Methods and apparatus for improving network performance using virtual instances for system redundancy
AssigneeWiChorus, Inc.
InventorPawan Uberoy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and/or network configuration configured to enhance network performance using virtual system redundancy is disclosed. The network configuration, in one embodiment, includes a first packet core entity (“PCE”), routing cloud, and a second PCE. The first PCE, which includes a virtual backup module configured to facilitate virtual backup, actively provides network services to subscribers. The routing cloud provides network communication between network entities or PCEs across geographical distances. The second PCE, in one embodiment, includes a virtual smart core (“VSC”), wherein the VSC facilitates a redundancy instance for the first PCE. The first PCE and the second PCE may be separated with a long distance.
Claims20
A communications network, comprising:
- a first packet core entity (“PCE”) having a first active virtual machine (“VM”) and a first standby VM, the first active VM configured to actively provide network services to a first plurality of subscribers;
- a routing cloud coupled to the first PCE and operable to provide network communication across geographically separated distances between two or more network entities;
- and
- a second PCE coupled to the first PCE via the routing cloud and having a second active VM and a second standby VM, wherein the second standby VM is configured to facilitate a redundancy entity for the first PCE.
A virtual backup network configuration, comprising:
- a first packet core entity (“PCE”) having a first active virtual smart core (“VSC”) and a first standby VSC, the first active VSC actively providing network services to a first plurality of subscribers, the first standby VSC of the first PCE able to remotely backup a network entity via virtual instances;
- a routing cloud coupled to the first PCE and operable to provide network communication between two or more network entities separated by geographic distances;
- and
- a second PCE coupled to the first PCE via the routing cloud and having a second active VSC and a second standby VSC, the second active VSC providing network services to a second plurality of subscribers, wherein the second standby VSC facilitates a standby entity for the first PCE, wherein a VSC is a virtual machine (“VM”).
A method of network redundancy, comprising:
- detecting a failure associated to a first active virtual smart core (“VSC”) in a first packet core entity (“PCE”) based on a predefined trigger;
- identifying a first standby VSC generated in accordance with a virtual redundancy for the first PCE containing virtual instances that are similar to subscriber context and signal connectivity utilized by the first PCE;
- activating the first standby VSC in a second PCE as a first virtual instance for the first active VSC;
- generating reach ability messages for a plurality of end users previously served by the first active VSC based on information stored in a redundancy storage;
- advertising the reach ability messages to the plurality of end users via routing cloud;
- and
- providing network service to at least a portion of the plurality of end users by the first standby VSC through virtual network service.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.