operative to transmit an indication for the first access point.

14. A communication system for distributing packetized information as in claim 4 further comprising a supervisor operative to receive a determination that a subscriber unit is accessing the communication system through a second access point and to broadcast the assignment of a new forwarding equivalency class based on the second access point to the plurality of distribution points.