Abstract: A data communication system is provided that allows for the efficient management of data communication sessions requested from a plurality of packet data servicing nodes organized in a cluster, each member of the cluster managing a cluster session table which contains data identifying mobile units and packet data servicing nodes which are servicing data sessions with the mobile unit. As a mobile unit moves from one portion of the system to another, a network element will request a data session from a packet data servicing node, the packet data servicing node is then able to access the cluster session table to determine if the data session is already being served by another member of the cluster. If the data session is already in existence, the base station controller will be directed to request a data session from the packet data servicing node which is already servicing that session.

Abstract: A method for executing authentication in a network environment is provided that includes retrieving a group profile from an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) server in response to receiving a request from a first end user and locally caching the group profile. A service may be provided to the first end user based on information included within the group profile and associated with the first end user. A request may be received from a second end user. It is then determined if the second end user is included within the group profile such that in cases where the second end user is included in the group profile the group profile can be locally cached in order to provide a service to the second end user without having to communicate with the AAA server.

Abstract: A data communication system 10 is provided that allow for the efficient management of data communication sessions requested from a plurality of packet data servicing nodes (22-28) which are organized in a cluster 32, each member of the cluster 32 manages a cluster session table which contains data identifying mobile units 12 and packet data servicing nodes (22-28) which are servicing data sessions with the mobile unit 12. As a mobile unit 12 moves from one portion of the system 10 to another, a network element such as a base station controller 40 will request a data session from a packet data servicing node 28, the packet data servicing node 28 is then able to access the cluster session table to determine if the data session is already being served by another member of the cluster 32. If the data session is already in existence, the base station controller 40 will be directed to request a data session from the packet data servicing node 32 which is already servicing that session.

Abstract: A data communication system 10 is provided that allow for the efficient management of data communication sessions requested from a plurality of packet data servicing nodes (22–28) which are organized in a cluster 32, each member of the cluster 32 manages a cluster session table which contains data identifying mobile units 12 and packet data servicing nodes (22–28) which are servicing data sessions with the mobile unit 12. As a mobile unit 12 moves from one portion of the system 10 to another, a network element such as a base station controller 40 will request a data session from a packet data servicing node 28, the packet data servicing node 28 is then able to access the cluster session table to determine if the data session is already being served by another member of the cluster 32. If the data session is already in existence, the base station controller 40 will be directed to request a data session from the packet data servicing node 32 which is already servicing that session.