Lucent Technologies Inc.

Tellabs Operations, Inc.

Mitchell R Gerdisch

Harvey Rubin

Bernard Louis Cyr

Tengywe Eric Hong

Leonardo Silvestri

John A Kilpatrick

An IP sub-network includes a gateway and a plurality of sub-network processors in communication with the gateway. An IP address is associated with each sub-network processor, the IP address having a sub-network address portion corresponding to the sub-network and a host address portion corresponding to the sub-network processor. Each sub-network processor generates a transaction identifier for each signaling message that is communicated by the gateway to the signaling network. The transaction identifier is based on the IP address and can be generated by separating the sub-network address portion of the IP address and concatenating the host address portion with a numerical value, which corresponds to a predetermined, non-random ordering scheme. A signaling message can be routed to a sub-network processor by concatenating the sub-network address portion with the host address portion used as part of the transaction identifier.

Sub-network and related methods for routing signaling messages

Multi cast techniques are employed to provide host computer elements access to multiple redundant servers of a communication network in such a way that the hosts need not know which of the servers is active. In one embodiment, the servers provide a gateway function between an Ethernet LAN and an external network. The Ethernet LAN comprises one or more hosts connected to one or more switches, the switches connected to corresponding servers defining an active/standby pair. The servers are connected to an external network by corresponding active/standby links. The hosts send messages directed to a multicast address to at least one of the switches. The switches forward the messages on ports according to a multicast routing topology having been determined by performing IGMP 'snooping' of messages issued from the servers. Both the active and standby servers receive the messages; and the active server sends the messages to the external network. In case the active server fails or is removed from service, the standby server is promoted to active server and assumes the role of the formerly active server without necessitating any communication to the hosts to inform them of the change in status of the active server.

Methods for providing a reliable server architecture using a multicast topology in a communications network

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method for extending battery life in a subscriber unit in contact with a system node of a wireless communication network. The method establishes a current inactivity level. The method then periodically checks the state of a power failure flag (which is set when line power is not available and clear otherwise). When the power failure flag is clear and there is no line power present, the method sets the power failure flag and sets a timer to expire after a period of time based on the current inactivity level. When the power-failure flag is set and line power is present, the method clears the power failure flag and performs a default inactivity level registration with the system node requesting to use the system default inactivity level. When the power failure flag is set, no line power is present, the timer has expired, and the current inactivity level is not the system maximum inactivity level, the method performs an incremental inactivity level registration with the system node requesting to use the next highest inactivity level.

Using inactivity levels to extend subscriber equipment battery life

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a cell site base station configuration for a wireless communications system that makes use of a sectorized base station co-located with an omnidirectional base station. The sectorized base station has a sectorized antenna system and the omnidirectional base station has an omnidirectional antenna. The configuration may also include a controller that monitors the base station for communications links subject to adverse conditions and reassigns any such links to the omnidirectional base station. The adverse conditions monitored for may include multiple fade, equipment failure and a lack of available channels. The controller may also monitor the omnidirectional base station for links that can be moved to the sectorized base station and reassign any such links to the sectorized base station. The configuration may also include a network that interconnects the sectorized base station, the omnidirectional base station and the controller.

Growing community of inventors

Naperville, IL, United States of America

Mitchell R Gerdisch