IPV6 INTERFACE ID FILTER USING A SINGLE PDN CONNECTION

Abstract

It is provided a method, comprising monitoring if a second data path is established for a flow, wherein a first internet protocol address is configured for the flow via a first data path between an apparatus performing the method and a packet data network; assigning, if the second data path is established, a second internet protocol address different from the first internet protocol address for the flow via the second data path, wherein at least a part of the first data path belongs to a radio access technology; at least a part of the second data path belongs to the radio access technology; and the part of the first data path is different from the part of the second data path.

Claims

1. Apparatus, comprising monitoring means adapted to monitor if a second data path is established for a flow, wherein a first internet protocol address is configured for the flow via a first data path between the apparatus and a packet data network; assigning means adapted to assign, if the second data path is established, a second internet protocol address different from the first internet protocol address for the flow via the second data path, wherein at least a part of the first data path belongs to a radio access technology; at least a part of the second data path belongs to the radio access technology; and the part of the first data path is different from the part of the second data path.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring means is adapted to determine that the second data path is established if a bearer resource modification command for the second data path is issued.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising supervising means adapted to supervise if a network to which the apparatus is connected, enables establishing of the second data path; and establishing means adapted to establish the second data path by issuing the bearer resource modification command if the establishing is enabled.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising address including means adapted to include the second internet protocol address into the bearer resource modification command.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising multipath checking means adapted to check if the flow is a multipath flow comprising the first data path and the second data path, wherein in the multipath flow data of the flow are distributed on the first data path and the second data path; relevance including means adapted to include a relevance indicator into the bearer resource modification command if the flow is the multipath flow.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising multipath filter generating means adapted to generate a multipath filter comprising the second internet protocol address and the relevance indicator, wherein the multipath filter is related to the second data path; and filter including means adapted to include the multipath filter into the bearer resource modification command.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising single-path filter generating means adapted to generate a single-path filter comprising the first internet protocol address and not comprising the relevance indicator, wherein the single-path filter is related to the second data path; wherein the filter including means is adapted to include the single-path filter into the bearer resource modification command.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the relevance including means is adapted to include the relevance indicator by setting a length of the second internet protocol address to maximum.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the first internet protocol address and the second internet protocol address is an address of internet protocol version 6, and the apparatus comprises address generating means adapted to use a prefix of the first internet protocol address based on prefix information received from the packet data network, to generate the prefix of the second internet protocol address to be the same as the prefix of the first internet protocol address, to generate an interface identifier of the first internet protocol address based on a first interface to the first data path, and to generate the interface identifier of the second internet protocol address based on a second interface to the second data path such that the interface identifier of the first internet protocol address is different from the interface identifier of the second internet protocol address.

10. Apparatus, comprising monitoring means adapted to monitor if a received bearer resource modification command related to a flow to a terminal comprises a second internet protocol address, wherein the flow is established via a first data path using a first internet protocol address to address the terminal, the bearer resource modification command requests to establish a second data path for the flow to the terminal, the second data path is different from the first data path, and the second internet protocol address is different from the first internet protocol address; assigning means adapted to assign, if the bearer resource modification command comprises the second internet protocol address, the second internet protocol address to the second data path for the flow to the terminal.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising checking means adapted to check if the bearer resource modification command comprises a relevance indicator; distributing means adapted to distribute, if the bearer resource modification command comprises the relevance indicator, data of the flow to the first data path and to the second data path according to a multipath protocol.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising multipath checking means adapted to check if a second flow to the terminal belongs to the multipath protocol; evaluating means adapted to evaluate if a multipath filter comprises the relevance indicator, wherein the multipath filter is comprised in the bearer resource modification command and is related to the second data path; wherein the distributing means is adapted to distribute data of the second flow on the first data path and the second data path according to the multipath filter if the second flow belongs to the multipath protocol and the multipath filter comprises the relevance indicator; and the apparatus comprises addressing means adapted to address the terminal, if data are distributed on the second path, by the internet protocol address comprised in the multipath filter.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the evaluating means is further adapted to evaluate if a further filter different from the multi-path filter comprises the relevance indicator, wherein the further filter is comprised in the bearer resource modification command and is related to the second data path; the distributing means is adapted to distribute the data of the second flow to the second data path and not to the first data path according to the further filter if at least one of the following conditions is fulfilled: the second flow does not belong to the multipath protocol and the further filter does not comprise the relevance indicator; and the addressing means is adapted to address the terminal, on the second data path, by the internet protocol address comprised in the further filter.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the checking means is adapted to determine that the bearer resource modification command comprises the relevance indicator if a length of the second internet protocol address is set at maximum.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each of the first internet protocol address and the second internet protocol address is an address of internet protocol version 6, the first internet protocol address has a first interface identifier different from a second interface identifier of the second internet protocol address, and the apparatus comprises prefix providing means adapted to provide one prefix to the terminal to be used for both the first internet protocol and the second internet protocol address.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the distributing means is adapted to distribute the data of the flow based on the first interface identifier and the second interface identifier if the bearer resource modification command comprises the relevance indicator.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the distributing means is adapted to distribute the data of the second flow to the second data path and not to the first data path based on the prefix and disregarding the first interface identifier and the second interface identifier if the further filter does not comprise the relevance indicator.

18. Method, comprising monitoring if a second data path is established for a flow, wherein a first internet protocol address is configured for the flow via a first data path between an apparatus performing the method and a packet data network; assigning, if the second data path is established, a second internet protocol address different from the first internet protocol address for the flow via the second data path, wherein at least a part of the first data path belongs to a radio access technology; at least a part of the second data path belongs to the radio access technology; and the part of the first data path is different from the part of the second data path.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the monitoring comprises determining that the second data path is established if a bearer resource modification command for the second data path is issued.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising supervising if a network to which the apparatus is connected, enables establishing of the second data path; and establishing the second data path by issuing the bearer resource modification command if the establishing is enabled.

21. The method according to claim 19, further comprising including the second internet protocol address into the bearer resource modification command.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising checking if the flow is a multipath flow comprising the first data path and the second data path, wherein in the multipath flow data of the flow are distributed on the first data path and the second data path; including a relevance indicator into the bearer resource modification command if the flow is the multipath flow.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising generating a multipath filter comprising the second internet protocol address and the relevance indicator, wherein the multipath filter is related to the second data path; and including the multipath filter into the bearer resource modification command.

24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising generating a single-path filter comprising the first internet protocol address and not comprising the relevance indicator, wherein the single-path filter is related to the second data path; and including the single-path filter into the bearer resource modification command.

25. The method according to claim 22, wherein the relevance indicator is included by setting a length of the second internet protocol address to maximum.

26. The method according to claim 18, wherein each of the first internet protocol address and the second internet protocol address is an address of internet protocol version 6, and the method comprises using a prefix of the first internet protocol address based on prefix information received from the packet data network, generating the prefix of the second internet protocol address to be the same as the prefix of the first internet protocol address, generating an interface identifier of the first internet protocol address based on a first interface to the first data path, and generating the interface identifier of the second internet protocol address based on a second interface to the second data path such that the interface identifier of the first internet protocol address is different from the interface identifier of the second internet protocol address.

27. Method, comprising monitoring if a received bearer resource modification command related to a flow to a terminal comprises a second internet protocol address, wherein the flow is established via a first data path using a first internet protocol address to address the terminal, the bearer resource modification command requests to establish a second data path for the flow to the terminal, the second data path is different from the first data path, and the second internet protocol address is different from the first internet protocol address; assigning, if the bearer resource modification command comprises the second internet protocol address, the second internet protocol address to the second data path for the flow to the terminal.

28. The method according to claim 27, further comprising checking if the bearer resource modification command comprises a relevance indicator; distributing, if the bearer resource modification command comprises the relevance indicator, data of the flow to the first data path and to the second data path according to a multipath protocol.

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising checking if a second flow to the terminal belongs to the multipath protocol; evaluating if a multipath filter comprises the relevance indicator, wherein the multipath filter is comprised in the bearer resource modification command and is related to the second data path; wherein the distributing is adapted to distribute data of the second flow on the first data path and the second data path according to the multipath filter if the second flow belongs to the multipath protocol and the multipath filter comprises the relevance indicator; and the method comprises addressing the terminal, if data are distributed on the second path, by the internet protocol address comprised in the multipath filter.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the evaluating is adapted to evaluate if a further filter different from the multi-path filter comprises the relevance indicator, wherein the further filter is comprised in the bearer resource modification command and is related to the second data path; the distributing is adapted to distribute the data of the second flow to the second data path and not to the first data path according to the further filter if at least one of the following conditions is fulfilled: the second flow does not belong to the multipath protocol and the further filter does not comprise the relevance indicator; and the addressing is adapted to address the terminal, on the second data path, by the internet protocol address comprised in the further filter.

31. The method according to claim 28, wherein the checking is adapted to determine that the bearer resource modification command comprises the relevance indicator if a length of the second internet protocol address is set at maximum.

32. The method according to claim 30, wherein each of the first internet protocol address and the second internet protocol address is an address of internet protocol version 6, the first internet protocol address has a first interface identifier different from a second interface identifier of the second internet protocol address, and the method comprises providing one prefix to the terminal to be used for both the first internet protocol and the second internet protocol address.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the distributing is adapted to distribute the data of the flow based on the first interface identifier and the second interface identifier if the bearer resource modification command comprises the relevance indicator.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the distributing is adapted to distribute the data of the second flow to the second data path and not to the first data path based on the prefix and disregarding the first interface identifier and the second interface identifier if the further filter does not comprise the relevance indicator.

35. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, said product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed on an apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to carry out the method according to claim 18.

36. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0158] Further details, features, objects, and advantages are apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention which is to be taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein

[0159] FIG. 1 shows a MPTCP stack according to RFC6824;

[0160] FIG. 2 shows a message flow according to 3GPP TS 23.401, section 5.4.5;

[0161] FIG. 3 shows a Traffic flow template information element according to FIG. 10.5.144 of 3GPP TS 24.008: Traffic flow template information element;

[0162] FIG. 4 shows a Packet filter list when the TFT operation is “delete packet filters from existing TFT” (z=N+3), according to FIG. 10.5.144a of 3GPP TS 24.008;

[0163] FIG. 5 shows a Packet filter list when the TFT operation is “create new TFT”, or “add packet filters to existing TFT” or “replace packet filters in existing TFT”, according to FIG. 10.5.144b of 3GPP TS 24.008;

[0164] FIG. 6 shows Table 8.3.10.1: BEARER RESOURCE MODIFICATION REQUEST message content of 3GPP TS 23.401;

[0165] FIG. 7 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0166] FIG. 8 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0167] FIG. 9 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0168] FIG. 10 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0169] FIG. 11 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

[0170] Herein below, certain embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the features of the embodiments can be freely combined with each other unless otherwise described. However, it is to be expressly understood that the description of certain embodiments is given for by way of example only, and that it is by no way intended to be understood as limiting the invention to the disclosed details.

[0171] Moreover, it is to be understood that the apparatus is configured to perform the corresponding method, although in some cases only the apparatus or only the method are described.

[0172] PCT/EP2014/061325 states: “Again here the 3GPP specifications should enable UE to configure the Interface Identifier portion of the IPv6 address freely per each EPS bearer and the P-GW should be made aware to route downlink data traffic according to the source IPv6 address the UE is using for each EPS bearer.” But details how this should be achieved are not given.

[0173] Assuming a PDN connection with one default bearer (Pre1+IID1) and one dedicated bearer the problems to solve are: [0174] 1) The dedicated bearer must get assigned an own IID2. [0175] 2) The PGW needs to be made aware that the IID2 should be used for traffic separation. (The TFT filter information today contains the IID part but it is not used for filtering.) [0176] 3) A schema needs to be introduced that works with and without MPTCP and the solution needs to be backward compatible (with and without evaluating the IID). So it is assumed that a bearer may carry either an MPTCP flow (or several MPTCP flows), only non-MPTCP flows or both.

[0177] Some embodiments of the invention apply to devices/UE capable for dual connectivity. The availability of small cells and dual connectivity in the location the UE is roaming may be a trigger for the UE to establish a dedicated bearer if it so far supports only the default bearer.

[0178] According to some embodiments of the invention, a MPTCP capable UE will assign an IID2 when establishing a dedicated bearer.

[0179] To establish or modify a dedicated bearer for an MPTCP flow the UE can use the UE-core network related procedure (NAS) in 23.401 [1], section 5.4.5 “UE requested bearer resource modification”. In both cases (i.e. establishing and modifying the dedicated bearer) the newly created IID2 may be transferred. E.g., IID2 may be transferred in the TAD/TFT filters. Alternatively or in addition, IID2 may be transferred in a new parameter, or in an enhancement of e.g. the Protocol Configuration Options (PCO). In addition, a relevance parameter, hereinafter sometimes named “IID relevant” parameter indicating if IID2 is relevant for MPTCP may be transferred in a new parameter, or in an enhancement of e.g. the Protocol Configuration Options (PCO). In this case, messages 1. to 3. of FIG. 2 are enhanced over their conventional format.

[0180] If the same bearer carries both MPTCP and non-MPTCP flows (also named single-path flows), filters for each flow are parallel set up for the bearer. The filters for the non-MPTCP flows may be based on IPv6 prefix as per current specifications, i.e. with no “IID relevant” marking, and the filters for the MPTCP flows may be based on the use of the whole IPv6 address, i.e. both the prefix and IID, with “IID relevant” marking. In some embodiments of the invention, the presence of the “IID relevant marking” triggers the network/P-GW to heed also the IID part of the IPv6 filter, whereas the absence of the “IID relevant marking” causes the network/P-GW to operate on the filter ignoring the IID part.

[0181] In some embodiments of the invention, a higher precedence/priority is allocated to a filter with IID marking than to filters with a prefix only usage. This way the packets matching the IID can be routed to the correct bearer.

[0182] In the same messages, a new traffic filter or filter modification may be performed with the TAD/TFT parameter, as according to 3GPP TS 23.401:

[0183] “The TAD indicates one requested operation (add, modify, or delete packet filters). If traffic flows are added, the TAD includes the packet filter(s) (consisting of the packet filter information including packet filter precedence, but without a packet filter identifier) to be added. If the UE wants to link the new packet filter(s) to an existing packet filter to enable the usage of existing bearer resources for the new packet filter(s), the UE shall provide an existing packet filter identifier together with the new packet filter(s).”

[0184] According to some embodiments of the invention, when adding or modifying a dedicated bearer, it may be combined with a change of the QoS parameters for an existing bearer to be better suited for MPTCP. E.g. MPTCP works best if both paths/bearers have a comparable bandwidth and delay characteristic.

[0185] According to some embodiments of the invention, the new/modified filter contains IID2 for the UE source IP address parameter (in case of modification, IID1 may be overwritten by IID2). In the P-GW, those filters may get a label to be the only ones that should treat the IID as filter criteria in order to solve problem (2) hereinabove.

[0186] The existence of the new parameter “IID” or only a marker “IID relevant” for certain filters in the messages 1. to 3. of FIG. 2, will trigger the PGW to take also the IID as a filter criteria when allocating traffic to that bearer.

[0187] Thus, the problems 1) and 2) are solved by some embodiments of the invention.

[0188] Internally, the UE also allocates the Prefix1+IID2 as source address to the dedicated bearer so that two different IP addresses are available for the TCP/IP stacks of MPTCP.

[0189] In order to solve problem 3, according to some embodiments of the invention, a schema is introduced that works for flows with and without MPTCP (multipath flows and single-path flows). Preferably, the schema is backward compatible (i.e. covers the cases of evaluating and not-evaluating the IID). An example is a case, where a bearer should carry in addition to TCP/MPTCP traffic some single-path traffic, e.g. UDP traffic. The UDP traffic is not distributed over several bearers but transported on the dedicated bearer only.

[0190] According to some embodiments of the invention, if MPTCP will not be used with the dedicated bearer, the same IID1 as for the default bearer will be used as usual. Consequently, according to some of these embodiments, there are at least two filters in the TADs/TFTs: [0191] 1. For non-MPTCP traffic, TFT filter(s)1 as usual to identify some flows/services etc. It has flow parameters in addition to the UE source IP address with IID1 (IID1 may be ignored in the P-GW), otherwise no traffic would go through the default bearer. [0192] 2. Second TFT filter2 for MPTCP: it contains at least UE source address with IID2 (in the destination address part of the DL traffic filter), and in addition the port number for TCP may be set. That filter has the label for IID treatment (“IID relevant”).

[0193] According to some embodiments, the priority of the filters may be as follows: [0194] 1.) Filter2 for MPTCP [0195] 2.) Filter(s)1 for no MPTCP

[0196] Consequently, in these embodiments of the invention, the concept of running old and new filters in parallel means that the dedicated bearer receives packets with two IP addresses: [0197] Prefix1+IID1 (IID1 is also used in the default bearer) for non-MPTCP traffic; and [0198] Prefix1+IID2 created for MPTCP.

[0199] As obvious, the suggested “IID relevant” indication may in practice be transferred in many different ways. For example, it may be transferred in one of the spare bits contained in the packet filter list (which is part of the TFT definition) for each filter (see FIGS. 3 to 5).

[0200] The IPv6 address is defined in the TFT (as per TS 24.008) with “a sixteen octet IPv6 address field and one octet prefix length field”. So, according to some embodiments of the invention, a filter is indicated to be “IID relevant” by setting the prefix length to the maximum, indicating that all bits of the address are relevant for the filter.

[0201] The Bearer Resource Modification request message, as shown in FIG. 6, supports a container mechanism, the Protocol Configuration Options (PCO) information element. Consequently, in some embodiments of the invention, the “IID relevant” indication is transported in a PCO container. Therein, other new parameters (even filter definitions, if needed) may be transported, too.

[0202] According to some embodiments of the invention, the indication that a filter is “IID relevant” is transferred in a newly defined information element in the used message. The information element may contain e.g. filter IDs (as per the TFT definition) and the related “IID relevant” indications, and if appropriate/needed, any other new parameters (even filter definitions).

[0203] According to some embodiments of the invention, traffic for MPTCP is separated (distributed over bearers such as default bearer and dedicated bearer) with minimal changes to the current 3GPP procedures. In some embodiments of the invention, only one new parameter (the interface ID for the dedicated bearer) is transferred between UE and P-GW. In some embodiments of the invention, the filters that contain the “dedicated” IID are marked to inform the PGW that the IID will be taken into account for traffic filtering (“IID relevance”).

[0204] The provision of multi-access/path by the same 3GPP technology i.e. using macro network and using a separate small cell layer, networking is in much better control of the 3GPP EPC, compared to multi-access by 3GPP and non-3GPP (WLAN) accesses. The control of radio resources can be kept in the MeNB, which configures master cell group and small cell group for the UE.

[0205] From MPTCP point of view, having two IP addresses over the 3GPP access over two different cell layers, both MPTCP paths are in full control of the operator, but yet maintaining the multipath benefits on the IP layer, serving the common TCP entity and layers above TCP.

[0206] In case MPTCP is run this way, it allows throughput increase, better link robustness, automatic balancing of load over the two paths and in addition, a joint congestion (tcp) algorithm. Even better, it may automatically tolerate drop of the other path, if e.g. small cell coverage would end, without any dramatic impact to the TCP (or application above it) other than throughput decrease.

[0207] FIG. 7 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus may be a terminal such as a UE, or an element thereof. FIG. 8 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus according to FIG. 7 may perform the method of FIG. 8 but is not limited to this method. The method of FIG. 8 may be performed by the apparatus of FIG. 7 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.

[0208] The apparatus comprises monitoring means 10, and assigning means 20.

[0209] The monitoring means 10 monitors if a second data path is established for a flow (S10). Therein, a first internet protocol address is configured for the flow via a first data path between the apparatus and a packet data network. At least a part of the first data path belongs to a radio access technology;

[0210] If the second data path is established (S10=“yes”), the assigning means 20 assigns a second internet protocol address different from the first internet protocol address for the flow via the second data path. At least a part of the second data path belongs to the radio access technology of the part of the first data path. The part of the first data path is different from the part of the second data path.

[0211] FIG. 9 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus may be a gateway such as a P-GW, or an element thereof. FIG. 10 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus according to FIG. 9 may perform the method of FIG. 10 but is not limited to this method. The method of FIG. 10 may be performed by the apparatus of FIG. 9 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.

[0212] The apparatus comprises monitoring means 110 and assigning means 120.

[0213] The monitoring means 110 monitors if a received bearer resource modification command related to a flow to a terminal comprises a second internet protocol address (S110). Therein, the flow is established via a first data path using a first internet protocol address to address the terminal. The bearer resource modification command requests to establish a second data path for the flow to the terminal. The second data path is different from the first data path, and the second internet protocol address is different from the first internet protocol address.

[0214] If the bearer resource modification command comprises the second internet protocol address (S110=“yes”), the assigning means 120 assigns the second internet protocol address to the second data path for the flow to the terminal (S120).

[0215] FIG. 11 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus comprises at least one processor 210, at least one memory 220 including computer program code, and the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being arranged to cause the apparatus to perform at least one of the methods according to FIGS. 8 and 10.

[0216] Embodiments of the invention may be employed in a 3GPP network such as EDGE, UMTS, LTE, and LTE-A. They may be employed also in other mobile networks enabling multiple data paths such as CDMA and Wi-Fi networks, etc.

[0217] A terminal may be any device capable to be connected to the radio access network, such as a UE, a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, a communicator, a machine, a robot, a wearable etc.

[0218] Embodiments of the invention are described for two base stations and two data paths. However, the number of base stations per data path may be larger than two. For example, if the base stations are arranged in groups such as MCG and/or SCG, a data path may use some or all of the base stations of the respective base station group. The MCG may provide resources for multiple cells and multiple component carriers. The SCG may provide resources for multiple cells and multiple component carriers.

[0219] Also, the number of data paths is not limited to two. The UE may have more than two data paths with related IP addresses. Each of the data paths may comprise one or more base stations.

[0220] Embodiments of the invention are not limited to IPv6. They may use any suitable protocol. For example, IPv4 may be used if the P-GW assigns several IP addresses to the UE, and the MPTCP in the UE or the MPTCP in the server or combination thereof may select some of them for a multipath connection setup. This multipath setup is beneficial over LTE, if according to some embodiments of the invention, LTE network and LTE device are able to map the IP addresses to different data paths, the data paths being in dual connectivity. Also, embodiments of the invention may employ future versions of the internet protocol or a related protocol.

[0221] According to some embodiments of the invention, the terminal may be a LTE dual connectivity capable UE. According to some embodiments of the invention the EPC supports dual LTE radio interfaces/data paths associated to a single PDN connection. According to some embodiments of the invention, the EPC supports dual LTE interfaces/data paths associated to multiple PDN connections. According to some embodiments of the invention MPTCP protocol, MPTCP services, are provided over the Intra-LTE access dual connectivity.

[0222] Distribution of downlink traffic to different data paths may be based on MPTCP, as described. However, in some embodiments of the invention, only part of the MPTCP algorithms may be implemented, or other algorithms than MPTCP may be used to decide on the distribution of traffic to different data paths. For example, downlink traffic responding to uplink traffic may be routed via the data path on which the uplink traffic was routed. In some embodiments, the decision on the respective data path for downlink traffic may be communicated to the P-GW via signaling messages from a control entity.

[0223] Adding and modification of a dedicated bearer may be made using the Request Bearer Resource Modification as according to FIG. 2 and its enhancements as described herein. However, embodiments of the invention may use other commands and message flows resulting in adding/modifying a bearer and assigning it to a multipath flow. E.g., the command(s) may depend on the technology (such as a RAT) used to connect a terminal and P-GW.

[0224] Embodiments of the invention are described where multiple data paths are used for both uplink and downlink of a terminal. However, according to some embodiments of the invention, multiple data paths may be used for the uplink only, whereas all downlink traffic is routed via a single downlink data path to the terminal. Also in some embodiments of the invention, multiple data paths may be used for the downlink only, whereas all uplink traffic is routed via a single uplink path to the server. Also, in some embodiments of the invention, specific downlink traffic may be sent over multiple data paths, whereas other downlink traffic may be sent over a single data path. Also, in some embodiments of the invention, specific uplink traffic may be sent over multiple data paths, whereas other uplink traffic may be sent over a single data path. In each case, whether using multipath to one or both link directions, TCP Acknowledgements may be expected to the reverse direction, as TCP forms a bi-directional connection between the source and destination TCP ports.

[0225] One piece of information may be transmitted in one or plural messages from one entity to another entity. Each of these messages may comprise further (different) pieces of information.

[0226] Names of network elements, protocols, and methods are based on current standards. In other versions or other technologies, the names of these network elements and/or protocols and/or methods may be different, as long as they provide a corresponding functionality. The functionality may be integral to one or few of the network elements or it may be shared or distributed among the network elements, or their cloud.

[0227] If not otherwise stated or otherwise made clear from the context, the statement that two entities are different means that they perform different functions. It does not necessarily mean that they are based on different hardware. That is, each of the entities described in the present description may be based on a different hardware, or some or all of the entities may be based on the same hardware. It does not necessarily mean that they are based on different software. That is, each of the entities described in the present description may be based on different software, or some or all of the entities may be based on the same software.

[0228] According to the above description, it should thus be apparent that exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide, for example a terminal such as a user equipment, or a component thereof, an apparatus embodying the same, a method for controlling and/or operating the same, and computer program(s) controlling and/or operating the same as well as mediums carrying such computer program(s) and forming computer program product(s). Furthermore, according to the above description, it should thus be apparent that exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide, for example a gateway such as a P-GW, or a component thereof, an apparatus embodying the same, a method for controlling and/or operating the same, and computer program(s) controlling and/or operating the same as well as mediums carrying such computer program(s) and forming computer program product(s).

[0229] Implementations of any of the above described blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques or methods include, as non limiting examples, implementations as hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0230] It is to be understood that what is described above is what is presently considered the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be noted that the description of the preferred embodiments is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.