Abstract: In exemplary embodiments in the present disclosure a method in a first Network Node for measuring network characteristics using a performance measuring protocol is defined. The method comprises receiving a message, extracting a network address of a second network node from said message, and storing said network address of said second network node. The method further comprises setting up a session for measuring network characteristics using said performance measuring protocol between said first network node and said second network node utilizing said network address.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments in the present disclosure a method in a first Network Node for measuring network characteristics using a performance measuring protocol is defined. The method comprises receiving a message, extracting a network address of a second network node from said message, and storing said network address of said second network node. The method further comprises setting up a session for measuring network characteristics using said performance measuring protocol between said first network node and said second network node utilizing said network address.

Abstract: A load balancer dynamically load balances packets for network connections between clients and servers. When receiving a packet from a client that requests a new connection, the load balancer checks the current load of all the servers and selects the server most suitable to handle the new connection. The load balancer then forwards that packet to the selected server. If the server accepts the request for the new connection, then the server responds with an acknowledgement packet. The acknowledgement packet also includes the server's blade identification that the client uses for all subsequent packets on the accepted connection. When the load balancer receives a packet containing the blade identification, the load balancer forwards the packet to the server corresponding to the blade identification. Backup load balancers can therefore continue packet forwarding services in a smooth and efficient manner.

Abstract: A load balancer dynamically load balances packets for network connections between clients and servers. When receiving a packet from a client that requests a new connection, the load balancer checks the current load of all the servers and selects the server most suitable to handle the new connection. The load balancer then forwards that packet to the selected server. If the server accepts the request for the new connection, then the server responds with an acknowledgement packet. The acknowledgement packet also includes the server's blade identification that the client uses for all subsequent packets on the accepted connection. When the load balancer receives a packet containing the blade identification, the load balancer forwards the packet to the server corresponding to the blade identification. Backup load balancers can therefore continue packet forwarding services in a smooth and efficient manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus adapting a Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) between a set of physical SEGs that realize a V-SEG function towards a remote IPsec/IKE peer. In tandem with the VRRP, a new protocol, referred to herein as the IPsec/IKE SA Transfer Protocol (SATP), is introduced to exchange IKE and IPsec SA information between VRRP capable SEGs. SATP synchronizes all participating SEGs with respect to dynamic IPsec state information in near real time. Thus, in the event of a master VRRP SEG failure, one of the hot-standby SEGs takes over the V-SEG function. This allows the V-SEG function to remain functional despite the possible failure of one or more participating SEGs.

Abstract: A system and method in an IP-based network for defining a specific router for a host to utilize as a default router. The host is configured with a plurality of preferred correlation values, each of which has a different corresponding preference level. Routers send Router Advertisement (RA) messages to the host and include at least one router correlation value and at least one corresponding priority value. The host compares the received router correlation values with its preferred correlation values and identifies the router that sent the router correlation value that matched the preferred correlation value having the highest corresponding preference level. The identified router is selected as the host's default router. If more than one router matches the preferred correlation value having the highest corresponding preference level, the router that sent the highest priority value is selected.

Abstract: A system and method in an IP-based network for defining a specific router for a host to utilize as a default router. The host is configured with a plurality of preferred correlation values, each of which has a different corresponding preference level. Routers send Router Advertisement (RA) messages to the host and include at least one router correlation value and at least one corresponding priority value. The host compares the received router correlation values with its preferred correlation values and identifies the router that sent the router correlation value that matched the preferred correlation value having the highest corresponding preference level. The identified router is selected as the host's default router. If more than one router matches the preferred correlation value having the highest corresponding preference level, the router that sent the highest priority value is selected.

Abstract: Providing resiliency for mobile terminal data sessions, wherein the data sessions rely on Internet Protocol Version 4 and wherein at least one Home Agent node maintains a mobility bindings database for all registered mobile terminals while they are away from a home network. A first aspect of the invention provides physical Home Agent redundancy, perceived by each mobile node as Home Agent IP address redundancy, and a second aspect provides session resiliency. While the second aspect of the invention provides for session resiliency, it uses a mechanism of the former for master failure detection and Home Agent IP address take-over by a backup Home Agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus adapting a Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) between a set of physical SEGs that realize a V-SEG function towards a remote IPsec/IKE peer. In tandem with the VRRP, a new protocol, referred to herein as the IPsec/IKE SA Transfer Protocol (SATP), is introduced to exchange IKE and IPsec SA information between VRRP capable SEGs. SATP synchronizes all participating SEGs with respect to dynamic IPsec state information in near real time. Thus, in the event of a master VRRP SEG failure, one of the hot-standby SEGs takes over the V-SEG function. This allows the V-SEG function to remain functional despite the possible failure of one or more participating SEGs.

Abstract: Providing resiliency for mobile terminal data sessions, wherein the data sessions rely on Internet Protocol Version 4 and wherein at least one Home Agent node maintains a mobility bindings database for all registered mobile terminals while they are away from a home network. A first aspect of the invention provides physical Home Agent redundancy, perceived by each mobile node as Home Agent IP address redundancy, and a second aspect provides session resiliency. While the second aspect of the invention provides for session resiliency, it uses a mechanism of the former for master failure detection and Home Agent IP address take-over by a backup Home Agent.

Abstract: A method and node for supporting PDSN load optimization in a CDMA2000 network. The Packet Core Network Manager calculates network statistics and uses the resulting numbers to set the PPP inactivity timer depending on the load on the PDSN. In a preferred embodiment, the calculation gives the mean value of the durations of the PPP sessions (KPI1), and the corresponding standard deviation (KPI2). The PPP inactivity timer is then set to M*(KPI1+KPI2) during low load, to M*KPI1 during normal load, and to M*(KPI1?KPI2) during heavy load, where 0<M<=1, preferably depending on the distribution of the subscriber inter-arrival time.

Abstract: In an IP-based Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) 2000 packet-data cellular telecommunications network, a method and system for handing over a dormant Mobile Node (MN) to a target packet zone. According to the invention, first the dormant MN sends an origination request message to the target Base Station Controller and Packet Control Function (BSC/PCF), which further sends a registration request comprising an indication that the MN is dormant to a Packet Data Service Node (PDSN). The PDSN replies to the BSC/PCF with a registration reply message for requesting the establishment of a traffic channel for the MN, and for indicating that it has data packets ready to be sent to the MN, such as for example Link Control Protocol (LCP) data packets for use in the negotiation of a new Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) connection. The registration reply message comprises an indication such as for example a Data ready to Sent (DRS) parameter set to 1.

Abstract: A system, method and node for supporting PDSN load balancing in a CDMA2000 network. A mobile node (MN) sends an origination message to a BSC/PCF that sends a registration request indicating that it supports load balancing according to the invention to the manager part of a PDSN that selects an agent to take care of the connection and redirects the request to it. The agent then validates the request and sends a reply to the BSC/PCF indicating that the initial request has been redirected. The reply also comprises the IP address of the agent. The BSC/PCF then sets up an A10 connection with the agent, and the MN and the agent negotiate a PPP session. There is further a method of setting up a connection between two entities, via a third entity.

Abstract: A system and method in a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network for automatically configuring Network Service Entity Identifiers (NSEIs) in a Base Station System (BSS) and a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) when the BSS is reconfigured. The Gb interface between the BSS and the SGSN is modified to operate using the Internet Protocol (IP), and the BSS and the SGSN are configured to run on IP. Whenever a new Network Service Entity (NSE) is added to an existing BSS, or a new BSS is added to the network, the BSS automatically sends a modified Network Service (NS?)-Reset message to the SGSN requesting an NSEI. The SGSN dynamically allocates a free NSEI from a pool of NSEIs and sends it to the BSS. When an NSE is removed from the BSS, the BSS automatically sends a modified NS?-Reset message to the SGSN to free an NSEI. The SGSN de-allocates the NSEI, and returns the NSEI to the pool of free NSEIs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for supporting load balancing in a packet data network. The method receives a registration request at a packet data serving node (PDSN) manager from a base station controller/packet core function (BSC/PCF), The registration request includes a vendor specific extension (VSE) for indicating to the PDSN manager that the BSC/PCF supports redirection of the registration request and an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) of a mobile terminal (MT) for determining that a session does not presently exist between a mobile terminal (MT) associated with the IMSI and a PDSN agent associated with the PDSN manager. The invention also relates to a base station controller/packet core function (BSC/PCF) for creating a list of available packet data serving node (PDSN) agents.

Abstract: A method and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Access Point Controller (APC) for translating signalling and traffic Point-to-Point Protocol PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE) data frames into PPP over Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) data frames, and vice-versa. When a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is implemented into a CDMA2000 network, a WLAN client sends PPPoE data frames to a WLAN Access Point Controller (APC) that connects to a CDMA2000 Packet Data Service Node (PDSN). The WLAN APC receives the downlink PPPoE data frames and converts them in PPP over GRE data format understood by the CDMA2000 PDSN, and relays the translated frames to the PDSN. In the uplink, the WLAN APC receives PPP over GRE data frames from the PDSN, frames that are intended for the WLAN client, and translates them into PPPoE data frames, which are relayed to the WLAN client.

Abstract: A method and node for supporting PDSN load optimization in a CDMA2000 network. The Packet Core Network Manager calculates network statistics and uses the resulting numbers to set the PPP inactivity timer depending on the load on the PDSN. In a preferred embodiment, the calculation gives the mean value of the durations of the PPP sessions (KPI1), and the corresponding standard deviation (KPI2). The PPP inactivity timer is then set to M*(KPI1+KPI2) during low load, to M*KPI1 during normal load, and to M*(KPI1−KPI2) during heavy load, where 0<M<=1, preferably depending on the distribution of the subscriber inter-arrival time.

Abstract: A system, method and node for supporting PDSN load balancing in a CDMA2000 network. A mobile node (MN) sends an origination message to a BSC/PCF that sends a registration request indicating that it supports load balancing according to the invention to the manager part of a PDSN that selects an agent to take care of the connection and redirects the request to it. The agent then validates the request and sends a reply to the BSC/PCF indicating that the initial request has been redirected. The reply also comprises the IP address of the agent. The BSC/PCF then sets up an A10 connection with the agent, and the MN and the agent negotiate a PPP session. There is further a method of setting up a connection between two entities, via a third entity.

Abstract: In an IP-based Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) 2000 packet-data cellular telecommunications network, a method and system for handing over a dormant Mobile Node (MN) to a target packet zone. According to the invention, first the dormant MN sends an origination request message to the target Base Station Controller and Packet Control Function (BSC/PCF), which further sends a registration request comprising an indication that the MN is dormant to a Packet Data Service Node (PDSN). The PDSN replies to the BSC/PCF with a registration reply message for requesting the establishment of a traffic channel for the MN, and for indicating that it has data packets ready to be sent to the MN, such as for example Link Control Protocol (LCP) data packets for use in the negotiation of a new Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) connection. The registration reply message comprises an indication such as for example a Data ready to Sent (DRS) parameter set to 1.