Method and system for mobile network nodes in heterogeneous networks

Abstract

Methods and systems for providing optimized communications links between network nodes. A signaling channel may be created between a first network node and a second network node via one of a plurality of available network interfaces between the first network node and the second network node, and a data channel between the first network node and the second network node may be created via a different one of the plurality of available network interfaces. Each of the data channel and the signaling channel may be configured, which may include applying different security parameters and different communications parameters, to each of the signaling channel and the data channel. The data channel and the signaling channel may be managed, which may include changing the data channel from network interface to another based on predefined changing criteria and the performance related parameter of one or both of the network interfaces.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 creating at least one signaling channel between a first network node and a second network node via one of a plurality of available network interfaces between the first network node and the second network node;   creating at least one data channel between the first network node and the second network node via a different one of the plurality of available network interfaces;   configuring each of the at least one data channel and the at least one signaling channel, wherein the configuring comprises applying different security parameters and different communications parameters, to each of the at least one signaling channel and the at least one data channel; and   managing the at least one data channel and the at least one signaling channel, wherein the managing comprises changing the at least one data channel from one available network interface to another available network interface, based on predefined changing criteria and at least one performance related parameter of one or both of the one available network interface and the another available network interface.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising setting up two or more signaling channels and/or two or more data channels. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , comprising utilizing a different network interface for configuration of each one of the two or more signaling channels and/or the two or more data channels. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising configuring at least one of the at least one data channel and the at least one signaling channel based on configuration data. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , comprising communicating to one or both of the first network node and the second network node, at least portion of the configuration data. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , comprising communicating at least portion of the configuration data at definable points in time and/or based on assessment of the at least one performance related parameter. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 4 , comprising dynamically adapting or changing at least one of the at least one signaling channel and/or the at least one data channel based on the configuration data. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the configuration data comprises one or more parameters relating to one or more of: data security, reliability, minimum data throughput rate, identification, paging and authentication of one or both of the at least one signaling channel and the at least one data channel. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the configuration data comprises a cost associated with one or more of the plurality of available network interfaces, and comprising selecting at least one of a plurality of available network interfaces based on a corresponding cost. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising buffering outgoing data packets if a network connection between the first network node and the second network node is interrupted, so that an output data rate of connected applications is maintained or kept within a defined fluctuation tolerance by a data buffer. 
     
     
         11 . A system, comprising:
 a network device that is configured to:
 create at least one signaling channel to a second network node via one of a plurality of available network interfaces between the first network node and the second network node; 
 create at least one data channel to the second network node via a different one of the plurality of available network interfaces; 
 configure each of the at least one data channel and the at least one signaling channel, wherein the configuring comprises applying different security parameters and different communications parameters, to each of the at least one signaling channel and the at least one data channel; and 
 manage the at least one data channel and the at least one signaling channel, wherein the managing comprises changing the at least one data channel from one available network interface to another available network interface, based on predefined changing criteria and at least one performance related parameter of one or both of the one available network interface and the another available network interface. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the network device is configured to support setting up two or more signaling channels and/or two or more data channels. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the network device is configured to support utilizing a different network interface for configuration of each one of the two or more signaling channels and/or the two or more data channels. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the network device is configured to support configuring at least one of the at least one data channel and the at least one signaling channel based on configuration data. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the network device that is configured to support communication of at least portion of the configuration data. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the network device that is configured to support communication of at least portion of the configuration data at definable points in time and/or based on assessment of the at least one performance related parameter. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the network device is configured to support communication of at least a portion of the configuration data with the second network device, and wherein the at least a portion of the configuration data is communicated unidirectionally or bidirectionally between the network device and the second network device. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the network device that is configured to dynamically adapt or change at least one of the at least one signaling channel and/or the at least one data channel based on the configuration data. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the network device is configured to act as a master carrying out coordination of the creating of the at least one data channel. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the network device that is configured to buffer outgoing data packets in response to determination to a network connection between the first network node and the second network node is interrupted, so that an output data rate of connected applications is maintained or kept within a defined fluctuation tolerance by a data buffer.