Method, apparatus and system for implementing PDN connections
First Claim
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1. A communications network apparatus comprising:
- a centralized switch controller at an evolved packet core (EPC) site, configured to;
communicate with at least one of an evolved Node B (eNB) of a radio access network (RAN), or an Ethernet switching network device of an Ethernet switching network, via which packet data is carried on a packet data network (PDN) connection between the eNB and an external packet data network; and
configure flow table entries for the PDN connection between the eNB and the external packet data network in a forwarding table in a last one of the eNB or the Ethernet switching network device, to enable the PDN connection, over Ethernet communication, between the eNB and the external packet data network via the Ethernet switching network, the flow table entries comprising a virtual media access control (MAC) reference corresponding to the PDN connection between the eNB and the external packet data network; and
an EPC controller at the EPC site configured to;
communicate with the eNB using connection session control functions; and
communicate with the centralized switch controller to setup a transport path for the PDN connection in accordance with the flow table entries.
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Abstract
A method, apparatus and system related to a packet data network (PDN) connection for a radio access network (RAN) are provided. The PDN connections between eNB of the RAN and an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) are forward though Ethernet switching network. A controller at Evolved Packet Core (EPC) site such as EPC controller or centralized switch controller is configured to configure flow table entries along the transport path from eNB to a gateway of the EPC.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A communications network apparatus comprising:
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a centralized switch controller at an evolved packet core (EPC) site, configured to; communicate with at least one of an evolved Node B (eNB) of a radio access network (RAN), or an Ethernet switching network device of an Ethernet switching network, via which packet data is carried on a packet data network (PDN) connection between the eNB and an external packet data network; and configure flow table entries for the PDN connection between the eNB and the external packet data network in a forwarding table in a last one of the eNB or the Ethernet switching network device, to enable the PDN connection, over Ethernet communication, between the eNB and the external packet data network via the Ethernet switching network, the flow table entries comprising a virtual media access control (MAC) reference corresponding to the PDN connection between the eNB and the external packet data network; and an EPC controller at the EPC site configured to; communicate with the eNB using connection session control functions; and communicate with the centralized switch controller to setup a transport path for the PDN connection in accordance with the flow table entries. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An Ethernet switching network device, in an Ethernet switching network, and coupled between an evolved Node B (eNB) of a first radio access network (RAN) and an external packet data network, wherein the Ethernet switching network device comprises:
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a processor; and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor, the programming including instructions for; forwarding packet data carried on a packet data network (PDN) connection between the eNB and the external packet data network in a transport path setup in accordance with a forwarding table comprising flow table entries configured by a controller at an evolved packet core (EPC) site for the PDN connection, the flow table entries comprising a virtual media access control (MAC) address corresponding to the PDN connection. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A radio access network node for use in a first radio access network (RAN) that is configured to be coupled to an external packet data network (PDN), and configured to establish a PDN connection via an Ethernet switching network to an interface of the external PDN, the radio access network node comprising:
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a receiver configured to receive a first data packet of the PDN connection from a user equipment (UE); an Ethernet interface for communicating with the Ethernet switching network; a processor coupled to the receiver and the Ethernet interface, and configured for; converting the received first data packet to an Ethernet formatted packet; and forwarding the Ethernet formatted packet via the Ethernet switching network to the interface of the external PDN in a transport path set up in accordance with a forwarding table comprising flow table entries that are configured by a controller at an evolved packet core (EPC) site for the PDN connection, the flow table entries comprising a virtual Media Access Address (MAC) corresponding to the PDN connection. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A system for controlling a first radio access network (RAN) comprising an evolved Node B (eNB) that is configured to communicate to an external Packet Data Network (PDN) via an Ethernet switching network to enable a PDN connection over Ethernet communication, the system comprising:
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an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) controller at an EPC site and having connection session control functions; and a centralized switch controller at the EPC site and coupled to the EPC controller, wherein the centralized switch controller is configured to, in response to a request from the EPC controller to setup a PDN connection between the eNB and the external PDN, configure flow table entries for the PDN connection between the eNB and the external PDN in a forwarding table in a last one of the eNB and the Ethernet switching network device to enable a transport path for the PDN connection, over Ethernet communication, between the eNB and the external PDN via the Ethernet switching network, the flow table entries comprising a virtual media access control (MAC) reference corresponding to the PDN connection between the eNB and the external PDN. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification