System and method for dynamic distributed communication

• US 6,987,769 B1
• Filed: 06/23/2000
• Issued: 01/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• 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 H
• Application Number:
  US09/603,035
• Time in Patent Office: 2,034 Days
• Field of Search: 370/219, 370/220, 370/254, 370/270, 370/338, 370/328, 370/349, 370/395.3, 370/395.31, 370/395.32, 370/400, 370/401, 370/402
• US Class Current: 370/401
• 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

Growth of a distributed communication system is facilitated through dynamic addition of routing elements. A new routing element may be added to a network of routing elements by first establishing a connection between the new routing element and an existing routing element in the network. The connection may be either wireless or wireline. At least one address is assigned to the new routing element. Each assigned address comes from a pool of addresses maintained at the existing routing element. At least one pool of addresses is issued to the new routing element, permitting the new routing element to dynamically add yet another new routing element to the network of routing elements.

Claims

1. A method of dynamically adding a new routing element to a network of routing elements comprising:

establishing a connection between the new routing element and an existing routing element in the network of routing elements;

assigning at least one address to the new routing element, each assigned address coming from a pool of addresses maintained at the existing routing element; and

issuing at least one pool of addresses to the new routing element, the at least one pool of addresses permitting the new routing element to dynamically add yet another new routing element to the network of routing elements.

2. A method of dynamically adding a new routing element as in claim 1 wherein the assigned address comprises at least one from a set including an ATM address and an IP address.

3. A method of dynamically adding a new routing element as in claim 1 wherein the at least one assigned address comprises an ATM address and an IP address.

4. A method of dynamically adding a new routing element as in claim 1 wherein the established connection is a wireline connection.

5. A method of dynamically adding a new routing element as in claim 1 wherein the established connection is a wireless connection.

6. A method of dynamically adding a new routing element as in claim 1 further comprising placing an address for each subscriber unit accessing the network of routing elements into at least one forward equivalency class based on the at least one assigned address.

7. A method of dynamically adding a new routing element as in claim 1 further comprising:

determining that the new routing element is no longer connected to an existing routing element in the network of routing elements;

releasing the at least one address assigned to the new routing element; and

releasing the at least one pool of addresses issued to the new routing element.

8. A communication system comprising:

a network of distribution elements, each distribution element sending information packets to at least one additional distribution element, each distribution element maintaining at least one pool of addresses; and

a new distribution element joining the network of distribution elements, the new distribution element operative to

(a) establish a connection to an existing distribution element in the network of distribution elements;

(b) receive at least one address from the existing distribution element, each received address coming from a pool of addresses maintained by the existing distribution element; and

(c) receive at least one pool of addresses, each pool of addresses permitting the new distribution element to dynamically add yet another new distribution element to the network of distribution elements.

9. A communication system as in claim 8 wherein the received address comprises at least one from a set including an ATM address and an IP address.

10. A communication system as in claim 8, wherein the at least one received address comprises an ATM address and an IP address.

11. A communication system as in claim 8 wherein the established connection is a wireline connection.

12. A communication system as in claim 8 wherein the established connection is a wireless connection.

13. A communication system as in claim 8 wherein the new distribution element further receives at least one forward equivalency class for routing information packets.

14. A communication system as in claim 8 wherein the network of distribution elements is operative to:

determine that the new distribution element is no longer connected to any existing distribution element in the network of distribution elements;

recover the at least one address received from the existing distribution element; and

recover the at least one pool of addresses.