Method and apparatus for providing guaranteed quality/class of service within and across networks using existing reservation protocols and frame formats
US6563793B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 25, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 25, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L47/805
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus provide reserved bandwidth and QOS/COS virtual circuit connections in a network using both conventional and novel reservation protocols and frame formats. An apparatus according to the invention includes an enterprise control point that communicates with switches via a reserved signaling channel. The switches have been upgraded or replaced to include enhanced functionality. The enhanced switches detect packets that include requests for reserved connections according to existing reservation protocols such as RSVP and IEEE 802.1P/Q. Such detected packets are forwarded to the enterprise control point for processing via a reserved signaling channel. The enterprise control point identifies a path within the network that can satisfy the requested QOS/COS and reserves the requested resources all along the path from beginning to end. A method according to the invention includes detecting packets that include requests for reserved connections according to existing reservation protocols such as RSVP and IEEE 802.1P/Q, forwarding detected packets to an enterprise control point for processing via a reserved signaling channel, identifying a path within the network that ca…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.