Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)

Andrew Wilkinson

Nayil Kavak

Sriganesh Kini

Stefan Behrens

András Császár

Balázs Peter Gerö

Bhaskara Chinni

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating a network node of a communication network is provided, the network node being connected to a downstream network node, and to a non-downstream loop free alternate (LFA) network node comprising a load balancing identifier indicating whether it is allowed to load balance the data packet via a non-downstream LFA network node or not; changing, if the load balancing identifier indicates that it is allowed to load balance the data packet via a non-downstream LFA network node, and if the network node decides to load balance the data packet via the non-downstream LFA network node, the load balancing identifier of the data packet such that it indicates that a further load balancing of the data packet via a further non-downstream LFA network node is not allowed; and forwarding the thus modified data packet to the non-downstream LFA network node.

Technique of operating a network node for load balancing

In one embodiment, a method for automatically creating a network route using a discovered IP address includes a first network device receiving a plurality of packets over an X2-C. The method further includes determining a packet type of one or more packets of the received plurality of packets. The method further includes discovering one or more IP addresses of a second RBS using information of the one or more packets, wherein the information used for discovering the one or more IP addresses is determined based on the determined packet type of the one or more packet). The method further includes creating a network route between a first RBS and the second RBS for each of the one or more discovered IP addresses.

Topology discovery based on SCTP/X2 snooping

According to an embodiment, a network device coupled to a local base station at a cell site is configured to automatically create a more optimal route for inter-base station traffic between the local base station and a remote base station. The network device automatically discovers a remote Internet Protocol address of the remote base station used for inter-base station traffic based upon traffic transmitted by the local base station to the network device or traffic transmitted between the local and remote base stations. In response, the network device automatically installs the more optimal route entry in a routing table of the network device, which enables the network device to route inter-base station traffic originated from the local base station and destined to the remote base station using a shorter path through the backhaul network instead of routing the traffic through a mobile core network.

X2 son for LTE networks through automated X2 address discovery

Exemplary methods for creating label stacks include creating and sending a first SR label stack for a data packet, wherein the first SR label stack causes the data packet to be forwarded through the SR network using a first set of links, and wherein the first SR label stack includes a first service label that identifies a first service to be applied to the data packet by a second network device. In one embodiment, the methods include creating and sending a second SR label stack for an operations administration and maintenance (OAM) packet, wherein the second SR label stack causes the OAM packet to be forwarded through the SR network using the first set of links, and wherein the second SR label stack prevents the second network device from applying the first service to the OAM packet.

Label stack encoding and processing to enable OAM procedures for service segments in segment routed (SR) networks

In an embodiment, a network device automatically creates a more optimal route entry for inter-base station traffic to be transmitted between a local base station and a remote base station. The network device automatically discovers a remote IP address of the remote base station used for inter-base station traffic based upon traffic transmitted by the local base station destined to the network device or traffic transmitted between the local and remote base stations. In response, the network device inserts an entry into a route import map representing the remote IP address, and based upon determining that a route from a route update message matches this entry, installs the more optimal route entry into the routing table. This route provides a shorter path to the remote base station through the backhaul network compared to a less optimal route through a mobile core network previously used for the inter-base station traffic.

VPNv4 route control for LTE X2 SON using import route maps and outbound route filtering

In one embodiment, a method for automatically creating a network route using a discovered IP address includes a first network device creating a connection-oriented interface with a first radio base station (RBS) for exchanging packets originating from the first RBS destined for the first network device, and for exchanging packets originating from the first network device destined for the first RBS, by receiving a first HELLO packet originating from the first RBS destined for the first network device, and transmitting a first HELLO packet destined for the first RBS. The method includes receiving, via the connection-oriented interface, a first CONNECT packet from the first RBS, the first CONNECT packet including a first IP address of the second RBS. The method includes creating a first network route between the first RBS and the second RBS using the first IP address included in the first CONNECT packet.

Topology discovery based on explicit signaling

According to an embodiment, a network device automatically creates a more optimal route entry for inter-base station traffic to be transmitted between a local and a remote base station through a backhaul network. The network device automatically discovers an IP address of the remote base station used for inter-base station traffic based upon traffic transmitted by the local base station to the network device or transmitted between the local and the remote base stations. The network device generates a unique route target (RT) value based upon the remote IP address and inserts it into an import route target list. Upon receiving a route update message including routes transmitted by a route reflector in the backhaul network, the network device installs a route entry into a routing table based upon determining that an RT value of one of the routes matches the unique RT value in the import route target list.

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Andrew Wilkinson