Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatuses for providing access to a first local area data network, LADN, to one or more wireless devices positioned in a second geographic area outside of a first geographic area associated with a first LADN. A method includes responsive to the one or more wireless devices requesting access to the first LADN via an mobile edge network node in the second geographic area, dynamically generating a transport communication channel between the mobile edge network node and a mobile edge computing server, MEC, host providing the first LADN, and allowing the one or more wireless devices to access the first LADN using the transport communication channel.

Abstract: There is provided a method and device for forwarding a digital signal arranged into portions that each contain a timestamp and an error detection code. Duplicates of the digital signal are received on a first optical path and a second, separate optical path. Corresponding timestamps are identified in the signals and used to synchronize corresponding portions of the signals. The error detection codes in the synchronized portions are used to allow one and only one of the corresponding portions to be selected for forwarding. The selected portions are then forwarded.

Abstract: Examples relate to a method of segment routing in a network node (40) of a network comprising a plurality of network nodes (40,42). The method comprises receiving a segment routed packet (60) comprising a payload and having a segment route, and obtaining a target delivery time (106) from the received segment routed packet. The method further comprises determining (108) a time of arrival of the packet at a destination of the packet, and determining (110) if the time of arrival of the packet at the destination is prior to the target delivery time. For a determination that the time of arrival of the packet at the destination is prior to the target delivery time, transmitting (120) a packet comprising the payload towards the destination.

Abstract: There is provided a method and device for forwarding a digital signal arranged into portions that each contain a timestamp and an error detection code. Duplicates of the digital signal are received on a first optical path and a second, separate optical path. Corresponding timestamps are identified in the signals and used to synchronize corresponding portions of the signals. The error detection codes in the synchronized portions are used to allow one and only one of the corresponding portions to be selected for forwarding. The selected portions are then forwarded.

Abstract: A method of provisioning a control plane in a multi-technology network in response to a first connection request received from a client. The method comprises receiving the first connection request at a control plane dispatcher; analysing said first connection request and selecting a control plane based on results of the analysis and characteristics of control planes at the disposal of the dispatcher in the multi-technology network. The control plane dispatcher selects on a per connection request basis what is the best technology for that request and its requirements, taking also into account the status of the network resources.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method and a device for creating a data packet with discard eligible information and to a method and device for receiving a data packet with discard eligible information. Specifically, one aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for creating a data packet, containing a data payload and at least one label determining onward routing for the data packet, for onward transmission in a data communication system, a machine readable medium for implementing the method, and a corresponding device. In a first step a discard eligibility associated with the data packet is determined. In a second step, discard eligible information is encoded in a label determining onward routing for the data packet. In a third step an outgoing data packet including the label is generated.

Abstract: A method of provisioning a control plane in a multi-technology network in response to a first connection request received from a client. The method comprises receiving the first connection request at a control plane dispatcher; analysing said first connection request and selecting a control plane based on results of the analysis and characteristics of control planes at the disposal of the dispatcher in the multi-technology network. The control plane dispatcher selects on a per connection request basis what is the best technology for that request and its requirements, taking also into account the status of the network resources.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fault monitoring in a fault monitoring entity of a network node of a network having at least a first connection-oriented network layer, having first protection measures associated therewith, and a second connection-oriented network layer, having second protection measures associated therewith. In a first step the service condition status of the first network layer is monitored using the first protection measures. In a second step the second network layer protection measures are determined for onward transmission within the second network layer depending on the service condition status of the first network layer. Since the network node is aware of the monitored status condition of both the first and second layers the protection mechanisms for the first network layer and the second network layer can be co-ordinated and the second network layer protection measure for onward transmission may be determined for optimum network fault protection operation.

Abstract: Method of re-routing traffic in a communications network (1) in the event of a fault (3) on a path across the network, the method comprising, determining whether a first node (4), located between the fault and a network ingress node (6), is capable of switching traffic to an alternative path which avoids the fault, and if the first node is determined to be not so capable, then determining whether a second node (8), located upstream of the first node, is capable of switching traffic to an alternative path which avoids the fault.

Abstract: A connection-oriented network (5) has a plurality of connections terminated at a first node (N6). A recovery group (A) is configured at the first node (N6) comprising at least two of the plurality of connections (LSP1-6, LSP2-6, LSP3-6, LSP4-6). Fault detection is performed over each of the connections in the recovery group (A) and the node determines if at least one recovery group fault condition is met, based on the results of the fault detections performed over the connections in the recovery-group (A). When the at least one recovery group fault condition is met, the node causes traffic on the plurality of connections in the recovery group (A) to be transferred to backup paths. When the at least one recovery group fault condition is not met, and a fault has been detected on a connection in the recovery group (A), the node causes traffic to be transferred from that connection to a backup path.

Abstract: Configuring a node (410) of a synchronization network involves identifying (10) possible alternative time synchronization trails arranged to carry time synchronization information for time synchronization at the node, and possible alternative frequency trails, arranged to carry frequency synchronization information for frequency synchronization at the node. Using information about the sources (20), a comparison of the trails (30) is biased to increase a likelihood of choosing time synchronization and frequency trails which share the same source, over a likelihood of choosing trails with different sources. This can help avoid divergence and consequent bit errors arising from phase errors, resulting from trails having different sources. It can encompass for example changing both to a new common source, or changing one or both trails while still using the old common source.

Abstract: There is provided a method of optimizing timing packet transport in a network node, the method comprising using a locally available stable frequency reference at the network node to provide a pre-determined network node transit time for timing packets in at least one direction into or out of the network node. There is also provided a network node comprising a locally available stable frequency reference and circuitry adapted to apply a pre-determined network node transit time, L, to all timing packets transiting the network node in at least one direction into or out of a network node dependent on the locally available stable frequency reference.

Abstract: A connection oriented communications network has a plurality of nodes including a plurality of edge nodes. The network is arranged to define a primary tunnel connecting a primary one of the edge nodes to another edge node and a secondary tunnel connecting a secondary one of the edge nodes to another edge node. The network is arranged to enable switching of traffic from the primary tunnel to the secondary tunnel in the event of detection of a failure in the primary tunnel.

Abstract: A method and a transport scheme for packets of traffic over a logical link made up of the aggregation of several physical links (16) connecting a transmitting side to a receiving side in which flows of incoming packets are sent to a scheduler/shaper (12) which selects therefrom packets for creating a global flow of packets falling within the bandwidth offered by the logical link on the basis of the bandwidth capability offered by the logical link. A distributor (13) distributes the global flow over the plurality of physical links (16) making up the logical link, oversees the physical links and sends to the scheduler/shaper signalling of a bandwidth decrease caused by failures of one or more physical links. The scheduler/shaper (12) is arranged to allow automatically for the logical link bandwidth variations while selecting the packets from the various incoming queues depending on the associated service class so as to cause the global flow to fall within the aggregated logical link bandwidth.

Abstract: A node (110) for an MPLS telecommunications network has interfaces (100) for OAM information exchange relating to a path for data traffic, between first and second other nodes each operating according to different OAM state machines for OAM information exchange. An OAM state machine mapper (120) maps the states of either of the different OAM state machines of the first and second other nodes into states recognized by the other of the different OAM state machines. OAM information exchange is according to either the first or the second OAM state machine and according to states mapped from the other of the OAM state machines, to support the path for data traffic through the node. By such mapping of the different states OAM information can be exchanged across corresponding boundaries and so paths no longer need to be terminated at the boundary to enable end to end operations.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relates to a method and a device for creating a data packet with discard eligible information and to a method and device for receiving a data packet with discard eligible information. Specifically, one aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for creating a data packet, containing a data payload and at least one label determining onward routing for the data packet, for onward transmission in a data communication system, a machine readable medium for implementing the method, and a corresponding device. In a first step a discard eligibility associated with the data packet is determined. In a second step, discard eligible information is encoded in a label determining onward routing for the data packet. In a third step an outgoing data packet including the label is generated.

Abstract: Configuring a node (410) of a synchronization network involves identifying (10) possible alternative time synchronization trails arranged to carry time synchronization information for time synchronization at the node, and possible alternative frequency trails, arranged to carry frequency synchronization information for frequency synchronization at the node. Using information about the sources (20), a comparison of the trails (30) is biased to increase a likelihood of choosing time synchronization and frequency trails which share the same source, over a likelihood of choosing trails with different sources. This can help avoid divergence and consequent bit errors arising from phase errors, resulting from trails having different sources. It can encompass for example changing both to a new common source, or changing one or both trails while still using the old common source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fault monitoring in a fault monitoring entity of a network node of a network having at least a first connection-oriented network layer, having first protection measures associated therewith, and a second connection-oriented network layer, having second protection measures associated therewith. In a first step the service condition status of the first network layer is monitored using the first protection measures. In a second step the second network layer protection measures are determined for onward transmission within the second network layer depending on the service condition status of the first network layer. Since the network node is aware of the monitored status condition of both the first and second layers the protection mechanisms for the first network layer and the second network layer can be co-ordinated and the second network layer protection measure for onward transmission may be determined for optimum network fault protection operation.

Abstract: There is provided a method of optimizing timing packet transport in a network node, the method comprising using a locally available stable frequency reference at the network node to provide a pre-determined network node transit time for timing packets in at least one direction into or out of the network node. There is also provided a network node comprising a locally available stable frequency reference and circuitry adapted to apply a pre-determined network node transit time, L, to all timing packets transiting the network node in at least one direction into or out of a network node dependent on the locally available stable frequency reference.

Abstract: A multipoint-to-multipoint service is provided between a set of edge nodes of a communications network. The network comprises at least two sub-networks and an intermediate node at a boundary between sub-networks. For each pair of edge nodes comprising an edge node in a first of the sub-networks and an edge node in a second of the sub-networks, a multi-segment pseudowire connection is configured between the pair of edge nodes. The pseudowire connection passing via at least one intermediate node. At the intermediate node forwarding data is configured which specifies a forwarding relationship between pseudowire segments corresponding to the multi-segment pseudowire connections. A topology of Label Switched Paths carry the multi-segment pseudowires. Edge nodes within a sub-network can be connected with a mesh topology or a hub-and-spoke topology.