CN101401462B - Optimal home agent allocation - Google Patents

Abstract

Particular embodiments provide an optimal allocation of a bearer manager or home agent. In one embodiment, a message is received from a mobile node requesting access to a visiting network that is different from a home network for the mobile node. An authentication request is sent to the home network requesting authentication for access. The authentication request indicates that a home agent has not been assigned. The home AAA server then sends a response that indicates the visiting AAA server can assign a home agent for the mobile node. The visiting AAA server then assigns a home agent that is optimally determined. The visiting home agent is different from a home agent that is found in the mobile node's home network. When a registration request is received, an IP gateway may send the registration request to the visiting home agent, which may not be sent back to the home network.

Description

The method and system that optimal home agent distributes

The cross reference of related application

The application requires the priority of the U.S. Patent application [undetermined] that is entitled as " optimal home agent distribution " (Optimal Home Agent Allocation) number of on February 16th, 2007 application; This application requires the U.S. Provisional Patent Application the 60/774th of application on February 17th, 2006; The U.S. Provisional Patent Application the 60/780th of No. 493 and on March 6th, 2006 application; No. 176 both priority combine it in this application through whole the quoting to all above-mentioned applications from all purposes.

Technical field

Specific embodiment relates generally to radio network technique.

Background technology

In wireless network, local generation (home agent, HA) or bearer manager (bearer manager is by home network (home network) appointment of mobile node BM).For example, mobile node can be related with home network and said mobile node possibly roam into other network in zones of different, said other network is called as accesses network (visiting network).Said mobile node can pass through the Internet protocol gateway, and (Internet Protocol Gateway IPGW) is attached to said accesses network, and asks the access of this network.Accesses network can be through authentication (authentication, authorization, and accounting; AAA) domain authentication mobile node.For example, visited aaa server can send the request of access to the hometown AAA server in the home network at this mobile node.This request indication: also do not specify hometown-agent-address.Then, hometown AAA server is accepted message (AAA access accept message) response with AAA, and said AAA accepts the hometown-agent-address that message comprises distribution.This address is what to be used at the home agent of the home network of mobile node.Therefore, the home agent of said mobile node can be used to grouping route (route) to said mobile node or from said mobile node routing packets now.Then, said mobile node will be registered to the home agent in its home network.In communication period, grouping can be routed through the home network of mobile node.When mobile node is roamed in accesses network, owing to making mobile node or carrying out route from the grouping of mobile node through the home agent in home network and introduce delay (latency).For example, mobile node possibly stayed out near township's network, but for example home network possibly be that mobile node possibly be in the San Francisco in New York.Therefore, can in communication, introduce some and postpone, be routed to New York because divide into groups from the San Francisco, and vice versa.These can have problems in latency sensitive services, for example are in real time business (IP speech (VoIP), stream video etc.).

Summary of the invention

Embodiments of the invention provide a kind of method and corresponding system thereof that mobile node is specified home agent that be used to; Said method comprises: receive first message; Said first message request is to the access of accesses network; Said accesses network is different with the home network of said mobile node, and said home network comprises the home agent of said mobile node; Send second message to said home network, said second message comprises the value in the unappropriated home agent of indication home agent territory, and said home agent territory is to be arranged to the territory of specifying the hometown-agent-address of giving said mobile node; Reception should be specified the response of visiting home agent by the entity in the said accesses network from the indication of home network, and said home network is interpreted as said value and is used for confirming that said home network still is the indication that said accesses network should be specified home agent; After receiving the response that to specify the visit home agent from the entity in the said accesses network of the indication of said home network; Entity place in said accesses network; Confirm to specify visit home agent to said mobile node; Said visit home agent is different from the home agent of mobile node described in the said home network; Wherein before the register request that receives from said mobile node, confirmed the visit hometown-agent-address different with the said value in said home agent territory, said value does not identify specified visit home agent; And with said visit hometown-agent-address but not the home agent of mobile node described in the said home network specify to said mobile node; So that mail to from said mobile node communicate by letter through said visit home agent but not the home agent of mobile node described in the said home network is directed, the appointment of said visit home agent is occurred in after the said register request that receives from said mobile node.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows the example of the system of optimum allocation home agent.

Fig. 2 shows the more detailed embodiment of the system shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates the method that is used to specify optimum home agent.

Fig. 4 shows the example of the message that is used for mobile node being carried out route.

Embodiment

General introduction

Specific embodiment provides the optimum allocation of bearer manager or home agent.In one embodiment, receive message from mobile node, said message request is to the access of visit network, and said accesses network is different from the home network of said mobile node.Authentication request is sent to said home network, the authentication of said authentication request request to inserting.Said authentication request indication: also do not specify home agent.In one example, visited aaa server can send the request of access to hometown AAA server.Then, hometown AAA server is sent response, and this responds indication: visited aaa server can be specified home agent for said mobile node.Then, visited aaa server is specified the home agent of optimally confirming.For example, the visit of in accesses network home agent is assigned to said mobile node.Said visit home agent is different from the home agent that in the home network of mobile node, finds.For example, said visit home agent possibly more approach mobile node than the home agent of mobile node.When register request was received, IP gateway can send said register request and give said visit home agent.Said register request can not be sent back to home network.Therefore, because not through the home network routing packets, so postpone to reduce.In addition, the communication of mobile node can be passed through the visit home agent now and come route, just as said visit home agent is an appointed home agent in home network.

The embodiment example

Fig. 1 shows the example of the system that optimally distributes home agent.As shown in the figure, be provided withaccesses network 116 and home network 118.Accesses network 116 comprisesIP gateway 102, visited aaaserver 104 and visit home agent 114.Home network 118 compriseshometown AAA server 110 and home agent 112.In addition,mobile node 108 can be attempted to be connected to accessesnetwork 116 through wireless access network (RAN) 106.Although function is described to carried out by the different entities in the system, be to be understood that: function can be carried out by other entity outside the described entity.

Home network 118 can be to specify the permanent home network of giving mobile node 108.For example,mobile node 108 can have the network prefix with the network prefix coupling of the home address of mobile node.Traditionally, standard I P routing mechanism will be the home network of the packet delivery that mails to the moving nodes local address to mobile node.

Accesses network 116 can be andhome network 118 various network.For example,accesses network 116 can be the network withhome network 118 diverse locations.

Mobile node 108 can be any mobile node, and said any mobile node for example is cell phone, mobile E-mail equipment, kneetop computer, PDA(Personal Digital Assistant), smart phone (smart telephone) etc.Although described mobile node, be appreciated thatmobile node 108 also can comprise permanent plant.Mobilenode 108 also can be called as and accesses terminal.

Mobile node 108 can be wirelessly connected to accesses network 116.For example,mobile node 108 connects throughwireless access network 106, andwireless access network 106 can comprise the base station, and allows layer 2 to move other assemblies of access and air communication.Although described wireless network,mobile node 108 is not to connect through wireless network.Butmobile node 108 can connect through the wired network of local area network (LAN) for example etc.

During network beyondmobile node 108 roams intohome network 118,mobile node 108 will send the network that the request of access is visited to quilt.For example,mobile node 108 sends the request of access throughwireless access network 106 and said access request is received atIP gateway 102places.IP gateway 102 is configured to and other network interfaces (interface), promptly between RAN layer 2 network and IP layer 3 network.Usually, a home agent is assigned to mobile node 108.Said home agent can be a bearer manager, said bearer manager for example mobility service, access control, QoS etc. are provided with carry (bearer) relevant business and function.

Beforemobile node 108 is allowed to accessaccesses network 116, need be from the access request ofmobile node 108 by authentication.In one embodiment, aaa server is used to authentication mobile node 108.Although described aaa server, be appreciated that other authentication method also can be used.In addition, protocol remote authentication dial-in user service (RADIUS) also can be used to send authentication message.Yet, be appreciated that also and can use other agreement, for example use DIAMETER terminal access controller access control system (TACACS) etc.

Visited aaaserver 104 is the aaa servers in accesses network 116.IP gateway 102 will insert request and send to visited aaaserver 104, and visited aaaserver 104 will insert request and be transmitted tohometown AAA server 110 to be used for authentication then.In the process of sending the request of access, visited aaa server indication: also be not thatmobile node 108 distributes home agent.

Then,hometown AAA server 110 determines whether and inhome network 118, specify home agent.For example, possibly hope that the home agent inaccesses network 116 is designated because of different reasons.This possibly be becauseaccesses network 116 is nearer frommobile node 108, and therefore, communicate by letter with the home agent in theaccesses network 116 than withhome network 118 in home agent communicate by letter and produce delay still less.In addition, have home agent in the accesses network can eliminate unnecessary to the local the coming and going of network 118.For example, if specified the home agent in thehome network 118, then message has to be routed to the home agent in thehome network 118 throughaccesses network 116, and route is got back to accessesnetwork 116 tomobile node 108 then.

Therefore,hometown AAA server 110 can be confirmed: as far asmobile node 108,home agent 112 is not optimum home agent.Hometown AAAserver 110 is sent and is inserted response to visitedaaa server 104, and whether said access response indicationmobile node 108 is by authentication.In addition, ifmobile node 108 by authentication, then said response indication: visitedaaa server 104 can be thatmobile node 108 is specified the visit home agent.In this case, visitedaaa server 104 can specify that to be identifiedmobile node 108 are optimum visit home agent.Said visit home agent can substitute the home agent in thehome network 118 of appointment in a conventional manner.In one embodiment, visited aaaserver 104 specifies on the position visithome agent 114 nearest with mobile node 108.In other specific embodiment, also can consider for example to postpone, different factors such as load, specify visit home agent 114.Through makingaccesses network 116 specify the visit home agent, can reduce with the communicating by letter ofvisit home agent 114 in delay.Illustrate although visithome agent 114 is the parts asaccesses network 116, be to be understood that: visiting home agent can be designated in any accesses network.

Visited aaaserver 104 sends response and givesIP gateway 102 then, and said response comprises the address of visiting home agent 114.Then,IP gateway 102 can be stored in this address in the memory (for example high-speed cache).Then, this access request responding is sent out tomobile node 108, said response indication:mobile node 108 is by authentication.

After authentication,mobile node 108 possibly wanted to accessesnetwork 116 registrations.The register request thatIP gateway 102 receives from mobile node 108.At first,IP gateway 102 confirms where this register request sends to, and for example is thevisit home agent 114 to appointment.In this case, from high-speed cache, confirm to visit the address ofhome agent 114 and said register request is routed to this address.Then, utilizevisit home agent 114 to accomplish enrollment process, home agent will accomplish originally just aslocal generation 112 is designated as.Yet in this case, visithome agent 114 becomes the home agent of mobile node 108.Therefore, when the message that is used formobile node 108 in the enrollment process was received, they were withouthome agent 112 but through visit home agent 114.This has reduced the delay of the enrollment process that is used for connecting, and this is because visithome agent 114 maybe be nearer frommobile node 108.

In addition, because message is sent withouthome network 118, therefore usevisit home agent 114 can reduce the delay in said bearer path.For example, ifmobile node 108 has roamed into the position away fromhome network 118, then send message throughaccesses network 116 and givehome network 118, and possibly send, this is undesirable.In one example, ifmobile node 108 wants to initiate and be attached to the calling of another mobile node ofaccesses network 116, do not hope that then sending communication throughhome network 118 fromaccesses network 116 sends back toaccesses network 116 again.But, makemobile node 108 communicate by letter more effective for 114 with the visit local through accesses network 116.This delay-sensitive application for for example VoIP, video stream application etc. possibly be important.For example, divide into groups can to cause delay throughhome network 118accesses network 116 of flowing through, said delay can influence the quality of the data of transmitting, and the said data of transmitting for example are in progress videos.Yet,, just avoided said delay through using visitlocal generation 114 home agent asmobile node 108.

Fig. 2 shows the more detailed embodiment of the system shown in Fig. 1.As shown in the figure,IP gateway 102 comprisesaccess request processor 202, hometown-agent-address memory 204,storage device 206 and registration request processor 214.Visited aaaserver 104 comprises thatinserting request processor 208 specifiesdevice 210 with home agent.

At first,mobile node 108 sends the request of access and gives IP gateway 102.Then, insertrequest processor 202 and confirm thatmobile nodes 108 need be by authentication, and insertrequest processor 202 requests of sending and give visited aaa server 104.Insert request processor 208 then and can send the request of access to hometown AAA server 110.This message can comprise parameter, and said parameter comprises and equal 0 home agent (HA) territory that perhaps this message can comprise the unappropriated other Any Digit of indication home agent.For example, the address in home agent (HA) territory can be 0.0.0.0 or 255.255.255.255.

Then, home agent specifies determiner 212 to confirm thathometown AAA server 110 should be inhome network 118, to specify home agent or allowaccesses network 116 to specify home agent.In this case, confirm thataccesses network 116 should optimally specify home agent.Therefore, send AAA and accept message, this AAA accepts message and has the indication that should specify home agent to accessesnetwork 116.

Insertrequest processor 208 receive said responses and then home agent specifydevice 210 to confirm to specify visit local tomobile node 108 for 114.For example, the position is determined frommobile node 108 nearest home agent.The visit hometown-agent-address is determined and is sent out to hometown-agent-address memory 204.Then, the visit hometown-agent-address can be cached to or store into thestorage device 206 in the IP gateway 102.Then, requestprocessor 202 can send and insert response and givemobile node 108, said access response indication:mobile node 108 by authentication withaccess network 116.

Then,mobile node 108 can send register request (RRQ) and give IP gateway 102.Whenrequest processor 202 received said register request, it determined whether to givemobile node 108 to specify home agent.In this case, the visit hometown-agent-address that is stored in thestorage device 206 is determined.Then,registration request processor 202 is routed to thevisit home agent 114 at the hometown-agent-address place that is stored with register request.Therefore, visithome agent 114 can be used as the home agent ofmobile node 108 then in communication.

Fig. 3 illustrates the method that is used to specify optimumhome agent.Step 302 receives the access request from mobile node 108.This inserts the request indication: specify home agent also formobile node 108.

Step 304 is sent the request of access and is given home network 118.Then,home network 118 can be handled this and asks to determine whether to specify the home agent in the home network 118.Suppose in home network, not specify the home agent in thehome network 118, then response is sent out to pay a return visit and asksnetwork 116, and this response indication:accesses network 116 should be specified home agent.

Step 306 receives said response, said response indication:accesses network 116 should be specifiedvisit home agent 114 formobile node 108.

Step 308 confirms to specify the visit local of givingmobile node 108 for 114.For example, different visit home agent be determined and optimum one be selected.

Then,step 310 specifiesvisit home agent 114 to give mobile node 108.Step 312 is sent the address ofvisit home agent 114 and is givenIP gateway 102, and like this,IP gateway 102 can route messages to thevisit home agent 114 ofmobile node 108 now.

After this home agent was selected,IP gateway 102 just can be assisted the message route that is used for mobile node 108.Fig. 4 shows the example of the message that is used formobile node 108 being carried outroute.Step 402 receives the register request from mobile node 108.This register request can be indicated: home agent is also not designated.

The definite address that has been assigned to thevisit home agent 114 ofmobile node 108 of step 404.This possibly be buffered from the message of sending from visitedaaa server 104.

Step 406 is sent register request and is given the visit local for 114.Then, visithome agent 114 auxiliary enrollment process.Message can be by visitlocal generation 114 routes, just as visit local generation

The 114th, the local in thehome network 118 is the same for 112.Therefore, will can carry out route for 114 through the visit local now for any message of 112 through the local originally before.These message are not to pass throughhome network 118.

Therefore, specific embodiment has many advantages.For example, because to the coming and going not necessarily ofhome network 118, so bearer path is optimised.Certainly, can flow throughaccesses network 116 and of data without home network 118.And, can connect with low the delay.For example, after visithome agent 114 was designated, it just can be handled the foundation that is used formobile node 108 and need not get in touch with any of home network 118.And home agent is appointed during aaa authentication, thereby, after the visit local is designated for 114, need be tohometown AAA server 110 other coming and going.

Though be described to specific embodiment, these specific embodiments are exemplary, rather than restrictive.

Any suitable programming language all can be used to realize the routine of specific embodiment, and said programming language comprises: C, C++, Java, assembler language etc.Can adopt the different programming technology, for example processor-oriented or OO.Said routine can or be carried out on multiprocessor on single treatment facility.Though provided step, operation or calculating with specific order, said order can change in different specific embodiments.In some specific embodiments, a plurality of steps that are illustrated as order in this manual can be carried out simultaneously.Operating sequence described herein can be interrupted, hang up by another process or otherwise control, and said another process for example is operating system, kernel etc.Said routine can be moved in operating system environment, perhaps moves as the independent routine of the whole or major part of occupying system handles.Can in hardware, software or both combinations, carry out function.Except as otherwise noted, function also can all or part of manual execution.

In the application's description, a large amount of specific detail are provided, the example of assembly and/or method for example is to provide the complete understanding to specific embodiment.Yet, those skilled in the art will recognize that, the situation of one or more in not having these specific detail, perhaps with other devices, system, accessory, method, assembly, material, parts and/or analog, specific embodiment also can be realized.In other cases, known structure, material or operation do not illustrate especially or describe in detail with the specific embodiment many aspects of avoiding confusion.

Purpose for specific embodiment; " machine readable media " can be to comprise, store, transmit, propagate or convey program; To use by instruction execution system, device, system or equipment, perhaps any medium of using of combined command executive system, device, system or equipment.Only as an example and unrestricted, machine readable media can comprise electronics, magnetic, light, electromagnetism, infrared or semiconductor system, device, system, equipment, propagation medium or computer storage.

Specific embodiment can be that the form with control logic realizes in software or hardware or both combinations.When being carried out by one or more processor, said control logic can be to move the operation carried out described in the specific embodiment.

" processor " or " processing " comprises anyone, hardware and/or software systems, mechanism or assembly of deal with data, signal or other information.Processor can comprise having general CPU, multiplied unit, be used to realize the system or the other system of the special circuit of function.Processing need not to be subject to the geographical position or has time restriction.For example, processor can be carried out its function with modes such as " in real time ", " off-line ", " batch processings ".A plurality of parts of handling can be carried out by different (or identical) treatment systems with different positions in the different moment.

In whole specification, mention " embodiment ", " embodiment ", " specific embodiment " perhaps " specific embodiment " be meant at least one embodiment of the present invention and need not to be and comprise special characteristic, structure or the characteristic that combines this embodiment to describe among all embodiment.Therefore, a plurality of positions in whole specification phrase " in specific embodiment ", " in an embodiment " or " in a particular embodiment " occur and not necessarily are meant identical embodiment.In addition, concrete characteristic, structure or the characteristic of any specific embodiment can make up with one or more other specific embodiments in any suitable manner.Should be appreciated that the instruction of considering the application, other changes of the specific embodiment of describing and illustrating in the application and revising also are fine, and should be considered to the part of the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Specific embodiment can be through using the general purpose digital computer of programming; Through using application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable logic device, field programmable gate array, light, chemistry, biology, quantum or nanometer engineering system, assembly and mechanism, or the like realize.Generally speaking, the function of specific embodiment can realize with any device known in the art.Can use distributed networked system, assembly and/or circuit.The communication of data or to transmit can be wired, wireless or through other means.

To recognize that when according to concrete application there being the time spent, the one or more elements shown in the accompanying drawing also can be used and separate more or more integrated mode realizes, perhaps in some cases even by deletion or make and to work.Realization can be stored in the machine readable media to allow program or code that computer carries out above-mentioned any method also within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In addition, any signal arrows in the accompanying drawing should only be considered to exemplary, and nonrestrictive, only if in addition special explanation.In addition, unless otherwise indicated, term used herein " or " the general meaning be " and/or ".The combination of assembly or step also is considered to mention, and wherein, term is also contemplated as the ability of separating or making up that provided.

" one " who uses in specification and claims, " one " and " said " comprise plural reference, only if clear from context ground shows in addition.In addition, use in specification and claims " ... in " the meaning comprise " ... in " and " ... on ", only if clear from context ground shows in addition.

The front is to the description of illustrative specific embodiment (be included in summary described in), is not to want exhaustive or the present invention is restricted to form accurately disclosed herein.Although only be to describe certain specific embodiments of the present invention and example here, those skilled in the art will recognize that and recognize within the spirit and scope of the present invention various equivalent modifications to be arranged for illustration purpose.As stated, can make the description of illustrative specific embodiment according to the front these modifications of the present invention, and will be included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Therefore; Although described the present invention with reference to specific embodiment in this application, various modifications, change and replacement be also in front open, and will recognize; In some cases; Some characteristic of specific embodiment will be used, and not to the corresponding use of other characteristics, scope of the present invention and the spirit set forth before also not breaking away from.Therefore, can make many modifications makes particular case or material adapt to essential scope of the present invention and spirit.The present invention is not subject to the particular term in appended claims, used and/or realizes the disclosed specific embodiment of optimal mode of the present invention as imagination, but the present invention will comprise arbitrarily with all specific embodiments and drop on the equivalent in the scope of appended claims.

Claims (14)

1. one kind is used to the method that mobile node is specified home agent, comprising:

Receive first message, said first message request is to the access of accesses network, and said accesses network is different with the home network of said mobile node, and said home network comprises the home agent of said mobile node;

Send second message to said home network, the value indication home agent in the home agent territory that said second message is included is not designated;

Reception is from the response of home network, and this response indication should be specified the visit home agent by the entity in the said accesses network;

After receiving said response from home network; Confirm to specify visit home agent to said mobile node; Said visit home agent is different from the home agent of mobile node described in the said home network, wherein confirms to specify the visit home agent to said mobile node to comprise definite and memory access hometown-agent-address; And

With said visit home agent but not the home agent of mobile node described in the said home network specify to said mobile node; So that mail to from said mobile node communicate by letter through said visit home agent but not the home agent of mobile node described in the said home network is routed, the appointment of said visit home agent is occurred in after the register request that receives from said mobile node.

2. method according to claim 1, wherein, said visit home agent be for reduce with the communicating by letter of said mobile node in delay and the home agent that optimally chosen.

3. method according to claim 2, wherein, said second message sends to hometown AAA server through visited aaa server, and wherein, said hometown AAA server utilizes said response to respond.

4. method according to claim 1 also comprises:

Store the address of said visit home agent;

Reception is from the register request of said mobile node; And

Send said register request and give said visit home agent, rather than the home network of said mobile node.

5. method according to claim 1, the first wherein received message is the authentication message that is used for said mobile node.

6. method according to claim 1, the auxiliary bearer path that is used for said mobile node of setting up of the home agent of wherein said visit home agent rather than said mobile node.

7. method according to claim 1, wherein, said visit home agent reception is mail to the grouping of said mobile node and is not allowed said grouping to carry out route through said home network.

8. method according to claim 1, wherein visited aaa server is specified said visit home agent.

9. one kind is used to the system that mobile node is specified home agent, comprising:

Be used to receive the device of first message, said first message request is to the access of accesses network, and said accesses network is different with the home network of said mobile node, and said home network comprises the home agent of said mobile node;

Be used for sending to said home network the device of second message, the value indication home agent in the home agent territory that said second message is included is not designated;

Be used to receive the device from the response of home network, said response indication should be specified the visit home agent by the entity in the said accesses network;

Be used for after receiving said response from home network; Confirm to specify device to the visit home agent of said mobile node; Said visit home agent is different from the home agent of mobile node described in the said home network, wherein confirms to specify the visit home agent to said mobile node to comprise definite and memory access hometown-agent-address; And

Be used for said visit home agent but not the home agent of mobile node described in the said home network is specified to said mobile node; So that mail to from the communicating by letter through said visit home agent but not the device that the home agent of mobile node is routed described in the said home network of said mobile node, the appointment of said visit home agent is occurred in after the register request that receives from said mobile node.

10. system according to claim 9, wherein, said visit home agent be for reduce with the communicating by letter of said mobile node in delay and the home agent that optimally chosen.

11. system according to claim 9 also comprises:

Be used to store the device of the address of said visit home agent;

Be used to receive device from the register request of said mobile node; And

Be used to send said register request and give said visit home agent, rather than the device of the home network of said mobile node.

12. system according to claim 9, wherein, the first received message is the authentication message that is used for said mobile node.

13. system according to claim 9, wherein, the auxiliary bearer path that is used for said mobile node of setting up of the home agent of said visit home agent rather than said mobile node.

14. system according to claim 9, wherein, said visit home agent reception is mail to the grouping of said mobile node and is not allowed said grouping to carry out route through said home network.

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