Abstract: A data communication system delivers voice-conferencing and video-conferencing to User Equipment (UE). A wireless communication network establishes a signaling bearer between the UE and an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). The IMS initiates a video-conference bearer for the UE over the wireless communication network. The wireless communication network exchanges video data over the video-conference bearer using Carrier Aggregation (CA). In response to a UE handover to a target wireless access node, the wireless communication network signals the IMS to convert the video-conference bearer into a voice-conference bearer based on Carrier Aggregation (CA) technology at the target wireless access node. The IMS initiates a voice-conference bearer for the UE over the wireless communication network. The wireless communication network exchanges voice data over the voice-conference bearer.

Abstract: A data system controls a virtual Probe (vProbe) in a Network Function Virtualization Infrastructure (NFVI). A probe controller transfers header separation instructions for a multiple protocols to the vProbe. The vProbe receives data packets and identifies the protocols in the data packets. The vProbe retrieves header data from individual data packets based on the header separation instructions for the individual protocols in the individual data packets. The vProbe transfers the retrieved header data based on the header separation instructions.

Abstract: A data system controls a virtual Probe (vProbe) in a Network Function Virtualization Infrastructure (NFVI). A probe controller transfers header separation instructions for a multiple protocols to the vProbe. The vProbe receives data packets and identifies the protocols in the data packets. The vProbe retrieves header data from individual data packets based on the header separation instructions for the individual protocols in the individual data packets. The vProbe transfers the retrieved header data based on the header separation instructions.

Abstract: A Network Function Virtualization (NFV) system controls multi-protocol virtual Probes (vProbes). A vProbe controller transfers protocol data and correlated header separation instructions to a vProbe in an NFV Infrastructure (NFVI). The vProbe receives the header separation instructions and the correlated protocol data. The vProbe receives data packets from an NFV switching system and identifies protocol data for the data packets. The vProbe uses the protocol data to determine the correlated header separation instructions. The vProbe retrieves header data from the data packets based on the header separation instructions and transfers the retrieved header data based on the header separation instructions.

Abstract: A data communication system delivers voice-conferencing and video-conferencing to User Equipment (UE). A wireless communication network establishes a signaling bearer between the UE and an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). The IMS initiates a video-conference bearer for the UE over the wireless communication network. The wireless communication network exchanges video data over the video-conference bearer using Carrier Aggregation (CA). In response to a UE handover to a target wireless access node, the wireless communication network signals the IMS to convert the video-conference bearer into a voice-conference bearer based on Carrier Aggregation (CA) technology at the target wireless access node. The IMS initiates a voice-conference bearer for the UE over the wireless communication network. The wireless communication network exchanges voice data over the voice-conference bearer.

Abstract: A computer system establishes data communications for a virtual machine that is configured with an enhanced Media Access Control (MAC) address. A management computer instantiates the virtual machine responsive to the enhanced MAC address. The management computer automatically instantiates a virtual Local Area Network (vLAN) and a virtual Switch (vSW) on the vLAN to serve the virtual machine using the enhanced MAC address. The management computer allocates an Internet Protocol (IP) address to the virtual machine and automatically instantiates a virtual Router (vRTR) to serve the vSW using the IP address. A network computer executes the virtual machine, the vLAN, the vSW, and the vRTR to exchange user data between the virtual machine and a data communication network over the vSW, vLAN, and vRTR using the enhanced MAC address and the IP address.

Abstract: A Long Term Evolution (LTE) Mobility Management Entity (MME) manages a service level for an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) media session for a User Equipment (UE). The MME exchanges first control data with the UE to establish an IMS signaling bearer and a media session bearer. The MME identifies a UE hand-over between LTE access nodes during the IMS media session and determines an access technology difference between the LTE access nodes. The MME determines when the service level for the IMS media session should be modified based on the access technology difference and exchanges service modification data with the IMS. The MME exchanges second control data with the UE to indicate a modification to the service level for the IMS media session.

Abstract: A wireless network backhaul node serves eNodeBs. The backhaul node exchanges user data and network signaling between the eNodeBs and a Long Term Evolution (LTE) core. The backhaul node receives loading information from the eNodeBs and determines overloaded eNodeBs and underloaded eNodeBs. The backhaul node selects handover thresholds for the eNodeBs to inhibit handovers from the underloaded eNodeBs to the overloaded eNodeBs and to encourage handovers from the overloaded eNodeBs to the underloaded eNodeBs. The backhaul node transfers the selected handover thresholds to the eNodeBs. The backhaul node also performs X2 and/or S1 handover assistance for the eNodeBs.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and software to dynamically provide carrier aggregation to wireless communication devices. In one example, a method of operating an eNodeB includes exchanging first wireless communication signals with a wireless communication device using a first carrier aggregation configuration. The method further provides identifying a request from the wireless communication device for a modified quality of service, and determining a second carrier aggregation configuration based on the request. The method also includes exchanging second wireless communication signals with the wireless communication device using the second carrier aggregation configuration.

Abstract: An LTE base station facilitates handoffs in an LTE communication system. The LTE base station is configured to exchange session communications with a UE and receive session information transmitted from an LTE communication control system, the session information including a media type of the communication session and a vector associated with the UE. The LTE base station is further configured to identify a plurality of candidate base stations within a proximity threshold to a path of the vector associated with the UE, poll the plurality of candidate base stations for capability information, process the capability information to determine a set of the candidate base stations that support the media type of the communication session, select a target base station for a handoff from the set of the candidate base stations that support the media type, and instruct the UE to initiate the handoff to the target base station.

Abstract: A computer system establishes data communications for a virtual machine that is configured with an enhanced Media Access Control (MAC) address. A management computer instantiates the virtual machine responsive to the enhanced MAC address. The management computer automatically instantiates a virtual Local Area Network (vLAN) and a virtual Switch (vSW) on the vLAN to serve the virtual machine using the enhanced MAC address. The management computer allocates an Internet Protocol (IP) address to the virtual machine and automatically instantiates a virtual Router (vRTR) to serve the vSW using the IP address. A network computer executes the virtual machine, the vLAN, the vSW, and the vRTR to exchange user data between the virtual machine and a data communication network over the vSW, vLAN, and vRTR using the enhanced MAC address and the IP address.

Abstract: A data communication network controls the amounts of virtual network elements it uses. A control system processes user data packets from multiple wireless base stations to determine amounts of user data packet tunnels for a plurality of Quality-of-Service (QoS) levels. The control system processes the amounts of the user data packet tunnels for the QoS levels to identify a target amount of virtual packet gateways to serve the user data packet tunnels. A virtual network element system implements the target amount of the virtual packet gateways to serve the user data packet tunnels at the QoS levels with the virtual packet gateways.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for providing a virtualized communication networking environment are provided herein. In one example, a method includes identifying a media access control address for a network interface of a virtual machine, the media access control address comprising at least one communication network indicator associated with a virtualized local area network. If a virtual network element has not been generated for handling traffic associated with the network interface of the virtual machine, then generating the virtual network element and associating the virtual network element with the virtualized local area network based on the communication network indicator. When the virtual network element has been generated, then assigning the network interface of the virtual machine to the virtual network element associated with the virtualized local area network based on the communication network indicator of the media access control address.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for providing a virtualized communication networking environment are provided herein. In one example, a method includes identifying an Internet Protocol (IP) address for a network interface of a virtual machine based on at least a communication network indicator in a MAC address associated with the network interface of the virtual machine. If the virtual network element has not been generated for handling IP traffic associated with the network interface of the virtual machine, then generating the virtual network element and associating the virtual network element with the network interface of the virtual machine based on at least the communication network indicator in the MAC address. When the virtual network element has been generated, then configuring the virtual network element for the IP traffic associated with the network interface of the virtual machine based at least the communication network indicator in the MAC address.

Abstract: A data communication network controls the amounts of virtual network elements it uses. A control system processes user data packets from multiple wireless base stations to determine amounts of user data packet tunnels for a plurality of Quality-of-Service (QoS) levels. The control system processes the amounts of the user data packet tunnels for the QoS levels to identify a target amount of virtual packet gateways to serve the user data packet tunnels. A virtual network element system implements the target amount of the virtual packet gateways to serve the user data packet tunnels at the QoS levels with the virtual packet gateways.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and software to dynamically provide carrier aggregation to wireless communication devices. In one example, a method of operating an eNodeB includes exchanging first wireless communication signals with a wireless communication device using a first carrier aggregation configuration. The method further provides identifying a request from the wireless communication device for a modified quality of service, and determining a second carrier aggregation configuration based on the request. The method also includes exchanging second wireless communication signals with the wireless communication device using the second carrier aggregation configuration.

Abstract: An LTE network, having a plurality of base stations and S-GWs, processes GTP packets to determine an amount of GTP tunnels between the base stations and the S-GWs gateways. The LTE network processes the amount of GTP tunnels to determine a target amount of LTE P-GWs to serve the base stations. If the target amount of the LTE P-GWs is greater than a current amount of the LTE P-GWs, then an additional amount of virtual LTE P-GWs is implemented to serve the base stations. If the target amount of the LTE P-GWs is less than the current amount of the LTE P-GWs, then an extra amount of the virtual LTE P-GWs that serve the base stations are removed.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and software to dynamically provide carrier aggregation to wireless communication devices. In one example, a method of operating an eNodeB includes exchanging first wireless communication signals with a wireless communication device using a first carrier aggregation configuration. The method further provides identifying a request from the wireless communication device for a modified quality of service, and determining a second carrier aggregation configuration based on the request. The method also includes exchanging second wireless communication signals with the wireless communication device using the second carrier aggregation configuration.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for locating an optimal security gateway. A default gateway receives a request to access a macrocell. The default security gateway obtains a current location for each macrocell in response to a security gateway discovery function. Based on the response, routes to a best security gateway for each macrocell are determined. A best security gateway is identified based on factors that include the distance from a picocell connected to the default security gateway having backhaul traffic to offload to the appropriate macrocells connected to the best security gateway.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and software to establish service configurations via Ethernet Local Management Interface. In one example, a method of operating a communication system to configure Ethernet elements includes, in a request Ethernet element, determining identification data based on a media access control (MAC) address and a virtual local area network (VLAN) for the requesting Ethernet element. The method further provides, in the requesting Ethernet element, transferring, via Ethernet Local Management Interface (E-LMI), the identification data to a receiving Ethernet element. The method also includes, in the receiving Ethernet element, receiving the identification information, transferring a service configuration request based on the identification information to a configuration management system, and receiving a service configuration from the configuration management system.