Virtualization of control plane functions of a wireless core packet network
US9226333B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 2013 |
| Grant date | Dec 29, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 11, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2009/45595
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A capability is provided for virtualizing control plane functions of a wireless core packet network (WCPN). A forwarding element (FE) is configured to provide a set of data plane functions of the WCPN. A virtual control element (VCE) is configured to provide a set of control plane functions of the WCPN. The VCE includes a set of virtual machines (VMs) where at least one of the VMs is configured to detect a condition associated with a tunnel, for a wireless terminal (WT), between the FE and a wireless access device (WAD) configured to serve the WT, and propagate, toward the FE, a message comprising a tunnel command configured to instruct the FE to at least one of install, remove, or modify a tunnel rule associated with the tunnel between the FE and the WAD. The tunnel enables the WT to access a packet data network (PDN).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.