Abstract: Methods are disclosed for limiting the scope of flooding of dense mode IP multicast calls. A multicast scope value (e.g., TTL scope or hop limit) is determined for each call based on the locations of participating devices for the call at one or more destination sites, zones or zone clusters. The multicast scope value is adjusted based on user location, as wireless users may roam from site to site or zone to zone (or zone cluster). When a user sources packets for a call, the packets include the multicast scope value. The packets are transported, according to dense mode routing protocols, across various router interfaces of a packet network. The router interfaces are assigned various thresholds based on their location in the network. Packets are not flooded across router interface(s) having thresholds that exceed the packet's multicast scope value.

Abstract: An IP mobility solution for mobile network(s) that combines features of IP multicast and mobile IPv6. The mobile network defines a mobile router (106) attached to one or more mobile network hosts (102). Upon movement of the mobile network from a home network to a foreign network, the mobile router obtains a multicast care of address on behalf of the attached mobile network hosts and creates a binding between the mobile subnet prefix and the multicast care of address. The mobile router communicates the binding information, via binding update messages, to a home agent (150) and to selected correspondent nodes (152) consistent with requested privacy attributes of the mobile network hosts. The privacy attributes allow the mobile network hosts to maintain the privacy of their care of address (and implicitly, their location) relative to certain correspondent nodes.

Abstract: Binding proxies are used to reduce packet routing delays and call setup delays in a data network made up of a plurality of subnetworks. The binding proxy detects when a mobile device connects to a subnetwork and sends a binding message to various correspondent device(s) in the data network. The binding message contains a care-of-address of the mobile device that allowing the correspondent device(s) to send messages directly to the subnetwork that the mobile device is connected, thereby bypassing a home agent of the mobile device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for minimizing dense mode multicast flooding between a local area network (“LAN”) switch and a multicast capable router. The method includes the steps of detecting a prune message from the multicast capable router, identifying a multicast group from the prune message and setting a flag within the LAN switch to disable transfer of multicast datagrams of the determined multicast group to the multicast capable router. The apparatus can include a software interface, a control information processor, and an Internet switch-memory.

Abstract: A method and system for group communications between a plurality of endpoints in a system is described.

Abstract: In a communications system having a plurality of endpoints each including a logical entity and its physical counterpart, a method for group affiliation. The method including the steps of: receiving a first message from a requestor via application layer routing that includes an affiliation request; generating a response to the affiliation request as a function of the type of affiliation request received; and communicating the response to the affiliation request to the requestor via application layer routing.

Abstract: An IP mobility solution for mobile network(s) that combines features of IP multicast and mobile IPv6. The mobile network defines a mobile router (106) attached to one or more mobile network hosts (102). Upon movement of the mobile network from a home network to a foreign network, the mobile router obtains a multicast care of address on behalf of the attached mobile network hosts and creates a binding between the mobile subnet prefix and the multicast care of address. The mobile router communicates the binding information, via binding update messages, to a home agent (150). When a correspondent node sends packets to a mobile network nodes home address, they are intercepted by the home agent and tunneled to the mobile router via the multicast care of address. The mobile router receives the packet and forwards the packet to the targeted mobile network node.

Abstract: Call control methods are disclosed for a multi-zone, packet-based communication system using zone controller/RPEs incorporating a reservation proxy function. Participating zone controller/RPEs (124-130) receive and join a multicast group address to be used for a call, and exchange RSVP signaling messages across one or more inter-zone, packet network links (148, 150, 152, 154) to reserve communication resources for the call on behalf of participating devices in various zones. In the preferred embodiment, the zone controllers use IGMPv3 messages to specify other participating zone controllers as valid senders, thereby receiving desired control information for the duration of the call without being encumbered by undesired payload information.

Abstract: Binding proxies are used to reduce packet routing delays and call setup delays in a data network made up of a plurality of subnetworks. The binding proxy detects when a mobile device connects to a subnetwork and sends a binding message to various correspondent device(s) in the data network. The binding message contains a care-of-address of the mobile device that allowing the correspondent device(s) to send messages directly to the subnetwork that the mobile device is connected, thereby bypassing a home agent of the mobile device.

Abstract: An IP mobility solution for mobile network(s) that combines features of IP multicast and mobile IPv6. The mobile network defines a mobile router (106) attached to one or more mobile network hosts (102). Upon movement of the mobile network from a home network to a foreign network, the mobile router obtains a multicast care of address on behalf of the attached mobile network hosts and creates a binding between the mobile subnet prefix and the multicast care of address. The mobile router communicates the binding information, via binding update messages, to a home agent (150) and to selected correspondent nodes (152) consistent with requested privacy attributes of the mobile network hosts. The privacy attributes allow the mobile network hosts to maintain the privacy of their care of address (and implicitly, their location) relative to certain correspondent nodes.

Abstract: An IP mobility solution for mobile network(s) that combines features of IP multicast and mobile IPv6. The mobile network defines a mobile router (106) attached to one or more mobile network hosts (102). Upon movement of the mobile network from a home network to a foreign network, the mobile router obtains a multicast care of address on behalf of the attached mobile network hosts and creates a binding between the mobile subnet prefix and the multicast care of address. The mobile router communicates the binding information, via binding update messages, to a home agent (150). When a correspondent node sends packets to a mobile network nodes home address, they are intercepted by the home agent and tunneled to the mobile router via the multicast care of address. The mobile router receives the packet and forwards the packet to the targeted mobile network node.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing dispatch and/or point-to-point calls using pre-established multicast groups are disclosed. The methods include setting up and semi-permanently maintaining pre-established multicast group(s) in advance of prospective call(s), and utilizing the semi-permanent multicast groups when certain call requests are received to reduce call set up time and system loading. A zone controller identifies groups of endpoints that are expected to collectively participate in prospective call(s). The zone controller causes pre-established multicast groups to be established between the endpoints by distributing respective multicast group addresses to the endpoints in advance of prospective call(s). The endpoints, which may include adjacent sites, issue Join commands to associated network devices causing the network devices to establish a multicast routing tree for the multicast group.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for limiting the scope of flooding of dense mode IP multicast calls. A multicast scope value (e.g., TTL scope or hop limit) is determined for each call based on the locations of participating devices for the call at one or more destination sites, zones or zone clusters. The multicast scope value is adjusted based on user location, as wireless users may roam from site to site or zone to zone (or zone cluster). When a user sources packets for a call, the packets include the multicast scope value. The packets are transported, according to dense mode routing protocols, across various router interfaces of a packet network. The router interfaces are assigned various thresholds based on their location in the network. Packets are not flooded across router interface(s) having thresholds that exceed the packet's multicast scope value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating data congestion in a radio communication system makes use of a data controller that provides a data buffer for storing data messages to be transmitted over a common communication resource. If the stored data messages cannot be favorably transmitted on the common communication resource, the data controller transmits a congestion indication message over the common communication resource to a plurality of communication devices. In this manner, transmission activity is limited at the communication device, thereby allowing for data traffic to be transmitted.