US6449650B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and apparatus for deploying quality of service policies on a data communication network
Assignee: Ericsson AB
•
Filing: 1999-05-21
•
Granted: 2002-09-10
•
Expires: 2019-05-21
Abstract
Abstract A network policy management system and methods define service templates. The service templates contain information on the topologies of services such as video calls, web services, order processing applications, or the like. The service templates also contain information about the quality of service required by each of the data flows which will be generated when an instance of the service is used. The policy management system allows users to add new services by selecting a service template and specifying endpoints for the service on a map of the network. The system automatically generates updated packet forwarding rules for use at a plurality of packet processing devices in the network.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald Leonard Westfall
- 👤 Paul Terry
- 👤 John M. Siu
- 👤 Aaron S. Mar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:47
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/54; H04L12/56; H04L12/5601; H04L45/00; H04L45/302; H04L45/306; H04L45/3065; H04L45/308; H04L47/00; H04L47/10; H04L47/24; H04L47/2416; H04L47/2441; H04L47/28; H04L47/50; H04L47/62; H04L47/625; H04L47/627; H04L67/00; H04L67/50; H04L67/51; H04L2012/5638; H04L2012/5646; H04L2012/5651; H04L2012/5678; H04L2012/5679; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for controlling connection quality in a data communication network connecting a plurality of sites, the method comprising: a) providing a stored service template comprising computer readable information specifying a service topology for a service and computer readable information specifying QoS requirements for one or more data connections the service, wherein the service template comprises: (i) information specifying types of endpoints that can participate in providing and consuming the service; (ii) information defining data connections between the endpoints; (iii) information specifying a Quality of Service required by each of the data connections; and, (iv) information specifying at least partial information about how to classify data packets so as to associate them with data connections of the service; b) accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service; c) in a programmed computer generating from the computer readable information in the template and the user input a set of rule revisions for classifying and dispatching data packets in the one or more data connections at one or more packet processing devices in the network; and, d) implementing the service by distributing the rule revisions to the one or more packet processing devices.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for controlling connection quality in a data communication network connecting a plurality of sites, the method comprising: a) providing a stored service template comprising computer readable information specifying a service topology for a service and computer readable information specifying QoS requirements for one or more data connections the service, wherein the service template comprises: (i) information specifying types of endpoints that can participate in providing and consuming the service; (ii) information defining data connections between the endpoints; (iii) information specifying a Quality of Service required by each of the data connections; and, (iv) information specifying at least partial information about how to classify data packets so as to associate them with data connections of the service; b) accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service; c) in a programmed computer generating from the computer readable information in the template and the user input a set of rule revisions for classifying and dispatching data packets in the one or more data connections at one or more packet processing devices in the network; and, d) implementing the service by distributing the rule revisions to the one or more packet processing devices.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 comprising displaying on a display device a map of the network wherein accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service comprises accepting user input specifying two or more locations on the map.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 2 wherein accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service comprises displaying a visual representation of the selected service and permitting a user to drag endpoints of the visual representation of the service and drop those endpoints onto locations on the map with a pointing device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 3 wherein providing a service template comprises providing a plurality of service templates and the method includes allowing a user to select one of the plurality of service templates before accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 4 wherein allowing a user to select one of the plurality of service templates comprises allowing a user to select an icon representing a service template from a palette containing a plurality of icons each representing a different service template of the plurality of service templates.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for controlling connection quality in a data communication network connecting a plurality of sites, the method comprising: a) providing a stored service template comprising computer readable information specifying a service topology for a service and computer readable information specifying QoS requirements for one or more data connections the service; b) accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service; c) in a programmed computer generating from the computer readable information in the template and the user input a set of rule revisions for classifying and dispatching data packets in the one or more data connections at one or more packet processing devices in the network, wherein the rule revisions comprise new leaf nodes to be added to policy trees in the packet processing device, the method comprising adding the new leaf nodes to the policy trees in the packet processing device; and d) implementing the service by distributing the rule revisions to the one or more packet processing devices.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for controlling connection quality in a data communication network connecting a plurality of sites, the method comprising: a) providing a stored service template comprising computer readable information specifying a service topology for a service and computer readable information specifying QoS requirements for one or more data connections the service; b) accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service; c) in a programmed computer generating from the computer readable information in the template and the user input a set of rule revisions for classifying and dispatching data packets in the one or more data connections at one or more packet processing devices in the network, wherein the rule revisions comprise new leaf nodes to be added to policy trees in the packet processing device, the method comprising adding the new leaf nodes to the policy trees in the packet processing device; and d) implementing the service by distributing the rule revisions to the one or more packet processing devices.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the policy trees each comprise a plurality of predefined nodes and wherein the new leaf nodes are each added to one of the predefined nodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
The method of claim 7 comprising allocating to each of the new leaf nodes a bandwidth given by: BW % i = BW i ∑ i BW i × 100 % where BW% i is a percentage of bandwidth of the predefined node which is a parent to the new leaf node, BW i is the minimum bandwidth specified for the new leaf node and the sum is taken over all leaf nodes who are children of the predefined node which is a parent to the new leaf node.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
198 words
A method for controlling connection quality in a data communication network connecting a plurality of sites, the method comprising: a) providing a stored service template comprising computer readable information specifying a service topology for a service and computer readable information specifying QoS requirements for one or more data connections the service; accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service; b) in a programmed computer generating from the computer readable information in the template and the user input a set of rule revisions for classifying and dispatching data packets in the one or more data connections at one or more packet processing devices in the network; and, c) implementing the service by distributing the rule revisions to the one or more packet processing devices; d) receiving an altered version of a service template; e) in a programmed computer identifying one or more previously set up services which are based upon the service template; f) in the programmed computer generating a set of rule revisions to change the previously set up services to be based upon the altered version of the service template; and, g) distributing the rule revisions to the one or more packet processing devices.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
198 words
A method for controlling connection quality in a data communication network connecting a plurality of sites, the method comprising: a) providing a stored service template comprising computer readable information specifying a service topology for a service and computer readable information specifying QoS requirements for one or more data connections the service; accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service; b) in a programmed computer generating from the computer readable information in the template and the user input a set of rule revisions for classifying and dispatching data packets in the one or more data connections at one or more packet processing devices in the network; and, c) implementing the service by distributing the rule revisions to the one or more packet processing devices; d) receiving an altered version of a service template; e) in a programmed computer identifying one or more previously set up services which are based upon the service template; f) in the programmed computer generating a set of rule revisions to change the previously set up services to be based upon the altered version of the service template; and, g) distributing the rule revisions to the one or more packet processing devices.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 9 wherein accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service comprises providing an API and accepting user input through the API.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 9 comprising displaying on a display device a map of the network wherein accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service comprises accepting user input specifying two or more locations on the map.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 11 wherein accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service comprises displaying a visual representation of the selected service and permitting a user to drag endpoints of the visual representation of the service and drop those endpoints onto locations on the map with a pointing device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 12 wherein providing a service template comprises providing a plurality of service templates and the method includes allowing a user to select one of the plurality of service templates before accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 13 wherein allowing a user to select one of the plurality of service templates comprises allowing a user to select an icon representing a service template from a palette containing a plurality of icons each representing a different service template of the plurality of service templates.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for controlling connection quality in a data communication network connecting a plurality of sites, the method comprising: a) providing a stored service template comprising computer readable information specifying a service topology for a service and computer readable information specifying QoS requirements for one or more data connections the service; b) accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service; c) in a programmed computer generating from the computer readable information in the template and the user input a set of rule revisions for classifying and dispatching data packets in the one or more data connections at one or more packet processing devices in the network; d) implementing the service by distributing the rule revisions to the one or more packet processing devices; e) accepting user input specifying changes to one or more endpoints for a previously set up service; g) in the programmed computer generating a set of rule revisions to change the one or more endpoints for the previously set up services; and h) distributing the rule revisions to the one or more packet processing devices.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for controlling connection quality in a data communication network connecting a plurality of sites, the method comprising: a) providing a stored service template comprising computer readable information specifying a service topology for a service and computer readable information specifying QoS requirements for one or more data connections the service; b) accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service; c) in a programmed computer generating from the computer readable information in the template and the user input a set of rule revisions for classifying and dispatching data packets in the one or more data connections at one or more packet processing devices in the network; d) implementing the service by distributing the rule revisions to the one or more packet processing devices; e) accepting user input specifying changes to one or more endpoints for a previously set up service; g) in the programmed computer generating a set of rule revisions to change the one or more endpoints for the previously set up services; and h) distributing the rule revisions to the one or more packet processing devices.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 15 wherein providing a service template comprises providing a plurality of service templates and the method includes allowing a user to select one of the plurality of service templates before accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the rule revisions comprise new leaf nodes to be added to policy trees in the packet processing device, the method comprising adding the new leaf nodes to the policy trees in the packet processing device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the policy trees each comprise a plurality of predefined nodes and wherein the new leaf nodes are each added to one of the predefined nodes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
93 words
The method of claim 18 comprising allocating to each of the new leaf nodes a bandwidth given by: BW % i = BW i ∑ i BW i × 100 % where BW% i is a percentage of bandwidth of the predefined node which is a parent to the new leaf node, BW i is the minimum bandwidth specified for the new leaf node and the sum is taken over all leaf nodes who are children of the predefined node which a parent to the new leaf node.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for controlling connection quality in a data communication network connecting a plurality of sites, the method comprising: a) providing a stored service template comprising computer readable information specifying a service topology for a service and computer readable information specifying QoS requirements for one or more data connections the service; b) accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service; c) in a programmed computer generating from the computer readable information in the template and the user input a set of rule revisions for classifying and dispatching data packets in the one or more data connections at one or more packet processing devices in the network; and, implementing the service by distributing the rule revisions to the one or more packet processing devices; d) accepting user input specifying one or more previously set up services to be deleted; e) in the programmed computer generating a set of rule revisions to delete the previously set up services; and f) distributing the rule revisions to the one or more packet processing devices.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for controlling connection quality in a data communication network connecting a plurality of sites, the method comprising: a) providing a stored service template comprising computer readable information specifying a service topology for a service and computer readable information specifying QoS requirements for one or more data connections the service; b) accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service; c) in a programmed computer generating from the computer readable information in the template and the user input a set of rule revisions for classifying and dispatching data packets in the one or more data connections at one or more packet processing devices in the network; and, implementing the service by distributing the rule revisions to the one or more packet processing devices; d) accepting user input specifying one or more previously set up services to be deleted; e) in the programmed computer generating a set of rule revisions to delete the previously set up services; and f) distributing the rule revisions to the one or more packet processing devices.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
95 words
The method of claim 20 wherein accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service comprises displaying a visual representation of the selected service and permitting a user to drag endpoints of the visual representation of the service and drop those endpoints onto locations on the map with a pointing device, and wherein accepting user input specifying one or more previously set up services to be deleted comprises displaying a visual representation of a delete selected service option and permitting a user to activate the delete selected service option with a pointing device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 20 comprising displaying on a display device a map of the network wherein accepting user input specifying two or more endpoints for the service comprises accepting user input specifying two or more locations on the map.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4736363A
Cited
US5548726A
Cited
US6094674A
Cited
US5719942A
Cited
US5933425A
Cited
US5832197A
Cited
US5777986A
Cited
WO1998023080A2
Cited
EP0859492A2
Cited
US6199054B1
Cited
WO1998045976A2
Cited
US5946311A
Cited
US5999598A
Cited
US6075791A
Cited
WO2000008817A2
Cited
WO2000011885A2
Cited
WO2002015462A1
Cited
WO2002015521A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-09-09 | 2006-03-11 | 2006-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-09 | 2010-03-11 | 2010-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-09 | 2014-03-11 | 2014-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |