Method and device for mapping network headers onto MPLS headers in bearer architectures
View Patent ↗The invention relates to a method for exchanging information between components in a network by means of terminals which exchange IP information packets over the network, the IP information packets being provided with IP headers having IP addresses. The components include a memory area in which unequivocal terminal identifiers are managed in relation to IP addresses, at least one part of the components in the network being MPLS-enabled and used to route information packets through the network on the basis of MPLS paths and corresponding MPLS headers.
1. A method for exchanging information between components in a network which includes a core network and a radio access network, having terminal devices which exchange, via the network, IP information packets which have IP headers including IP addresses, having a memory area in which unique terminal device identifiers are administered in relation to IP addresses, comprising:
routing, via at least one subset of MPLS-capable components in the network, the information packets through the network based on MPLS paths and corresponding MPLS headers;
configuring the components such that the MPLS paths to the terminal devices are unique, the MPLS paths being identified by the unique terminal device identifier which is mapped in the MPLS headers;
removing, via the MPLS capable components, at least part of the IP headers from the IP information packet to provide modified IP information packet with MPLS headers, the MPLS header including the terminal device identifier which is administered in relation to the IP address to send the modified data packet; and
reading, via the MPLS-capable components, the MPLS headers of the information packets sent to determine an associated IP address based on the terminal device identifier to modify the information packet such that the original IP header replaces the MPLS header.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the components function as a router.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the network is a UMTS or GPRS or a similar packet-oriented radio network for mobile terminal devices, wherein the terminal device identifiers include network-specific RAI, RNTI or IMSI and further identifications.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the memory area in which the terminal device identifier is stored is an HLR or HSS.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the terminal device identifiers are stored in the memory area in relation to the IP headers and/or IP addresses.
6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising removing the IP header, via a gateway to an external network, when an information packet arrives from the external network, and inserting the IP header when a packet is transmitted into the external network, the communication in the internal network taking place based on the MPLS headers.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the MPLS equivalence classes include at least one label which codes the terminal device identifier, by which it can be determined which path is intended for which terminal device.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the IP header is removed.