Abstract: |
A method includes decomposing functionalities of an node, such as an edge node, of a mobile core domain of a wireless communications system into a plurality of partitions comprised of at least one application part for executing at least signaling plane functions and that interfaces logically to other signaling entities, at least one control part for executing at least transport functions and at least one network element part for executing at least data forwarding functions. The method further includes virtualizing the at least one application part and configuring at least one network element to perform at least one data forwarding function under the direction of the at least one control part. The control part is instantiated as at least one software-defined networking (SDN) controller, and the at least one network element includes a plurality of SDN controller configurable ports to receive data and to send data, and to also perform operations on received data such as tunnel termination/origination, encryption/decryption, traffic shaping and other needed user plane transport functions. The use of the invention enables a complete virtualization of the mobile core domain to be accomplished. |
Inventor: |
Morper, Hans-Jochen (Erdweg, DE) |
Applicant: |
NOKIA SOLUTIONS AND NETWORKS OY (Espoo, FI) |
Face Assignee: |
NOKIA SOLUTIONS AND NETWORKS OY (Espoo, FI) |
Filed: |
2013-03-01 |
Issued: |
2020-01-28 |
Claims: |
18 |
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US10547505
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1. A method, comprising:
(11)
(6)
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14. An apparatus, comprising:
(3)
(8)
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17. A network element included in an edge node that executes at least tunnel handling functions, comprising:
(0)
(7)
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