Abstract: There is provided a method and an apparatus performing the method, the method comprising monitoring one or more user equipment via a first interface; receiving network information from a transport layer element via a second interface between a network layer and a transport layer; determining, based at least on the monitoring of the one or more user equipment and the network information, congestion or degradation associated with the one or more user equipment; identifying a cause of the congestion or degradation associated with the one or more user equipment; and performing one or more action to mitigate or remove the cause of the congestion or degradation.

Abstract: There is provided a method and an apparatus performing the method, the method comprising monitoring one or more user equipment via a first interface; receiving network information from a transport layer element via a second interface between a network layer and a transport layer; determining, based at least on the monitoring of the one or more user equipment and the network information, congestion or degradation associated with the one or more user equipment; identifying a cause of the congestion or degradation associated with the one or more user equipment; and performing one or more action to mitigate or remove the cause of the congestion or degradation.

Abstract: Routing path calculation apparatus and methods are disclosed. Calculation of routing paths within different routing areas of a communication system is handled by respective routing path calculation devices. Multiple devices may be requested to perform respective routing path calculations for segments of a routing path between endpoints in different routing areas. Recalculations may be requested from the same or different devices in the event of a change in a routing area that affects a segment of a routing path. A routing path calculation device, whether or not in this type of distributed routing path calculation system, may determine whether a previously configured path exists between an intermediate node of a calculated routing path, and take the previously configured path into account in calculating the routing path if it is determined that a previously configured path exists. The previously configured path may be an Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) shortcut, for example.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for providing both static and dynamic IP multicasting. When a router receives a PIM message or an IGMP message, the router determines whether the group specified in the message is within the multicast Static-Range. If the group pertains to a static multicasting group, the router does not propagate the message to upstream routers and only connects or disconnects interfaces internal to the router. If the multicast group address in the message is not within the multicast Static-Range, the router implements PIM or IGMP protocols. If the invention is used for broadcasting TV, the low end of TB channels or commonly used channels can be created as static IP multicast. This way, a user can access or leave such channels without an entire shortest path tree being created or torn down, improving access time and channel surfing for a user.

Abstract: Routing path calculation apparatus and methods are disclosed. Calculation of routing paths within different routing areas of a communication system is handled by respective routing path calculation devices. Multiple devices may be requested to perform respective routing path calculations for segments of a routing path between endpoints in different routing areas. Recalculations may be requested from the same or different devices in the event of a change in a routing area that affects a segment of a routing path. A routing path calculation device, whether or not in this type of distributed routing path calculation system, may determine whether a previously configured path exists between an intermediate node of a calculated routing path, and take the previously configured path into account in calculating the routing path if it is determined that a previously configured path exists. The previously configured path may be an Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) shortcut, for example.