Method and device for enabling user service classification configuration

Abstract

Provided is a method of enabling traffic flow classification on a node, which may be used for controlling the traffic flows on the same node or on another node of a communication network. A first mapping process is configured to manage an operation for linking an application process to a class, and a second mapping process is configured to manage an operation for linking an application process to a unique signature. A third mapping process is configured to manage a record of accumulated linking information, such that a traffic flows associated with an application process may be identified and such that a classification of the respective traffic flow can be recognised. The accumulated classification information may then be used for controlling purposes.

Description

technical field [0001] In general, the present invention relates to methods and devices for enabling classification of traffic flows at traffic generating nodes connected to a communication network. The invention also relates to methods and devices for controlling traffic flow on the basis of specified classifications. Background technique [0002] Today, IP services are used for mass information distribution. In order to be able to manage IP network traffic generated by applications in a controllable manner enabling traffic flows to be forwarded by network nodes according to certain rules and / or priorities, the traffic flows must be classified accordingly. This task can be generated at the exact same node where the traffic is generated or at any type of intermediate network node such as a residential gateway, residential gateway, access node, switch, router or Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS). [0003] US patent application US 2006 0251234 relates to a method for ena...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In such cases where port numbers may change more or less frequently, it may be very difficult, and in some cases even impossible, to effectively maintain control over the access link

[0010] Therefore, although access links may benefit from localized QoS mechanisms in theory, in real life, those mechanisms may not be applicable in the network because intermediate nodes cannot effectively classify different traffic flows

One reason for this is that intermediary network nodes not only fail to provide a mechanism to implement traffic classification in a user-friendly manner, but also cannot maintain classification information updated throughout the session

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