Abstract: Disclosed are methods and arrangements in a VoIP access node for handling downstream and upstream RTP packets associated with an ongoing VoIP call. One common IP address can be assigned to the all of the RTP traffic of an access node instead of assigning one IP address per VoIP card. This may be done by identifying the destination VoIP card based on the destination UDP port number in a received RTP packet. The number of public IP addresses needed for VoIP service may be reduced without increasing the cost of the access node.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and arrangements in a VoIP access node for handling downstream and upstream RTP packets associated with an ongoing VoIP call. One common IP address can be assigned to the all of the RTP traffic of an access node instead of assigning one IP address per VoIP card, This may be done by identifying the destination VoIP card based on the destination UDP port number in a received RTP packet. The number of public IP addresses needed for VoIP service may be reduced without increasing the cost of the access node.

Abstract: MPLS labels can be used to tunnel data packets through IP networks. At a start point such as a router or network terminator, the IP destination address is examined and one or more labels are generated which relate to the topology of the network. The labels can include QoS information. The packet is then sent to the destination via a label switched path. At the destination the packet may be sent on via a further label switched path by examining the IP address from the received label and generating one or more fresh labels for the passage of the packet through the further label switched path.

Abstract: An access network is built using Ethernet or IEEE 802.3 technology. The network comprises a plurality of terminals, a hierarchy of concentrator stages and a DHCP server. On startup of the terminals, DHCP discover messages are sent to the server which include the terminals' MAC addresses. These addresses are cached at the concentrators against the ports on which they are received. Thus, unknown MAC addresses are only sent upstream. To avoid the network being flooded with broadcast messages, any time a client PC uses ARP to find the MAC address of any other client, the central server provides a proxy ARP function.

Abstract: In order to enable an access network to use private IP addresses, and so reduce public IP address overheads, data packets are tunnelled through the access network using one of a number of methods including, using layer 2 transmission protocol between a LAC and a LNS and using label switch paths based on MPLS labels.

Abstract: A call agent, which acts as a proxy terminal is included in a network termination between a user network an access network. The proxy terminal communicates with a gatekeeper VoIP server in a managed IP network. The proxy terminal is first registered with the VoIP server to which it appears as a terminal device. The individual terminal devices are then registered with the call agent. This may include POTS phones if a gateway is included between the POTS phone and the call agent. This arrangement means that all devices in a users home can have a single public IP address and that each can answer VoIP calls and each device can make VoIP calls. The proxy terminal also provides bandwidth management, rejecting or renegotiating calls if there is insufficient bandwidth to handle them.

Abstract: MPLS labels can be used to tunnel data packets through IP networks. At a start point such as a router or network terminator, the IP destination address is examined and one or more labels generated which relate to the topology of the network. The labels can include QoS information. The packet is then sent to the destination via a label switched path. At the destination the packet may be sent on via a further label switched path by examining the IP address from the received label and generating on or more fresh labels for the passage of the packet though the further label switched path.