Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are disclosed. A method in a network node is described. The network node includes a distributed unit (DU), where the DU is configured to communicate with a radio unit (RU) via a fronthaul interface (FI). The FI is in a signal path between the DU and the RU. The method includes selecting a plurality of identifiers to create one or more subgroups within an identifier group. The identifier group is represented by a group identifier, and each identifier represents a processing entity in the RU. The method also includes creating the one or more subgroups within the identifier group and determining one or more section extensions usable by one or more control plane (C-plane) messages sent with the group identifier to specify one subgroup of the one or more subgroups. The one subgroup is associated to a C-plane section.

Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for managing uplink transmission of user data. A method is performed by a baseband unit. The baseband unit is operatively connected to at least two radio units. The method comprises sending a control message to the at least two radio units. The control message comprises parameters pertaining to transmission of uplink user data from the at least two radio units to the baseband unit. The parameters specify a transmission window per each of the at least two radio units for the transmission of uplink user data to the baseband unit. The method comprises receiving uplink user data from the at least two radio units in accordance with the parameters.

Abstract: A transport path group for uplink transmission over a fronthaul interface. The transport path group may include (i) an address of a first source port of a radio unit (RU), (ii) an address of a first destination port of a distributed unit (DU), and (iii) an address of a second source port of the RU, an address of a second destination port of the DU, and/or a flow identifier (e.g., a virtualized local area network (VLAN)). A request for user data conveyed by the DU and received by the RU may identify the transport path group. The RU may use the fronthaul interface to convey to the DU first and second portions of the requested user data over first and second different paths from the RU to the DU. The RU may employ load balancing parameters to convey the first and second portions of the requested user data.

Abstract: A transport path group for uplink transmission over a fronthaul interface. The transport path group may include (i) an address of a first source port of a radio unit (RU), (ii) an address of a first destination port of a distributed unit (DU), and (iii) an address of a second source port of the RU, an address of a second destination port of the DU, and/or a flow identifier (e.g., a virtualized local area network (VLAN)). A request for user data conveyed by the DU and received by the RU may identify the transport path group. The RU may use the fronthaul interface to convey to the DU first and second portions of the requested user data over first and second different paths from the RU to the DU. The RU may employ load balancing parameters to convey the first and second portions of the requested user data.

Abstract: An interfacing method and Virtual Internet Protocol (VIP) Framework that provides high fault tolerance and linear scalability of servers and network interfaces. The Framework has minimal impact on the surrounding network infrastructure. The preferred embodiment operates at the IP level, thus enabling the Framework to operate with any application that runs on top of IP. Incoming data packets and packet fragments are received from the Internet in a plurality of network terminations. Routing processes provide external routers with addresses of the network terminations. Each network termination is associated with one of a plurality of forwarding processes, and each forwarding process is connected to a plurality of fragmenter/de-fragmenters. Each forwarding process selects a single fragmenter/de-fragmenter to receive all of the incoming data packets and packet fragments having a common source address.