Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure provides a method for allocating traffic in a telecommunications network. The telecommunications network comprises a plurality of nodes, with pairs of nodes being connected by respective links. A plurality of demands for connectivity between respective first nodes and respective second nodes are allocated to the telecommunications network, with traffic for each demand being directed via a respective plurality of paths between the respective first and second nodes in accordance with respective weights assigned to each path.

Abstract: A method performed by a network controller for a mobile transport network. The method includes: obtaining traffic information for a plurality of demands for connectivity from client nodes through the mobile transport network, the traffic information for each demand identifying a client node for the demand, an egress node for the demand and an amount of traffic for the demand; calculating, for each demand, one or more paths from the client node, via an ingress node, to the egress node through the mobile transport network; mapping each path for a demand to a source port in the ingress node for the demand; providing the mapping to the ingress nodes to enable routing of traffic pertaining to the demands via the paths, based on the source port; and providing the source ports to the client nodes for inclusion in traffic pertaining to the demands.

Abstract: There is provided a method comprising: detecting (310) a subset of protocol data units in an original stream of protocol data units to be transmitted over the network, wherein the original stream is associated with a first source port; generating (320) an updated transmitting-side stream of protocol data units based on the original stream, wherein the updated transmitting-side stream excludes the detected subset; merging (330) the subset of protocol data units with a subset of protocol data units associated with a second source port to form a merged stream; transmitting (340) the merged stream, as a first stream, over a first link of the network; transmitting (350) the updated transmitting-side stream associated with the first source port, as a second stream, over a second link; and transmitting (360) an updated transmitting-side stream associated with the second source port, as a third stream, over a third link.

Abstract: A method (100) for managing resource usage across domains in a communication network is disclosed. The communication network comprises a radio access domain, a core domain and a transport domain providing connectivity between the radio access domain and the core domain. The method comprises receiving from the core domain an indication of load status of gateway nodes in the core domain (110), receiving from the transport domain an indication of load status of transport resources in the transport domain (120), normalising across the core and transport domain a cost of using resources in each domain (130), calculating, on the basis of the normalised costs, optimal chains of resources in the core and transport domains for providing a service from different radio access nodes to different possible Access Point Names (APNs) (140), and sending to the core and transport domains information about the calculated optimal resource chains (150).

Abstract: Embodiments include methods of controlling a client layer of a multi-layer communication network that also includes a server layer. Such methods include receiving, at a client physical network controller (PNC), an indication of at least one characteristic associated with one or more paths between server network nodes in the server layer. The indication is received from a multi-domain service controller (MDSC) in the multi-layer communication network, and the server layer is controlled by a server PNC. Such methods include, based on the at least one characteristic, computing one or more paths in the client layer that facilitate protection and/or restoration for the one or more paths in the server layer. Other embodiments include complementary methods performed by a MDSC, as well as client PNCs and MDSCs configured to perform such methods.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure provides a method for allocating traffic in a telecommunications network. The telecommunications network comprises a plurality of nodes, with pairs of nodes being connected by respective links. A plurality of demands for connectivity between respective first nodes and respective second nodes are allocated to the telecommunications network, with traffic for each demand being directed via a respective plurality of paths between the respective first and second nodes in accordance with respective weights assigned to each path.

Abstract: A method of determining an optimal route for communication between nodes in a communications network. The method comprises assigning a plurality of link potential values (Pab) to a respective plurality of direct links (lab) between respective first and second nodes a and b in the network, wherein a link potential value (Pab) represents a likelihood that the corresponding direct link will be used for future communication requests. The method comprises determining an optimal route between nodes based on the plurality of link potential values (Pab).

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide methods, apparatus and computer programs for allocating traffic in a telecommunications network comprising a plurality of nodes, with pairs of nodes being connected by respective links.

Abstract: A method (200) for controlling shared buffer capacity in a packet switched network is disclosed, the packet switched network comprising a plurality of transport nodes, each node comprising a shared buffer capacity which may be allocated to interfaces of the transport node. The method comprises obtaining a configuration of traffic flows within the network (210). The method further comprises, for a transport node, determining, on the basis of traffic flows within the network, an allocation of the transport node's shared buffer capacity between interfaces of the transport node to limit overall packet latency for the transport node (220), and causing the determined allocation of shared buffer capacity to be applied in the transport node (230). Also disclosed are an apparatus (600, 800) and a transport node (700, 900) in a packet switched network and a computer program product configured to carry out methods in a packet switched network and a transport node.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide methods, apparatus and computer programs for allocating traffic in a telecommunications network comprising a plurality of nodes, with pairs of nodes being connected by respective links.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods of controlling a client layer of a multi-layer communication network that also includes a server layer. Such methods include receiving, at a client physical network controller (PNC), an indication of at least one characteristic associated with one or more paths between server network nodes in the server layer. The indication is received from a multi-domain service controller (MDSC) in the multi-layer communication network, and the server layer is controlled by a server PNC. Such methods include, based on the at least one characteristic, computing one or more paths in the client layer that facilitate protection and/or restoration for the one or more paths in the server layer. Other embodiments include complementary methods performed by a MDSC, as well as client PNCs and MDSCs configured to perform such methods.

Abstract: Aspects provide a method (10, 100, 150, 160) of controlling a multi-layer communication network comprising a client network and a server network. The method comprises obtaining (12;164) from the server network at least one path characteristic for a path in the server network between server network nodes; and providing (14, 152, 166) to the client network an indication of the at least one path characteristic of the server network.

Abstract: A method of determining an optimal route for communication between nodes in a communications network. The method comprises assigning a plurality of link potential values (Pab) to a respective plurality of direct links (lab) between respective first and second nodes a and b in the network, wherein a link potential value (Pab) represents a likelihood that the corresponding direct link will be used for future communication requests. The method comprises determining an optimal route between nodes based on the plurality of link potential values (Pab).

Abstract: A method (100) is disclosed, the method being performed in a network controller of a Mobile Transport Network. The Mobile Transport Network comprises communication links interconnecting network entities of a cellular Radio Access Network (RAN) and a core network. The method comprises receiving, from a network entity in the core network, an indication of traffic load within the RAN or between the RAN and the core network (102). Also disclosed is a method (200), performed in a network entity of a core network, the core network being connected to a cellular RAN by a Mobile Transport Network. The Mobile Transport Network comprises communication links interconnecting network entities of the core network and the RAN. The method (200) comprises sending to a network controller of the Mobile Transport Network an indication of traffic load within the RAN or between the RAN and the core network (202).

Abstract: A method (100) for managing resource usage across domains in a communication network is disclosed. The communication network comprises a radio access domain, a core domain and a transport domain providing connectivity between the radio access domain and the core domain. The method comprises receiving from the core domain an indication of load status of gateway nodes in the core domain (110), receiving from the transport domain an indication of load status of transport resources in the transport domain (120), normalising across the core and transport domain a cost of using resources in each domain (130), calculating, on the basis of the normalised costs, optimal chains of resources in the core and transport domains for providing a service from different radio access nodes to different possible Access Point Names (APNs) (140), and sending to the core and transport domains information about the calculated optimal resource chains (150).

Abstract: A method (100), performed by a first network node in a communication network, is disclosed. The first network node is connected to a second network node of the communication network via an interface implementing a GPRS Tunnelling Protocol (GTP). The method comprises selecting a user data packet for transmission to the second network node (110) and identifying information about the user data packet which impacts how the user data packet should be routed over the interface (120). The method further comprises encoding the identified information into a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) header of the user data packet (130) and forwarding the user data packet to the interface for transmission to the second network node (140). Another method (300) is disclosed, performed by a node in a Mobile Transport Network, the Mobile Transport Network providing a GTP based interface between a first network node of a communication network and a second network node of the communication network.

Abstract: A method (200) for controlling shared buffer capacity in a packet switched network is disclosed, the packet switched network comprising a plurality of transport nodes, each node comprising a shared buffer capacity which may be allocated to interfaces of the transport node. The method comprises obtaining a configuration of traffic flows within the network (210). The method further comprises, for a transport node, determining, on the basis of traffic flows within the network, an allocation of the transport node's shared buffer capacity between interfaces of the transport node to limit overall packet latency for the transport node (220), and causing the determined allocation of shared buffer capacity to be applied in the transport node (230). Also disclosed are an apparatus (600, 800) and a transport node (700, 900) in a packet switched network and a computer program product configured to carry out methods in a packet switched network and a transport node.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting that an attacker has sent one or more messages to a receiver node. The method comprises storing at least a portion of an nth message received by the receiver node from a sender node in a memory device; sending an integrity check message to the sender node comprising an indication of the value of n; receiving a reply message from the sender node including at least a portion of the nth message sent by the sender node to the receiver node; and comparing the at least a portion of the nth message sent by the sender node to the receiver node with the nth message received by the receiver node from the sender node stored in the memory device.

Abstract: Aspects provide a method (10, 100, 150, 160) of controlling a multi-layer communication network comprising a client network and a server network. The method comprises obtaining (12;164) from the server network at least one path characteristic for a path in the server network between server network nodes; and providing (14, 152, 166) to the client network an indication of the at least one path characteristic of the server network.

Abstract: A method (100) is disclosed, the method being performed in a network controller of a Mobile Transport Network. The Mobile Transport Network comprises communication links interconnecting network entities of a cellular Radio Access Network (RAN) and a core network. The method comprises receiving, from a network entity in the core network, an indication of traffic load within the RAN or between the RAN and the core network (102). Also disclosed is a method (200), performed in a network entity of a core network, the core network being connected to a cellular RAN by a Mobile Transport Network. The Mobile Transport Network comprises communication links interconnecting network entities of the core network and the RAN. The method (200) comprises sending to a network controller of the Mobile Transport Network an indication of traffic load within the RAN or between the RAN and the core network (202).