Abstract: A method of handling performance data comprising a set of events is described. An event record for each event is stored as a set of blocks, each block containing one or more attributes of the event. The storage space occupied by each event record in is then reduced in discrete steps, each step including a reduction process that reduces the size of one of the set of blocks. This enables the provision of intermediate records between events and counters so that new event records contain complete details of their event, older event records contain less information, and even older event records may contain only high-level (counter) information.

Abstract: A technique for controlling data transmission over a connection employing congestion control is provided. The technique comprises two basic aspects: Detecting a decrease of Round Trip Time in respect of the connection, wherein the detection is facilitated by comparing a short-term Round Trip Time average with a long-term Round Trip Time average (302); and, in response to a result of the detection, adjusting the congestion control so as to increase the data transmission rate (304). Particularly, adjusting the congestion control includes enabling a data transmission rate that is (even) higher than what would have been allowed by any conventional, congestion control. In effect, the present technique may ‘push’ the conventional congestion control when it is not increasing the data transmission rate fast enough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enabling performance monitoring in packet-switched IP networks such as those configured according to an IP multimedia subsystem, IMS, architecture. Performance is monitored by reconstructing selected control signaling sequences. The control signaling sequences, which are typically executed according a signaling protocol such as the Session Initiation Protocol, SIP, are reconstructed by parsing the contents of monitoring request headers configured, modified, and attached to control messages according to the present invention. The header includes at least an IMS monitoring ID field (510) for identifying the signaling sequence to be reconstructed, a processing node ID field (520) for representing the entities processing the messages, and a requester ID field (530) for identifying a requesting entity. It may also specify a monitoring level (540) indicative of the monitoring tasks required. The monitoring may be requested by an IMS node, or by an entity outside the IMS.

Abstract: A method in a cellular mobile packet data network is provided composed of four main steps. These are capturing raw traffic traces over standardized interfaces of an operational cellular mobile data network, parsing through the traces in order to extract and correlate all the information, which is needed to build a traffic and session database, defining a set of appropriate key performance indicators, and calculating the above defined key performance indicators. A system in a mobile data network is also provided, the key element of which is a traffic and session database, which correlates traffic and mobility information extracted from passively captured traces collected from standardized interfaces. A set of key performance indicators describing the true, user perceived end-to-end quality of the most commonly used applications is also listed.

Abstract: Methods of processing record data are presented, together with a Central Management Node for processing record data, and Management Subsystem DataBases for providing a record data set and matching record data. Triggered by service related network fault event, a key table comprising at least one key type is determined, based on a focus target record and related to the network fault event is determined, which key table is used in the step matching the at least one key with record data sets in determined Management Subsystem Databases. Matched results are merged, whereafter a service performance indicator may be determined, based on which a multi-layer water flow analysis of subsystem specific performance related indicators can be obtained. This analysis may be successfully used to reveal the location of the service related network fault.

Abstract: A system and method of handling poll-based alarms. The method begins by detecting a high-priority problem in a network. Next, network elements in the network related to the high-priority problem are mapped. The mapping step includes grouping network elements into focus groups wherein each focus group includes network elements having the same alarm. The mapped network elements are then polled for alarms. The polled alarms of the network elements are then correlated and processed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring buffer data from a first network node to a second network node during a mobile handover between cells. In order to improve the speed at which buffer data is transferred during a handover, a connection using a congestion control protocol is established between the two nodes prior to the handover. Dummy data is sent over this connection, in order to approach or reach the available data transfer rate, and at the handover, the dummy data is replaced with buffer data.

Abstract: A method of reducing buffer overflow in a cellular radio network caused by a transfer of data from a buffer in a first cell to a buffer in a second cell when a handover of mobile equipment from said first cell to said second cell occurs. The method comprises temporarily increasing an amount of temporary buffer space required to handle data transferred from the buffer of the first cell to the buffer of the second cell. In one embodiment of the method, prior to increasing the amount of temporary buffer space, the amount of temporary buffer space required is calculated.

Abstract: In a second variation, the system, which is configured to determine the performance of a mobile terminal within a wireless communications network, may comprise a first message receiving unit for receiving messages transmitted via the communications network associated with user transactions, a second message receiving unit for receiving messages transmitted via the communications network associated with mobile terminal type information, a correlating unit for correlating data within the received user transaction messages with data within the mobile terminal type information messages, and a derivation unit for deriving one or more performance indicators by mobile terminal type information from the correlated data.

Abstract: The idea of the present invention providing a solution for configuration problems of a node is based on the following components. A problem recognition system, which analyses performance indicators and identifies root causes, so that signatures can be attached to a found problems. Furthermore there is a signature based filtering system, which looks for transactions satisfying signatures. A customer identification system labels the transactions with the subscriber identify. A solution feedback system generates feedback event to the end node according to the rule of the signature.

Abstract: A technique for determining the performance of a mobile terminal within a communications network is disclosed. The technique receives messages associated with one or more user transactions and messages associated with mobile terminal type information. The data within the received user transaction messages is then correlated with data associated with the mobile terminal type information messages. Various performance indicators may then be derived by mobile terminal type information from the correlated data. The invention may be practiced in context with the benchmarking of mobile terminal types on an application level.

Abstract: A method in a cellular mobile packet data network is provided composed of four main steps. These are capturing raw traffic traces over standardized interfaces of an operational cellular mobile data network, parsing through the traces in order to extract and correlate all the information, which is needed to build a traffic and session database, defining a set of appropriate key performance indicators, and calculating the above defined key performance indicators. A system in a mobile data network is also provided, the key element of which is a traffic and session database, which correlates traffic and mobility information extracted from passively captured traces collected from standardized interfaces. A set of key performance indicators describing the true, user perceived end-to-end quality of the most commonly used applications is also listed.

Abstract: A method a system of identifying and determining degradation of the quality of service (QoS) perceived by a subscriber in a network such as the Internet. Traffic of individual applications of the subscriber and aggregate traffic of a subscriber are monitored, captured, and processed to produce QoS statistics. End-to-end QoS metrics are provided for TCP connections based on the observation of packet flows at a single monitoring point. The QoS metrics include, for example, packet loss internally and externally to the monitoring point, detection of stalled periods and estimation of path delay.

Abstract: A switching node 3 for providing admission control in a network comprises a number of separate priority queues 6 for receiving packets having different priority levels. Priority levels 1 to n provide guaranteed delay services, priority levels n+1 to m provide guaranteed loss services, and priority level Pm+1 provides best effort service. Measuring means 51 to 5m continually measure the average bit rate entering each priority level buffer P1 to Pm, except the lowest Pm+1. When a request arrives with a kth priority level, the network capacities for priority levels l=k . . . Pm are calculated. For all choices of l, the measurements of traffic loads of levels l and higher are taken into account. These capacity requirements are necessary to guarantee the quality of service for all flows already admitted to the lower priority queues. These capacities are compared to the network capacity, and if there is sufficient capacity, the request is accepted. Otherwise, the request in rejected.