Optimised packet delivery across a transport network

摘要

A method of prioritizing packets for delivery over a transport network, where a guaranteed minimum information rate over the transport network is specified. The method comprises, for each bearer to be injected into the transport network from the mobile network, specifying a bearer information rate and marking packets up to that rate as conformant with the bearer information rate, and marking packets exceeding that rate as non-conformant. Multiple traffic-type streams from the mobile network are converged, each traffic-type stream comprising multiple bearers. Packets of traffic-type streams are inspected to identify packets marked as conformant and non-conformant, and at least a fraction of non-conformant packets are re-marked as conformant if the converged rate of conformant packets is less than said minimum information rate. The transport network prioritizes delivery of packets marked as conformant over those packets marked as non-conformant.

主权项

1. A method of prioritizing packets for delivery over a transport network interconnecting nodes of a mobile network, where a guaranteed minimum information rate over the transport network is specified for the mobile network, the method comprising:
for each bearer to be injected into the transport network from the mobile network, specifying a bearer information rate and marking packets up to that rate as conformant with the bearer information rate and marking packets exceeding that rate as non-conformant with the bearer information rate; converging a plurality of traffic type streams from the mobile network, each traffic type stream comprising a plurality of bearers; maintaining a token “bucket” in a memory device and filling the bucket with tokens at said minimum information rate; defining a bucket fill threshold for each traffic type stream; inspecting packets of the converged traffic type streams to identify packets marked as conformant and non-conformant, and for a given packet of a given stream marked as non-conformant, re-marking that packet as conformant if the bucket fill level exceeds the bucket fill threshold defined for the associated traffic type stream; and deducting tokens from the bucket upon sending of a packet, marked or re-marked as conformant, across the transport network, wherein said transport network prioritizes the delivery of packets marked as conformant over those packets marked as non-conformant.