Systems and methods for policy-enabled communications networks
OwnerSteven Wrightinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for policy-based management of a multiprotocol label switching (“MPLS”) network. In an embodiment, a system includes a policy-based network administration system, and the policy-based network administration system includes a plurality of policies. The system also includes an MPLS network, which is coupled to the policy-based network administration system.
Claims42
A system for policy-based management of a label switching network, the system comprising:
- a policy-based network administration system, the policy-based network administration system including a plurality of policies;
- and
- the label switching network that is, coupled to the policy-based network administration system.
The system of claim 0, wherein the plurality of policies include a plurality of network operation policies.
A system for policy-based control of a label switching network carrying one or more of voice and data traffic, the system comprising:
- a central office, the central office including a trunk gateway;
- the label switching network, being coupled to the trunk gateway of the central office;
- and
- a network administration system, the network administration system including a plurality of policies, each policy of at least a subset of the plurality of policies to control at least in part operation of the label switching network.
A method for policy-based control of a label switching network, the method comprising:
- storing a policy to control operation of at least a portion of the label switching network;
- retrieving the policy in response to a control input;
- sending the policy to the label switching network;
- and
- operating the label switching network based at least in part on the policy.
31-36. (canceled)
A system for policy-based management of a label switching network, the system comprising:
- the label switching network;
- and
- means for policy-based management of the label switching network, the means for policy-based management of the label switching network coupled to the label switching network.
The system of claim 0, wherein:
- the means for policy-based management of the label switching network includes a policy decision point;
- and
- the label switching network includes a policy enforcement point.
The system of claim 0, wherein the means for policy-based management of the label switching network includes a policy repository.
The system of claim 0, wherein the means for policy-based management of the label switching network includes one or more of a voice traffic policy, a virtual private network policy, and a quality of service policy.
41-42. (canceled)
A computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions to be executed by a processor for policy-based control of a label switching network, the plurality of instructions comprising instructions to:
- store a policy to control operation of at least a portion of the label switching network;
- retrieve the policy in response to a control input;
- and
- send the policy to the label switching network.
The computer-readable medium of claim 0, wherein the policy is selected from the group consisting of a voice traffic management policy, a virtual private network management policy, and a quality of service management policy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.