Abstract: A method for supporting a connection between a communication device and a destination device in a target network over intermediate network nodes, in particular in the context of Internet Protocol based communication, wherein data between the communication device and the destination device is transmitted via a tunnel established between the communication device or a base station connected to the communication device, as a first tunnel endpoint and a gateway in the target network as a second tunnel endpoint. One or more dummy packets are sent via the tunnel from the first tunnel endpoint towards the second tunnel endpoint, information is encoded in the packet headers of the one or more dummy packets, and at least one of the intermediate network nodes, upon receiving the one or more dummy packets, performs the steps of detecting and/or decoding the encoded information and performing a predefined action dependent on the encoded information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for accessing service/data of a first network from a second network for service/data access via the second network, comprising the steps of a) Pairing of a user device with the first network, b) Attaching the user device to the second network, c) Authenticating the user device with the second network, d) Providing connectivity information for services/data of the first network to the second network, e) Providing available services/data information by the first network to the second network, f) Accessing a service and/or data of the first network by the second network. The present invention relates also to a system for accessing service/data of a first network from a second network for service/data access via the second network.

Abstract: A method for supporting the selection of communication peers in an overlay network, wherein a multitude of communication peers participate in the overlay network by providing certain pieces of information, and wherein at least one peer-to-peer server—tracker—is provided that maintains a database of the participating communication peers and the information possessed by them, wherein the tracker, upon receiving a query regarding a specific piece of information from a communication peer—requesting client—, answers the query by providing the requesting client a list that includes a subset of all communication peers possessing the requested piece of information, includes providing a network entity located such that it receives messages directed from the requesting client to the tracker, wherein the network entity stamps topological location information of the requesting client into any of the messages directed from the requesting client to the tracker. Furthermore, a corresponding system is disclosed.

Abstract: For allowing a simple and reliable differentiation of UEs behind a GW from an AF side a method for providing access of an User End device (UE) to a service provided by an Application Function (AF) within a network structure is claimed, wherein the UE is authenticated by a Gateway (GW) to which the UE is attached and which provides access to the AF via a Broadband Access Network (BB Access Network).

Abstract: A method for supporting transport of data packets in a network, wherein the data packets are transmitted from a source node to a destination node by employing a tunnel from a first tunnel endpoint to a second tunnel endpoint, wherein a tunnel header is added to the data packets at the first tunnel endpoint, wherein the data packets are transmitted between the tunnel endpoints via a network domain that includes one or more intermediate nodes functioning as transport network, and wherein the intermediate nodes forward the data packets, is characterized in that the tunnel is provided in the form of a virtual tunnel by removing the tunnel header from the data packets where the data packets enter the network domain and adding back the tunnel header to the data packets where the data packets exit the network domain. A corresponding system for supporting transport of data packets is disclosed.

Abstract: For allowing a reliable communication between the wireless part and the core network part via the fixed line network a method for operating a network, especially for policy control within the network, is provided, wherein the network includes a mobile network and a fixed line network, wherein the mobile network includes a wireless part and a core network part and wherein the mobile network and the fixed line network cooperate for providing communication between the wireless part and the core network part via the fixed line network. The method is characterized in that information regarding the wireless part will be provided via the mobile network to the fixed line network for controlling the communication within the fixed line network. Further, a corresponding network, preferably for carrying out the above mentioned method is disclosed.

Abstract: For allowing a high degree of resource consumption within a network a method for operating a network is claimed, wherein at least one end user device is connected to an access network, wherein the method is characterized in that the at least one end user device or an application on the end user device queries at least one network element of the access network and/or at least one network element attached to the access network about low layer parameters information for optimizing connection and/or protocol parameters after having received the queried low layer parameters information. Further, a network is claimed, preferably for carrying out the above mentioned method.

Abstract: For allowing an enhancement of diversity of network applications in a simple way a method for operating a network, especially an IP (Internet Protocol) network, is claimed, wherein a local network is in connection with the network via a gateway and wherein a UE (User Equipment) of the local network is performing a session setup by communicating with a functional entity of the network in order to communicate with or to start a UE-related and/or session-related application. The method is characterized in that the application is communicating with a local network controller, wherein the network controller is receiving a UE-related and/or session-related parameter (LID—Local Identifier) from the application for locating a UE and/or a specific session within the local network based on the received parameter. Further, an according network is claimed, preferably for carrying out the above mentioned method.

Abstract: A method for supporting distribution of warning messages, is characterized in that an NGN (Next Generation Network) infrastructure is employed for distribution, wherein the infrastructure includes a plurality of network elements including endpoints, wherein a hierarchical architecture is defined for the network elements, wherein groups of network elements including endpoints with specific characteristics are defined, wherein each of the network elements provides its group membership information to at least one higher-tier network element, and wherein at least one group warning controller is provided that, upon receiving a request from a source node, generates a warning message for one or more target groups and forwards the warning message to lower-tier network elements of the respective target group or groups towards endpoints.

Abstract: A method for operating a flow-based switching system in a network, including at least one network node designed to transport incoming network packets, in particular a switch (20) or a router, wherein the incoming network packets are matched to flows according to predefined policies, wherein a dynamic flow table (40)—primary flow table (50)—containing information about the flows' properties is computed inside the network node or externally and stored in a memory of the network node, is characterized in that another dynamic flow table (40)—backup flow table (60)—is computed and maintained in parallel, wherein the backup flow table (60) is more coarse grained than the primary flow table (50), and wherein the network node switches between employing the primary flow table (50) or the backup flow table (60) depending on the status of predefined observables. Furthermore, a corresponding flow-based switching system is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for supporting a connection between a communication device and a destination device in a target network over intermediate network nodes, in particular in the context of Internet Protocol based communication, wherein data between the communication device and the destination device is transmitted via a tunnel established between the communication device or a base station connected to the communication device, as a first tunnel endpoint and a gateway in the target network as a second tunnel endpoint. One or more dummy packets are sent via the tunnel from the first tunnel endpoint towards the second tunnel endpoint, information is encoded in the packet headers of the one or more dummy packets, and at least one of the intermediate network nodes, upon receiving the one or more dummy packets, performs the steps of detecting and/or decoding the encoded information and performing a predefined action dependent on the encoded information.

Abstract: For allowing a reliable communication between the wireless part and the core network part via the fixed line network a method for operating a network, especially for policy control within the network, is provided, wherein the network includes a mobile network and a fixed line network, wherein the mobile network includes a wireless part and a core network part and wherein the mobile network and the fixed line network cooperate for providing communication between the wireless part and the core network part via the fixed line network. The method is characterized in that information regarding the wireless part will be provided via the mobile network to the fixed line network for controlling the communication within the fixed line network. Further, a corresponding network, preferably for carrying out the above mentioned method is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for controlling devices and/or appliances being installed and/or implemented in a user network, includes the steps of providing a management application, and associating one or more UEs with the management application, providing location information of the associated UEs to the management application, and, based on the location information and configured policy rules, performing control actions on the devices and/or appliances. Furthermore, a corresponding system is described.

Abstract: A method for service management for terminals with broadband connections, wherein the terminal (2) is connected through a home gateway (4) to at least one service (5) connected in an operator network (6), the home gateway (4)—original service host—being attached to an access node (8) of the operator network (6), includes the steps of monitoring whether the terminal (2) is temporarily not using the at least one service (5), delegating the at least one service (5) and transferring its current status and/or data to the access node (8) or an associated entity—delegated service host—, and tearing down the connection between the home gateway (4) and the access node (8) while operating the service (5) in the delegated service host. Furthermore, a corresponding system is disclosed.

Abstract: For allowing a high degree of resource consumption within a network a method for operating a network is claimed, wherein at least one end user device is connected to an access network, wherein the method is characterized in that the at least one end user device or an application on the end user device queries at least one network element of the access network and/or at least one network element attached to the access network about low layer parameters information for optimizing connection and/or protocol parameters after having received the queried low layer parameters information. Further, a network is claimed, preferably for carrying out the above mentioned method.

Abstract: A method for supporting the selection of communication peers in an overlay network, wherein a multitude of communication peers participate in the overlay network by providing certain pieces of information, and wherein at least one peer-to-peer server—tracker—is provided that maintains a database of the participating communication peers and the information possessed by them, wherein the tracker, upon receiving a query regarding a specific piece of information from a communication peer—requesting client—, answers the query by providing the requesting client a list that includes a subset of all communication peers possessing the requested piece of information, includes providing a network entity located such that it receives messages directed from the requesting client to the tracker, wherein the network entity stamps topological location information of the requesting client into any of the messages directed from the requesting client to the tracker. Furthermore, a corresponding system is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for supporting distribution of warning messages, is characterized in that an NGN (Next Generation Network) infrastructure is employed for distribution, wherein the infrastructure includes a plurality of network elements including endpoints, wherein a hierarchical architecture is defined for the network elements, wherein groups of network elements including endpoints with specific characteristics are defined, wherein each of the network elements provides its group membership information to at least one higher-tier network element, and wherein at least one group warning controller is provided that, upon receiving a request from a source node, generates a warning message for one or more target groups and forwards the warning message to lower-tier network elements of the respective target group or groups towards endpoints.

Abstract: For allowing an enhancement of diversity of network applications in a simple way a method for operating a network, especially an IP (Internet Protocol) network, is claimed, wherein a local network is in connection with the network via a gateway and wherein a UE (User Equipment) of the local network is performing a session setup by communicating with a functional entity of the network in order to communicate with or to start a UE-related and/or session-related application. The method is characterized in that the application is communicating with a local network controller, wherein the network controller is receiving a UE-related and/or session-related parameter (LID—Local Identifier) from the application for locating a UE and/or a specific session within the local network based on the received parameter. Further, an according network is claimed, preferably for carrying out the above mentioned method.