Abstract: A system and method of providing flexible QoS actions through communication to neighboring network elements of the local QoS actions taken by the local network element. The neighboring network elements may then take into account the QoS actions taken by the local network element when the neighboring network elements are contemplating their own QoS actions to be taken. Thus, a limited range of visibility of QoS actions facilitates subsequent QoS actions taken by the network elements within the limited range of visibility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and network node for controlling packet flow in a buffer means (13; 14) of a network node of a data network, wherein a nominal capacity is assigned to each data flow, and an additional or free capacity is shifted from a first flow portion to a second flow portion when a new data packet of said second flow portion has been received and said nominal capacity has been exceeded. The nominal capacity may be an upper buffer memory limit used for controlling queuing of data packets in a buffer memory (13) of said buffer means, wherein the memory space of the buffer memory (13) is shared between a plurality of channels allocated to respective packet data connections. Then, the free capacity corresponds to a memory space shifted from a first channel to a second channel, when a new data packet of the second channel has been received and not enough memory space is available for the second channel.

Abstract: The invention is related to optimization of data transmission in TCP/IP networks, particularly to problems created by transmission of encrypted traffic. According to the invention, an indication of a TCP ACK being carried in the encrypted payload of a IP datagram is added in the IP header of the datagram. The indication may simply be a flag indicating the presence of a TCP acknowledgment. The indication may also contain the acknowledgment number, which allows processing of the encrypted traffic based on the acknowledgment number. In IPv4 datagrams, the indication may be inserted as an extra option field. In IPv6 datagrams, the indication may be inserted as an extension header.

Abstract: A scheduling system for IP routers is provided. A programmable scheduler for IP routers can support single stage and multistage scheduling. This allows flexible combinations of scheduling and widens dramatically the available QoS solutions to operators. With this kind of scheduling the router can be configured to support almost any known scheduling method or combination. Priority Queuing (PQ) and Deficit Round Robin (DRR) scheduling is scheduling is used according to one embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: A method for providing time information comprises sending time information to at least one communications device and receiving information indicating error in received time information from at least one of said at least one communications device, said error in received time information having been determined in a communications device. In a communications device, first time information from a communications system is received and second time information with respect to an external time frame is determined. Thereafter an error in first time information based on at least said second time information is determined, and information indicating said error in said first time information is sent to said communications system. A communications device, a communications system and a network element for a communications system are also discussed.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for performing automation is disclosed. An apparatus configured to control an automation function includes one or more automation modules connectable into an assembly. The automation modules include a data interface for exchanging data with other automation modules and a processor coupled to the data interface. A functional component is operable by the processor for performing an independent automation task. The data interfaces of the automation modules are coupled to exchange data communications for coordinating the respective functional components of the automation modules to perform the automation function.

Abstract: According to the present invention, traffic control in an IP based network is provided. For this purpose, traffic situation in the network is measured, and the traffic flow is controlled on the basis of the measured traffic situation. Moreover, an operator may define rules for different measured situations, and the traffic flow is controlled on the basis of these rules.

Abstract: A method (and corresponding equipment) for determining either a downlink delay in communicating packets via a packet-conveying network from a sender (11) to a receiver (12) or the corresponding uplink delay, or both, but separately from each other, the method including: steps (21 22 23 24) in which the sender (11) and receiver (12) exchange a first and second pair of packets (14a-b 15a-b) consisting of respective first and second uplink packets (14a 15a) and a first and second downlink packets (14b 15b), and also determines round trip times (t_A t_B) for the two exchanges; with the exchanges made using packet sizes such that at least either the first and second uplink packets (14a 15a) or the first and second downlink packets (14b 15b) differ in size from each other.

Abstract: A system and method of providing flexible QoS actions through communication to neighboring network elements of the local QoS actions taken by the local network element. The neighboring network elements may then take into account the QoS actions taken by the local network element when the neighboring network elements are contemplating their own QoS actions to be taken. Thus, a limited range of visibility of QoS actions facilitates subsequent QoS actions taken by the network elements within the limited range of visibility.

Abstract: Clock generating method and apparatus for an asynchronous transmission, wherein a plurality of actual receiving signal arrival times are detected and averaged, to thereby avoid influences of randomly distributed delay variations upon signal transmission. Clock synchronization between a transmitting clock and a receiving clock is recovered by correcting the receiving clock on the basis of the obtained average of the actual arrival times and an expected arrival time. Thereby, overflow and underflow of a receiver buffer can be prevented.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method is disclosed for providing media session descriptors. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method of initiating a multimedia session via a computing arrangement involves forming a request for a session descriptor usable for initiating the multimedia session. The request is communicated to a session descriptor module of the computing arrangement. A session descriptor is formed based on a set of multimedia session parameters of the computing arrangement. The session descriptor is communicated from the session descriptor module, and the multimedia session is initiated using the session descriptor.

Abstract: A broadband cellular network device comprises a base station controller unit (1), an asynchrouous transfer mode controller (2) adapted to control the distribution of cellular traffic consisting of asynchrouous transfer mode cells in trunking mobile communication networks based on ATM technology, and an asynchrouous transfer mode switching means (3) controlled by said asynchrouous transfer mode controller (2). The base station controller unit (1), the asynchrouous transfer mode controller (2) and the asynchrouous transfer mode switching means (3) form an ATM based base station controller (BSC) capable of performing ATM switching and adapted to replace PCM based base station controllers in base station subsystems (BSS) of asynchrouous transfer mode based cellular networks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for handling congestion in a packet data network, wherein at least two operating modes of congestion handling are selected based on a detected congestion level. The operating modes will then affect the applied congestion handling modes to thereby achieve a flexible and automatic network response which is based on the congestion level. Thereby applications' quality requirements and service provider's business goals can both be met in an adequate manner.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed for providing quality of service (QoS) for a network data connection. The network data connection uses a network protocol selectable from a plurality of network protocols. A QoS module can receive a request for a generic QoS and apply this to the network protocol using a specific QoS associated with the protocol. The QoS module may include features for automatic management of QoS and a user interface for changing data connection parameters.

Abstract: Generic Internet Protocol (IP) authentication is provided by authentication server (134). Application Programming Interface (API) (310) detects the protocol type of an incoming authentication request and invokes one of a number of authentication mechanisms (318-326) depending on the protocol type detected. A localized repository (520) is provided to store Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) information and other algorithm data as required to facilitate the authentication session.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for reducing traffic flow from a sending network element to a mobile element during handoff situations when the connection of the mobile element is switched, or to be switched, over from a first network access element to a second network access element. When the mobile element detects, or is informed on, a handoff process to be initiated, a procedure is initialised for reducing the traffic flow from the sending network element to the mobile element. The procedure for reducing the traffic flow preferably comprises employing an optimization process, preferably a TCP optimization process, e.g. delaying the sending of an acknowledgement message from the mobile element to the sending network element, or to reduce the value of the field “advertised window” of the acknowlegdement message to a smaller value than the actually appropriate value.

Abstract: A method of selecting a data unite to be dropped from a plurality of data streams, each comprising a plurality of data units, said method comprising the steps of identifying a first data unit dropped from a first data stream storing information relating to said first unit and selecting a second data unit to be dropped, said selection step using said stored information so that said second data unit is not consecutive to said first data unit in said first stream.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a method for controlling a stream of data packets in a packet data communication network, the method comprising the steps of: detecting the presence of a predetermined condition in said network, and, in response thereto, shortening at least one data packet within said stream of data packets. Also, the present invention proposes a correspondingly adapted network element in a packet data network.

Abstract: A scheduling system for IP routers is provided. A programmable scheduler for IP routers can support single stage and multistage scheduling. This allows flexible combinations of scheduling and widens dramatically the available QoS solutions to operators. With this kind of scheduling the router can be configured to support almost any known scheduling method or combination. Priority Queuing (PQ) and Deficit Round Robin (DRR) scheduling is scheduling is used according to one embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: A multimode queuing system for DiffServ routers is provided. The multimode buffering and scheduling system that can be adjusted to show either “pure” AF/EF behavior, “pure” DSUI behavior, or a combination of the AF/EF behavior and the DSUI behavior. An operation point parameter may be set to select the desired behavior. DiffServ products utilizing the combination of the behaviors are flexible and more configurable as compared to only AF/EF products. The multimode queuing system deployment is simple and is a low cost modification to DiffServ routers. The same hardware and/or software implementation can support both mechanisms with very small additional cost and effort. Also the management of the system is simplified. For example, there is no need for several parallel queuing systems.