Methods of Operating Data Networks To Provide Data Services and Related Methods of Operating Data Service Providers and Routing Gateways

Abstract

A data network may be operated between a routing gateway for a subscriber and a data service provider providing a data service. More particularly, the data network may receive from the data service provider an identification of the routing gateway, an identification of the data service provider, and data flow characteristics of the data service for a session of the routing gateway using the data service provided by the data service provider. Responsive to receiving the identification of the routing gateway, the identification of the data service provider, and the data flow characteristics for the data service, the data flow characteristics of the data service for the routing gateway may be saved at the data network and forwarded to the routing gateway. Related data networks, data service providers, routing gateways, and computer program products are also discussed.

1 . A method of operating a data network between a routing gateway for a subscriber and a data service provider providing a data service wherein the routing gateway is at a customer premises remote from the data network and wherein the data service provider is remote from the data network, the method comprising:
 receiving at the data network from the data service provider an identification of the routing gateway, an identification of the data service provider, and data flow characteristics of the data service for a session of the routing gateway using the data service provided by the data service provider wherein the data service provider is remote from the data network;   responsive to receiving at the data network the identification of the routing gateway, the identification of the data service provider, and the data flow characteristics for the data service, saving the data flow characteristics of the data service for the routing gateway at the data network; and   forwarding the data flow characteristics of the data service from the data network to the routing gateway at the customer premises remote from the data network.   
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the routing gateway is coupled to the data network via a digital subscriber line and wherein the identification of the routing gateway comprises a digital subscriber line identification. 
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the data flow characteristics of the data service include a bandwidth characterization for the data service and a priority characterization for the data service both received from the data service provider, and wherein forwarding the data flow characteristics to the routing gateway includes forwarding the bandwidth characterization and the priority characterization to the routing gateway at the customer premises remote from the data network. 
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein receiving further includes receiving an authorization code for the data service, the method further comprising;
 before saving the data flow characteristics, validating the authorization code.   
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein saving the data flow characteristics at the data network comprises creating an application flow control record for the routing gateway. 
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein saving the data flow characteristics comprises saving the data flow characteristics at first and second databases within the data network. 
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein the first database is associated with a concentrator and the second database is associated with a service manager. 
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein receiving is preceded by:
 receiving a request from the routing gateway for a session using the data service provided by the data service provider; and   forwarding the request from the routing gateway to the data service provider.   
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 8  further comprising:
 providing an interconnection between the routing gateway and the data service provider in accordance with the data flow characteristics to thereby support a session of the routing gateway using the data service provided by the data service provider.   
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 9  further comprising:
 deleting the data flow characteristics saved at the data network for the session of the routing gateway using the data service provided by the data service provider; and   terminating the interconnection between the routing gateway and the data service provider to thereby terminate the session of the routing gateway using the data service provided by the data service provider.   
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 10  further comprising:
 before deleting the data flow characteristics, receiving a request from the data service provider to delete the data flow characteristics for the session of the routing gateway using the data service, wherein the data flow characteristics are deleted responsive to receiving the request.   
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein the routing gateway is coupled to the data network via a digital subscriber line, wherein the identification of the routing gateway comprises a digital subscriber line identification, and wherein forwarding the bandwidth characterization and the priority characterization comprises forwarding the bandwidth characterization and the priority characterization over the digital subscriber line to the routing gateway at the customer premises. 
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the data service provider comprises an application data service provider located remote from the data network, wherein the data service comprises an application data service, and wherein the data flow characteristics of the application data service include a bandwidth characterization for the application data service and a priority characterization for the application data service both received from the application data service provider, the method further comprising:
 providing an interconnection between the routing gateway and the application data service provider through the data network in accordance with the data flow characteristics to thereby support a session of the routing gateway using the application data service provided by the application data service provider;   after providing the interconnection and completing the session, deleting the data flow characteristics saved at the data network for the session of the routing gateway using the application data service provided by the application data service provider; and   after providing the interconnection and completing the session, terminating the interconnection between the routing gateway and the application data service provider to thereby terminate the session of the routing gateway using the application data service provided by the application data service provider.   
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein the application data service comprises gaming, video on demand, and/or access to a virtual private network. 
   
   
       15 . A method of operating a data service provider providing a data service over a data network to a routing gateway for a subscriber using the data service, the method comprising:
 transmitting to the data network an identification of the routing gateway, an identification of the data service provider, and data flow characteristics of the data service for a session with the routing gateway using the data service; and   providing the data service over the data network and routing gateway in accordance with the data flow characteristics transmitted to the data network to support a data session of the data service provider with the routing gateway.   
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the routing gateway is coupled to the data network via a digital subscriber line and wherein the identification of the routing gateway comprises a digital subscriber line identification. 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the data flow characteristics of the data service include a bandwidth characterization for the data service and a priority characterization for the data service. 
   
   
       18 . A method of operating a routing gateway providing subscriber use of a data service provided by a data service provider over a data network, the method comprising:
 receiving data flow characteristics of the data service for a session of the routing gateway using the data service provided by the data service provider; and   providing access to the data service over the data network in accordance with the data flow characteristics received from the data network to support a data session with the data service provider.   
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein the routing gateway is coupled to the data network via a digital subscriber line. 
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein the data flow characteristics of the data service include a bandwidth characterization for the data service and a priority characterization for the data service.