Scalable Deployment of Network Nodes

Abstract

A method for communicating between nodes in a communication system. Communicating in a first node in a radio access network and a second node in a core network using messages associated with a first set of operations connecting the first node to the core network. Communicating in the first node with other nodes of the radio access network using messages associated with a second set of operations connecting the radio access network nodes. Communicating in the first node with a third node using messages associated with a third set of operations, the third set of operations providing at least part of the operations provided by the first and second set of operations. The scalability of the core network nodes is enhanced when the number of the radio access network nodes connecting to the core network nodes increases.

1 . A method comprising:
 communicating in a first node in a radio access network and a second node in a core network using messages associated with a first set of operations connecting the first node to the core network;   communicating in the first node with other nodes of the radio access network using messages associated with a second set of operations connecting the radio access network nodes; and   communicating in the first node with a third node using messages associated with a third set of operations, the third set of operations providing at least part of the operations provided by the first and second set of operations.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 receiving messages in the first node, the messages associated with the first or second set of operations; 
 identifying in the first node the received messages associated with the third node; and 
 delivering the identified messages to the third node. 
 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the identifying comprises
 determining an identifier in a message;   determining the third node address based on the identifier in the message, and   sending the message to the third node.   
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a message in the first node, the message associated to the third set of operations;   determining a message type for the message;   sending the message using the first or second set of operations based on the message type.   
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a message in the first node on the third set of operations from the third node;   determining a connection identifier for the message; and   mapping the received message based on the connection identifier to the first or second set of operations, and   sending the message, based on the mapping, using the first or second set of operations.   
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the connection identifier is a radio bearer identifier and the messages are mapped onto bearers carrying messages associated with the first or second set of operations. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first, second and third set of operations define a logical interface. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the third set of operations comprises operations for at least one of a bearer management or a handover control. 
     
     
         9 . A method comprising:
 connecting to a first node of a core network of a communications network using a first set of operations;   connecting to a second node in the radio access network using second set of operations; and   connecting to a third node in the radio access network using a third set of operations, the third set of operations comprising at least a part of the first and second set of operations.   
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  further comprising:
 receiving messages, the messages associated with the first or second set of operations; 
 identifying the received messages associated with the third node; and 
 delivering the identified messages to the third node. 
 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the identifying comprises
 determining an identifier in a message;   determining the third node address based on the identifier in the message, and   sending the message to the third node.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 receiving a message associated with the third set of operations;   determining a message type for the message; and   sending the message using the first or second set of operations based on the message type.   
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 receiving a message associated with the third set of operations;   determining a connection identifier for the message; and   mapping the received message based on the connection identifier to the first or second set of operations, and   sending the message, based on the mapping, using the first or second set of operations.   
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the connection identifier is a radio bearer identifier and the messages are mapped onto bearers on the first or second set of operations. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the set of operations defines a logical interface. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the third set of operations comprises operations for at least one of a bearer management or a handover control. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus comprising:
 a transceiver unit controlled by a control unit and configured to   communicate with a first node of a core network of a communications network using messages, the messages associated with a first set of operations;   communicate with a second node in the radio access network using messages associated with a second set of operations; and   communicate with a third node in the radio access network using messages associated with a third set of operations comprising at least part of the first and second set of operations.   
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 17 , further configured to
 receive messages, the messages associated with the first or second set of operations;   identify the received messages associated with the third node; and   deliver the identified messages to the third node so as to provide to the third node a connection to the second and first node.   
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 18 , further configured to
 determine an identifier in a message;   determine the third node address based on the identifier in the message, and   send the message to the third node.   
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 17 , further configured to
 receive a message associated with the third set of operations;   determine a message type for the message; and   send the messages on the first or second set of operations based on the message type.   
     
     
         21 . An apparatus according to  claim 17 , further configured to
 receive a message associated with the third set of operations;   determine a connection identifier for the message;   map the received message based on the connection identifier to the first or second set of operations; and   send the message, based on the mapping, using the first or second set of operations.   
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the connection identifier is a radio bearer identifier and the messages are mapped onto bearers on the first or second set of operations. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein each of the first, second and third set of operations defines a logical interface. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the third set of operations comprises operations for at least one of a bearer management or a handover control. 
     
     
         25 . A computer program product comprising computer program instructions for executing a process according to  claim 9 . 
     
     
         26 . A system comprising an apparatus according to  claim 17 .