Virtual trunking over packet networks
AssigneeNortel Networks Limited
InventorDany D. Sylvain
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Abstract
The present invention establishes reserved paths between nodes in a packet network. Each reserved path has a defined bandwidth and may be implemented as a label switched path (LSP) in a multiprotocol label switched (MPLS) network or a permanent virtual circuit (PVC) in an asynchronous time multiplexing (ATM) network. Associated with each reserved path is a virtual trunk group having the same bandwidth as that of the virtual path. Telephony calls requiring media flows associated with a channel in the virtual trunk group will transport packets along the reserved path associated with the virtual trunk group. Access to the reserved path may be limited to only media flows associated with a virtual trunk group to ensure adequate bandwidth at all times for the number of channels associated with the virtual trunk group.
Claims29
A method comprising:
- a) establishing a reserved path having a defined bandwidth between two edge routers, at least one of the two edge routers associated with a plurality of media gateways;
- b) defining a virtual trunk group having the defined bandwidth;
- and
- c) associating the virtual trunk group with the reserved path such that calls within the virtual trunk group are carried over the reserved path,
- wherein all calls supported by the virtual trunk group are carried over a shared path provided by the reserved path.
A method comprising:
- a) establishing a reserved path having a defined bandwidth between two edge routers, at least one of the two edge routers associated with a plurality of media gateways;
- b) defining a virtual trunk group having the defined bandwidth;
- and
- c) associating the virtual trunk group with the reserved path such that calls within the virtual trunk group are carried over the reserved path,
- wherein the virtual trunk group is defined to support a set number of calls at any given time based on the defined bandwidth and further comprising limiting a number of calls for the virtual trunk group based on the set number of calls.
A method comprising:
- a) establishing a reserved path having a defined bandwidth between two edge routers, at least one of the two edge routers associated with a plurality of media gateways;
- b) defining a virtual trunk group having the defined bandwidth;
- and
- c) associating the virtual trunk group with the reserved path such that calls within the virtual trunk group are carried over the reserved path,
- comprising establishing a plurality of reserved paths between a plurality of pairs of edge routers and defining a virtual trunk group for each of the plurality of reserved paths to form a mesh of virtual trunk groups.
A node comprising:
- a) a first edge router providing one end of a reserved path having a defined bandwidth and extending to another edge router;
- b) a plurality of media gateways associated with the first edge router and supporting calls from telephony devices;
- and
- c) a media gateway controller facilitating call control for the plurality of media gateways wherein a virtual trunk group having the defined bandwidth is associated with the reserved path such that the calls within the virtual trunk group are carried over the reserved path via the first edge router,
- wherein the virtual trunk group is defined to support a set number of calls at any given time based on the defined bandwidth.
A system comprising:
- a) means for establishing a reserved path having a defined bandwidth between two edge routers, at least one of the two edge routers associated with a plurality of media gateways;
- b) means for defining a virtual trunk group having the defined bandwidth;
- and
- c) means for associating the virtual trunk group with the reserved path such that calls within the virtual trunk group are carried over the reserved path,
- wherein all calls supported by the virtual trunk group are carried over a shared path provided by the reserved path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.