Abstract
A flow controller for controlling a data flow through a mobile communication network includes a processor configured to receive a request from a network entity, the request indicating interfaces of the network entity and a data flow destination, and determine at least one interface and a path from a data flow policy of the mobile communication network. The processor is also configured to send a reply to the network entity, the reply indicating at least one of the interfaces of the network entity to be used for the data flow and the path to be used for the data flow.
Technologies
Mobility and handover
Product
Use Cases
Services
Claim
1. A flow controller for controlling a data flow through a mobile communication network, the flow controller comprising:
a memory having processor-executable instructions stored thereon; and a processor, configured to execute the processor-executable instructions to facilitate:
receiving a request from at least one network entity, the request indicating interfaces of the at least one network entity and a data flow destination;
determining at least one interface and a path based on a data flow policy of the mobile communication network; and
sending a reply to the at least one network entity, the reply indicating at least one of the interfaces of the at least one network entity to be used for the data flow and the path to be used for the data flow.
2. The flow controller of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the processor-executable instructions to facilitate receiving the data flow policy from a data flow policy control module via a communication path.
3. The flow controller of claim 1, wherein the data flow policy includes a quality of service (QoS) required for the data flow.
4. The flow controller of claim 1, wherein the data flow policy includes a priority for the data flow.
5. The flow controller of claim 1, wherein determining the at least one interface and the path is further based on information in the network entity request and state information of the mobile communication network, wherein determining the at least one interface and the path based on the information in the network entity request, the data flow policy, and the state information comprises:
determining other network entities coupled to interfaces of a requesting network entity; determining whether the other coupled network entities are active or idle; and selecting an interface and path to the data flow destination that provides a required quality of service (QoS).
6. The flow controller of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the processor-executable instructions to facilitate receiving the mobile communication network state information from a management and monitoring control module (MMCM) via a communication path.
7. The flow controller of claim 5, wherein the state information of the mobile communication network indicates a number of idle network entities that may be activated to provide a portion of the path for the data flow;
wherein the processor is further configured to execute the processor-executable instructions to facilitate determining the path such that at least a portion of the data flow is routed along network entities being indicated as idle in the state information.
8. The flow controller of claim 6, wherein the state information of the mobile communication network indicates a number of active network entities that may be made idle.
9. The flow controller of claim 1, wherein the request from the at least one network entity further indicates interfaces of at least one other network entity.
10. The flow controller of claim 1, wherein the request comprises a utilization level of network entity interfaces to be used for determining a selected interface and path meeting a required quality of service (QoS) for the data flow.
11. The flow controller of claim 1, wherein the at least one network entity comprises a plurality of network entities, and wherein the processor is further configured to execute the processor-executable instructions to facilitate:
receiving the data flow policy from a data flow policy control module (DFPCM) of the mobile communication network; receiving network state information from a management and monitoring control module (MMCM) of the mobile communication network; determining flow context information for routing data among the plurality of network entities in the mobile communication network; and sending the flow context information to the plurality of network entities in the mobile communication network.
12. The flow controller of claim 11, wherein the memory is further configured for storing data flow paths among the plurality of network entities;
wherein the processor is further configured to execute the processor-executable instructions to facilitate sending updated flow context information to the plurality of network entities upon a change of one or more data flow paths.
13. A method for providing a flexible data flow in a mobile communication network, the method comprising:
receiving, by a flow controller, a request indicating interfaces of at least one network entity and a data flow destination; and sending, by the flow controller, a reply comprising at least one of the interfaces to be used for the data flow and a path for the data flow, the at least one interface and the path being determined based on a data flow policy of the mobile communication network.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one network entity comprises a plurality of network entities, and wherein the method further comprises:
receiving the data flow policy of the mobile communication network; receiving network state information of the mobile communication network; determining flow context information for routing data among the plurality of network entities in the mobile communication network; and sending the flow context information to the plurality of network entities in the mobile communication network.
15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having processor-executable instructions stored thereon for providing a flexible data flow in a mobile communication network, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed, facilitate performance of the following:
receiving a request indicating interfaces of at least one network entity and a data flow destination; and sending a reply comprising at least one of the interfaces to be used for the data flow and a path for the data flow, the at least one interface and the path being determined based on a data flow policy of the mobile communication network.
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Note:
The information in blue was extracted from the third parties (Standard Setting Organisation, Espacenet)
The information in grey was provided by the patent holder
The information in purple was extracted from the FrandAvenue
Explicitly disclosed patent:openly and comprehensibly describes all details of the invention in the patent document.
Implicitly disclosed patent:does not explicitly state certain aspects of the invention, but still allows for these to be inferred from the information provided.
Basis patent:The core patent in a family, outlining the fundamental invention from which related patents or applications originate.
Family member:related patents or applications that share a common priority or original filing.