Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a first message from an application associated with a variable bit-rate (VBR) media flow, the first message including information that has at least an approximately minimum bandwidth at which the VBR media flow may operate and an amount by which a bandwidth of the VBR media flow may be trimmed. The method also includes determining an amount of available bandwidth in a network, and identifying the approximately minimum bandwidth at which the VBR media flow may operate and the amount by which the bandwidth of the VBR media flow may be trimmed. Finally, the method includes identifying a bandwidth allocation identified based on the amount of available bandwidth in the network, the approximately minimum bandwidth at which the VBR media flow may operate, and the amount by which the bandwidth of the VBR media flow may be trimmed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes reserving a first amount of bandwidth with respect to a path in response to a reservation request from a sender. The reservation request specifies a plurality of acceptable amounts of bandwidth including the first amount of bandwidth and a second amount of bandwidth. The first amount of bandwidth is less than the second amount of bandwidth. The method also includes determining, after reserving the first amount of bandwidth, that additional bandwidth sufficient to accommodate the second amount of bandwidth is available, and automatically providing a first indication that the additional bandwidth is available. Automatically providing the first indication that the additional bandwidth is available includes providing the first indication to at least the sender. Finally, the method includes obtaining a second indication, the second indication being arranged to indicate whether the second amount of bandwidth may be accommodated with respect to the path.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a request from a first endpoint to establish a session, determining whether a resource reservation may be established post-ring, and identifying a second endpoint to establish the resource reservation post-ring when it is determined that the resource reservation may be established post-ring. The method also includes notifying the second endpoint of the request and ringing the second endpoint. Notifying the second endpoint of the request includes notifying the second endpoint that the resource reservation may be established post-ring.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a message associated with a data flow that includes a first indicator that identifies an amount of requested pool bandwidth and a second indicator that identifies a pool with which the data flow is associated. The pool is associated with a plurality of data flows that includes the data flow. The method also includes determining whether the pool has an overall bandwidth allocation, and, if so, determining whether reserving the amount of requested bandwidth would cause the overall bandwidth allocation to exceed a maximum pool bandwidth allocation. Finally, the method includes reserving approximately the amount of requested bandwidth when it is determined that reserving the amount of requested bandwidth would not cause the overall bandwidth allocation to exceed the maximum pool bandwidth allocation. Reserving approximately the amount of requested bandwidth includes increasing the overall bandwidth allocation by the amount of requested bandwidth.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a first message that includes at least a first bandwidth request that specifies a first bandwidth and a second bandwidth request that specifies a second bandwidth. The first bandwidth is a preferential bandwidth. The method also includes determining whether the first bandwidth may be allocated, and storing the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth in a stored reservation state if the first bandwidth may be allocated. If the first bandwidth may not be allocated, the method includes determining whether the second bandwidth may be allocated. The second bandwidth in the stored reservation state if it is determined that the second bandwidth may be allocated. In one embodiment, if the second bandwidth may be allocated, the first bandwidth is removed during process prior to sending the message to a subsequent node upstream.

Abstract: A technique that allows existing reservations to be partially preempted by higher-priority reservations. An intermediate node receives a request to reserve resources for the higher-priority reservation. The higher priority entitles the reservation to acquire resources allocated to existing lower priority reservations, if necessary. If sufficient unallocated resources are not available on the preempting system to accommodate the higher-priority reservation, an error message is generated and forwarded by the intermediate node towards a receiver associated with the reservation that is to be partially preempted. The error message contains an error code and an amount of resources available on the intermediate node. The receiver processes the error message including selecting a reservation to be torn down, tearing down the selected reservation and re-reserving resources for remaining reservations, as necessary.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a first message from an application associated with a variable bit-rate (VBR) media flow, the first message including information that has at least an approximately minimum bandwidth at which the VBR media flow may operate and an amount by which a bandwidth of the VBR media flow may be trimmed. The method also includes determining an amount of available bandwidth in a network, and identifying the approximately minimum bandwidth at which the VBR media flow may operate and the amount by which the bandwidth of the VBR media flow may be trimmed. Finally, the method includes identifying a bandwidth allocation identified based on the amount of available bandwidth in the network, the approximately minimum bandwidth at which the VBR media flow may operate, and the amount by which the bandwidth of the VBR media flow may be trimmed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a request from a first endpoint to establish a session, determining whether a resource reservation may be established post-ring, and identifying a second endpoint to establish the resource reservation post-ring when it is determined that the resource reservation may be established post-ring. The method also includes notifying the second endpoint of the request and ringing the second endpoint. Notifying the second endpoint of the request includes notifying the second endpoint that the resource reservation may be established post-ring.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes reserving a first amount of bandwidth with respect to a path in response to a reservation request from a sender. The reservation request specifies a plurality of acceptable amounts of bandwidth including the first amount of bandwidth and a second amount of bandwidth. The first amount of bandwidth is less than the second amount of bandwidth. The method also includes determining, after reserving the first amount of bandwidth, that additional bandwidth sufficient to accommodate the second amount of bandwidth is available, and automatically providing a first indication that the additional bandwidth is available. Automatically providing the first indication that the additional bandwidth is available includes providing the first indication to at least the sender. Finally, the method includes obtaining a second indication, the second indication being arranged to indicate whether the second amount of bandwidth may be accommodated with respect to the path.

Abstract: A method of initiating a communication session includes transmitting, using a call signaling protocol, a call invitation from a first node over a network for receipt by a second node. The call invitation comprises a list of one or more codecs available to the first node for use when transmitting data over a network. The call invitation additionally comprises a traffic specification associated with each of the one or more codecs. The traffic specification associated with each of the one or mode codecs comprises a plurality of bandwidth attributes that describe the flow of data when transmitting data using each of the one or more codecs.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a message associated with a data flow that includes a first indicator that identifies an amount of requested pool bandwidth and a second indicator that identifies a pool with which the data flow is associated. The pool is associated with a plurality of data flows that includes the data flow. The method also includes determining whether the pool has an overall bandwidth allocation, and, if so, determining whether reserving the amount of requested bandwidth would cause the overall bandwidth allocation to exceed a maximum pool bandwidth allocation. Finally, the method includes reserving approximately the amount of requested bandwidth when it is determined that reserving the amount of requested bandwidth would not cause the overall bandwidth allocation to exceed the maximum pool bandwidth allocation. Reserving approximately the amount of requested bandwidth includes increasing the overall bandwidth allocation by the amount of requested bandwidth.

Abstract: A technique for providing information relative to an entity's location to an entity in a communication network. A request for information is generated by a first entity wherein the request contains a location of the first entity. The request is then forwarded to a second entity which illustratively is a trusted source in the communication network. The second entity receives the request and identifies the requested information using the location information contained in the request. A notification containing the identified information is then generated by the second entity and forwarded to the first entity. The first entity receives the notification and processes it accordingly.

Abstract: A method that includes receiving a reservation request from a first endpoint that comprises a bandwidth list identifying a plurality of bandwidth levels associated with the first endpoint. At least two of the bandwidth levels have a unique priority level associated therewith. The method also includes establishing a communication session between the first endpoint and at least one additional endpoint using a first bandwidth based on a first priority level. The first bandwidth and the first priority level are each associated with a first bandwidth level of the plurality of bandwidth levels. The method further includes detecting a bandwidth event that impacts a bandwidth used by the first endpoint for the communication session. The method additionally includes adjusting the bandwidth used by the first endpoint to a second bandwidth that is different than the first bandwidth based on a second priority level that is different than the first priority level.

Abstract: A technique for displaying information ancillary to an entity's location. A request for information ancillary to the location of a communication unit in a communication network is generated by the communication unit wherein the request contains a location of the communication unit as well as specifies the information ancillary to the communication unit's location that is sought. The request is forwarded to an information server in the communication network which may be a “trusted source” meaning that the communication unit considers the information server a reliable (trustworthy) source of information. The information server receives the request and identifies the requested information using the location information contained in the request. A response (notification) containing the identified information is then generated by the information server and forwarded to the communication unit.

Abstract: A method of initiating a communication session includes transmitting, using a call signaling protocol, a call invitation from a first node over a network for receipt by a second node. The call invitation comprises a list of one or more codecs available to the first node for use when transmitting data over a network. The call invitation additionally comprises a traffic specification associated with each of the one or more codecs. The traffic specification associated with each of the one or mode codecs comprises a plurality of bandwidth attributes that describe the flow of data when transmitting data using each of the one or more codecs.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for establishing a session between a first party and a second party in a communication network comprises issuing a request to establish the session with the second party, the request containing a first security level associated with the first party. A response is received to the request from the second party, the response containing a second security level associated with the second party. A security level for the session is identified from the first security level and the second security level and the session established at the identified security level.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes generating a Session Description Protocol (SDP) construct, the SDP construct being arranged to be included in a first signaling flow. The method also includes providing an attribute in the SDP construct. The attribute identifies an application type associated with a first traffic flow. Finally, the SDP construct is forwarded on the first signaling flow.

Abstract: A technique that allows existing reservations to be partially preempted by higher-priority reservations. An intermediate node receives a request to reserve resources for the higher-priority reservation. The higher priority entitles the reservation to acquire resources allocated to existing lower priority reservations, if necessary. If sufficient unallocated resources are not available on the preempting system to accommodate the higher-priority reservation, an error message is generated and forwarded by the intermediate node towards a receiver associated with the reservation that is to be partially preempted. The error message contains an error code and an amount of resources available on the intermediate node. The receiver processes the error message including selecting a reservation to be torn down, tearing down the selected reservation and re-reserving resources for remaining reservations, as necessary.

Abstract: Determining a local emergency dial-string includes determining location information of an endpoint in a network. The location information indicates a current location of the endpoint. An emergency dial-string is received. The emergency dial-string is determined according to the location information, and the emergency dial-string operates to contact an emergency service associated with the current location of the endpoint.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a first message that includes at least a first bandwidth request that specifies a first bandwidth and a second bandwidth request that specifies a second bandwidth. The first bandwidth is a preferential bandwidth. The method also includes determining whether the first bandwidth may be allocated, and storing the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth in a stored reservation state if the first bandwidth may be allocated. If the first bandwidth may not be allocated, the method includes determining whether the second bandwidth may be allocated. The second bandwidth in the stored reservation state if it is determined that the second bandwidth may be allocated. In one embodiment, if the second bandwidth may be allocated, the first bandwidth is removed during process prior to sending the message to a subsequent node upstream.