Abstract: This disclosure provides a technique for hierarchical packet marking for Core-Stateless Active Queue Management (CSAQM). In particular, a network node measures the bitrate of each of a plurality of subflows that comprise a traffic aggregate (TA). The plurality of subflows in the TA belong to a single entity, and each subflow has a normalized weight value. The node modifies a random rate determination for a throughput-value function (TVF) associated with the TA based on the bitrates and weight of each subflow in the TA. Then, based on the modified rate, the node calculates a packet value (PV) with which to mark a packet in a given subflow, and marks the packet with the PV. Marking packets according to the techniques disclosed herein achieves a desired weighted resource sharing, and ensures that the random rates are uniformly distributed for the entire TA.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for packet marking for a Hierarchical Quality of Service (HQoS) is provided to control resource sharing among a plurality of network flows with differentiated services. A packet marker at a single point (e.g., gateway) encodes the resource sharing policy for a plurality of packet flows into a single packet value. The HQoS policy is then realized by using simple PPV schedulers at the bottlenecks in the network.

Abstract: An intermediate device (110) of a communication network (100) assigns each of a plurality of received packets (300) to either a Low Latency, Low Loss, Scalable throughput (L4S) queue (370a) or a non-L4S queue (370b). Each queue (370a, 370b) is associated with one packet value size counter for each of the plurality of packet values (320). The intermediate device (110) increments, for each packet (300) and by a size of the packet (300), the packet value size counter associated with the queue (370a, 370b) to which the packet (300) is assigned and calculates, for each queue (370a, 370b), a congestion threshold value based on the packet value size counters associated with the queue (370a, 370b). The intermediate device (110) marks one or more of the packets (300) as having experienced congestion based on the congestion threshold values of the queues (370a, 370b).

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure are directed to a method performed by a receiving node. The method includes receiving a packet/frame comprising Per Packet Value (PPV) information from a transmitting node, wherein the PPV information indicates a level of importance of the packet/frame determined based on a marking policy of the transmitting node, and wherein the packet/frame comprises (a) an Ethernet packet, (b) an IPv4 packet, (c) an IPv6 packet, (d) a Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) packet, or (e) a multilayer packet descriptive of one or more of (a)-(d). The method includes processing the PPV information in the received packet/frame when the receiving node is configured to handle the PPV information.

Abstract: A network node (120), such as a packet marking node, efficiently measures the bitrates of incoming packets on a plurality of timescales (TSs). A throughput-value function (TVF) is then graphed to indicate the throughput-packet value relationship for that TVF. Then, starting from the longest TS and moving towards the shortest TS, the packet marking node determines (88) a distance between the TVFs of different TSs at the measured bitrates. To determine the packet marking, the packet marking node selects a random throughput value between 0 and the bitrate measured on the shortest TS. Depending on how the random value relates to the measured bitrates, a TVF, and the distances to add to the random value, is then selected to determine (92) a packet value (PV) with which to mark the packet. The packet marking node then marks (94) the packet according to the determined PV.

Abstract: A method for handling data packets by a communication node in a communication network, the method comprising storing received data packets in at least two physical queues, wherein a first of said at least two physical queues is associated with low latency data packets and a second of said at least two physical queues is associated with high latency data packets, wherein each data packet is stored in one of the at least two physical queues based on a delay characteristic associated with the data packet, for each received data packet, storing an associated information record in at least two virtual queues, VQs, wherein associated information for data packets stored in said high latency physical queue is stored in a second of said at least two virtual queues and wherein associated information for data packets stored in said low latency physical queue is stored in both said first and second of said at least two virtual queues, serving data packets from the at least two physical queues, using at least two Congesti

Abstract: A boost is provided in an overloaded system by distinguishing nodes with a “bad” traffic history from nodes with a “good” traffic history. In so doing, a core network node is able to apply additional resources to the node(s) having a “good” history in the form of a boost factor. Based on a system capacity and a working point, e.g., a critical number of active nodes with a “bad” traffic history, the core network node may determine a throughput history limit belonging to the “bad” traffic history. Responsive to expected requirements for a newly active node (i.e., a node having a “good” traffic history), the core network node determines a boost factor for the newly active node, applies the boost factor to the average resources allocated to the nodes with the “bad” traffic history to determine boosted resources, and allocates the boosted resources to the newly active node.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods for handling packets in a communications network. In one embodiment, a method is implemented in an electronic device. The method includes at a first end of a queue in the electronic device, determining admission of a first packet to the first end of the queue based on a length of the first packet, where when the admission of the first packet would cause the queue to become full, the admission is further based on a packet value of the first packet and a data structure tracking packet value distribution of packets in the queue. The method further includes at a second end of the queue, dropping a second packet from the second end of the queue when the second packet's corresponding packet value is marked as to be dropped in the data structure upon admitting packets to the first end of the queue.

Abstract: To support quality of service fairness in a communication network, a network node determines a maximum bucket size, for a token bucket controlling a transmission rate from the network node over a transport line between a radio access network and a core network, based on a drop precedence and a given timescale.

Abstract: A node (110) of a communication network forwards a first data packet (301) from a server (150) to a client (10). Further, the node detects a congestion affecting the first data packet (301). Further, the node (110) generates at least one second data packet (306) addressed to the server (150). The at least one second data packet (306) indicates the detected congestion and comprises verification information enabling the server (150) to verify that the indicated congestion relates to the first data packet (301).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a transmission buffer in a transmission node of a transmission network transmitting data packets of a data packet flow, wherein each data packet includes a delay value indicating a transmission delay requirement of the data packet and a packet value indicating a level of importance of the data packet. The buffer includes different buffer regions and an arriving data packet is put into its respective buffer region based on the delay requirement indicated by a delay value contained in the data packet. The number of bytes waiting before the freshly arrived data packet cannot increase so that the delay requirement is met and possibly other packets in the buffer might be dropped for the newly arriving packet.

Abstract: At an Edge Node, a method of handling data packets in order to mark the packets with respective packet values indicative of a level of importance. The method comprises implementing a variable rate token bucket to determine an estimated arrival rate of a flow of packets. The method comprises receiving a data packet, updating the estimated arrival rate to an updated arrival rate based on a token level of the token bucket and generating a random or pseudo-random number within a range with a limit determined by the updated arrival rate. The method further comprises identifying an operator policy which determines a level of service associated with the flow of packets, and a Throughput Value Function (TVF) associated with said policy, and then applying the TVF to the random number to calculate a packet value. The packet value is included in a header of the packet.

Abstract: A network node (120), such as a packet marking node, efficiently measures the bitrates of incoming packets on a plurality of timescales (TSs). A throughput-value function (TVF) is then graphed to indicate the throughput-packet value relationship for that TVF. Then, starting from the longest TS and moving towards the shortest TS, the packet marking node determines (88) a distance between the TVFs of different TSs at the measured bitrates. To determine the packet marking, the packet marking node selects a random throughput value between 0 and the bitrate measured on the shortest TS. Depending on how the random value relates to the measured bitrates, a TVF, and the distances to add to the random value, is then selected to determine (92) a packet value (PV) with which to mark the packet. The packet marking node then marks (94) the packet according to the determined PV.

Abstract: Regulating transmission of data packets between a first network and a second network over a datalink. Embodiments include determining a first plurality of token bucket rate (TBR) parameters, each TBR parameter corresponding to a one of a first plurality of packet drop precedence (DP) levels and one of a first plurality of timescales (TS). The determination of the first plurality of bucket rate parameters is based on a peak rate requirement, the data link capacity, and a nominal speed requirement associated with the data link. Embodiments also include determining a second plurality of TBR parameters based on the first plurality of TBR parameters and a guaranteed rate requirement, the second plurality comprising a further DP level than the first plurality. Embodiments also include regulating data packets sent between the first network and the second network via the data link based on the second plurality of TBR parameters.

Abstract: A node of a data network receives data packets (200). For at least one of the received data packets (200), the node determines whether the data packet (200) is a guaranteed data packet which is subject to a guarantee that the data packet is not dropped and not delayed by more than a certain delay limit or a non-guaranteed data packet which is not subject to the guarantee. Based on a worst case calculation of a delay experienced by a data packet forwarded by the node, the node configures a resource contingent with a maximum amount of resources which is more than a minimum amount of resources required to meet the guarantee. Further, the node assigns resources to the resource contingent and identifies resources in excess of the minimum amount as excess resources. In response to determining that the data packet (200) is a non-guaranteed data packet and determining that sufficient excess resources are present, the node forwards the data packet (200) based on the excess resources.

Abstract: There is a provided herein a proxy at a border between two transport domains, the proxy arranged to deliver packets to a communications device in a first transport domain; the packets received from a server in a second transport domain. The proxy is arranged to: receive a packet from the server, the packet directed to the communications device; and forward the packet to the communications device and reply to the server with a traffic handling offer message, the traffic handling offer message including a plurality of traffic handling options. The proxy is further arranged to receive a selection of a traffic handling option from the server; and apply the selected traffic handling option to packets sent from the server to the communications device via the proxy.

Abstract: To support quality of service fairness in a communication network, a network node determines a maximum bucket size, for a token bucket controlling a transmission rate from the network node over a transport line between a radio access network and a core network, based on a drop precedence and a given timescale.

Abstract: Regulating transmission of data packets between a first network and a second network over a datalink. Embodiments include determining a first plurality of token bucket rate (TBR) parameters, each TBR parameter corresponding to a one of a first plurality of packet drop precedence (DP) levels and one of a first plurality of timescales (TS). The determination of the first plurality of bucket rate parameters is based on a peak rate requirement, the data link capacity, and a nominal speed requirement associated with the data link. Embodiments also include determining a second plurality of TBR parameters based on the first plurality of TBR parameters and a guaranteed rate requirement, the second plurality comprising a further DP level than the first plurality. Embodiments also include regulating data packets sent between the first network and the second network via the data link based on the second plurality of TBR parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for server relocation in a packet data network. A transport protocol session is established between a client 20 and server 14_1 to transfer content from the server to the client in data packets. As well as transmitting data packets to the client, the server additionally transmits declarative information as signaling packets. The declarative information includes an identifier of the content being transmitted in the ongoing session. This allows other servers 14_2 with the same content to identify the existence of the session and gives them the opportunity to volunteer to take over the session, for example if they can see that the client is now closer to them than the server currently serving the content. The two servers can then coordinate transfer of the session, whereafter the session continues with the second server transmitting content to the client.

Abstract: A system, method, node and computer program for transfer of downlink data packets from a server (120) to a client (100) across at least one first data packet transport domain (130) and at least one second data packet transport domain (140) is disclosed. The two data packet transport domains (130, 140) have different transport characteristics and are interconnected via at least one proxy (110). The server (120) is located in front of the first data packet transport domain (130) and the client (100) is located behind the second data packet transport domain (140). The method comprises sending, by the server (120), a data packet to the client (100) and sending, by the proxy (110), responsive to the reception of the data packet, an acknowledgement to the server (120) acknowledging the reception of the data packet or a failure to receive the data packet at the proxy (110).