Abstract: A system for managing a data stream between first and second networks is described in which a node entity transmits a data stream addressed to a destination device in the second network and a gateway entity receives the data stream from the first network. The gateway entity identifies at least one characteristic of the destination device and transmits it to the node entity in the first network in such a way that the characteristic is relatable to the data stream. The node entity receives the characteristic of the destination device from the gateway entity and relates it to the data stream and performs Quality of Service management on the data stream based on the at least one characteristic. A gateway device and a method of managing a data stream are also described. The system, gateway, node and method extend the application of QoS performance and management.

Abstract: System and method for making a vertical handover decision between first and second networks using a terminal configured to attach to both networks and a fixed point in either network. Both networks allow information flow between the terminal and the fixed point. When attached to the first network the terminal detects the second and compares a first bandwidth measurement, representing available bandwidth along a first path between the terminal and the fixed point, to a second bandwidth measurement representing available bandwidth along a second path between the terminal and the fixed point. The terminal maintains attach to the first network if the first bandwidth measurement is higher than the second bandwidth measurement and makes a decision to handover to the second network if the second band¬ width measurement is higher than first bandwidth measurement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a node for communication between a first network and an second network and coupled to a controller in the second network via a first communication route. The node and controller form a virtualised home gateway platform. The node is arranged to access a second communication route and also to couple to the controller via the second communication route upon connection failure of the first communication route. This reconnects the node to the controller thereby maintaining a route for transmission of data streams and downloads into the home environment but also re-establishes control signalling within the virtualised home gateway platform and therefore also within the home network. A system for performing gateway functions between a first network and an second network, and a method of maintaining connection between a node and a controller, are also described.

Abstract: A method is described of probing a network route using a pairs of probe packets in which the first packets are typically smaller than the second. A first pair of probe packets with size ratio [L1/L2] and a second pair of probe packets with different size ratio [M1/M2] are transmitted onto a network route. An indicator of time taken for the second probe packet in the packet pairs to traverse the network route is derived and it is identified whether the values of the derived indicators vary or are substantially the same. The method, which can be used to probe home or domestic networks, indicates whether the first link in the route is or is not a bottleneck link, thereby providing further information about the route. A test apparatus, gateway device and computer to perform the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system comprises a first network to which at least one user device and a gateway device are connected, which gateway device is also connected to a second network and is configured to cooperate with a virtual gateway application accommodated in the second network. A method of managing the system comprises the step of accommodating an auxiliary virtual gateway application in the at least one user device, which auxiliary virtual gateway application is configured for providing at least some functionalities of the virtual gateway application when communication between the gateway device and the virtual gateway application is lost. Although the virtual gateway application and the auxiliary gateway application may have distinct sets of functionalities, it is preferred that these applications each have DHCP functionality. This allows the auxiliary virtual gateway application to take over DHCP functions when communication with the second network is lost.

Abstract: A method is presented of probing a network using probing with a probe packet pair, the pair comprising a first probe packet (L1) and a second probe packet (L2), and wherein L1>L2. The L1 probe packet is transmitted before L2 and the probe packets are arranged to be back-to-back on the last link. Use of the method provides the capacity of the last link in the probed path. The method may be run from a gateway in a network to probe aspects of the network and is suitable for probing a domestic network behind a home gateway. A use for the method is also described.

Abstract: A method and system is described for delivering data streams in a network comprising devices connected to the network via adapters and wherein at least some of the devices are programmed to indicate priority of a data stream using priority parameter values of respective priority parameter types. One device in the network operates as a controller and the accompanying controller adapter is configured to perform priority enforcement on data streams according to all priority parameter types used within the datastreams in the network. A controller is also described and the controller can be a gateway configured to allow data streams into and out of the network. The method, system and controller find particular application in networks based on shared network segments, for example power line communication or networks based on coaxial cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for handling a service request within a local area network. First a service request is received from a user device. The service request comprising information regarding one or more requirements needed to perform the service. Then a download location is localized by means of a localization service within a public network to obtain computer executable information on the basis of the information in the service request. The computer executable information is then retrieved for performing the service from the download location and installed on a networked device within the local area network. Finally, a message is sent to the user device regarding the availability of the service within the local area network.

Abstract: A system comprises a first network to which at least one user device and a gateway device are connected, which gateway device is also connected to a second network and is configured to cooperate with a virtual gateway application accommodated in the second network. A method of managing the system comprises the step of accommodating an auxiliary virtual gateway application in the at least one user device, which auxiliary virtual gateway application is configured for providing at least some functionalities of the virtual gateway application when communication between the gateway device and the virtual gateway application is lost. Although the virtual gateway application and the auxiliary gateway application may have distinct sets of functionalities, it is preferred that these applications each have DHCP functionality. This allows the auxiliary virtual gateway application to take over DHCP functions when communication with the second network is lost.

Abstract: The invention relates to a node for communication between a first network and an second network and coupled to a controller in the second network via a first communication route. The node and controller form a virtualised home gateway platform. The node is arranged to access a second communication route and also to couple to the controller via the second communication route upon connection failure of the first communication route. This reconnects the node to the controller thereby maintaining a route for transmission of data streams and downloads into the home environment but also re-establishes control signalling within the virtualised home gateway platform and therefore also within the home network. A system for performing gateway functions between a first network and an second network, and a method of maintaining connection between a node and a controller, are also described.

Abstract: A system for managing a data stream between first and second networks is described in which a node entity transmits a data stream addressed to a destination device in the second network and a gateway entity receives the data stream from the first network. The gateway entity identifies at least one characteristic of the destination device and transmits it to the node entity in the first network in such a way that the characteristic is relatable to the data stream. The node entity receives the characteristic of the destination device from the gateway entity and relates it to the data stream and performs Quality of Service management on the data stream based on the at least one characteristic. A gateway device and a method of managing a data stream are also described. The system, gateway, node and method extend the application of QoS performance and management.

Abstract: System and method for making a vertical handover decision between first and second networks using a terminal configured to attach to both networks and a fixed point in either network. Both networks allow information flow between the terminal and the fixed point. When attached to the first network the terminal detects the second and compares a first bandwidth measurement, representing available bandwidth along a first path between the terminal and the fixed point, to a second bandwidth measurement representing available bandwidth along a second path between the terminal and the fixed point. The terminal maintains attach to the first network if the first bandwidth measurement is higher than the second bandwidth measurement and makes a decision to handover to the second network if the second band-width measurement is higher than first bandwidth measurement.

Abstract: A method is described for measuring capacity on a route in a network configured to carry reliable packet traffic, by identifying and matching at least two sets of at least one first and at least one second packets transmitted on the route, the at least one first packet being transmitted in a first direction and the at least one second packet transmitted in a direction in reverse direction to the first, by also registering times for the at least two sets, and by calculating capacity of the route dependent on packet size and registered times for the at least two sets. A network node is also described. The method is advantageous for use in home networks because it uses existing traffic and therefore allows probing past device firewalls and in this instance the network node can be a gateway device, or home gateway.

Abstract: A method is described of probing a network route using a pairs of probe packets in which the first packets are typically smaller than the second. A first pair of probe packets with size ratio [L1/L2] and a second pair of probe packets with different size ratio [M1/M2] are transmitted onto a network route. An indicator of time taken for the second probe packet in the packet pairs to traverse the network route is derived and it is identified whether the values of the derived indicators vary or are substantially the same. The method, which can be used to probe home or domestic networks, indicates whether the first link in the route is or is not a bottleneck link, thereby providing further information about the route. A test apparatus, gateway device and computer to perform the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is described for assessing the resources of a network by performing a first measurement to measure resources in the network, constructing a model of network activity from an assessment of activity in the network, and deriving an estimate of confidence for the validity of the first measurement from the model of network activity. The first measurement may be reported along with the estimate of confidence or the first measurement may be reported if the estimate of confidence is within a limit, otherwise a second measurement is performed and reported. The method improves delivery of services to networks by allowing a measurement of resources to be coupled to an estimate of validity of that the measurement. A system and a gateway device for assessing the resources in a network is also described.

Abstract: A method of network probing is described suitable for probing between a probe node and a destination node. The network comprises a further node which is connected to the probe node and the destination node. A node is typically selected to be a redirecting node and the routing rules at this redirecting node are changed. A node is typically selected to be a forwarding node and packet forwarding is enabled at the forwarding node. A probe packet transmitted between the probe node and the destination node can travel via the forwarding node. The result improves network probing by allowing probing of links not otherwise available for probing from the probe node, but without the disadvantages of complex packet processing at each node in the probe pathway.

Abstract: A method is presented of probing a network using probing with a probe packet pair, the pair comprising a first probe packet (L1) and a second probe packet (L2), and wherein L1>L2. The L1 probe packet is transmitted before L2 and the probe packets are arranged to be back-to-back on the last link. Use of the method provides the capacity of the last link in the probed path. The method may be run from a gateway in a network to probe aspects of the network and is suitable for probing a domestic network behind a home gateway. A use for the method is also described.

Abstract: A method and system is described for delivering data streams in a network comprising devices connected to the network via adapters and wherein at least some of the devices are programmed to indicate priority of a data stream using priority parameter values of respective priority parameter types. One device in the network operates as a controller and the accompanying controller adapter is configured to perform priority enforcement on data streams according to all priority parameter types used within the datastreams in the network. A controller is also described and the controller can be a gateway configured to allow data streams into and out of the network. The method, system and controller find particular application in networks based on shared network segments, for example power line communication or networks based on coaxial cable.

Abstract: A method for facilitating traversal of NATs includes a network node communicatively connected to a terminal in a local network that includes a NAT of a particular NAT type providing to a server a request for NAT-related information for NATs of that NAT type in a manner that enables the server to identify the NAT type. The method further includes the network node receiving from the server the NAT-related information for the NATs of that particular NAT type and providing the received information to the terminal, thus enabling the terminal to traverse it's NAT. In this manner, NAT-related information obtained by testing a NAT of a specific NAT type may be re-used for other NATs of the same type, irrespective of the local network in which those NATs are used, and the network node may serve as a proxy for the server for providing NAT-related information to terminals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a network node for facilitating traversal of NATs. The network node includes a NAT, a server configured for exchanging one or more messages with a client to enable the client to determine NAT-related information for the NAT, and a routing unit configured for routing the one or more messages exchanged between the client and the server via the NAT. Implementing the server on such a network node eliminates the need of having the server deployed in the WAN, thereby allowing faster determination of the NAT-related information, while the routing unit ensures that the messages traverse the NAT unit. In this manner, a NAT information provider (NIP) may request NAT behaviour discovery and obtain NAT-related information. After that, the NIP is able to provide appropriate NAT-related information to terminals in local networks, thereby enabling the terminals to traverse the NATs that they are behind.