Ellacoya Networks, Inc.

Brett A Miller

Kurt A Dobbins

Bruce E Caram

David Ruffen

A system and method that enables session-based and non-session-based application services to be controlled and managed within the IMS/NGN architecture. The IMS/NGN architecture includes a service layer and a transport layer. IMS service control functions are implemented within the service layer, and RACF and transport functions are implemented within the transport layer. The transport functions include access and core network functions, which have corresponding QoS resources. The access or core network function includes an application service control function (ASCF), which includes a PD-FE and a functional element for inspecting packet data flows, and identifying and classifying application services associated with the flows. The ASCF is employed to signal the IMS service control functions on behalf of non-session-based application services, and to reserve and allocate the QoS resources needed to support packet data flows associated with the non-session-based services. As a result, service providers can provide users or subscribers of such non-session-based services with guaranteed or differentiated QoS and/or differentiated service plans, thereby allowing charges to be calculated for the non-session-based services and service plans that are commensurate with the value of the respective service or plan.

Communications system and method to control and manage both session-based and non-session-based application services

Methods and systems for providing scaleable flow based application control in private and public Internet. A flow table can be used to control the application and subscriber traffic for communication flows in access networks. The flow table entry can provide granular, unidirectional packet transmission of data for all or a subset of all host and application communications originating from or destined to network hosts in the access network. Using a flow table entry for multiple unidirectional packet transmissions of data provides efficient use of flow table entries and allows varying operator control of application communication exchanges between network hosts and applications. By using variable masking techniques, the flow table can be used for varying degrees of control over the packet transmissions in the network.

Scaleable flow-based application and subscriber traffic control

Tailored application or service may be delivered via a communication device to a number of subscribers in a manner that avoids having to store individual copies of a service profile on the device for each subscriber receiving the application or service. Specifically, a packet is received requesting delivery of the application or service from the subscriber at a communication device. In response, the communication device retrieves a subscriber context, which references policies that describe each of the applications and services available to the subscriber. The application or service requested by the packet is compared with the policies referenced by the subscriber context to identify any matching policies. Subsequently, the requested application or service is delivered to the subscriber via the communication device according to the matching policies as described by a service profile. This service profile is accessible for describing the application or service when requested by other subscribers. In addition, in some cases each application or service is described by a single set of polices in the service profile. In these instances, each request for the application or service is fulfilled according to that single set of policies.

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Northborough, MA, United States of America

Brett A Miller