System and method for enabling multicast group services in a network environment
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for enabling a service in a network environment, comprising:
- a gateway general packet radio service (GPRS) support node (GGSN) operable to;
establish a communication link with an end user;
receive signaling information through the communication link, the signaling information comprising an access point name (APN) identifying the end user;
recognize that the end user belongs to a designated multicast service group;
correlate the APN to the multicast service group to provide one or more multicast services to the end user;
store the correlation between the APN and the multicast service group in a table within the GGSN;
inform a network element to send any packets designated for the multicast service group to the GGSN;
receive a plurality of packets designated for the multicast service group from the network element; and
determine the APN correlated to the multicast service group to forward the plurality of packets to the end user.
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Abstract
A method for enabling a service in a network environment is provided that includes establishing a communication link with an end user and evaluating signaling information associated with the communication link to identify a correlation between the end user and a multicast service group associated with the end user. The correlation may be used to provide one or more multicast services to the end user.
41 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for enabling a service in a network environment, comprising:
a gateway general packet radio service (GPRS) support node (GGSN) operable to; establish a communication link with an end user; receive signaling information through the communication link, the signaling information comprising an access point name (APN) identifying the end user; recognize that the end user belongs to a designated multicast service group; correlate the APN to the multicast service group to provide one or more multicast services to the end user; store the correlation between the APN and the multicast service group in a table within the GGSN; inform a network element to send any packets designated for the multicast service group to the GGSN; receive a plurality of packets designated for the multicast service group from the network element; and determine the APN correlated to the multicast service group to forward the plurality of packets to the end user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for enabling a service in a network environment, comprising:
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establishing a communication link with an end user; receiving, at a gateway general packet radio service (GPRS) support node (GGSN), signaling information through the communication link, the signaling information comprising an access point name (APN) identifying the end user; recognizing, by the GGSN, that the end user belongs to a designated multicast service group; correlating the APN to the multicast service group to provide one or more multicast services to the end user; storing the correlation between the APN and the multicast service group in a table within the GGSN; informing, by the GGSN, a network element to send any packets designated for the multicast service group to the GGSN; receiving, at the GGSN, a plurality of packets designated for the multicast service group from the network element; and determining, by the GGSN, the APN correlated to the multicast service group to forward the plurality of packets to the end user. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. Software for enabling a service in a network environment, the software being embodied in a computer readable medium and comprising computer code such that when executed is operable to:
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establish a communication link with an end user; receive, at a gateway general packet radio service (GPRS) support node (GGSN), signaling information through the communication link, the signaling information comprising an access point name (APN) identifying the end user; recognize, by the GGSN, that the end user belongs to a designated multicast service group; correlate the APN to the multicast service group to provide one or more multicast services to the end user; store the correlation between the APN and the multicast service group in a table within the GGSN; inform, by the GGSN, a network element to send any packets designated for the multicast service group to the GGSN; receive, at the GGSN, a plurality of packets designated for the multicast service group from the network element; and determine, by the GGSN, the APN correlated to the multicast service group to forward the plurality of packets to the end user. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification