Load balancing in a mobile telecommunications network

A system for load balancing in a telecommunications network, the system comprising a first node and a second node, wherein the second node logically comprises a manager and a plurality of agents each having its own network address, wherein:

• the manager:
• upon reception of a request from the first node, verifies that load balancing is supported;
• selects an agent;
• and
• redirects the request to the selected agent;
• the selected agent:
• sends to the first node a reply comprising:
• an indication that redirection has been performed;
• and
• the network address of the agent;
• and
• the first node:
• sends to the manager the request comprising an indication that load balancing is supported;
• and
• upon reception of the reply from the selected agent, sets up a connection between the first node and the selected agent.

A node for load balancing in a telecommunications network that further comprises a second node, wherein the first node logically comprises a manager and a plurality of agents each having its own network address, wherein:

• the manager:
• receives from the second node a request comprising an indication that load balancing is supported by the second node;
• upon reception of the request from the second node, verifies that load balancing is supported;
• selects an agent;
• and
• redirects the request to the selected agent;
• and
• the selected agent:
• sends to the second node a reply comprising:
• an indication that redirection has been performed;
• and
• the network address of the agent;
• and
• together with the second node sets up a connection with the second node.

A method for setting up a connection between a first network entity and a third network entity via a second network entity, each entity having a network address, the method comprising the steps of:

• sending from the first entity to the second entity a request comprising an indication that the first entity supports redirection of the request;
• redirecting by the second entity the request to the third entity;
• sending from third entity to the first entity a reply comprising an indication that redirection has been performed and the network address of the third entity;
• and
• setting up a connection between the third entity and the first entity.