Supporting multiple services in label switched networks
First Claim
1. A method of establishing a switched virtual circuit (SVC) between an originating end point and a destination end point in a network incorporating a multiprotocol label switching network, the method including:
- conveying an IP address of the originating end point and a session identifier across the network to second call connection processing means associated with the destination end point;
in response thereto, conveying an IP address of the destination end point together with said session identifier to first call connection processing means associated with the originating end point;
defining a plurality of first level paths across the multiprotocol label switching network;
defining through said first and second call connection processing means a second level path comprising a concatenated series of said first level paths;
transmitting a telecommunications packet over the network between the end points;
attaching a label to the packet indicative of said second level path at an ingress to the multiprotocol label switching network;
transporting the labelled packet over said second level path;
removing the label from the packet; and
delivering the packet to the destination end point.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A telecommunications network architecture provides transport and switching of user services, particularly PSTN/ISDN services. In the network, connections are set up between end points which typically comprise narrow band exchanges serving subscribers. Calls are set up between the end points via call servers using e.g. ISUP signalling between the end points or exchanges and the call servers. The call servers set up connections via a concatenated series of paths or tunnels across an intermediate MPLS network via media gateways serving respective nodes in the MPLS network. User information packets are carried across the MPLS network by the attachment of an appropriate label, this label being removed on egress from the MPLS network to recover the original packet.
106 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of establishing a switched virtual circuit (SVC) between an originating end point and a destination end point in a network incorporating a multiprotocol label switching network, the method including:
- conveying an IP address of the originating end point and a session identifier across the network to second call connection processing means associated with the destination end point;
in response thereto, conveying an IP address of the destination end point together with said session identifier to first call connection processing means associated with the originating end point;
defining a plurality of first level paths across the multiprotocol label switching network;
defining through said first and second call connection processing means a second level path comprising a concatenated series of said first level paths;
transmitting a telecommunications packet over the network between the end points;
attaching a label to the packet indicative of said second level path at an ingress to the multiprotocol label switching network;
transporting the labelled packet over said second level path;
removing the label from the packet; and
delivering the packet to the destination end point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- conveying an IP address of the originating end point and a session identifier across the network to second call connection processing means associated with the destination end point;
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7. A telecommunications network incorporating a multiprotocol label switching network arranged to establish a switched virtual circuit (SVC) between an originating end point and a destination end point, the telecommunications network including:
- first call connection processing means associated with the originating end point for conveying an IP address of the originating end point and a session identifier to second call connection processing means associated with the destination end point, said second call connection processing means being arranged to respond to receipt of said session identifier by conveying an IP address of the destination end point together with at least the session identifier to the first call processing means;
means for defining a plurality of first level paths across the multiprotocol label switching network, said first and second call connection processing means defining a second level path comprising a concatenated series of said second level paths;
means for attaching labels to telecommunications packets being transmitted between said end points, said labels indicative of said second path level, at an ingress to the multiprotocol label switching network;
transporting the labelled packets over said second path level;
removing the labels from the packets; and
delivering the packets to the destination end point. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
- first call connection processing means associated with the originating end point for conveying an IP address of the originating end point and a session identifier to second call connection processing means associated with the destination end point, said second call connection processing means being arranged to respond to receipt of said session identifier by conveying an IP address of the destination end point together with at least the session identifier to the first call processing means;
Specification