US6463062B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Integrating switching and facility networks using ATM
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1998-12-23
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Granted: 2002-10-08
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Expires: 2018-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided for setting up a communication from a first edge node, across a network that uses direct virtual path routing, to a second edge node. The first edge node receives a request to set up the communication. The second edge node is identified as the destination of the communication, based on the request. A first virtual path identifier (VPI) is obtained that defines a first path from the first edge node across the network to the second edge node. A second VPI is obtained that defines a second path from the second edge node across the network to the first edge node. The first and second VPIs are selected by a routing status database. A first virtual channel identifier (VCI) within the first VPI is selected. A second virtual channel identifier (VCI) within the second VPI is selected. Data is transmitted from the first edge node to the second edge node using the first VPI and first VCI, and from the second edge node to the first edge node using the second VPI and second VCI. Switches adapted to carry out the method are also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Cagatay Buyukkoc
- 👤 David J. Houck
- 👤 Pravin Kumar Johri
- 👤 Kathleen S. Meier-Hellstern
- 👤 Steven M. Michelson
- 👤 Rodolfo Alberto Milito
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:21
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L45/00; H04L45/50; H04L12/00; H04L12/54; H04L12/56; H04L12/5601; H04L12/5602; H04L45/02; H04L45/10; H04L45/505; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04Q11/0478; H04L2012/5619; H04L2012/562; H04L2012/5629; H04L2012/5631; H04L2012/5632; H04L2012/5638; H04L2012/5665; H04L2012/5667; H04L2012/5669; H04L2012/5678; H04L2012/5679; H04L2012/568
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of setting up a communication from a first edge node, across a network that uses direct virtual path routing, to a second edge node, comprising the steps of: a. receiving at the first edge node a request to set up the communication; b. identifying the second edge node as the destination of the communication, based on the request; c. obtaining a first virtual path identifier VPI that defines a first path from the first edge node across the network to the second edge node, and a second VPI that defines a second path from the second edge node across the network to the first edge node, wherein the first and second VPIs are selected by a routing status database; d. selecting a first virtual channel identifier VCI within the first VPI; e. selecting a second virtual channel identifier VCI within the second VPI; and f. transmitting data from the first edge node to the second edge node using the first VPI and first VCI, and transmitting data from the second edge node to the first edge node using the second VPI and second VCI.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of setting up a communication from a first edge node, across a network that uses direct virtual path routing, to a second edge node, comprising the steps of: a. receiving at the first edge node a request to set up the communication; b. identifying the second edge node as the destination of the communication, based on the request; c. obtaining a first virtual path identifier VPI that defines a first path from the first edge node across the network to the second edge node, and a second VPI that defines a second path from the second edge node across the network to the first edge node, wherein the first and second VPIs are selected by a routing status database; d. selecting a first virtual channel identifier VCI within the first VPI; e. selecting a second virtual channel identifier VCI within the second VPI; and f. transmitting data from the first edge node to the second edge node using the first VPI and first VCI, and transmitting data from the second edge node to the first edge node using the second VPI and second VCI.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first edge node selects the second VCI, and the second edge node selects the first VCI.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
95 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: the first edge node selects the second VCI; the first edge node provisionally selects the first VCI; the second edge node selects a new first VCI if the first VCI provisionally selected by the first edge node is already being used within the first VPI to send data to the second edge node; and the second edge node accepts the first VCI selected by the first edge node if that VCI is not already being used within the first VPI to send data to the second edge node.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein step c further comprises the step of querying the routing status database on a per-call basis, and receiving in response the first and second VPIs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein step c further comprises the step of selecting a default first VPI and a default second VPI, wherein the default first and second VPIs were previously selected by the routing status database.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
208 words
At a first edge node, a method of setting up a communication from the first edge node, across a network that uses direct virtual path routing, to a second edge node, comprising the steps of: a. receiving a request to set up the communication; b. identifying the second edge node as the destination of the communication, based on the request; c. obtaining a first virtual path identifier VPI that defines a first path from the first edge node across the network to the second edge node, and a second VPI that defines a second path from the second edge node across the network to the first edge node, wherein the first and second VPIs are selected by a routing status database; d. selecting a second virtual channel identifier VCI within the second VPI; and e. sending a setup message to the second edge node that includes the identity of the first and second VPIs and the second VCI; f. receiving from the second edge node a message that relates to a first VCI within the first VPI; and g. transmitting data to the second edge node using the first VPI and first VCI, and receiving data from the second edge node using the second VPI and second VCI.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
208 words
At a first edge node, a method of setting up a communication from the first edge node, across a network that uses direct virtual path routing, to a second edge node, comprising the steps of: a. receiving a request to set up the communication; b. identifying the second edge node as the destination of the communication, based on the request; c. obtaining a first virtual path identifier VPI that defines a first path from the first edge node across the network to the second edge node, and a second VPI that defines a second path from the second edge node across the network to the first edge node, wherein the first and second VPIs are selected by a routing status database; d. selecting a second virtual channel identifier VCI within the second VPI; and e. sending a setup message to the second edge node that includes the identity of the first and second VPIs and the second VCI; f. receiving from the second edge node a message that relates to a first VCI within the first VPI; and g. transmitting data to the second edge node using the first VPI and first VCI, and receiving data from the second edge node using the second VPI and second VCI.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the second edge node selects the first VCI, and the message received in step f communicates to the first edge node the identity of the first VCI.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
108 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein: step d further comprises the step of provisionally selecting the first VCI; the setup message sent in step e further includes the provisionally selected first VCI; the message received in step f defines a new first VCI if the first VCI provisionally selected by the first edge node is already being used within the first VPI to send data to the second edge node; and the message received in step f accepts the first VCI selected by the first edge node if that VCI is not already being used within the first VPI to send data to the second edge node.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the first and second VPIs are obtained in step c by querying the routing status database on a per-call basis, and receiving in response the first and second VPIs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the first and second VPIs are obtained in step c by accessing default first and second VPIs from a database at the first edge node, wherein the default first and second VPIs were previously selected by the routing status database.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
174 words
At a second edge node, a method of setting up a communication from a first edge node, across a network that uses direct virtual path routing, to the second edge node, comprising the steps of: a. receiving a setup message from the first edge node that defines a first virtual path identifier VPI that defines a first path from the first edge node across the network to the second edge node, a second VPI that defines a second path from the second edge node across the network to the first edge node, and a second virtual channel identifier VCI within the second VPI, wherein the first and second VPIs were selected by a routing status database; b. making a decision relating to a first VCI within the first VPI; c. sending a message to the first edge node relating to the first VCI; and d. transmitting data to the first edge node using the second VPI and second VCI, and receiving data from the first edge node using the first VPI and first VCI.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
174 words
At a second edge node, a method of setting up a communication from a first edge node, across a network that uses direct virtual path routing, to the second edge node, comprising the steps of: a. receiving a setup message from the first edge node that defines a first virtual path identifier VPI that defines a first path from the first edge node across the network to the second edge node, a second VPI that defines a second path from the second edge node across the network to the first edge node, and a second virtual channel identifier VCI within the second VPI, wherein the first and second VPIs were selected by a routing status database; b. making a decision relating to a first VCI within the first VPI; c. sending a message to the first edge node relating to the first VCI; and d. transmitting data to the first edge node using the second VPI and second VCI, and receiving data from the first edge node using the first VPI and first VCI.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the decision made in step b is the selection of the first VCI, and the message sent in step c includes the first VCI.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
132 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein: the setup message received in step a further includes a provisional first VCI provisionally selected by the first edge node; if the provisional first VCI provisionally selected by the first edge node is already being used within the first VPI to send data to the second edge node, the decision made in step b is the selection of a new first VCI, and the message sent in step c includes the new first VCI; and if the first VCI provisionally selected by the first edge node is not already being used within the first VPI to send data to the second edge node, the decision made in step b affirms the provisional selection, and the message sent in step c communicates the decision to affirm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
216 words
A first edge node, comprising: a memory that stores instructions for 1. receiving a request to set up a communication; 2. identifying a second edge node as the destination of the communication, based on the request; 3. obtaining a first virtual path identifier VPI that defines a first path from the first edge node across a network to the second edge node, and a second VPI that defines a second path from the second edge node across the network to the first edge node, wherein the first and second VPIs are selected by a routing status database; 4. selecting a second virtual channel identifier VCI within the second VPI; 5. sending a setup message to the second edge node that includes the identity of the first and second VPIs and the second VCI; 6. receiving from the second edge node a message that relates to a first VCI within the first VPI; and 7. transmitting data to the second edge node using the first VPI and first VCI, and receiving data from the second edge node using the second VPI and second VCI; a processor adapted to communicate with the memory and to execute the instructions stored by the memory; and a port adapted to communicate with the processor, the memory, and the second edge node.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
216 words
A first edge node, comprising: a memory that stores instructions for 1. receiving a request to set up a communication; 2. identifying a second edge node as the destination of the communication, based on the request; 3. obtaining a first virtual path identifier VPI that defines a first path from the first edge node across a network to the second edge node, and a second VPI that defines a second path from the second edge node across the network to the first edge node, wherein the first and second VPIs are selected by a routing status database; 4. selecting a second virtual channel identifier VCI within the second VPI; 5. sending a setup message to the second edge node that includes the identity of the first and second VPIs and the second VCI; 6. receiving from the second edge node a message that relates to a first VCI within the first VPI; and 7. transmitting data to the second edge node using the first VPI and first VCI, and receiving data from the second edge node using the second VPI and second VCI; a processor adapted to communicate with the memory and to execute the instructions stored by the memory; and a port adapted to communicate with the processor, the memory, and the second edge node.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The first edge node of claim 14 , wherein the second edge node selects the first VCI, and the message of instruction 6 communicates to the first edge node the identity of the first VCI.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
106 words
The first edge node of claim 14 , wherein instruction 4 further comprises instructions for provisionally selecting the first VCI; the setup message of instruction 5 further includes the provisionally selected first VCI; the message of instruction 6 defines a new first VCI if the first VCI provisionally selected by the first edge node is already being used within the first VPI to send data to the second edge node; and the message of instruction 6 accepts the first VCI selected by the first edge node if that VCI is not already being used within the first VPI to send data to the second edge node.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The first edge node of claim 14 , wherein instruction 3 further comprises instructions for obtaining the first and second VPIs by querying the routing status database on a per-call basis, and receiving in response the first and second VPIs.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
50 words
The first edge node of claim 14 , instruction 3 further comprises instructions for obtaining the first and second VPIs by accessing default first and second VPIs from a database at the first edge node, wherein the default first and second VPIs were previously selected by the routing status database.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
182 words
A second edge node, comprising: a memory that stores instructions for 1. receiving a setup message from a first edge node that defines a first virtual path identifier VPI that defines a first path from the first edge node across a network to the second edge node, a second VPI that defines a second path from the second edge node across the network to the first edge node, and a second virtual channel identifier VCI within the second VPI, wherein the first and second VPIs were selected by a routing status database; 2. making a decision relating a first VCI within the first VPI; 3. sending a message to the first edge node relating to the first VCI; and 4. transmitting data to the first edge node using the second VPI and second VCI, and receiving data from the first edge node using the first VPI and first VCI; a processor adapted to communicate with the memory and to execute the instructions stored by the memory; and a port adapted to communicate with the processor, the memory, and the first edge node.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
182 words
A second edge node, comprising: a memory that stores instructions for 1. receiving a setup message from a first edge node that defines a first virtual path identifier VPI that defines a first path from the first edge node across a network to the second edge node, a second VPI that defines a second path from the second edge node across the network to the first edge node, and a second virtual channel identifier VCI within the second VPI, wherein the first and second VPIs were selected by a routing status database; 2. making a decision relating a first VCI within the first VPI; 3. sending a message to the first edge node relating to the first VCI; and 4. transmitting data to the first edge node using the second VPI and second VCI, and receiving data from the first edge node using the first VPI and first VCI; a processor adapted to communicate with the memory and to execute the instructions stored by the memory; and a port adapted to communicate with the processor, the memory, and the first edge node.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The second edge node of claim 19 , wherein the decision made instruction 2 is the selection of the first VCI, and the message sent in instruction 3 includes the first VCI.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
132 words
The second edge node of claim 19 , wherein: the setup message received in instruction 1 further includes a first VCI provisionally selected by the first edge node; if the first VCI provisionally selected by the first edge node is already being used within the first VPI to send data to the second edge node, the decision made in instruction 2 is the selection of a new first VCI, and the message sent in instruction 3 includes the new first VCI; and if the first VCI provisionally selected by the first edge node is not already being used within the first VPI to send data to the second edge node, the decision made in instruction 2 affirms the provisional selection, and the message sent in instruction 3 communicates the decision to affirm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-10-07 | 2006-04-08 | 2006-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-07 | 2010-04-08 | 2010-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-07 | 2014-04-08 | 2014-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |