Dynamic load balancing in a communication network

摘要

Methods and systems for providing a dynamic and real time load factor that can be shared with other network elements is disclosed. The load factor can be used in determining the relative load among a set of network elements and in distributing new sessions requests as well as existing session on the set of network elements. The load factor can also be used for determining to which network element a user equipment is handed off. The dynamic load factor can also be shared amongst network elements to determine how the load is balanced among the network elements, such as a mobility management entity (MME).

主权项

1. A management gateway comprising:
a processing unit configured to:
implement a management function for providing tracking, activation and deactivation of bearers, and mobility management for mobile devices,monitor load conditions on the management gateway in real time,periodically determine a load capacity value based on the load conditions, the load conditions including information regarding at least one of processing unit usage, memory usage, and number of sessions active, andselecting one or more base stations and one or more network elements to which the load capacity value should be sent for use in assigning a mobile device to the management gateway; a memory in operative communication with the processing unit where the load capacity value is stored and updated whenever a change occurs in the load capacity value; and a network interface configured to communicate with one or more base stations and one or more network elements to allow the management gateway to send a message that reflects the load capacity value to the selected one or more base stations and the selected one or more network elements.