System and method for dynamic distributed communication

• US 8,098,605 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2008
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• 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: Dougherty, Angus O., Hohnstein, Donald L., Cook, Charles I., Wells, Guy M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yao, Kwang B
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGO, NGUYEN HOANG
• Application Number:
  US12/199,267
• Publication Number:
  US 20080317043A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,238 Days
• Field of Search: 370/229, 370/230, 370/235, 370/310, 370/310.1, 370/310.2, 370/328, 370/349, 370/352, 370/395.1, 370/395.2
• US Class Current: 370/310.2
• 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 adding a new distribution point to a network of distribution points, the method comprising:

maintaining, at an existing distribution point, a pool of IP addresses and a pool of ATM addresses;

establishing a connection between the new distribution point and at least the existing distribution point in the network of distribution points, wherein the new distribution point comprises an IP/ATM switch;

assigning to the new distribution point an IP address from the pool of IP addresses and an ATM address from the pool of ATM addresses;

receiving, at the new distribution point, a new pool of IP addresses and a new pool of ATM addresses to assign to clients of the new distribution point;

forming a peer-to-peer relationship at an OSI network layer between the new distribution point and at least the existing distribution point; and

forming a peer-to-peer relationship at an OSI data link layer between the new distribution point and at least the existing distribution point.

2. A method of adding a new distribution point as in claim 1 wherein the peer-to-peer relationship at the network layer includes governing exchanges of IP packets carrying data and control information and wherein the peer-to-peer relationship at the data link layer includes governing exchanges of ATM packets carrying voice information.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising,

providing the new distribution point with a listing indicating to which of the at least one existing distribution point information packets should be forwarded, the listing being based on minimum quality of service.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising,

transmitting a signal from the new distribution point when the new distribution point is inserted into the network of distribution points;

and

receiving the signal at the at least one existing distribution points.

5. A method of adding an access point to a network of distribution points, the method comprising:

maintaining, at an existing distribution point, a pool of IP addresses and a pool of ATM addresses;

establishing a connection between a first access point and at least the existing distribution point in the network of distribution points, wherein the existing distribution point comprises an IP/ATM switch;

establishing a connection between a new access point and the first access point;

transforming the first access point into a new distribution point;

assigning to the new distribution point an IP address from the pool of IP addresses and an ATM address from the pool of ATM addresses;

receiving, at the new distribution point, a new pool of IP addresses and a new pool of ATM addresses to assign to clients of the new distribution point;

forming a client-server relationship at an OSI network layer between the new access point comprising the access point client and the new distribution point comprising the new distribution point server; and

forming a client-server relationship at an OSI data link layer between the access point client and the new distribution point server.

6. A method of adding an access point as in claim 5 wherein the client-server relationship at the network layer includes governing exchanges of IP packets carrying data and control information and wherein the client-server relationship at the data link layer includes governing exchanges of ATM packets carrying voice information.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising, adding a second access point to the network of distribution points wherein,

the second access point is subtended from the access point client;

and

the access point client becomes a distribution point.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein, the access point client functions as a server when operating as a distribution point and as a client when operating as an access point.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein, the second access point automatically requests an ATM address in an IP packet address assignment request from the access point client.

10. A distributed communication system comprising:

a network of distribution points for routing information packets based on destination addresses, the network of distribution points comprising an existing distribution point that maintains a pool of IP addresses and a pool of ATM addresses; and

a new distribution point to be added to the network of distribution points, the new distribution point comprising an IP/ATM switch and being operative to

(a) establish a connection with at least the existing distribution point in the network of distribution points,

(b) form a peer-to-peer relationship at an OSI network layer with at least the existing distribution point, and

(c) form a peer-to-peer relationship at an OSI data link layer with at least the existing distribution point;

wherein the existing distribution point is operative to assign to the new distribution point an IP address from the pool of IP addresses and an ATM address from the pool of ATM addresses; and

wherein the new distribution point is operative to receive a new pool of IP addresses and a new pool of ATM addresses to assign to clients of the new distribution point.

11. A distributed communication system as in claim 10 wherein the peer-to-peer relationship at the network layer governs exchanges of IP packets carrying data and control information and wherein the peer-to-peer relationship at the data link layer governs exchanges of ATM packets carrying voice information.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein, the new distribution point is further operative to,

be removed from the network of distribution points;

and

release one or more addresses and address pools associated with the new distribution point.

13. A distributed communication system comprising:

a network of distribution points for routing information packets based on destination addresses, the network of distribution points comprising an existing distribution point that maintains a pool of IP addresses and a pool of ATM addresses;

an existing access point operative to

(a) establish a connection with the existing distribution point;

(b) transform into a new distribution point when connected with a new access point; and

a new access point to be connected to the network of distribution points, the new access point operative to

(a) establish a connection with at least the new distribution point in the network of distribution points, the new distribution point comprising an IP/ATM switch;

(b) form a client-server relationship at the data link layer with the new distribution point, the new access point functioning as a client and the new distribution point functioning as a server, and

(c) form a client-server relationship at the network layer with the new distribution point, the new access point functioning as a client and the new distribution point functioning as a server;

wherein the existing distribution point is operative to assign to the new distribution point an IP address from the pool of IP addresses and an ATM address from the pool of ATM addresses; and

wherein the new distribution point is operative to receive a new pool of IP addresses and a new pool of ATM addresses to assign to clients of the new distribution point.

14. A distributed communication system as in claim 13 wherein the client-server relationship at the network layer governs exchanges of IP packets carrying data and control information and wherein the client-server relationship at the data link layer governs exchanges of ATM packets carrying voice information.