U.S. patent application number 15/184078 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-22 for methods circuits devices systems and associated machine executable instructions for transporting packetized data across a cellular communications network.
The applicant listed for this patent is SAGUNA NETWORKS LTD.. Invention is credited to Lior Fite, Daniel Nathan Frydman.
Application Number | 20160373360 15/184078 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56263517 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160373360 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Frydman; Daniel Nathan ; et
al. |
December 22, 2016 |
Methods Circuits Devices Systems and Associated Machine Executable
Instructions for Transporting Packetized Data Across a Cellular
Communications Network
Abstract
Disclosed is a communication network having at least one network
access segment including one or more network access points, wherein
a selective packet bridge appliance integral or otherwise
functionally associated with the at least one network access
segment, is adapted to selectively shunt packet flow between two or
more mobile communication devices communicatively coupled to the at
least one network access segment through access points of the at
least one network segment, and wherein a packet is selected for
shunting at least partially based on an intended destination of the
packet and at least partially based on a payload type of the
packets.
Inventors: |
Frydman; Daniel Nathan;
(Haifa, IL) ; Fite; Lior; (Zurit, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SAGUNA NETWORKS LTD. |
Yokneam Illit |
|
IL |
|
|
Family ID: |
56263517 |
Appl. No.: |
15/184078 |
Filed: |
June 16, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62180067 |
Jun 16, 2015 |
|
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|
62198728 |
Jul 30, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 63/30 20130101;
H04L 47/22 20130101; H04M 7/123 20130101; H04L 47/283 20130101;
H04L 65/80 20130101; H04L 47/2483 20130101; H04L 65/1026 20130101;
H04L 65/1069 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 12/815 20060101
H04L012/815; H04L 12/851 20060101 H04L012/851; H04M 7/12 20060101
H04M007/12; H04L 12/841 20060101 H04L012/841 |
Claims
1. A communication network comprising: at least one network access
segment including one or more network access points; and a
selective packet bridge appliance integral or otherwise
functionally associated with said at least one network access
segment and adapted to selectively shunt packet flow between two or
more mobile communication devices communicatively coupled to said
at least one network access segment through access points of said
at least one network segment, wherein a packet is selected for
shunting at least partially based on an intended destination of the
packet and at least partially based on a payload type of the
packets.
2. The communication network according to claim 1, wherein said
selective packet bridge appliance includes a packet inspector to
inspect packets on an uplink of said at least one network access
segment generated by communication devices communicatively coupled
to said at least one network access segment through one of the one
or more access points.
3. The communication network according to claim 2, wherein said
packet inspector is further adapted to inspect packets on a
downlink of said at least one network access segment and designated
for a communication device communicatively coupled to the at least
one network access segment through one of the one or more access
points.
4. The communication network according to claim 2, wherein said
packet inspector is further adapted to determine a packet parameter
including one or more of: (a) a packet payload type; (b) a packet
source designator, (c) a packet destination designator, and (d) a
packet quality of service requirement.
5. The communication network according to claim 4, wherein said
selective packet bridging appliance further includes packet
selection logic circuits for selecting one or more packets from an
uplink of the at least one network access segment to shunt to a
downlink of the at least one network access segment.
6. The communication network according to claim 5, wherein said
packet selection logic circuits are adapted to determine that an
uplink packet flow is intended for a communication device
communicatively coupled to said at least one network access segment
by: (a) comparing a packet destination designator against a table
correlating destination designators to network access segments; or
(b) detecting that a packet flow on the uplink corresponds to a
packet flow on the downlink.
7. The communication network according to claim 6, wherein said
packet selection logic circuits are adapted to select real-time
transport protocol packet flows for shunting to a downlink.
8. The communication network according to claim 7, wherein said
selective packet bridging appliance further includes a packet
injector adapted to inject a shunted packet into a downlink of said
at least one network access segment.
9. The communication network according to claim 1, wherein shunting
packet flow includes allowing the shunted packet or a copy of the
shunted packet to reach a core of the network and then dropping the
packet before it reaches an intended destination.
10. A method of operating a communication network comprising:
selectively shunting packet flow between two or more mobile
communication devices communicatively coupled to the same at least
one network access segment through access points of the at least
one network segment, wherein selection for packet shunting is at
least partially based on an intended destination of the packet and
at least partially based on a payload type of the packets.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein shunting includes
inspecting packets on an uplink of the at least one network access
segment generated by communication devices communicatively coupled
to the at least one network access segment through one of the one
or more access points.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein shunting includes
inspecting packets on a downlink of the at least one network access
segment.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein inspecting determines
a packet parameter including one or more of: (a) a packet payload
type; (b) a packet source designator, (c) a packet destination
designator, and (d) a packet quality of service requirement.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein shunting include
copying RTP packets from an uplink of the at least one network
access segment to a downlink of the at least one network access
segment.
15. The method according to claim 13, wherein packet selection
logic includes determining that an uplink packet flow is intended
for a communication device communicatively coupled to the at least
one network access segment by: (a) comparing a packet destination
designator against a table correlating destination designators to
network access segments; or (b) detecting that a packet flow on the
uplink corresponds to a packet flow on the downlink.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/180,067, entitled: "System
and method for Routing Voice Over IP calls within a Mobile Edge
Computing server", filed on Jun. 16, 2015; and from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/198,728, entitled: "System
and method for Routing Voice Over IP calls within a Mobile Edge
Computing server", filed on Jul. 30, 2015; both of which
applications are hereby incorporated by reference into the present
application in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of
wireless communication. More specifically, the present invention
relates to methods, circuits, devices, systems and associated
machine executable instructions for transporting packetized data
across a cellular communications network.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In recent years, Mobile Network Operators are moving into
Voice over LTE [Long Term Evolution] (VoLTE) technology to further
reduce operational cost of voice services over circuit switch
technology. VoLTE offers great cost reduction in peer to peer
calling merely by the fact that once a voice channel is established
packets are routed directly between peers without the need for any
mediation device as is required in Circuit Switch technology.
Still, one of the major pitfalls of voice over IP is its
sensitivity to delay and jitter between the end points, with
shorten packet delays and improved likelihood of better voice
quality for the duration of the call, remaining a main goal. In
Mobile networks, however, the structure of the network and the
delay over the air interface often creates a long delay path
between the 2 endpoints that could reach a Round-Trip Time (RTT) of
200 msec, even between endpoints which are in close physical
proximity.
[0004] Accordingly, there remains a need, in the field of wireless
communication for techniques that may be utilized to detect a VOIP
or VoLTE call which occurs within the same local area and then to
find the preferred (e.g. best and shortest) route for the voice
packets within the network, while maintaining support for handover
and mobility, lawful interception and correct charging and billing
information. Described techniques may be likewise applicable to
other (non-VoIP) data types, and/or to other
communication/data-payload types.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] The present invention includes methods, circuits, devices,
systems and associated machine executable instructions for
transporting packetized data across a cellular communications
network. According to some embodiments, there may be provided a
selective packet bridge appliance integral or otherwise
functionally associated with a cellular network access segment and
adapted to shunt a packet flow between two or more mobile
communication devices (Also referred to as UE (User Equipment))
utilizing the same or nearby network access segments. The selective
packet bridge appliance may selectively bridge packet flow between
two mobile communication devices upon packet inspection identifying
that the two mobile communication devices are communicatively
coupled to the same or to interconnected network access segment(s).
A second condition for triggering packet flow shunting or bridging
by the selective packet bridge appliance may be detection of
specific packet payload types, for example, speech, video and/or
any other payload type benefiting from shortened transport times
and/or improved transport quality.
[0006] According to embodiments, the selective packet bridge may
include a packet inspector, packing bridging logic, and a packet
injector. The packet inspector may be in the form of a dedicated
digital logic circuit or in the form of machine executable code
running on a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field
programmable array (FPGA) or any other configurable digital
processing apparatus or platform. The packet inspector may be
communicatively coupled to one or more upstream data lines/channels
of the network access segment with which the packet bridge is
integral or otherwise functionally associated. The upstream
lines/channels carry data packets generated and transmitted by
communication devices communicatively coupled to an access point of
the network access segment with which the packet bridge is integral
or otherwise functionally associated. The packet inspector may be
adapted to determine packet parameters including one or more of:
(a) a payload type; (b) a packet source designator, (c) a packet
destination designator, and (d) a quality of service requirement.
The packet inspector may also be adapted to copy and/or remove
packets from upstream line/channel. According to embodiments of the
present invention, when the upstream lines/channels are within a
flat IP tunnel, the packet inspector may include or be otherwise
functionally associated with IP tunnel de-encapsulation and/or
encapsulation circuitry.
[0007] The packet injector may be in the form of a dedicated
digital logic circuit or in the form of machine executable code
running on a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field
programmable array (FPGA) or any other configurable digital
processing apparatus or platform. The packet injector may be
communicatively coupled to one or more downstream data
lines/channels of the network access segment with which the packet
bridge is integral or otherwise functionally associated. The
downstream lines/channels carry data packets designated for
communication devices communicatively coupled to an access point of
the network access segment with which the packet bridge is integral
or otherwise functionally associated. The packet injector may be
adapted to inject or append data packets into a packet flow passing
through a functionally associated downstream line/channel. For
example, the packet injector may be adapted to inject or append an
identical or modified copy of a packet copied or removed from an
upstream line/channel by a functionally associated packet
inspector. According to some embodiments, the packet injector may
also include packet inspection functionality, such as inspection of
parameters including one or more of: (a) a packet payload type; (b)
a packet source designator, (c) a packet destination designator,
and (d) a quality of service requirement. According to embodiments
of the present invention, when the downstream line/channel is
within a flat IP tunnel, the packet injector may include or be
otherwise functionally associated with IP tunnel de-encapsulation
and encapsulation circuitry.
[0008] A packet bridging logic, integral or otherwise functionally
associated with a selective packet bridging appliance according to
embodiments, may be in the form of a dedicated digital logic
circuit or in the form of machine executable code running on a
processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable
array (FPGA) or any other configurable digital processing apparatus
or platform. The bridging logic may select which packets to shunt
or bridge from an uplink or upstream line/channel of a network
access segment associated with (e.g. serviced by) the selective
packet bridging appliance to a downlink or downstream line/channel
of the same or another network access segment associated with the
selective packet bridging appliance. A first criteria or parameter
the bridging logic circuits, according to embodiments, may use to
determine whether to shunt/bridge a packet from an upstream
line/channel to a downstream line/channel is a destination of the
packet. If, for example, the packet's destination designator (e.g.
destination IP address, a cellular network address, etc.) is not
associated with a communication device communicatively coupled to
the network access segment serviced by the selective packet
bridging appliance, than bridging the packet to a downstream
line/channel of that network segment would serve no purpose.
Therefore, the first criteria for deciding to shunt/bridge a packet
according to embodiments may be that the packet's destination be a
communication device communicatively coupled to a network access
segment serviced by or otherwise connected to the selective packet
bridge.
[0009] Determining whether an upstream packet is intended for a
communication device connected to the same of related network
access segment may be achieved according to one of several
techniques. According to one technique, the packet selection logic
may compare a destination designator (e.g. Packet Destination IP
address) on a packet with network reference table which includes
records correlating connected device IP addresses with specific
network access segments. According to further embodiments, the
packet selection logic may detect corresponding packet flows on the
uplink line and the downlink line connected to the selective packet
bridging appliance. Detection of a correlation between an uplink
packet stream and a downlink packet stream may indicate
corresponding packet flows between two communication devices
communicating with one another.
[0010] Even after the packet selection logic determiners that a
specific packet or packet flow is intended for a communication
device communicatively coupled to a serviced network access
segment, the selection logic circuits may also check packet types
and/or packet payload types before making a selection to
shunt/bridge. The selection logic may choose to shunt Real-time
Transport Protocol (RTP) packets, such as Voice-over-IP packets and
or like video feed packets while ignoring non-RTP type packets.
[0011] A second criteria or parameter factored by bridging logic
according to embodiments when selecting packets for
shunting/bridging is a payload type (e.g. content type) of packets.
User experience for certain packet payloads or payload types, such
as live voice data and/or live video feed data, is affected by
packed delivery delays and thus enhanced by shunting or bridging of
the packets between the source and destination. While user
experience for other types of payload, such as email or file
transfers, are less affected by packet delivery delays, and thus
benefit less from packet shunting/bridging. Accordingly, a second
criteria used to determine whether to shunt packet flow between two
communication devices, each of which is communicatively coupled to
the same or associated network access segments serviced by the
selective packet bridge, is the type of payload the packet flow is
carrying and more specifically that payload's sensitivity to
delivery delays. According to embodiments of the present invention,
packet bridging logic may select packets carrying Voice over IP
data and/or Video over IP data.
[0012] According to further embodiments of the present invention,
either the packets or copies of packets being shunted may also be
forwarded towards a core of the communication network. The copies
of the shunted packets may be forwarded to the network core for
billing and/or legal inspection purposes. A
packet-router/core-router at or near the network core may forward
the packet copies back towards their designated destination
devices, towards the network access segments service by selective
packet bridge. According to yet further embodiments, the shunted
packets or packet copies sent back to the network access segments
from the network core may be terminated or dropped by the selective
packet bridge of by a functionally associated network appliance
prior to the packets or packet copies reaching their designated
destination. According to further embodiments, upon a selective
packet bridge or bridging appliance detecting that a destination
communication device of a packet flow being shunted by the bridge
has disconnected from a network access segment serviced by or
otherwise functionally associated with the bridge (e.g. handover to
another access segment occurred), the bridge may cease shunting the
packet flow and may allow the packet router at the network core to
forward the packets to the new network access segment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0013] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the
specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and
method of operation, together with objects, features, and
advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the
following detailed description when read with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a simplified cellular network diagram according
to the prior art wherein VoIP data packets between two mobile
communication devices, also referred to as user equipment,
connected to the same network access segment are routed through a
packet switch at the network core;
[0015] FIG. 2 is signaling/packet flow diagram of a VoIP call setup
process according to the prior art;
[0016] FIG. 3A is a functional block diagram of an exemplary
selective packet bridging appliance (a.k.a. a bridge) according to
embodiments of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3B is a flowchart including the steps of an exemplary
packet bridging/shunting method according to embodiments of the
present invention corresponding to the functionality of a selective
packet bridge;
[0018] FIG. 4A illustrates packet parameters inspected and matched
between upstream and downstream packets in order identify packet
stream which may be shunted;
[0019] FIG. 4B illustrates packet portions copies from an uplink
packet to a downlink packet as part of an exemplary selective
packet shunting process according to embodiments of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a network diagram of an exemplary cellular
communication network according to embodiments including selective
packet bridges integral or otherwise functionally associated with
respective appliances connected to respective network segments,
wherein one of the selective packet bridges is shown to shunt
packet flows between two communication devices communicatively
coupled to the network segment serviced by that bridge; and
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a cellular network appliance arrangement
including selective packet bridging appliances communicating with
both network access segment equipment and network core
equipment.
[0022] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily
been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the
elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity.
Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be
repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0023] In the following detailed description, numerous specific
details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding
of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled
in the art that the present invention may be practiced without
these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,
procedures, components and circuits have not been described in
detail so as not to obscure the present invention.
[0024] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the
following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the
specification discussions utilizing terms such as "processing",
"computing", "calculating", "determining", or the like, may refer
to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system,
or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or
transform data represented as physical, such as electronic,
quantities within the computing system's registers and/or memories
into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within
the computing system's memories, registers or other such
information storage, transmission or display devices.
[0025] In addition, throughout the specification discussions
utilizing terms such as "storing", "hosting", "caching", "saving",
or the like, may refer to the action and/or processes of `writing`
and `keeping` digital information on a computer or computing
system, or similar electronic computing device, and may be
interchangeably used. The term "plurality" may be used throughout
the specification to describe two or more components, devices,
elements, parameters and the like.
[0026] Some embodiments of the invention, for example, may take the
form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software
embodiment, or an embodiment including both hardware and software
elements. Some embodiments may be implemented in software, which
includes but is not limited to firmware, resident software,
microcode, or the like.
[0027] Furthermore, some embodiments of the invention may take the
form of a computer program product accessible from a
computer-usable or computer-readable medium providing program code
for use by or in connection with a computer or any instruction
execution system. For example, a computer-usable or
computer-readable medium may be or may include any apparatus that
can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the
program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution
system, apparatus, or device.
[0028] In some embodiments, the medium may be an electronic,
magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor
system (or apparatus or device) or a propagation medium. Some
demonstrative examples of a computer-readable medium may include a
semiconductor or solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable
computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory
(ROM), any composition and/or architecture of semiconductor based
Non-Volatile Memory (NVM), any composition and/or architecture of
biologically based Non-Volatile Memory (NVM), a rigid magnetic
disk, and an optical disk. Some demonstrative examples of optical
disks include compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact
disk-read/write (CD-R/W), and DVD.
[0029] In some embodiments, a data processing system suitable for
storing and/or executing program code may include at least one
processor coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements, for
example, through a system bus. The memory elements may include, for
example, local memory employed during actual execution of the
program code, bulk storage, and cache memories which may provide
temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce
the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storage during
execution.
[0030] In some embodiments, input/output or I/O devices (including
but not limited to keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) may
be coupled to the system either directly or through intervening I/O
controllers. In some embodiments, network adapters may be coupled
to the system to enable the data processing system to become
coupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or
storage devices, for example, through intervening private or public
networks. In some embodiments, modems, cable modems and Ethernet
cards are demonstrative examples of types of network adapters.
Other functionally suitable components may be used.
[0031] The present invention includes methods, circuits, devices,
systems and associated machine executable instructions for
transporting packetized data across a cellular communications
network. According to some embodiments, there may be provided a
selective packet bridge appliance integral or otherwise
functionally associated with a cellular network access segment and
adapted to shunt packet flow between two or more mobile
communication devices utilizing the same or nearby network access
segments. The packet bridge appliance may selectively bridge packet
flow between two appliances upon packet inspection identifying that
the two mobile communication devices are communicatively coupled to
the same or interconnected network access segments. A second
condition for packet flow bridging to be triggered by the packet
bridge appliance may be detection of specific packet payload type,
for example, speech, video and/or any other payload type benefiting
from shortened transport times.
[0032] According to further embodiments, the packet bridge
appliance covering one or more network segments, or another
functionally associated network appliance, may inspect packets
flowing towards the network core and packets flowing from the
network core in order identify a packet flow, such as VoIP packet
flows, which is both originating and terminating within a network
segment being covered by the packet bridging appliance.
Identification of such a packet flow may trigger bridging of the
packet flow, as described above. Detection of such a packet flow,
for example using packet inspection, may also trigger detection and
bridging of a corresponding packet flow in an opposite
direction.
[0033] According to further embodiments, a copy of packets
originating at one or more of the mobile communication devices
whose packet flows are being bridged may be transmitted along an
original path towards a core of the cellular communication
network.
[0034] The present invention discloses a method to detect a VOIP or
VoLTE call which occurs within the same local area and then find
the best the shortest route for the voice packets within the
network while keeping smooth handover and mobility, lawful
interception and correct charging and billing information. The
disclosed System and Method illustrates a way in which VOIP or
VoLTE RTP packets can be locally routed either within the same
Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) servers or between MEC servers for best
possible shortest route to achieve minimum delay path and thus
guarantee best possible voice quality. Furthermore there may be
provided a method by which to maintain handovers and mobility
function as well as lawful interception and charging.
[0035] Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown a simplified cellular
network diagram according to the prior art wherein VoIP data
packets between two mobile communication devices, also referred to
as user equipment (UE), connected to the same network access
segment are routed through a packet switch at the network core. The
Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) packets (red line) are shown, in
accordance with some embodiments, to be travelling all the way up
from the 1st UE towards the Evolved Packet Core (EPC--a framework
for providing converged voice and data on a 4G Long-Term Evolution
(LTE) network) only to be routed back to a different UE in close
proximity to the calling UE.
[0036] With the introduction of an MEC server (not shown) into the
network the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signaling may be
analyzed by the MEC server (in case the Gm interface [An Interface
Name--Used to exchange messages between SIP user equipment (UE) or
VoIP gateway and P-CSCF] between the UE and the P-CSCF [A
Proxy-CSCF--An SIP proxy that is the first point of contact for the
IMS terminal] is not encrypted) and determine that the call that is
currently being setup is actually a local call within the same MEC
server.
[0037] In the case that the Gm Interface is encrypted, the MEC
server may listen on RTP ports and detect RTP flows that are going
in opposite directions between (from/to) the same IP Addresses.
Correlation of the RTP packets while assuring one to one
relationship may provide high guarantee (e.g. 100%) of detection of
a voice call. Detection may, for example, take few milliseconds and
as such the first few RTP packets may be routed through the EPC and
only later packets will be routed locally. Detection may be done
based on the user space IP address and RTP ports.
[0038] Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown a signaling/packet
flow diagram of a VoIP call setup process according to the prior
art. In the figure there is shown, in accordance with some
embodiments, a User Equipment (UE) registration with the IP
Multimedia Core Network Subsystem (IMS) core over SIP and then a
call setup between two UEs. Messages happening between other mobile
network elements to setup required bearers (e.g. for VoLTE
signaling and voice traffic) are not shown in the figure. Once the
RTP tunnel is formed and in case a Mobile Routing Facility (MRF) is
not required (i.e. VoLTE call between to UE's) the RTP packets are
routed between the UEs using the routing facility in the mobile
network.
[0039] Turning now to FIG. 3A, there is shown a functional block
diagram of an exemplary selective packet bridging appliance (a.k.a.
a bridge) according to embodiments of the present invention. The
functionality of the selective packet bridging appliance may be
described in conjunction with the steps illustrated in the
flowchart of FIG. 3B.
[0040] The selective packet bridging appliance shown includes a
bridge controller for managing the operation of the shown packet
inspectors, a packet extractor and a packet injector. The packet
inspector, inspects Uplink Line/Channel (1000), Based on a
comparison of one or more packets, or parts thereof, inspected on
the upstream line/channel, to one or more packets, or parts
thereof, inspected on the downstream line/channel. The shown
bridging logic detects uplink packets or packet streams designated
for a communication devices on the same or related network access
segment (2000), and thus determines/estimates whether the
participating communication devices are on the same or on a related
network access segment. The shown bridging logic further determines
if detected packets include payload qualifying for shunting
(3000).
[0041] Upon a successful comparison (devices on same/related
network access segment) and a positive inspection (packet payload
qualifying for shunting), the injector injects qualifying packets
into downstream line/channel addressed to the original destination
communication device (4000). Qualifying packets (addressed to the
network core) are accordingly extracted by the extractor from the
upstream line/channel and injected into the downstream line/channel
addressed to the original destination communication device.
[0042] Original packets are allowed to continue to the network core
for billing & legal inspection purposes (5000). Before return
from the network core to the original destination communication
device, original packets are intercepted (6000).
[0043] Turning now to FIG. 4A, there is shown an exemplary
selective packet bridging appliance (a.k.a. a bridge) inspecting
and matching packet parameters between upstream and downstream
packets in order to identify packet streams which may be
shunted.
[0044] The detection of correlated RTP flows within the same MEC
server, in accordance with some embodiments, may include analyzing
the RTP packets content and detecting identical packets and/or
sequences of packets going in both directions via the MEC server,
thus indicating that both endpoints of the call are being served by
the same MEC server.
[0045] In the figure, the source of a given uplink traffic packet,
from a first UE, is compared to the destination of a given downlink
traffic packet, travelling towards a second UE; and the destination
of a given uplink traffic packet, from a first UE, is compared to
the source of a given downlink traffic packet, travelling towards a
second UE. Matching IP source/destination addresses of packets
going in both directions via the MEC server, may indicate that both
endpoints of the call are being served by the same MEC server.
[0046] Turning now to FIG. 4B, there is shown an exemplary
selective packet bridging appliance (a.k.a. a bridge) coping packet
portions from an uplink packet to a downlink packet as part of an
exemplary selective packet shunting process according to
embodiments of the present invention.
[0047] In the figure there is shown the MEC server, upon completion
of the detection of a local call, extracting the Internal IP
message, including all headers above it, from its GTP tunnel that
belongs to the first UE and inserts it into the GTP tunnel of the
other UE. This may be done in both directions. The end result is
that RTP traffic is routed locally, the resulted route of the RTP
is illustrated in following FIG. 5.
[0048] Turning now to FIG. 5, there is shown a network diagram of
an exemplary cellular communication network according to
embodiments including selective packet bridges integral or
otherwise functionally associated with respective appliances
connected to respective network segments, wherein one of the
selective packet bridges is shown to shunt packet flows between two
communication devices communicatively coupled to the network
segment serviced by that bridge.
[0049] By analyzing the RTP traffic at the location of the MEC
(aggregation points or adjacent to the eNB/Small-cell
[eNB/eNodeB--Evolved Node B--is the hardware that is connected to
the mobile phone network that communicates directly wirelessly with
mobile handsets (UEs), like a base transceiver station (BTS) in GSM
networks]) unique information may be generated for analytics
purposes in a strategic location in the network. This may include
information such as latency, jitter, lost-packets and any
additional information that may assist the operator, on a per
cell/eNB/aggregation--point level.
[0050] Turning now to FIG. 6, there is shown a cellular network
appliance arrangement including selective packet bridging
appliances communicating with both network access segment equipment
and network core equipment.
[0051] In order to guarantee lawful interception of the locally
routed packets the MEC server forwards a full copy of the locally
routed packets including all headers towards an MEC GW located
adjacent to the EPC that in-turn sends the full packets into the
lawful interception system tap.
[0052] In the case of a mobility event the MEC server can detect
the mobility event by analyzing the S1AP messages. In case this
option is not available, the MEC server will detect the mobility
through the RTP packets. In case one of the UEs is having a
mobility event its GTP tunnel changes and thus the MEC will stop
receiving packets on that RAB, the generated packets by this UE
will flow towards the EPC and back to the other UE not through the
MEC server. Upon detection of such an event, the MEC server will
detect the RTP packets arriving from the direction of the EPC and
will immediately stop local routing and all packets will be routed
towards the EPC.
[0053] According to some embodiments of the present invention,
there may be provided a communication network comprising: at least
one network access segment including one or more network access
points; and a selective packet bridge appliance integral or
otherwise functionally associated with the at least one network
access segment and adapted to selectively shunt packet flow between
two or more mobile communication devices communicatively coupled to
the at least one network access segment through access points of
the at least one network segment, wherein a packet is selected for
shunting at least partially based on an intended destination of the
packet and at least partially based on a payload type of the
packets.
[0054] According to some embodiments, the selective packet bridge
appliance of the communication network may include a packet
inspector to inspect packets on an uplink of the at least one
network access segment generated by communication devices
communicatively coupled to the at least one network access segment
through one of the one or more access points.
[0055] According to some embodiments, the packet inspector of the
communication network may be further adapted to inspect packets on
a downlink of the at least one network access segment and
designated for a communication device communicatively coupled to
the at least one network access segment through one of the one or
more access points. According to some embodiments, the packet
inspector may be further adapted to determine a packet parameter
including one or more of: (a) a packet payload type; (b) a packet
source designator, (c) a packet destination designator, and (d) a
packet quality of service requirement.
[0056] According to some embodiments, the selective packet bridging
appliance of the communication network may further include packet
selection logic circuits for selecting one or more packets from an
uplink of the at least one network access segment to shunt to a
downlink of the at least one network access segment. According to
some embodiments, the packet selection logic circuits may be
further adapted to determine that an uplink packet flow is intended
for a communication device communicatively coupled to said at least
one network access segment by: (a) comparing a packet destination
designator against a table correlating destination designators to
network access segments; or (b) detecting that a packet flow on the
uplink corresponds to a packet flow on the downlink.
[0057] According to some embodiments, the packet selection logic
circuits of the communication network may be further adapted to
select real-time transport protocol packet flows for shunting to a
downlink.
[0058] According to some embodiments, the selective packet bridging
appliance of the communication network may further include a packet
injector adapted to inject a shunted packet into a downlink of the
at least one network access segment. According to some embodiments,
shunting packet flow may include allowing the shunted packet or a
copy of the shunted packet to reach a core of the network and then
dropping the packet before it reaches an intended destination.
[0059] According to some embodiments of the present invention,
there may be provided a method of operating a communication network
comprising: selectively shunting packet flow between two or more
mobile communication devices communicatively coupled to the same at
least one network access segment through access points of the at
least one network segment, wherein selection for packet shunting is
at least partially based on an intended destination of the packet
and at least partially based on a payload type of the packets.
[0060] According to some embodiments, shunting may include
inspecting packets on an uplink of the at least one network access
segment generated by communication devices communicatively coupled
to the at least one network access segment through one of the one
or more access points. According to some embodiments, shunting may
include inspecting packets on a downlink of the at least one
network access segment.
[0061] According to some embodiments, inspecting may determine a
packet parameter including one or more of: (a) a packet payload
type; (b) a packet source designator, (c) a packet destination
designator, and (d) a packet quality of service requirement.
[0062] According to some embodiments, shunting may include copying
RTP packets from an uplink of the at least one network access
segment to a downlink of the at least one network access
segment.
[0063] According to some embodiments, packet selection logic may
include determining that an uplink packet flow is intended for a
communication device communicatively coupled to the at least one
network access segment by: (a) comparing a packet destination
designator against a table correlating destination designators to
network access segments; or (b) detecting that a packet flow on the
uplink corresponds to a packet flow on the downlink.
[0064] Functions, operations, components and/or features described
herein with reference to one or more embodiments, may be combined
or otherwise utilized with one or more other functions, operations,
components and/or features described herein with reference to one
or more other embodiments, or vice versa. While certain features of
the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many
modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now
occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be
understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such
modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the
invention.
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