Abstract: In one embodiment, a video processing server including a memory capable of storing data and a processor is disclosed. The processor is configured for using the data such that the video processing server can receive a request redirected from a gateway for a video content, wherein the request is redirected by the gateway based on information contained in the request and wherein the information contained in the request includes control data used for an optimal delivery of the video content. The processor is further configured for using the data such that the video processing server can send the redirected request to a content provider identified in the request, receive the requested video content from the content provider, and generate a response to the request by modifying the video content based on the control data.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a video processing server including a memory capable of storing data and a processor is disclosed. The processor is configured for using the data such that the video processing server can receive a request redirected from a gateway for a video content, wherein the request is redirected by the gateway based on information contained in the request and wherein the information contained in the request includes control data used for an optimal delivery of the video content. The processor is further configured for using the data such that the video processing server can send the redirected request to a content provider identified in the request, receive the requested video content from the content provider, and generate a response to the request by modifying the video content based on the control data.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system including a memory capable of storing data and a processor is disclosed. The processor is configured for using the data such that the system can request from a source gateway subscription information related to a plurality of multicast video streams subscribed by the source gateway upon receiving a handoff request from a mobile device transitioning from a source region to a target region, wherein the handoff request contains information related to the source gateway. The processor is further configured for using the data such that the system can subscribe to at least a subset of the plurality of multicast video streams before the requested handoff is complete.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system including a memory capable of storing data and a processor is disclosed. The processor is configured for using the data such that the system can request from a source gateway subscription information related to a plurality of multicast video streams subscribed by the source gateway upon receiving a handoff request from a mobile device transitioning from a source region to a target region, wherein the handoff request contains information related to the source gateway. The processor is further configured for using the data such that the system can subscribe to at least a subset of the plurality of multicast video streams before the requested handoff is complete.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a video processing server including a memory capable of storing data and a processor is disclosed. The processor is configured for using the data such that the video processing server can receive a request redirected from a gateway for a video content, wherein the request is redirected by the gateway based on information contained in the request and wherein the information contained in the request includes control data used for an optimal delivery of the video content. The processor is further configured for using the data such that the video processing server can send the redirected request to a content provider identified in the request, receive the requested video content from the content provider, and generate a response to the request by modifying the video content based on the control data.

Abstract: A configuration of application cards operating in a cluster is synchronized. At least one (100) of the plurality of application cards operating in the cluster, a textual Management Information Base (MIB) file is compiled into a compiled file. The compiled file comprises shared objects and unshared objects. The compiled file is stored in a data base (102). A Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) command that identifies a target object is then received. The target object is compared to the shared objects in the compiled file in the database (102), and, when a match exists between the target object and a shared object in the database (102), the SNMP command is replicated using a backplane to access all others (115) of the plurality of application cards operating in the cluster. An operation is then performed on any instance of the target object on all others (115) of the plurality of application cards.

Abstract: A packet data router (300) comprises a central node (200) that is configured and arranged to provide data packet forwarding services but not data packet routing services and a plurality of physically discrete application nodes (301, 302, and 303) that are each operably coupled to the central node wherein each of the application nodes are configured and arranged to provide data packet routing services but not data packet forwarding services.

Abstract: An apparatus (301) is comprised of a plurality of application cards (302-304) wherein at least a plurality of the application cards each comprise a part, but not all, of a plurality of logical network entities (307 and 308) such as a Packet Data Serving Node. A data packet session manager (305) can serve to manage the allocation and/or usage of one or more session resources (309) by these application cards. In a preferred approach the external interfaces (310) of these application cards are also aggregated and used, in cluster fashion, by each of the logical network entities.

Abstract: A method for load balancing communication session processing in a data network platform. The method includes maintaining a first table that associates a plurality of valid communication sessions being processed by the platform with respective application processing cards of a plurality of application processing cards included in a network platform. The method also includes maintaining a second table associating respective activity loads with the plurality of application processing cards. The activity loads are monitored, and if the activity load of a given application processing card exceeds a predetermined limit, the method includes identifying a valid communication session (or sessions) being processed by the given application processing card to be moved to another application processing card. The method then further includes moving the identified communication session to the other application processing card.

Abstract: A method and system for Mobile Internet Protocol (IP) device redundancy. As mobile devices roam away from a home network and change a connective status, mobility binding records are sent to a multicast network address on the home network. The multicast network address multicasts the mobility binding records to other active Mobile IP home agent control nodes, standby home agent control nodes and standby home agents on the home network. The method and system allows standby home agent control nodes or standby home agents to be transparently switched for active home agent control nodes or active home agents that fail without downloading or uploading large numbers of mobility binding records after a failure. The method and system may also help reduce failed calls (e.g., data sessions including Voice over IP (VoIP), H.323, etc.), network congestion and improve user satisfaction in Mobile IP systems.

Abstract: A first network element determines (11) that a given mobile node using mobile Internet Protocol should receive subsequent broadcast packets as may be sourced by a corresponding Home Agent. This first network element can then determine (12) whether to support such subsequent broadcast packets using a first broadcast packet handling approach or a second broadcast packet handling approach.

Abstract: A network element (10), such as a Packet Data Serving Node, detects (31) a change in operational status of a mobile station during a communication session and, in response to detecting such a change, automatically increases (32) memory capacity as is available to support additional communication sessions while simultaneously persisting at least some session information for potential subsequent use during the communication session. For example, this response can occur upon detecting that a mobile station has changed from an active to a dormant status. Then, upon returning to an active status, the network element can use the persisted information to facilitate rapid reconstruction of infrastructure support for the mobile station's call participation.

Abstract: In a data packet system (100) comprised of a plurality of processing platforms that are each at least potentially in-line with respect to a flow of data packets, upon receiving (401) an installation of a data packet filter, automatically selecting (402) where, from amongst that plurality of process platforms, to effect the data packet filter. This can comprise, if desired, parsing of the filter to ascertain its characterizing requirements and accessing information regarding the processing platforms to determine which platforms are capable of effecting those requirements. Numerous other factors can also be taken into account to aid in assuring an appropriate selection.

Abstract: A platform for processing data packets included in a flow of packet data traffic that is being communicated in a data network is disclosed. The platform includes a backplane for routing the data packets within the platform. The platform also includes a packet switch card coupled with the backplane. The packet switch card aggregates the flow of packet data traffic in the platform. The platform further includes a plurality of application cards coupled with the backplane, each of the application cards of the plurality selectively operating as at least one of a network interface card and a network access card. At least one application card of the plurality of application cards operates as a network interface card, the first application card communicating at least a portion of the flow of packet data traffic from the network to the packet switch card.

Abstract: A method of processing data packets in a data network. The method includes receiving an encrypted data packet at a packet switch. The packet switch determines a packet-processing device for decrypting the encrypted data packet and communicates the encrypted data packet to the first packet-processing device. The first packet-processing device decrypts the encrypted data packet a clear data packet. The packet-processing device then communicates the clear data back to the packet switch for continued processing.

Abstract: Upon detecting (62) a degraded operational state, an active service unit can transmit a message (63) to a stand-by service unit. The latter can then prepare to replace (64) the active service unit and indicate its readiness with a corresponding message (65) to the active service unit. The latter can then cease (66) its operations. A controller, upon detecting this cessation of operations, can then instruct (67) the stand-by service unit to effect the switchover process. In at least some embodiments, the triggering degraded operational state need not comprise a fully debilitating condition.

Abstract: Various nodes within a communication network each have information regarding the network address that are locally supported and information regarding which network addresses (or blocks of network addresses) are supported by specified remote non-central nodes. Network address information as provided by mobile nodes when seeking to initiate a communication are then compared against such information to determine whether to locally support the communication or to automatically forward the corresponding request to a remote node to support the communication.

Abstract: A method and system for supporting, at a PDSN, simultaneous data sessions on dissimilar access networks. A PDSN has a first network communication interface for connection to a first network, a second network communication interface for connection to a second network, and a protocol abstraction routine executable by a processing unit. The PDSN can use the protocol abstraction routine to identify if a data packet is associated with a first RP transfer protocol or a second RP transfer protocol. After making the determination, the protocol abstraction routine can decapsulate or encapsulate the data packet according to the associated RP transfer protocol, for transmission to the first network or the second network.

Abstract: Under at least some operating circumstances, when a temporary session parameter (such as, for example, a temporarily assigned Internet protocol address or a negotiated point-to-point protocol session parameter) is used during a first Internet protocol session for a given node, and that node initiates a new (or what appears to be a new) session within a limited period of time, that temporary session parameter is again used to facilitate the new session.