Method for providing the identity of an apparatus in a communications network and apparatus thereof

1. A method for providing an identifier for a relay node in a communications network comprising the steps of:

checking by an access node data fields comprised in an X2 SETUP REQUEST message received from the relay node requesting an establishment of an interface connection over a communication link, wherein the data fields are related to a Served Cells list or to a Neighbour Information list and the relay node serves at least one cell;

generating an E-UTRAN Global Cell Identifier (ECGI), and

upon generating the identifier, the access node transmitting the identifier to the relay node over the interface connection.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the data field is empty or comprises a dummy value.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the identifier is transmitted to the relay node using an X2 SETUP RESPONSE message.

4. An access node comprising:

at least one data processor; and

at least one memory storing computer readable instructions;

wherein the at least one data processor is configured with the at least one memory and the instructions to cause the access node to at least:

receive an X2 SETUP REQUEST message from a relay node serving at least one cell, the message requesting an establishment of an interface connection over a communication link;

check data fields comprised in the received message, wherein the data fields are related to a Served Cells list or to a Neighbour Information list;

an E-UTRAN Global Cell Identifier (ECGI), and

transmit the generated identifier to the relay node over the interface connection.

5. The access node according to claim 4 , wherein the generated identifier is transmitted to the relay node using an X2 SETUP RESPONSE message.

6. The access node according to claim 4 , wherein the access node is at least one of the following: a base station, a radio access controller, a nodeB, an enodeB, a Donor-enodeB.

7. A communications network comprising at least one access node according to claim 4 .

8. The communications network according to claim 7 , wherein the communications network is a Long Term Evolution network or a Long Term Evolution Advanced network.

9. The access node according to claim 4 , wherein the data field is empty or comprises a dummy value.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the access node is at least one of the following: a base station, a radio access controller, a nodeB, an enodeB, a Donor-enodeB.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the communications network is a Long Term Evolution network or a Long Term Evolution Advanced network.

12. A memory storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, causes an access node in a communications network to at least:

check data fields comprised in an X2 SETUP REQUEST message received from a relay node requesting an establishment of an interface connection over a communication link, wherein the data fields are related to a Served Cells list or to a Neighbour Information list and the relay node serves at least one cell;

based on the checking, generate an E-UTRAN Global Cell Identifier (ECGI), and

upon generating the identifier, transmit the identifier to the relay node over the interface connection.

13. The memory according to claim 12 , wherein the data field is empty or comprises a dummy value.

14. The memory according to claim 12 , wherein the identifier is transmitted to the relay node using an X2 SETUP RESPONSE message.

15. The memory according to claim 12 , wherein the access node is at least one of the following: a base station, a radio access controller, a nodeB, an enodeB, a Donor-enodeB.

16. The memory according to claim 12 , wherein the communications network is a Long Term Evolution network or a Long Term Evolution Advanced network.