Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling congestion in a mobile communication system. A method for controlling congestion of a network node according to the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving congestion-related information from at least one base station; transmitting a user equipment information request message for making a request for information on a piece of user equipment corresponding to the base station to a mobility management entity; receiving a user equipment information response message including the information on the user equipment corresponding to the base station from the mobility management entity; and transmitting the information on the piece of user equipment corresponding to the base station to another core network node.

Abstract: A method for estimating a quality of multiparty telecommunication with a computing device includes: (a) determining individual connection quality scores of individual connections of each participant in a multiparty telecommunication call; and (b) determining a quality score for the multiparty telecommunication call from the perspective of each participant using a function of the individual connection quality scores.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a data packet transported on a backhaul link at a first network element; de-capsulating the data packet; identifying whether the data packet is an upstream data packet; identifying whether the data packet matches an internet protocol (IP) access control list (ACL) or a tunnel endpoint identifier; and offloading the data packet from the backhaul link. In more specific embodiment, the method can include identifying that the data packet does not match the IP ACL or the tunnel endpoint identifier; and communicating the data packet to a second network element. In other examples, the method can include identifying that the data packet is a downstream data packet; identifying a service to be performed for the data packet that cannot be performed at the first network element; and communicating the data packet to a second network element.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a request to route traffic from a source to a destination in a network, where the request is associated with a setup bandwidth criterion. The method includes: identifying a plurality of candidate tunnel paths from the source to the destination; and, for each of the plurality of candidate tunnel paths, determining whether or not at least one of the candidate tunnel paths satisfies the setup bandwidth criterion. In response to determining that the plurality of candidate tunnel paths fail to satisfy the setup bandwidth criterion, the method includes: determining a congestion metric for each of a plurality of candidate tunnel paths from the source to the destination; and instantiating a tunnel from the source to the destination according to a candidate tunnel path with the lowest congestion metric.

Abstract: The embodiments set forth techniques for avoiding network connectivity stalls at a mobile computing device. In an idle state, a performance analyzer executing on the mobile computing device is configured to passively analyze high-level network connectivity information to detect any minor issues with the network connectivity being provided by a primary interface (e.g., WiFi). When minor issues are detected, the mobile computing device transitions into an alerted state, where high emphasis is placed on using the WiFi interface and low emphasis is placed on using a secondary interface (e.g., Cellular). In the alerted state, the mobile computing device actively analyzes low-level connectivity information to detect any major issues with the WiFi interface. When major issues are detected, the mobile computing device transitions into a fallback state, where high emphasis is placed on using the Cellular interface and low emphasis is placed on using the WiFi interface.

Abstract: A method and system for managing an application in a cloud data center by monitoring the bandwidth of a subnet of which the primary operating instance of an application is a member. If a severe deterioration in the bandwidth caused by an over consumption of the subnet resources from other subnet constituents is detected, a suitable secondary instance in an alternate, uncompromised subnet is located and primary operation of the application is transferred from the former primary operating instance to the secondary instance. The secondary instance can be pre-launched or dynamically requisitioned according to various embodiments.

Abstract: A notification acquiring section receives, from a device, a notification message indicating at least one of an aggregate value of data communication amounts obtained by aggregating, per unit of aggregation time of one second or longer, the data communication amounts of the device which have been measured on a millisecond or microsecond basis; and an aggregate value of data accumulation amounts obtained by aggregating, per unit of the aggregation time, the data accumulation amounts in the device which have been measured on the millisecond or microsecond basis. A determining section analyzes at least one of the aggregate values of the data communication amounts and the data accumulation amounts indicated by the notification message to determine whether or not microburst traffic has occurred at the device.

Abstract: A method of load sharing, includes: extracting a factor field capable of distinguishing data flow in a packet header of the classified data flow, and taking the factor field as an input factor of a default load sharing algorithm of a network forwarding device interface, or taking the factor field as an input factor of a load sharing algorithm capable of uniformly allocating the data flows and selected according to the flow characteristic of the data flows, calculating the paths of the data flows, and forwarding the data flows according to respective paths. The method is used for increasing the expansibility of the network forwarding device and achieving load balancing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for moving at least one service or an IP session from a first access to a second access, comprising the following steps: —a Gateway, GW, routes (25) a data packet flow between a Packet Data Network, PDN, and a User Equipment, UE, for said service or IP session over the first access, —the GW monitors (26) the data packet flow between the PDN and the UE to detect the network performance of the first access, —the GW—moves (27) the routing of the data packet flow to the second access when the network performance goes below a threshold.

Abstract: A method, including deploying multiple servers as a distributed computing system (DCS) configured to provide a service to clients. At a first time, a given server is configured as an active node in the DCS, the active node configured to and to process requests for the service received from the clients. At the first time, one or more remaining first servers are configured as one or more semi-active nodes in the DCS, each given semi-active node configured to receive, from the clients, requests for the service, and to forward the received requests to the active node for processing. Each of the servers maintains respective counts of the received requests, and at a second time subsequent to the first time, upon identifying a given remaining server having a highest count the given remaining server is reconfigured as the active node, and the given server is reconfigured as a semi-active node.

Abstract: There are provided a method of controlling traffic in a cellular network comprising a plurality of controlled access points (APs) and a system thereof.

Abstract: A route search apparatus comprises a road information storage part configured to store road information including link information comprised of single link information and composite link information; and a route searcher configured to search a recommended route between two different points using the link information. The single link information includes information regarding an approach link that is a link approaching to a node at one end of a target link, an exit link that is a link exiting from a node at the other end of the target link, and a cost of the target link for entering from the approach link and exiting to the exit link. The composite link information includes information regarding an approach link that is a link approaching to a node at one end of a target link array, an exit link that is a link exiting from a node at the other end of the target link array, and a cost of the target link array for entering from the approach link and exiting to the exit link.

Abstract: A method for programming a MAC address table by a first leaf node in a network comprising a plurality of leaf nodes is provided. Each leaf node comprises one or more Virtual Tunnel End Points (“VTEPs”) and instantiates a plurality of Virtual Routing and Forwarding elements (“VRFs”), with a corresponding Bridge Domain (“BD”) assigned to each VRF. The method includes obtaining information indicating one or more VTEP Affinity Groups (VAGs), each VAG comprising an identification of one VTEP per leaf node, obtaining information indicating assignment of each VRF to one of the VAGs, assigning each VAG to a unique Filtering Identifier (“FID”), thereby generating one or more FIDs, and programming the MAC address table, using FIDs instead of BDs, by populating the MAC address table with a plurality of entries, each entry comprising a unique combination of a FID and a MAC address of a leaf node.

Abstract: A controller area network has a plurality of nodes in communication through a bus. The nodes have controllers and computer readable instructions that, when executed, perform the steps of: receiving a new message; inserting the new message into the queue in order of priority if the queue is not full; refusing the new message if the queue is full and the priority of the new message is lower than the priorities of current messages in the queue; inserting the new message into the queue in order of priority if the queue is full and the priority of the new message is higher than a priority of at least one of the current messages; removing the new message from the queue if the current time exceeds an expiration indicator; sending the new message to the controller for transmission and holding the new message in the queue during transmission; and removing the new message from the queue after successful transmission.

Abstract: A telemetry network may be a communication network that comprises a plurality of telemetry devices. The plurality of telemetry devices may comprise a parent device and at least one child device. The parent device may be capable of sending data to and receiving data from an external network outside the communication network; and the child device may connect to the parent device and may be capable of sending data to and receiving data from the parent device and communicating with the external network via the parent device. Each telemetry device of the plurality of telemetry devices may provide an individual local network to end users.

Abstract: A system for managing server switches includes a plurality of leaf switches, a plurality of spine switches connected to each of the plurality of leaf switches, and a switch manager. The switch manager is connected to the plurality of leaf switches and the plurality of spine switches, and is configured to provide an individual controller as a virtual machine for each leaf switch and for each spine switch.

Abstract: A method in a communication network is disclosed. The network comprises first and second transport mediums connected in series. Access to the first and second transport mediums is controlled by first and second MACs, respectively. A traffic client of the second MAC receives traffic on the first transport medium for forwarding to the second transport medium. The method comprises receiving from the first MAC information about traffic demands from traffic clients of the first MAC. The method further comprises using the received information, together with information about traffic demands from traffic clients of the second MAC, as input to making a medium access grant decision for the second MAC, wherein the medium access grant decision for the second MAC implements a coordination between traffic access to the first and second transport media. The method also comprises instructing implementation of the medium access grant decision for the second MAC.

Abstract: A method, operational at a network device, for conveying congestion information across different strata of a multi-strata network is provided. An indication is obtained that a congestion level for at least one of a radio access network node and a core network node of a network has changed. Consequently, a one or more service parameters for a plurality of services, operating at a service stratum, are updated or adjusted on a per service basis based on the congestion level indication. The one or more service parameters are provided or sent to, at least one of, a node operating at a service stratum or a user device that obtains services over the network.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of managing congestion by a Policy Control and Charging Rules Function (PCRF). The method includes receiving at least one piece of video flow related information; receiving, from an evolved Node B (eNB), congestion state information for the eNB and at least one User Equipment (UE); determining a data transmission rate of at least one video flow on the basis of the received congestion state information and the received video flow related information; and adjusting the data transmission rate of the at least one video flow on the basis of the determined data transmission rate.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for caching content data to a storage device attached to a node in a content-centric network (CCN). During operation, the system receives a content packet; forwards the content packet to an incoming port of an interest in the content packet; caches a copy of the content packet in the attached storage device, assembles a query; which includes at least a network header and an address associated with storage blocks at which the cached copy of the content packet is located, corresponding to the content packet; and stores the query in a cache table, thereby facilitating a subsequent direct access to the storage blocks using the assembled query to retrieve the copy of the content packet.

Abstract: Indirect destination determinations for forwarding tunnel network packets may be performed. Tunneling may be initiated for network packets received at a packet processor according to a forwarding route or other prior packet processing stage, such as an access control list stage. A corresponding entry in a tunnel lookup table may be accessed to determine the tunneling to be applied to the network packet, such as Internet Protocol tunneling or Multiprotocol Label Switching tunneling. The corresponding entry may also include a pointer to a next hop address table that stores a next hop address for the tunneled version of the network packet. The tunneled version of the network packet may be forwarded to the next hop address.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for routing data traffic based on network conditions. Network conditions for a communication network may be monitored, where the communication network comprises a first access node and a second access node that are in communication using a first communication link and a second communication link. The monitored network conditions may include at least a utilization of the second communication link. It may be determined that the network conditions meet a criteria. A first classification may be assigned to a message when it is determined that the network conditions meet the criteria. The first access node may be instructed to transmit the message over the first communication link based on the first classification when the network conditions meet the criteria and to transmit the message over the second communication link when the network conditions fail to meet the criteria.

Abstract: A voice service evaluation processing method and apparatus may include acquiring record data related to a to-be-evaluated voice service; using a voice service evaluation model that is acquired according to record data related to a voice service to evaluate the record data related to the to-be-evaluated voice service, so as to acquire an evaluation value of the record data related to the to-be-evaluated voice service; and performing, according to the evaluation value, evaluation processing on a voice service corresponding to the record data related to the to-be-evaluated voice service. The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a more reliable basis for improvement and optimization of a voice service. In addition, an actual status of a network may further be reflected according to evaluation performed on record data related to the voice service, and adjustment on a network indicator may further be performed according to the reflected network status.

Abstract: A networking device continuously and simultaneously receives multiple sign and verify requests, without a priori knowledge of their quantity, type, sequence, length, input data or frequency. The networking device performs the corresponding signature operations and verification operations according to a rule based configuration. Each received sign and verify request is broken into multiple tasks, which are placed into a task pool with priorities, and disassociated from their originating requests and from other tasks. Multiple execution agents (each one a separate general purpose compute unit with its own memory space) repeatedly and simultaneously processes next available tasks from the pool based on priority. Asynchronous worker routines in the agents can pre-calculate certain values for higher level task processing. The output from completed tasks is placed into a repository, and the results in the repository are processed to fulfill the multiple received requests at network line speed.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for sending congestion notification messages through L3 networks. For example, a data packet is received at a first switch in a first fabric block of an L3 network, and the first switch performs source MAC tagging of the data packet. The data packet is then forwarded to a second switch in a second fabric block of the L3 network, and the source MAC tag is maintained by the second switch and any intermediate switches. The second switch determines, in response to receiving the data packet, whether it is congested, and generates a notification message if it is congested. The notification message is L2 forwarded to the first fabric block, and further forwarded from the first switch to a source of the data packet using ACL matching.

Abstract: A toll-free tagging service is provided that includes a subscription-based service that is made available to responsible organizations, consumers and businesses. The toll-free tagging service may provide the ability to tag a toll-free number (or group of numbers), and once a number is tagged, to track updates to that number that may then be distributed to customers through emails/text messages or other means. Subscribers of the toll-free tagging service may also have the ability to create, view, update and delete tags through a web application, mobile application, or some other user interface.

Abstract: A reliability evaluating method for multi-state flow network with learning effect and a non-transitory storage device are provided. The method includes following steps: finding a plurality of minimum paths of the multi-state flow network; each arc of the plurality of minimum paths generating greater a load requirement capacity by the learning effect; judging whether the load requirement capacity is matching the maximum capacity and finding the system state vector; and calculating the reliability of the multi-state flow network as a basis for decision-making.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first edge device that is operatively coupled to a second edge device via a switch fabric. The first edge device and the second edge device collectively define an edge device network operating with a network-address-based protocol. The first edge device communicates with the second edge device via a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) tunnel through the switch fabric. Furthermore, the first edge device is operatively coupled to the switch fabric such that a node of the switch fabric can be modified without coordination of the edge device network. Additionally, the first edge device is operatively coupled to the second edge device to define the edge device network such that an edge device of the edge device network can be modified without coordination of the switch fabric.

Abstract: An instruction from a controller is received at an application executing using a processor, the controller being a Software Defined Network (SDN) controller operating in an SDN. A determination is made, using the processor, that the instruction applies to an identifier located in a data packet, the data packet passing through a shared port, the shared port being shared by the controller and a concurrently operating second controller in the SDN. A period of effectiveness of the instruction is initialized. A command is sent to a switch to apply a network setting configured by the controller to handle the data packet, where the shared port is located at the switch in the SDN.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method for reconfiguring data flow across network channels may include (1) monitoring, in a replication environment, a first network channel and a second network channel that transmit replication data, where the first network channel transmits the replication data using a first network protocol and the second network channel transmits the replication data using a second network protocol that is different than the first network protocol, (2) identifying one or more characteristics of the first and second network channels, (3) obtaining one or more performance metrics of the first and second network channels, and (4) reconfiguring data flow within the replication environment based on both the characteristics and the performance metrics of the first and second network channels. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A load balancing apparatus and method for a wireless communications system, and a base station. The apparatus includes: an interference monitoring part, configured to monitor interference between small cells during load balancing; and a load balancing control part, configured to adjust load balancing according to the interference between the small cells that is monitored by the interference monitoring part.

Abstract: A method implemented in an integrated edge node for performing routing functions and network appliance services at the edge of a network, the method comprising disassociating a first network feature from a port, creating a plurality of first internal virtual ports, associating the plurality of first internal virtual ports to a first network appliance service component and a core unit component, mapping the plurality first internal virtual ports to each other and to a plurality of ports, constructing an internal path comprising at least one port, a subset of the plurality of internal virtual ports, the network appliance service component, and the core unit component, and associating the first network feature to the internal path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting control information by means of a terminal in a CA-based wireless communication system, including the steps of: forming first and second cells that include different subframe configurations, wherein the second cell includes TDD UL-DL configuration #0; receiving a UL grant by means of the first cell; and transmitting data corresponding to the UL grant by means of the second cell.

Abstract: System and methods for efficiently distributing data packets in a multi-path network while maintaining flow affinity are provided. In one aspect, a system and method includes calculating hash values for distributing different flows, or sets of flows, of data packets received at a routing device. The hash value is calculated not only using information in the data packets, but also based on additional information that is determined based on an N-bit derived from the data packets. In some cases, calculating a hash value based on the additional information increases the entropy of the hashing function, thus enabling a routing device to distribute different flows of data packets over a greater number of network paths. Each routing device can derive a different, and randomly generated N-bit key while maintaining flow affinity for each received data packet in a given flow of data packets.

Abstract: A medium access control module including queues and gate, shaping and selector modules. The queues or the gate modules receive frames and timestamps from a memory. Ownership of the frames is masked based on the timestamps, which delays reception of the frames by the queues. The queues store the frames received from the memory. The gate modules compare the timestamps to a local time and permit transfer of the frames based on the comparisons. Each of the gate modules permits transfer of one of the frames in response to the local time matching or being later than a corresponding one of the timestamps. The shaping modules receive the frames from the queues or the gate modules and spread data in the frames over time to generate output signals. The selector module selects one of the output signals to forward to a physical layer device.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for configuration of label switched paths in multi-protocol label switched networks. A router comprising a control unit and an interface may be configured to perform the techniques. The control unit may determine a label to bind to the LSP. The interface may transmit a message specifying the label that has been bound to the LSP prior to confirming that the LSP has been successfully configured within the support router to use the bound label.

Abstract: A switch determines a path, not included in a first set of virtual networks associated with the switch. It is determined if the path can be added to an existing virtual network in the first set of virtual networks. If the path cannot be added, a new virtual network is created to include the path.

Abstract: A layer 2 tunneling protocol access concentrator (LAC) may receive an indication to set up a layer 2 tunneling protocol (L2TP) tunnel. The LAC may determine, based on the indication, a multicast address associated with initiating setup of the L2TP tunnel. The LAC may provide, to the multicast address, a request associated with initiating the L2TP tunnel. The request may be provided such that a plurality of L2TP network servers (LNSs) receives the request. The LAC may receive a set of responses to the request. The set of responses may be provided by a respective set of LNSs. The plurality of LNSs may include the respective set of LNSs. The LAC may select, based on the set of responses, a particular LNS, of the respective set of LNSs, with which to set up the L2TP tunnel.

Abstract: A device can include a stream builder configured to encode media data at a plurality of different coding rates and to generate a plurality of streams encapsulating the encoded media data. Each of the plurality of streams can have an associated protection level that corresponds to an ability of packet reconstruction and a bandwidth cost. The system can also include a stream replicator configured to transmit each of the plurality of streams to a content receiver via N number of networks. The system can further include an adapter configured to control the coding rate and the protection level of each of the plurality of streams based on a feedback signal transmitted from the content receiver. The feedback signal can characterize a packet loss rate of each of the plurality of streams.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a processor and a control plane that directs the processor to (1) detect that at least a portion of an initial branch path of a point-to-multipoint label-switched path has failed over to a failover route that rejoins the initial branch path at a network node and (2) establish an alternate branch path that merges with the initial branch path at the network node. The apparatus may also include a network interface and a data plane that uses the network interface to transmit data via the alternate branch path, where after the data plane begins transmitting data via the alternate branch path, the control plane instructs the network node to forward data from the alternate branch path rather than from the failover route. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents a method and apparatus for identifying an access point (AP) for selection by an access terminal (AT). For example, the method may include receiving a probe request by one or more APs from an AT, wherein the probe request is broadcasted by the AT to the one or more APs, generating load information and Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) values of the probe request at the one or more APs, identifying an AP of the one or more APs for selection by the AT, wherein the AP for selection by the AT is identified by the one or more APs based at least on the load information and RSSI values generated at the one or more APs, and transmitting information of an AP identified by the one or more APs to the AT. As such, an improved mechanism for selecting an access point may be achieved.

Abstract: Being aware of a loss of signalling bearer transport through an IP Connectivity Access Network is an important issue. Therefore, the present invention relies on amending the Policing and Charging Control model with means to provide the IMS infrastructure with subscriptions to and notifications about signalling session events detected on the signalling IP flow transported through the bearer layer. To this end, a P-CSCF, or AF included therein, is amended to allow the establishment of a signalling session for subscription to notification of bearer level events for a signalling IP flow. Apart from that, new processing rules are required at the AF and PCRF for handling the signalling session, the notification of events and the termination of the signalling session.

Abstract: A method for forwarding message, comprising: receiving, by a forwarding plane device, a first message, and looking up a first entry matched with the first message in a flow table of the forwarding plane device, wherein the forwarding plane device is a device compliant with a network architecture in which control and forwarding are separated; performing, by the forwarding plane device, a first operation on the first message for limiting its message forwarding rate according to the first entry. Further, a corresponding device is also provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. With the technical solutions provided in embodiments of this disclosure, the forwarding plane device can put limits on its message forwarding rate.

Abstract: In one implementation, a network device is configured to implement an intra switch transport protocol. The intra switch transport protocol is configured to determine a window size according to a predetermined bandwidth and a round trip time between a plurality of ingress ports and an egress port. The network device is configured to sending at least one data packet from an ingress port to an egress port without first receiving any acknowledgement from the egress port. The network device continues to send packets and increment a counter accordingly until the counter reaches the window size. The network device ceases transmission of subsequent data packets and/or queues subsequent data packets based on the counter exceeding the window size.

Abstract: A method and a user equipment (UE) for routing a data packet in a wireless communication network are discussed. The method according to an embodiment includes establishing, by the UE, a packet data network (PDN) connection via a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) cellular network; obtaining, by the UE from an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) server, a routing rule including information on an access point name (APN) and a priority of the APN, the APN identifying a packet data network (PDN) connection; and performing, by the UE, an offload function by selecting a gateway via the 3GPP cellar network based on the priority of the APN. The routing rule comprises identification information in the form of an IP 5-tuple allowing the UE to route the data packet.

Abstract: A network device includes a communication interface. A processing system is coupled to the communication interface. A memory system is coupled to the processing system and includes instructions that, when executed by the processing system, cause the processing system to receive first traffic though the communication interface and forward the first traffic downstream though the communication interface using a first path. The memory system also includes instructions that, when executed by the processing system, cause the processing system receive a congestion notification from a downstream network device through the communication interface and determine whether the congestion notification is associated with the first traffic. In response to the first traffic being associated with the congestion notification, the processor determines whether a second path exists for forwarding subsequent traffic that is associated with the congestion notification downstream though the communication interface.

Abstract: Some implementations provide a method including: storing, at a Network Credit Server (NCS), a service level agreement of a customer; maintaining a database of topology information of the network; receiving a request from a network device where a first plurality of packets associated with the customer have been received en-route to a destination and when the number of the first plurality of packets surpasses a pre-configured threshold number; generating, by the NCS, a reply based on the service level agreement of the customer and the topology information of the network; and sending the reply to the network device for the network device to process a second plurality of packets associated with the customer, the second plurality of packets being received at the network device subsequent to the first plurality of packets and en-route to the destination.

Abstract: In accordance with the exemplary embodiments there is at least a method and apparatus to determine a level of benefit to at least one of a user equipment and a network to aggregate data traffic to or from the user equipment over more than one carrier; and based on the determining, indicate a traffic classification of the data traffic to or from the user equipment, wherein the traffic classification identifies the level of the benefit to aggregate the data traffic to or from the user equipment over the more than one carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for detecting periodic impairments of media streams of real-time communication sessions within a packet-switched network. The invention is performed in a passive monitoring system monitoring a plurality of media streams providing quality data records for each monitored media stream and for predefined time intervals. For each media stream a frequency distribution is generated, which is indicative of the number of good quality data records between two quality data records indicative of impairment. If a maximum exists in the media stream's frequency distribution for a given number of consecutive good quality data records, the stream is determined to be periodically impaired and said given number of consecutive good quality data records for which the maximum exists indicates the periodicity in the impairment of the media stream.

Abstract: Aspects automatically direct data requests from a specific application of a mobile programmable device to a designated WiFi network pathway without interaction from a mobile device user in response to determining that an initial data network pathway does not meet a satisfactory service threshold for forwarding the data requests to an event web server. In response to determining that the mobile device is within communication range of a WiFi service node in communication with a first WiFi pathway designated for access by the specific application for communications with the event web server, the mobile device processor automatically executes an authentication procedure with the WiFi service node to gain access to the first WiFi pathway without requiring a user of the mobile device to log in to the first WiFi pathway or to accept a connection to the first WiFi pathway, and uses the first WiFi pathway.