Abstract: A chat-based communication capability is presented. The chat-based communication capability may support encapsulation of a user interface within a chat session. The encapsulation of a user interface within a chat session may be provided by dynamically creating the user interface within the chat session. The creation of a user interface within a chat session may be supported by determining that the user interface is to be created within the chat session and propagating, toward a device supporting the chat session, information configured for use by the device to create the user interface within the chat session. The creation of a user interface within a chat session may be supported by receiving information configured for use by a device to create the user interface within the chat session and initiating creation of the user interface within the chat session based on the information configured for use by the device to create the user interface within the chat session.

Abstract: At least one example embodiment discloses a method for allocating uplink transmissions from a plurality of user equipments (UEs) to a base station. The method includes allocating uplink transmission air-time of the base station to a plurality of groups, associating each of the plurality of UEs to the plurality of groups, a throughput of each associated UE in a same group being affected by the remaining UEs in the same group and determining a resource sharing mode associated with each of the plurality of groups, the resource sharing mode being one of a first mode and a second mode, the base station allocating the same throughput to each associated UE in the associated group in the first mode and the base station allocating a same transmission air-time to each associated UE in the associated group in the second mode.

Abstract: At least one example embodiment discloses a method for allocating downlink transmissions to a plurality of user equipments (UEs) from a base station. The method includes allocating downlink transmission air-time of the base station to a plurality of groups, associating each of the plurality of UEs to the plurality of groups, a throughput of each associated UE in a same group being affected by the remaining UEs in the same group and determining a resource sharing mode associated with each of the plurality of groups, the resource sharing mode being one of a first mode and a second mode, the base station allocating the same throughput to each associated UE in the associated group in the first mode and the base station allocating the same transmission time to each associated UE in the associated group in the second mode.

Abstract: A chat-based communication capability is presented. In at least some embodiments, a chat-based communication capability may utilize a chat-based communication paradigm to support one or more communication interaction types not typically supported by chat-based communication paradigms. In at least some embodiments, a chat-based communication capability may support chat-based communication between a human entity and a non-human entity or between multiple non-human entities. In at least some embodiments, a chat-based communication capability may support extended operations which may be provided within the context of a chat-based system. In at least some embodiments, a chat-based communication capability or other communication or interaction environment may support one or more of relationship identification and notification capabilities, question and answer management functions, message attribution management functions, software developer functions, or the like.

Abstract: A chat-based communication capability is presented. In at least some embodiments, a chat-based communication capability may utilize a chat-based communication paradigm to support one or more communication interaction types not typically supported by chat-based communication paradigms. In at least some embodiments, a chat-based communication capability may support chat-based communication between a human entity and a non-human entity or between multiple non-human entities. In at least some embodiments, a chat-based communication capability may support extended operations which may be provided within the context of a chat-based system. In at least some embodiments, a chat-based communication capability or other communication or interaction environment may support one or more of relationship identification and notification capabilities, question and answer management functions, message attribution management functions, software developer functions, or the like.

Abstract: The SoftRouter architecture separates the implementation of control plane functions from packet forwarding functions. In this architecture, all control plane functions are implemented on general purpose servers called the control elements (CEs) that may be multiple hops away from the forwarding elements (FEs). A network element (NE) or a router is formed using dynamic binding between the CEs and the FEs. There is a protocol failover mechanism for handling failovers initiated by FEs to transfer control from one CE to another CE.

Abstract: Wireless state information collected or inferred from a 3G wireless network is used to detect and prevent malicious attacks against the network.

Abstract: An embodiment of the exemplary SoftRouter architecture includes two physically separate networks, a control plane network and a data plane network. The data plane network is one physical network for the data traffic, while the control plane network is another physical network for the control traffic. The topology of the data plane network is made up of interconnected forwarding elements (FEs). The topology of the control plane network is made up interconnected control elements (CEs). This physical independence of the control plane network from the data plane network provides for a secure mechanism to communicate among the CEs in the control plane network. In addition, this physical independence provides improved reliability and improved scalability, when compared to the traditional router architecture, where control plane message are in-band with the data plane.

Abstract: A network architecture includes one or more feature servers and control servers in a control plane that is logically separate from a data plane that includes forwarding elements. Feature servers facilitate adding network-based functionality in a centralized way that is has better scalability than the traditional router architecture. Some examples of network-based functionality are voice over IP, enhancing QoS support, scaling BGP route reflectors, network-based VPN support, scaling mobile IP support, introducing IPv6 into existing and future networks, and enhancing end-to-end network security. Feature servers remove complexity from routers, allow functions to be implemented on a standard-off-the-shelf server platform, facilitate easy introduction of value-added functions, and scale well.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for providing load balancing of control traffic received by a mobility home agent implemented using multiple control elements. A method includes receiving, from a node, a control message intended for the network element, performing a load-balancing operation to select one of the control elements to handle the control message, and propagating the control message toward the selected one of the control elements. The load-balancing operation is performed using at least two load-balancing metrics comprising a first metric and a second metric. The load-balancing operation is performed in a manner for maintaining a context between the node from which the control message is received and the selected one of the control elements, such that subsequent control messages received from the node are propagated to the selected one of the control elements.

Abstract: Wireless state information collected or inferred from a 3G wireless network is used to detect and prevent malicious attacks against the network.

Abstract: A dynamic binding protocol has three tasks that run in parallel: discovery, association, and operation. During discovery, control elements (CEs) and forwarding elements (FEs) learn about immediate neighbors and CEs in a SoftRouter network that has separate control and data planes. During association, FEs associate with CEs and are configured with basic parameters, such as IP interface addresses, hostnames, and the like. During operation, failover and packet tunneling between CEs and FEs is handled.

Abstract: At least one example embodiment discloses a method for allocating uplink transmissions from a plurality of user equipments (UEs) to a base station. The method includes allocating uplink transmission air-time of the base station to a plurality of groups, associating each of the plurality of UEs to the plurality of groups, a throughput of each associated UE in a same group being affected by the remaining UEs in the same group and determining a resource sharing mode associated with each of the plurality of groups, the resource sharing mode being one of a first mode and a second mode, the base station allocating the same throughput to each associated UE in the associated group in the first mode and the base station allocating a same transmission air-time to each associated UE in the associated group in the second mode.

Abstract: At least one example embodiment discloses a method for allocating downlink transmissions to a plurality of user equipments (UEs) from a base station. The method includes allocating downlink transmission air-time of the base station to a plurality of groups, associating each of the plurality of UEs to the plurality of groups, a throughput of each associated UE in a same group being affected by the remaining UEs in the same group and determining a resource sharing mode associated with each of the plurality of groups, the resource sharing mode being one of a first mode and a second mode, the base station allocating the same throughput to each associated UE in the associated group in the first mode and the base station allocating the same transmission time to each associated UE in the associated group in the second mode.

Abstract: An enmeshed hierarchy of policers, different from traditional tree-based hierarchical system of policers is used in accordance with the present invention. A goal of using an enmeshed architecture of policing systems is to allow for a more complex set of policies to be defined across a network. Hierarchical/cascading systems ensure that the higher granularity assignments essentially dictate/constrain the behavior of finer grained assignments at higher levels for sub-flows. There is only one type of metric possible for the largest granular policer, so the only way to implement multiple system-wide metrics is to repeat the hierarchy multiple times over, which adds to the delay of the packet and the complexity of the router. In accordance with the enmeshed architecture of the present invention, multiple system-wide metrics can be implemented simultaneously, which allows for easier management of the various macro-level policies by the manager of an access network.

Abstract: The invention manages an IP address space in a mobility network, including partitioning of the IP address space, assignment of IP addresses from the IP address space, and/or use of hysteresis to control reassignment of IP addresses from the IP address space. The IP address assignment is performed using one or more residual time statistics from a residual time profile maintained for the mobile node requesting assignment of an IP address. A residual time profile of a mobile node includes one or more residual time statistics associated with the mobile node. The residual time statistics for a mobile node are determined using a residual time associated with each IP address assigned to the mobile node. The IP address space partitioning is performed using residual time statistics maintained for mobile nodes of the network. The reassignment of IP addresses from the IP address space is controlled using hysteresis.

Abstract: A SoftRouter architecture deconstructs routers by separating the control entities of a router from its forwarding components, enabling dynamic binding between them. In the SoftRouter architecture, control plane functions are aggregated and implemented on a few smart servers which control forwarding elements that are multiple network hops away. A dynamic binding protocol performs network-wide control plane failovers. Network stability is improved by aggregating and remotely hosting routing protocols, such as OSPF and BGP. This results in faster convergence, lower protocol messages processed, and fewer route changes following a failure. The SoftRouter architecture includes a few smart control entities that manage a large number of forwarding elements to provide greater support for network-wide control. In the SoftRouter architecture, routing protocols operate remotely at a control element and control one or more forwarding elements by downloading the forwarding tables, etc. into the forwarding elements.

Abstract: An advance is made over the prior art in accordance with the principles of the present invention that is directed to a new approach for a system and method of Single Rate Three Color Marker (srTCM) and Two Rate Three Color Marker (trTCM) methodology. The invention eliminates deficiencies present in existing standards that allow a user to defeat the traffic meter that is used to ensure bandwidth usage is within limits imposed by the provider. Adoption of these invention will ensure compliance with the goals of an ideal Single Rate Three Color Marker (srTCM) and Two Rate Three Color Marker (trTCM) scheme.

Abstract: A SoftRouter architecture deconstructs routers by separating the control entities of a router from its forwarding components, enabling dynamic binding between them. In the SoftRouter architecture, control plane functions are aggregated and implemented on a few smart servers which control forwarding elements that are multiple network hops away. A dynamic binding protocol performs network-wide control plane failovers. Network stability is improved by aggregating and remotely hosting routing protocols, such as OSPF and BGP. This results in faster convergence, lower protocol messages processed, and fewer route changes following a failure. The SoftRouter architecture includes a few smart control entities that manage a large number of forwarding elements to provide greater support for network-wide control. In the SoftRouter architecture, routing protocols operate remotely at a control element and control one or more forwarding elements by downloading the forwarding tables, etc. into the forwarding elements.

Abstract: A method for creating a multi-level enmeshed structure is provided. The multi-level enmeshed directory structure of the present embodiments contain objects described by multiple object descriptors, which can be thought of as tags. Each object can be accessed by any one of the descriptors that describe the object and the descriptors of an object are also accessible.