Dynamic configuration of access point names in gateways

An apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving the service profile information from a server arrangement on a node, the service profile information being access point name (APN) information, the service profile information being received on a node, the server arrangement being substantially external to the node, wherein the server arrangement and the node are associated with a network that supports a general packet radio service (GPRS) protocol;
• means for storing the service profile information in a memory of the node after receiving the service profile information from the server arrangement, wherein if a maximum number of APNs in the memory is reached, the means for storing the service profile information in the memory include means for replacing a first APN with the APN information, wherein the first APN is one selected from a group including a least used APN and a least recently used APN;
• and
• means for requesting the service profile information from the server arrangement if the maximum number of APNs stored in the memory is not reached.

A node, the node being arranged to obtain service profile information from an external server, the service profile information being access point name (APN) information, the node and the external server being associated with a network, the node comprising:

• a memory;
• a first set of logic, the first set of logic being arranged to receive the service profile information from the external server;
• and
• a second set of logic, the second set of logic being arranged to store the service profile information in the memory of the node, wherein if a maximum numbers of APNs in the memory is reached, the second set of logic is arranged to store the service profile information in the memory by replacing a first APN with the APN information, wherein the first APN is one selected from a group including a least used APN and a least recently used APN;
• and
• a third set of logic, the third set of logic being arranged to request the service profile information from the server arrangement of the maximum number of APNs stored in the memory is not reached.

A method for maintaining service profile information within a network that supports a general packet radio service (GPRS) protocol, the method comprising:

• receiving a create packet data protocol (PDP) request for the service profile information, the request being received on a gateway GPRS service node (GGSN), the request identifying an access point name (APN), wherein the GGSN does not have a configuration for the APN identified in the request;
• obtaining the service profile information from a server arrangement in response to the request, the service profile information including the APN, wherein the APN is one selected from a group including a new APN and an updated APN;
• storing the service profile information on the GGSN, wherein storing the service profile information on the GGSN includes storing the service profile information when a maximum number of allowed APNs associated with the GGSN has not been reached, and wherein storing the service profile information on the GGSN includes determining whether space may be cleared in a memory of the GGSN to accommodate the service profile information when the maximum number of allowed APNs associated with the GGSN has been reached;
• and
• distributing the service profile information within the network.

An arrangement, the arrangement being associated with a network that supports a general packet radio service (GPRS) protocol, the arrangement comprising:

• logic that receives the service profile information, the service profile information including an access point name (APN), wherein the APN is one selected from a group including a new APN and an updated APN;
• logic that stores the service profile information in a memory, wherein the logic that stores the service profile information is configured to store the service profile information when a maximum number of allowed APNs associated with the memory has not been reached, the logic that stores the service profile information is further configured to determine whether space may be cleared in the memory to accommodate the service profile information when the maximum number of allowed APNs associated with the memory has been reached;
• and
• logic that distributes the service profile information to at least one gateway node within the network.

An arrangement for maintaining service profile information within a network that supports a general packet radio service (GPRS) protocol, the arrangement comprising:

• means for receiving the service profile information, the service profile information including an access point name (APN), wherein the APN is one selected from a group including a new APN and an updated APN;
• means for storing the service profile information on a memory, wherein the means for storing the service profile information on the memory include means for storing the service profile information when a maximum number of allowed APNs associated with the memory has not been reached, and wherein the means for storing the service profile information on the memory further include means for determining
• whether space may be cleared in the memory to accommodate the service profile information when the maximum number of allowed APNs associated with the memory has been reached;
• and
• means for distributing the service profile information to at least one gateway node within the network.