Routing information packets in a distributed network

• US 7,688,801 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2004
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• 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): PHAM, BRENDA H
• Application Number:
  US10/947,634
• Publication Number:
  US 20050036460A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,015 Days
• Field of Search: 370328-331, 370/337, 370/389, 370/347, 370/404, 370/342, 370352-358, 370400-406, 370/392, 370/428, 370/310.2, 370/319, 370/332, 370/338, 370/349, 370/395.21, 370/395.3, 370/395.31, 370/396, 370/333
• US Class Current: 370/349
• 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 in a distributed routing network comprising:

determining a forwarding equivalency class for all subscriber units accessing the network at an access point, each forwarding equivalency class comprising the accessing access point and reflecting information pertaining to at least one of quality error bit rate, information packet content, priority level, bandwidth requirement, signal quality, and virtual path identifier information;

updating the forwarding equivalency class for each subscriber unit if the subscriber unit accesses the network at a different access point;

determining a next distribution point to forward an information packet based on the forwarding equivalency class for a destination subscriber unit; and

distributing the forwarding equivalency class for each subscriber unit to each distribution point.

2. A method of routing packets in a distributed routing network as in claim 1 wherein the packets are IP packets.

3. A method of modifying the routing of packets through a network of distribution points, the packets destined for a subscriber unit accessing the network through a first access point, the method comprising:

determining that the subscriber unit is accessing the network through a second access point;

assigning the subscriber unit to a forwarding equivalency class based on the second access point, the forwarding equivalency class being distributed to each distribution point and reflecting information pertaining to at least one of quality error bit rate, information packet content, priority level, bandwidth requirement, signal quality, and virtual path identifier information;

routing packets destined for the subscriber unit through the network of distribution points based on the assigned forwarding equivalency class.

4. A method of modifying the routing of packets through a network of distribution points as in claim 3 wherein determining that the subscriber unit is accessing the network through a second access point comprises transmitting an indication for the second access point through the network of distribution points.

5. A method of modifying the routing of packets through a network of distribution points as in claim 3 further comprising:

determining that the subscriber unit is no longer accessing the network through a first access point; and

broadcasting an indication for the first access point through the network of distribution points.

6. A method of modifying the routing of packets through a network of distribution points as in claim 3 wherein the subscriber unit is assigned an IP address used to route packets to the subscriber unit.

7. A method of modifying the routing of packets through a network of distribution points as in claim 3 further comprising notifying the distribution points in the network of distribution points of the changed forwarding equivalency class.

8. A method of modifying the routing of packets through a network of distribution points as in claim 3 wherein assigning the subscriber unit to a forwarding equivalency class comprises:

receiving a determination that the subscriber unit is accessing the network through a second access point; and

broadcasting the assignment of the forwarding equivalency class to each distribution point in the network of distribution points.

9. A method of modifying the routing of packets through a network of distribution points as in claim 8 wherein receiving is at a supervisor and broadcasting is from the supervisor.

10. A communication system for distributing packetized information comprising a plurality of distribution points forming a distributed routing network, each distribution point in communication with at least one other distribution point, each distribution point operative to:

(a) maintain a forwarding equivalency class for subscriber units accessing the communication system, the forwarding equivalency class comprising an accessing access point and reflecting information pertaining to at least one of quality error bit rate, information packet content, priority level, bandwidth requirement, signal quality, and virtual path identifier information,

(b) update the forwarding equivalency class for each subscriber unit that accesses the communication system through a different point in the communication system,

(c) determine the next distribution point to forward an information packet based on the forwarding equivalency class for a destination subscriber unit specified in the information packet; and

(d) distributing the forwarding equivalency class for each subscriber unit to each distribution point.

11. A communication system for distributing packetized information as in claim 10 wherein the packets are IP packets.