Method for re-routing data packets onto an alternative network

Abstract

In one aspect, a method for re-routing data packets of a packet-switching network onto an alternate network that assures a quality requested by a network user is provided. Data packets to be routed via an alternate network in the source node by a bit pattern known to the access node are identified. The known bit pattern is recognizing upon arrival of such data packets in the access node. The data packets identified with the known bit pattern onto are re-routing an alternate network with a quality corresponding to the recognized bit pattern The re-routing of the data packet onto at least one alternate network is prevented, if after recognition of the bit pattern of a data packet to be routed, the at least one alternate network cannot offer the quality corresponding to the bit pattern.

1 - 27 . (canceled)  
   
   
       28 . A method for re-routing data packets of a packet-switching network onto at least one alternate network that assures a quality requested by a network user, the packet-switching network and the at least one alternate network form sub-networks of a network over which data packets can be transmitted, including at least one source node and at least one destination node that are each respectively one of either directly or indirectly connected to an access node via at least one intermediate node, the access node setting up a connection both to the packet-switching network and to one of the at least one alternate network, the method comprising: 
 identifying by a respective bit pattern known to the access node the data packets to be routed via an alternate network in the source node by a bit pattern known to the access node;    recognizing the known bit pattern upon arrival of such data packets in the access node;    re-routing the data packets identified with the known bit pattern onto an alternate network;    using in at least one source node, bit patterns corresponding to the respectively requested quality;    using each recognized bit pattern of a data packet to produce a re-routing thereof onto at least one alternate network with a quality corresponding to the recognized bit pattern; and    preventing the re-routing of the data packet onto at least one alternate network, if after recognition of the bit pattern of a data packet to be routed via the at least one alternate network in the access node, the at least one alternate network cannot offer the quality corresponding to the bit pattern.    
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising: 
 using a filter in the access node to check data packets arriving from a source node for the known bit pattern; and    initiating the re-routing of the data packets identified with this bit pattern onto an alternate network when a known bit pattern is recognized.    
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 29 , further comprising providing a table in the access node for determining traffic paths into which the function of the filter is integrated, the table additionally contains bit patterns that can produce a re-routing of the data packet identified with the bit patterns onto an alternate network.  
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising the step of using the same bit pattern in at least one source node regardless of the respectively requested quality.  
   
   
       32 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising using the bit pattern of a data packet to produce a re-routing thereof onto at least one alternate network, corresponding to the bit pattern with a specific quality.  
   
   
       33 . A method for re-routing data packets of a packet-switching network onto at least one alternate network that assures a quality requested by a network user, the packet-switching network and the at least one alternate network form sub-networks of a network over which data packets can be transmitted, including at least one source node and at least one destination node that are each respectively one of either directly or indirectly connected to an access node via at least one intermediate node, the access node setting up a connection both to the packet-switching network and to one of the at least one alternate network, the method comprising: 
 identifying only by a respective bit pattern known to the access node the data packets to be routed via an alternate network in the source node by a bit pattern known to the access node that is connected to the source node either directly or indirectly via at least one intermediate node;    recognizing the known bit pattern upon arrival of such data packets in the access node;    locating the known bit pattern in the header of a data packet to be routed via the alternate network;    providing a table for determining the traffic paths in the access node, wherein the table includes the bit pattern; and    re-routing the data packets identified with the known bit pattern onto an alternate network.    
   
   
       34 . The method according to  claim 33 , further comprising: 
 having the at least one source node send the data packets to communicate a message via the packet-switching network to at least one destination node with respect to the data packets to be routed via the at least one alternate network; and    waiting for an acknowledgement from the at least one destination node.    
   
   
       35 . The method according to  claim 34 , further comprising: 
 having the access node connected to the at least one source node send a message with respect to the assured quality requested by the at least one source node to the network the at least one alternate network; and    waiting for an acknowledgement thereof.    
   
   
       36 . The method according to  claim 35 , further comprising the step of reserving for data packets to be transmitted with an assured quality, at least one logical channel of the packet switching network, in a network constellation in which the at least one alternate network is formed.  
   
   
       37 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising the steps of having the at least one source node send the data packets to communicate a message via the packet-switching network to at least one destination node with respect to the data packets to be routed via the at least one alternate network, 
 and waiting for an acknowledgement from the at least one destination node.    
   
   
       38 . The method according to  claim 37 , further comprising: 
 having the access node connected to the at least one source node send a message with respect to the assured quality requested by the at least one source node to the network the at least one alternate network, and    waiting for an acknowledgement thereof.    
   
   
       39 . The method according to  claim 38 , further comprising reserving for data packets to be transmitted with an assured quality, at least one logical channel of the packet switching network, in a network constellation in which the at least one alternate network is formed.  
   
   
       40 . A method for re-routing data packets of a packet-switching network onto at least one alternate network that assures a quality requested by a network user, the packet-switching network and the at least one alternate network form sub-networks of a network over which data packets can be transmitted, including at least one source node and at least one destination node that are each respectively one of either directly or indirectly connected to an access node via at least one intermediate node, the access node setting up a connection both to the packet-switching network and to one of the at least one alternate network, the method comprising: 
 receiving a data packet by the access node;    identifying in the data packet a bit pattern that indicates the data packet is to be routed via at least one alternate network, wherein the bit pattern corresponds to a requested quality;    determining if the alternate network can offer the quality corresponding the requested quality;    re-routing the data packet onto an alternate network in response to determining the at least one alternate network offers the quality; and    preventing the re-routing of the data packet onto at least one alternate network in response to determining the at least one alternate network cannot offer the quality.    
   
   
       41 . The method according to  claim 41 , further comprising: 
 using a filter in the access node to check data packets arriving from a source node for the known bit pattern.    
   
   
       42 . The method according to  claim 42 , further comprising providing a table in the access node for determining traffic paths, wherein the function of the filter is integrated into the table, the table additionally includes bit patterns that can produce a re-routing of the data packet identified with the bit patterns onto the at least one alternate network.  
   
   
       43 . The method according to  claim 41 , wherein the at least one alternate includes at least one logical channel of the packet switching network.  
   
   
       44 . The method according to  claim 41 , further comprising 
 receiving a first message from the at least one source node into the table requesting the bit pattern for re-routing for the requested quality; and    sending a second message including the bit pattern.