Optimization of packet transmission paths
A method is disclosed for optimizing packet transmission paths in a mobile communication network ( 400 ) in which packets are transmitted and received between mobile stations ( 10 - 14 ) or between a mobile station and a fixed network ( 120 ) by way of a plurality of packet transmission device ( 60 - 64, 70 - 72, 80 , and 81 ) and radio base stations ( 50 - 57 ). When a mobile station uses a service that is provided by a fixed network ( 300 ), imposed are applied on the packet transmission path such that packets pass by way of specific packet transmission devices ( 80 and 81 ) depending on the fixed network (external network) 300 . When the mobile station uses a service that is provided by the mobile communication network ( 400 ), on the other hand, no restrictions are imposed on the packet transmission path, and the packet transmission path is thus set such that the link costs are a minimum.
1. A mobile communication system comprising:
a first network node;
a second network node; and
a mobile station configured to send, to the first network node, a path establishment request message including type information that is not a name or an address of a node that is to be connected, the type information comprising either: a first type indicating that the mobile station requests to establish a first path or a second type indicating that the mobile station requests to establish a second path,
wherein the first network node is configured to employ a selection method that selects the second network node based on an Access Point Name (APN), to determine whether the type information indicates the first type or the second type, and to transfer at least part of the path establishment request message to the second network node using the selection method, when the first network node determines that the type information indicates the first type.
2. The mobile communication system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the first network node is configured to transfer the part of the path establishment request message to a third network node not using the selection method, when the first network node determines that the type information indicates the second type.
3. A communication method of a mobile communication system, the method comprising:
sending, by a mobile station, to a first network node a path establishment request message including type information that is not a name or an address of a node that is to be connected, the type information comprising either: a first type indicating that the mobile station requests to establish a first path or a second type indicating that the mobile station requests to establish a second path;
employing, by the first network node, a selection method that selects a second network node based on an Access Point Node (APN);
determining whether the type information indicates the first type or the second type; and
transferring, by the first network node, at least a part of the path establishment request message to the second network node using the selection method, when the first network node determines that the type information indicates the first type.
4. A first network node in a mobile communication system, the first network node comprising:
at least one processor; and
a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to:
receive, from a mobile station, a path establishment request message including type information that is not a name or an address of a node that is to be connected, the type information comprising either: a first type indicating that the mobile station requests to establish a first path or a second type indicating that the mobile station requests to establish a second path,
employ a selection method that selects a second network node based on an Access Point Name (APN),
determine whether the type information indicates the first type or the second type, and
transfer at least part of the path establishment request message to the second network node using the selection method, when the first network node determines that the type information indicates the first type.
5. The first network node according to claim 4 , wherein the first network node transfers the part of the path establishment request message to a third network node not using the selection method, when the first network node determines that the type information indicates the second type.
6. A communication method of a first network node in a mobile communication system, the method comprising:
receiving, from a mobile station, a path establishment request message including type information that is not a name or an address of a node that is to be connected, the type information comprising either: a first type indicating that the mobile station requests to establish a first path or a second type indicating that the mobile station requests to establish a second path;
employing a selection method that selects a second network node based on an Access Point Name (APN);
determining whether the type information indicates the first type or the second type; and
transferring at least part of the path establishment request message to the second network node using the selection method, when the first network node determines that the type information indicates the first type.
7. A mobile station in a mobile communication system, the mobile station comprising:
at least one processor; and
at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to:
store type information that is not a name or an address of a node that is to be connected, the type information comprising either: a first type indicating that the mobile station requests to establish a first path or a second type indicating that the mobile station requests to establish a second path,
send a path establishment request message including the type information to a first network node that determines whether the type information indicates the first type or the second type, and
receive a path establishment response message from a second network node that is selected by the first network node based on an Access Point Name (APN) when the first network node determines that the type information indicates the first type.
8. The mobile station according to claim 7 , wherein the first network node transfers a part of the path establishment request message to a third network node, when the first network node determines that the type information indicates the second type.
9. A communication method of a mobile station in a mobile communication system, the method comprising:
storing type information that is not a name or an address of a node that is to be connected, the type information comprising either: a first type indicating that the mobile station requests to establish a first path or a second type indicating that the mobile station requests to establish a second path; and
sending a path establishment request message including the type information to a first network node that determines whether the type information indicates the first type or the second type; and
receiving a path establishment response message from a second network node that is selected by the first network node based on an Access Point Name (APN) when the first network node determines that the type information indicates the first type.