Abstract: There is provided a method of performing load balancing in a communications network comprising a plurality of traffic servers. The method comprises: in a load balancer, receiving a connection request in a communications protocol from a client device and in the load balancer, selecting a traffic server for the requested connection. An identity of the selected traffic server is encoded into a protocol message header. The protocol message header is returned containing the encoded identity of the selected traffic server to the client device. The protocol message header containing the encoded identity of the selected traffic server is included in communications protocol packets sent from the client device to the load balancer. The load balancer, forwards communications protocol packets sent from the client device to the selected traffic server.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards a method, computer program, computer program product and a traffic amplification device (30) for assisting in the testing of performance of a layer 3 proxy device (12) as well as a testing system comprising such a traffic amplification device. The traffic amplification device (30) obtains a first message (M1) from at least one client devices (14) and intended for a server device (22), where the first message comprises a request for processing, sends a plurality of second messages (M2) to the proxy device (12) in a number corresponding to a desired degree of traffic amplification, where each second message comprises the request for processing, receives the second messages in return from the proxy device (12), selects one of the received second messages, and forwards (FM1) the request for processing of the selected second message to the server device (22) for being processed. It is also possible to handle responses (M3) from the server device in a similar manner.

Abstract: A method for operating an Internet Content Adaptation Protocol (ICAP) server is disclosed. The method comprises defining a message transmission policy for clients of the ICAP server according to a content type of messages for transmission to the ICAP server. The message transmission policy comprises a specification of messages for which a particular transmission method is to be applied, the transmission method comprising one of sending a message preview, sending the entire message or not sending the message. Also disclosed are a method for operating an ICAP client, an ICAP server node, an ICAP client node and a computer program product configured, when run on a computer, to carry out a method for operating an ICAP server or an ICAP client.

Abstract: There is provided a method of performing load balancing in a communications network comprising a plurality of traffic servers. The method comprises: in a load balancer, receiving a connection request in a communications protocol from a client device and in the load balancer, selecting a traffic server for the requested connection. An identity of the selected traffic server is encoded into a protocol message header. The protocol message header is returned containing the encoded identity of the selected traffic server to the client device. The protocol message header containing the encoded identity of the selected traffic server is included in communications protocol packets sent from the client device to the load balancer. The load balancer, forwards communications protocol packets sent from the client device to the selected traffic server.

Abstract: A method in a configuration server for configuring a communication system comprises configuring a plurality of nodes in a first cluster, and configuring a plurality of nodes in at least a second cluster, such that the configuration server acts as a common configuration server for at least first and second clusters. A method in a node associated with a cluster comprises determining a configuration service address relating to a common configuration server that is adapted to configure the cluster associated with the node and at least one other cluster, sending a request for configuration information to the common configuration server, and receiving configuration information from the common configuration server.

Abstract: A method in a configuration server for configuring a communication system comprises configuring a plurality of nodes in a first cluster, and configuring a plurality of nodes in at least a second cluster, such that the configuration server acts as a common configuration server for at least first and second clusters. A method in a node associated with a cluster comprises determining a configuration service address relating to a common configuration server that is adapted to configure the cluster associated with the node and at least one other cluster, sending a request for configuration information to the common configuration server, and receiving configuration information from the common configuration server.

Abstract: A method for operating an Internet Content Adaptation Protocol (ICAP) server is disclosed. The method comprises defining a message transmission policy for clients of the ICAP server according to a content type of messages for transmission to the ICAP server. The message transmission policy comprises a specification of messages for which a particular transmission method is to be applied, the transmission method comprising one of sending a message preview, sending the entire message or not sending the message. Also disclosed are a method for operating an ICAP client, an ICAP server node, an ICAP client node and a computer program product configured, when run on a computer, to carry out a method for operating an ICAP server or an ICAP client.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards a method, computer program, computer program product and a traffic amplification device (30) for assisting in the testing of performance of a layer 3 proxy device (12) as well as a testing system comprising such a traffic amplification device. The traffic amplification device (30) obtains a first message (M1) from at least one client devices (14) and intended for a server device (22), where the first message comprises a request for processing, sends a plurality of second messages (M2) to the proxy device (12) in a number corresponding to a desired degree of traffic amplification, where each second message comprises the request for processing, receives the second messages in return from the proxy device (12), selects one of the received second messages, and forwards (FM1) the request for processing of the selected second message to the server device (22) for being processed. It is also possible to handle responses (M3) from the server device in a similar manner.

Abstract: A method and service-related nodes for providing a deferred distance notification for at least two user devices. A Location-based gateway receives a request for a deferred distance notification for user devices, and sends a request to a Location enabler for the location of the user devices. The gateway receives location data from the Location enabler, and monitors the fulfillment of user device distance-related event criteria. When a user device distance-related event criterion is fulfilled, the gateway triggers the deferred distance notification, and sends the notification of the user device distance event to an application node. The application node sends a location request after which the Application node receives the notification. Distance notification can thus be provided to a user requesting a location-deferred service, such that the location of entire groups of users can be revealed to the requesting party.

Abstract: A method and service-related nodes for providing a deferred distance notification for at least two user devices. A Location-based gateway receives a request for a deferred distance notification for user devices, and sends a request to a Location enabler for the location of the user devices. The gateway receives location data from the Location enabler, and monitors the fulfillment of user device distance-related event criteria. When a user device distance-related event criterion is fulfilled, the gateway triggers the deferred distance notification, and sends the notification of the user device distance event to an application node. The application node sends a location request after which the Application node receives the notification. Distance notification can thus be provided to a user requesting a location-deferred service, such that the location of entire groups of users can be revealed to the requesting party.