Techniques for routing from an endpoint with simultaneous associations to multiple networks
AssigneeSilver Spring Networks, Inc.
InventorsDalton VICTOR, Elad GOTTLIB, George H. FLAMMER, III
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Abstract
A node within a wireless endpoint device may be coupled to multiple heterogeneous networks simultaneously. The node is configured to select between the different networks based on various constraints associated with the endpoint device, applications executing on the endpoint device, traffic routed by the endpoint device, and constraints associated with the multiple networks. Based on these different constraints, and based on the current operating mode of the node, the node rates each network, and then selects the network with the highest rating to be used for routing purposes.
Claims20
A computer-implemented method for selecting between heterogeneous networks, the method comprising:
- acquiring a set of constraints associated with a network node;
- determining a current operating mode associated with the network node;
- prioritizing the set of constraints based on the current operating mode to generate a set of prioritized constraints;
- generating a first rating for a first network to which the network node is coupled based on the set of prioritized constraints;
- generating a second rating for a second network to which the network node is coupled based on the set of prioritized constraints;
- determining that the first rating exceeds the second rating;
- and
- causing the network node to transmit or receive data on the first network.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program instructions that, when executed by a processing unit within a network node, cause the processing unit to select between heterogeneous networks, by performing the steps of:
- acquiring a set of constraints associated with the network node;
- determining a current operating mode associated with the network node;
- prioritizing the set of constraints based on the current operating mode to generate a set of prioritized constraints;
- generating a first rating for a first network to which the network node is coupled based on the set of prioritized constraints;
- generating a second rating for a second network to which the network node is coupled based on the set of prioritized constraints;
- determining that the first rating exceeds the second rating;
- and
- causing the network node to transmit or receive data on the first network.
A system for selecting between heterogeneous networks, comprising:
- a memory unit storing program code comprising a software application;
- a processing unit coupled to the memory unit and configured to execute the program code;
- and
- a network node coupled to the processing unit and coupled to the heterogeneous networks and configured to route traffic associated with the software application across the heterogeneous networks by:
- acquiring a set of constraints associated with the network node, determining a current operating mode associated with the network node,
- prioritizing the set of constraints based on the current operating mode to generate a set of prioritized constraints,
- determining that first traffic associated with the software application should be routed on a first network included within the heterogeneous networks based on a first subset of the set of prioritized constraints, and
- determining that second traffic associated with the software application should be routed on a second network included within the heterogeneous networks based on a second subset of the set of prioritized constraints.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.