Abstract: A physical network element is provided which is configured to operate as a plurality of separated routing entities, each functioning independently of the others, wherein the physical network element is characterized in that: a) each of the plurality of routing entities is provided with its own control, management and data planes, as well as with a dedicated routing information base table and a forwarding information base table; and b) all of the plurality of routing entities are configured to operate while sharing at least one member of a group that consists of: (i) one or more packet processors comprised in the physical network element; (ii) one or more central processing units (CPUs) comprised in the physical network element; (iii) one or more fabrics comprised in the physical network element; and (iv) one or more network interfaces comprised in the physical network element.

Abstract: A network cloud software is provided which is configured to enable operation of multiple hardware network elements as a single routing or switching entity. The network cloud software is used in a distributed manner and provides layers of synchronization and management to allow creation of a network cloud cluster that can start with a single white-box that acts as a stand-alone network device and then scale it to a cluster of tens of hardware elements that would still appear to the external user as a single entity. The network cloud software may also implement mediation layer (HAL) that allows the use of a multi-vendor hardware types by the same network cloud software that is capable of running on a number of different hardware types, while to the external user they will all be seen as devices that have the same functionality and the same network behavior.

Abstract: A communication apparatus and method are provided for predicting effects of changes in at least one radio network parameter on a cellular network which comprises a processor which is adapted to: (a) select a source cell in a cellular network; (b) select from among a first plurality of cells being neighbors of that source cell, a second plurality of neighboring cells and define a reference cluster that includes the source cell and the second plurality of cells; and (c) use the reference cluster to predict the effects of carrying out one or more changes in at least one radio network parameter on at least one network performance indicator of the reference cluster, and based on that prediction, establishing an expected impact of the one or more changes in the at least one radio network parameter on a cellular network performance.

Abstract: A physical network element is provided which is configured to operate as a plurality of separated routing entities, each functioning independently of the others, wherein the physical network element is characterized in that: a) each of the plurality of routing entities is provided with its own control, management and data planes, as well as with a dedicated routing information base table and a forwarding information base table; and b) all of the plurality of routing entities are configured to operate while sharing at least one member of a group that consists of: (i) one or more packet processors comprised in the physical network element; (ii) one or more central processing units (CPUs) comprised in the physical network element; (iii) one or more fabrics comprised in the physical network element; and (iv) one or more network interfaces comprised in the physical network element.

Abstract: A communication apparatus and method are provided for predicting effects of changes in at least one radio network parameter on a cellular network which comprises a processor which is adapted to: (a) select a source cell in a cellular network; (b) select from among a first plurality of cells being neighbors of that source cell, a second plurality of neighboring cells and define a reference cluster that includes the source cell and the second plurality of cells; and (c) use the reference cluster to predict the effects of carrying out one or more changes in at least one radio network parameter on at least one network performance indicator of the reference cluster, and based on that prediction, establishing an expected impact of the one or more changes in the at least one radio network parameter on a cellular network performance.

Abstract: A communication apparatus and method are provided for pre-dieting effects of changes in at least one radio network parameter on a cellular network which comprises a processor which is adapted to: (a) select a source cell in a cellular network; (b) select from among a first plurality of cells being neighbors of that source cell, a second plurality of neighboring cells and define a reference cluster that includes the source cell and the second plurality of cells; and (c) use the reference cluster to predict the effects of carrying out one or more changes in at least one radio network parameter on at least one network performance indicator of the reference cluster, and based on that, prediction, establishing on expected impact of the one or more changes in the at least one radio network parameter on a cellular network performance.

Abstract: A system for obtaining information relating to an idle mobile station in a cellular network is provided. The system includes a computing platform which is in communication with a radio network controller of the cellular network. The computing platform is configured for (i) generating and sending an input signal through the radio network controller to the radio access network; and (ii) identifying in data outputted by the radio network controller an output signal resulting from the input signal, the output signal including information relating to at least one idle mobile station.

Abstract: A system for obtaining information relating to an idle mobile station in a cellular network is provided. The system includes a computing platform which is in communication with a radio network controller of the cellular network. The computing platform is configured for (i) generating and sending an input signal through the radio network controller to the radio access network; and (ii) identifying in data outputted by the radio network controller an output signal resulting from the input signal, the output signal including information relating to at least one idle mobile station.

Abstract: A system for obtaining information relating to an idle mobile station in a cellular network is provided. The system includes a computing platform which is in communication with a radio network controller of the cellular network. The computing platform is configured for (i) generating and sending an input signal through the radio network controller to the radio access network; and (ii) identifying in data outputted by the radio network controller an output signal resulting from the input signal, the output signal including information relating to at least one idle mobile station.

Abstract: A communication apparatus and method are provided for pre-dieting effects of changes in at least one radio network parameter on a cellular network which comprises a processor which is adapted to: (a) select a source cell in a cellular network; (b) select from among a first plurality of cells being neighbors of that source cell, a second plurality of neighboring cells and define a reference cluster that includes the source cell and the second plurality of cells; and (c) use the reference cluster to predict the effects of carrying out one or more changes in at least one radio network parameter on at least one network performance indicator of the reference cluster, and based on that, prediction, establishing on expected impact of the one or more changes in the at least one radio network parameter on a cellular network performance.

Abstract: A communication apparatus and method are provided for predicting effects of changes in at least one radio network parameter on a cellular network which comprises a processor which is adapted to: (a) select a source cell in a cellular network; (b) select from among a first plurality of cells being neighbors of that source cell, a second plurality of neighboring cells and define a reference cluster that includes the source cell and the second plurality of cells; and (c) use the reference cluster to predict the effects of carrying out one or more changes in at least one radio network parameter on at least one network performance indicator of the reference cluster, and based on that prediction, establishing an expected impact of the one or more changes in the at least one radio network parameter on a cellular network performance.

Abstract: A system for obtaining information relating to an idle mobile station in a cellular network is provided. The system includes a computing platform which is in communication with a radio network controller of the cellular network. The computing platform is configured for (i) generating and sending an input signal through the radio network controller to the radio access network; and (ii) identifying in data outputted by the radio network controller an output signal resulting from the input signal, the output signal including information relating to at least one idle mobile station.

Abstract: A system for obtaining information relating to an idle mobile station in a cellular network is provided. The system includes a computing platform which is in communication with a radio network controller of the cellular network. The computing platform is configured for (i) generating and sending an input signal through the radio network controller to the radio access network; and (ii) identifying in data outputted by the radio network controller an output signal resulting from the input signal, the output signal including information relating to at least one idle mobile station.

Abstract: A system for obtaining information relating to an idle mobile station in a cellular network is provided. The system includes a computing platform which is in communication with a radio network controller of the cellular network. The computing platform is configured for (i) generating and sending an input signal through the radio network controller to the radio access network; and (ii) identifying in data outputted by the radio network controller an output signal resulting from the input signal, the output signal including information relating to at least one idle mobile station.

Abstract: A system for obtaining information relating to an idle mobile station in a cellular network is provided. The system includes a computing platform which is in communication with a radio network controller of the cellular network. The computing platform is configured for (i) generating and sending an input signal through the radio network controller to the radio access network; and (ii) identifying in data outputted by the radio network controller an output signal resulting from the input signal, the output signal including information relating to at least one idle mobile station.

Abstract: A computing platform is provided including a processor that executes instructions for optimizing operation of a cellular network. When executing the instructions, the computing platform operates (a) to probe for information exchanged between a mobile access network and a core network; (b) to retrieve statistical KPIs generated from a plurality of network elements belonging to the cellular network; (c) to generate a predictive Key Performance Indicator (pKPI) by correlating the probed information with the retrieved statistical KPIs, which enables the computing platform to predict a trend characterizing future performance of network elements such as cells; and (d) to trigger changes in the operation of the cellular network based on the predicted trend. The probing for information exchanged between a mobile access network and a core network is carried out at a rate higher than a rate of retrieving statistical KPIs generated from the plurality of network elements.

Abstract: A communication apparatus and method are provided for predicting effects of changes in at least one radio network parameter on a cellular network which comprises a processor which is adapted to: (a) select a source cell in a cellular network; (b) select from among a first plurality of cells being neighbors of that source cell, a second plurality of neighboring cells and define a reference cluster that includes the source cell and the second plurality of cells; and (c) use the reference cluster to predict the effects of carrying out one or more changes in at least one radio network parameter on at least one network performance indicator of the reference cluster, and based on that prediction, establishing an expected impact of the one or more changes in the at least one radio network parameter on a cellular network performance.

Abstract: A system for obtaining information relating to an idle mobile station in a cellular network is provided. The system includes a computing platform which is in communication with a radio network controller of the cellular network. The computing platform is configured for (i) generating and sending an input signal through the radio network controller to the radio access network; and (ii) identifying in data outputted by the radio network controller an output signal resulting from the input signal, the output signal including information relating to at least one idle mobile station.