Abstract: A first node receives data packets of a flow and forwards the data packets of the flow to a second node. The first node takes a first decision whether to perform inspection of a payload section of at least one data packet of the flow at the first node and indicate a result of the first decision to the second node. The second node receives the data packets of the flow from the first node. On the basis of the result of the first decision indicated by the first node, the second node takes a second decision whether to perform inspection of a payload section of at least one data packet of the flow at the second node.

Abstract: A service control entity is configured to control chains of services provided in a service network having a plurality of service providing modules. A data packet flow from a source address to a destination address is transmitted through the service network applying a chain of services. A chain control unit determines possible chains of services to be applied, identifies the predefined sequence of services applied to the data packet flow, and identifies in which order the identified service providing modules have to be passed in order to apply the predefined sequence of services. A module control unit assigns, to each of the service providing modules in the chain of services, an ingress network address of an underlying layer of the end-to-end layer. The module control unit assigns ingress network addresses so that they have a predefined relationship to the ingress network address of a neighboring service providing module.

Abstract: Techniques of executing commands in forwarding nodes are discussed. Control messages are recursively included within each other and distributed in a data plane formed by a network of the forwarding nodes. A given control message can include a command which is executed by a respective forwarding node. The given control message further includes a further control message to be sent to a further forwarding node by the respective forwarding node. The control messages are created by a control node which is configured for controlling operation of the network of forwarding nodes.

Abstract: A service control entity is configured to control chains of services provided in a service network having a plurality of service providing modules. A data packet flow from a source address to a destination address is transmitted through the service network applying a chain of services. A chain control unit determines possible chains of services to be applied, identifies the predefined sequence of services applied to the data packet flow, and identifies in which order the identified service providing modules have to be passed in order to apply the predefined sequence of services. A module control unit assigns, to each of the service providing modules in the chain of services, an ingress network address of an underlying layer of the end-to-end layer. The module control unit assigns ingress network addresses so that they have a predefined relationship to the ingress network address of a neighboring service providing module.

Abstract: A method for operating a communication network includes at least two radio access networks (10-1, 10-2) in which a user equipment (12) can simultaneously be registered and, for each of the at least two radio access networks (10-1, 10-2), a serving entity (14-1, 14-2) in the control plane. The method including the steps of assigning (s16) a master role to one serving entity (14-2) and a slave role to the other serving entity (14-1) or entities; and when a serving entity (14-1) to which a slave role is assigned has to perform control plane signalling (s18), transmitting (s20), by the serving entity, a signalling message to the serving entity (14-2) to which the master role is assigned, so as to perform (s22) the control plane signalling Servers acting as serving entities, systems including such servers, and computer programs executable on the servers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques of executing commands in forwarding nodes are discussed. Control messages are recursively included within each other and distributed in a data plane formed by a network of the forwarding nodes. A given control message can include a command which is executed by a respective forwarding node. The given control message further includes a further control message to be sent to a further forwarding node by the respective forwarding node. The control messages are created by a control node which is configured for controlling operation of the network of forwarding nodes.

Abstract: A first node receives data packets of a flow and forwards the data packets of the flow to a second node. The first node takes a first decision whether to perform inspection of a payload section of at least one data packet of the flow at the first node and indicate a result of the first decision to the second node. The second node receives the data packets of the flow from the first node. On the basis of the result of the first decision indicated by the first node, the second node takes a second decision whether to perform inspection of a payload section of at least one data packet of the flow at the second node.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for allocating a network entity for handling user communication signals of a user, the user communication signals comprising payload and signalling load. The method comprises obtaining (801) a load attribute, the load attribute indicating a load ratio between the payload and the signalling load, selecting (803) a network entity upon the basis of the load attribute, and initiating (805) a network entity location procedure to allocate the selected network entity for handling the user communication signals.

Abstract: A method of controlling forwarding of IP data packets through a service network. An IP data packet including an original source port number enters the network through a gateway node. A controller defines a path allocated to a service type through a forwarding node and a service-providing server allocated to the network; allocates an identifier to the service type; provides path-related forwarding rules to the forwarding node based on the identifier; and provides to the gateway node, the service-type identifier and a mapping rule between the identifier and the service type. The gateway node receives the IP data packet and determines which service type the IP data packet refers to; replaces the original source port number with a source port number encoding the identifier of the determined service type based on the mapping rule; and provides the IP data packet to the forwarding node for forwarding on the path.

Abstract: A method of selecting an interface node of a core network of a mobile communication network for handling data traffic between a mobile device and a destination network or a destination network node, as well a control node for performing such a method are provided. The control node processes signalling traffic for the mobile device and performs the selection. The mobile communication network comprises a plurality of core network interface nodes providing an interface to the core network. An interface node is selected from the plurality of core network interface nodes for handling the data traffic for the mobile device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for allocating a network entity for handling user communication signals of a user, the user communication signals comprising payload and signalling load. The method comprises obtaining (801) a load attribute, the load attribute indicating a load ratio between the payload and the signalling load, selecting (803) a network entity upon the basis of the load attribute, and initiating (805) a network entity location procedure to allocate the selected network entity for handling the user communication signals.

Abstract: A node and method for handling barring of services in an Evolved Packet System (EPS) enabled network using an amended full Access Point Name (APN). The Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) of the APN is amended to include an extension, which indicates that the corresponding APN is to be excluded from Operator Determined Barring (ODB).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a registration update of a mobile device (UE) in a communication network is described. The location of the mobile device (UE) is registered in a first registration area (A) and associated with a list of further registration areas (B). A registration area update is triggered when the mobile device (UE) is detecting a change of location to a second registration area. The registration area update is initiated with a random time delay after the mobile device (UE) detects the change to the second registration area if the second registration area is in the list of further registration areas (B).

Abstract: A method for operating a communication network includes at least two radio access networks (10-1, 10-2) in which a user equipment (12) can simultaneously be registered and, for each of the at least two radio access networks (10-1, 10-2), a serving entity (14-1, 14-2) in the control plane. The method including the steps of assigning (s16) a master role to one serving entity (14-2) and a slave role to the other serving entity (14-1) or entities; and when a serving entity (14-1) to which a slave role is assigned has to perform control plane signalling (s18), transmitting (s20), by the serving entity, a signalling message to the serving entity (14-2) to which the master role is assigned, so as to perform (s22) the control plane signalling Servers acting as serving entities, systems including such servers, and computer programs executable on the servers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of selecting an interface node of a core network of a mobile communication network for handling data traffic between a mobile device and a destination network or a destination network node, as well a control node for performing such a method are provided. The control node processes signalling traffic for the mobile device and performs the selection. The mobile communication network comprises a plurality of core network interface nodes providing an interface to the core network. An interface node is selected from the plurality of core network interface nodes for handling the data traffic for the mobile device.

Abstract: A node and method for handling barring of services in an Evolved Packet System (EPS) enabled network using an amended full Access Point Name (APN). The Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) of the APN is amended to include an extension, which indicates that the corresponding APN is to be excluded from Operator Determined Barring (ODB).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a registration update of a mobile device (UE) in a communication network is described. The location of the mobile device (UE) is registered in a first registration area (A) and associated with a list of further registration areas (B). A registration area update is triggered when the mobile device (UE) is detecting a change of location to a second registration area. The registration area update is initiated with a random time delay after the mobile device (UE) detects the change to the second registration area if the second registration area is in the list of further registration areas (B).