US 6,529,499 B1 · Method for providing quality of service for delay sensitive traffic over IP networks

Abstract

A quality of service guarantee for voice and other delay sensitive transmissions within an Internet Protocol (IP) network is provided by identifying the IP network path utilized for IP packet transmission between source and destination edge devices and virtually provisioning IP network path bandwidth for priority voice traffic. Priority for voice packets and admission control of new voice calls (and other delay sensitive traffic) based on the remaining available capacity over the IP network path guarantees that high priority voice (and other delay sensitive traffic) meet stringent delay requirements. A Virtual Provisioning Server is utilized to maintain bandwidth capacity data for each path segment within the IP network and to forward the bandwidth capacity data to a Signaling Gateway. The Signaling Gateway determines whether to accept or reject an additional delay sensitive traffic component based upon available bandwidth capacity for an IP network path. The Signaling Gateway then signals the originating source edge device as to its determination to accept or reject. Quality of Service guarantees concerning acceptable delay and jitter characteristics for real-time transmission over an IP network are therefore provided without the need to directly signal the individual IP routers over which an IP network path is established.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for providing a Quality of Service guarantee for delay sensitive traffic conveyed over a path within an Internet Protocol (IP) network having a virtual provisioning server, a source edge device providing an interface for launching said delay sensitive traffic within said IP network, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, at a signaling gateway, a value representing a bandwidth capacity for said path;
receiving at said signaling gateway, a request to establish an additional delay sensitive traffic component over said path;
comparing, at said signaling gateway, said value representing said bandwidth capacity for said path with a total bandwidth needed if said additional delay sensitive traffic component is established over said path;
identifying, at said signaling gateway, at least one of a plurality of paths within said IP network as having a most limiting available bandwidth capacity, wherein the identified path has sufficient available bandwidth capacity to handle said additional delay sensitive traffic component;
and
limiting said quantity of said delay sensitive traffic launched from said source edge device to less than or equal to said most limiting available bandwidth capacity.

3 more elements

A method for providing a Quality of Service guarantee for real-time voice transmission traffic conveyed between a source Packet Circuit Gateway and a destination Packet Circuit Gateway over an Internet Protocol (IP) network having a plurality of routers, said source Packet Circuit Gateway providing an interface for launching said real-time voice transmission traffic within said IP network over an IP network path, said method comprising the steps of:

partitioning, from a bandwidth capacity associated with said IP network path, a first provisioned bandwidth capacity for a first Virtual Private Network (VPN), said VPN contracted for said real-time voice transmission traffic conveyed between said source Packet Circuit Gateway and said destination Packet Circuit Gateway;
maintaining, at a Signaling Gateway, a value representing said first provisioned bandwidth capacity for said first VPN;
receiving, at said Signaling Gateway, a request from said source Packet Circuit Gateway to establish a new call connection with said destination Packet Circuit Gateway over said first VPN, in addition to a plurality of presently established call connections;
comparing, at said Signaling Gateway, said value representing said first provisioned bandwidth capacity for said first VPN with a required first VPN bandwidth capacity should said new call connection be established;
and
transmitting, from said Signaling Gateway, a signal denying said request to establish said new call connection if said required first VPN bandwidth capacity should said new call connection be established is greater than said value representing said first provisioned bandwidth capacity for said first VPN.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for providing quality of service for delay sensitive traffic over IP networks

Life of this patent

Method for providing quality of service for delay sensitive traffic over IP networks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20