Abstract: A first network element determines (11) that a given mobile node using mobile Internet Protocol should receive subsequent broadcast packets as may be sourced by a corresponding Home Agent. This first network element can then determine (12) whether to support such subsequent broadcast packets using a first broadcast packet handling approach or a second broadcast packet handling approach.

Abstract: In a data packet system (100) comprised of a plurality of processing platforms that are each at least potentially in-line with respect to a flow of data packets, upon receiving (401) an installation of a data packet filter, automatically selecting (402) where, from amongst that plurality of process platforms, to effect the data packet filter. This can comprise, if desired, parsing of the filter to ascertain its characterizing requirements and accessing information regarding the processing platforms to determine which platforms are capable of effecting those requirements. Numerous other factors can also be taken into account to aid in assuring an appropriate selection.

Abstract: A first network element determines (11) that a given mobile node using mobile Internet Protocol should receive subsequent broadcast packets as may be sourced by a corresponding Home Agent. This first network element can then determine (12) whether to support such subsequent broadcast packets using a first broadcast packet handling approach or a second broadcast packet handling approach.

Abstract: A first network element determines (11) that a given mobile node using mobile Internet Protocol should receive subsequent broadcast packets as may be sourced by a corresponding Home Agent. This first network element can then determine (12) whether to support such subsequent broadcast packets using a first broadcast packet handling approach or a second broadcast packet handling approach.

Abstract: A configuration of application cards operating in a cluster is synchronized. At least one (100) of the plurality of application cards operating in the cluster, a textual Management Information Base (MIB) file is compiled into a compiled file. The compiled file comprises shared objects and unshared objects. The compiled file is stored in a data base (102). A Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) command that identifies a target object is then received. The target object is compared to the shared objects in the compiled file in the database (102), and, when a match exists between the target object and a shared object in the database (102), the SNMP command is replicated using a backplane to access all others (115) of the plurality of application cards operating in the cluster. An operation is then performed on any instance of the target object on all others (115) of the plurality of application cards.

Abstract: A packet data router (300) comprises a central node (200) that is configured and arranged to provide data packet forwarding services but not data packet routing services and a plurality of physically discrete application nodes (301, 302, and 303) that are each operably coupled to the central node wherein each of the application nodes are configured and arranged to provide data packet routing services but not data packet forwarding services.

Abstract: An apparatus (301) is comprised of a plurality of application cards (302-304) wherein at least a plurality of the application cards each comprise a part, but not all, of a plurality of logical network entities (307 and 308) such as a Packet Data Serving Node. A data packet session manager (305) can serve to manage the allocation and/or usage of one or more session resources (309) by these application cards. In a preferred approach the external interfaces (310) of these application cards are also aggregated and used, in cluster fashion, by each of the logical network entities.

Abstract: A first network element determines (11) that a given mobile node using mobile Internet Protocol should receive subsequent broadcast packets as may be sourced by a corresponding Home Agent. This first network element can then determine (12) whether to support such subsequent broadcast packets using a first broadcast packet handling approach or a second broadcast packet handling approach.

Abstract: In a data packet system (100) comprised of a plurality of processing platforms that are each at least potentially in-line with respect to a flow of data packets, upon receiving (401) an installation of a data packet filter, automatically selecting (402) where, from amongst that plurality of process platforms, to effect the data packet filter. This can comprise, if desired, parsing of the filter to ascertain its characterizing requirements and accessing information regarding the processing platforms to determine which platforms are capable of effecting those requirements. Numerous other factors can also be taken into account to aid in assuring an appropriate selection.

Abstract: A network element (10), such as a Packet Data Serving Node, detects (31) a change in operational status of a mobile station during a communication session and, in response to detecting such a change, automatically increases (32) memory capacity as is available to support additional communication sessions while simultaneously persisting at least some session information for potential subsequent use during the communication session. For example, this response can occur upon detecting that a mobile station has changed from an active to a dormant status. Then, upon returning to an active status, the network element can use the persisted information to facilitate rapid reconstruction of infrastructure support for the mobile station's call participation.

Abstract: Various nodes within a communication network each have information regarding the network address that are locally supported and information regarding which network addresses (or blocks of network addresses) are supported by specified remote non-central nodes. Network address information as provided by mobile nodes when seeking to initiate a communication are then compared against such information to determine whether to locally support the communication or to automatically forward the corresponding request to a remote node to support the communication.

Abstract: Upon detecting (62) a degraded operational state, an active service unit can transmit a message (63) to a stand-by service unit. The latter can then prepare to replace (64) the active service unit and indicate its readiness with a corresponding message (65) to the active service unit. The latter can then cease (66) its operations. A controller, upon detecting this cessation of operations, can then instruct (67) the stand-by service unit to effect the switchover process. In at least some embodiments, the triggering degraded operational state need not comprise a fully debilitating condition.

Abstract: A method and system for supporting, at a PDSN, simultaneous data sessions on dissimilar access networks. A PDSN has a first network communication interface for connection to a first network, a second network communication interface for connection to a second network, and a protocol abstraction routine executable by a processing unit. The PDSN can use the protocol abstraction routine to identify if a data packet is associated with a first RP transfer protocol or a second RP transfer protocol. After making the determination, the protocol abstraction routine can decapsulate or encapsulate the data packet according to the associated RP transfer protocol, for transmission to the first network or the second network.