Quality of service for SIP-based data

Abstract

A method and system for providing Quality of Service (QoS) for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based signaling and traffic are disclosed. The method can facilitate the management of Quality of Service in a Session Initiation Protocol-based communication on a cable network by using a built-in Dynamic Service feature to set up, enforce, modify, and tear down Quality of Service enabled service flows for SIP-based signaling and multimedia traffic over the cable system. The system can include a cable modem that is configured to recognize SIP-based signaling and traffic on a CM/Multimedia Terminal Adapter interface. The disclosed method and system can facilitate the provision of SIP-based services utilizing the inherent features of a cable network.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 using a built-in Dynamic Service feature of a cable modem to:
 set up a Quality of Service (QoS) enabled service flow for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based signaling and multimedia traffic over a cable system without implementing QoS elements in a cable network, wherein the cable network provides desired QoS to SIP-based services by only using the built-in Dynamic Service feature of the cable modem, wherein the cable modem recognizes the SIP-based signaling and multimedia traffic, and automatically requests network resources based on apriori knowledge of QoS requirements using the built-in Dynamic Service feature of the cable modem; 
 enforce the QoS enabled service flow for the SIP-based signaling and multimedia traffic over the cable system; and 
 tear down the QoS enabled service flow for the SIP-based signaling and multimedia traffic over the cable system. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising using the built-in Dynamic Service feature to modify the QoS enabled service flow for the SIP-based signaling and multimedia traffic over the cable system. 
     
     
       3. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cable modem is configured to recognize the SIP-based signaling and traffic on a Cable Modem (CM)/Multimedia Terminal Adapter (MTA) interface. 
     
     
       4. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cable modem is configured to recognize the SIP-based signaling and traffic on a CM/MTA interface and to automatically request network resources. 
     
     
       5. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising establishing a bi-directional Service Flow for SIP signaling messages. 
     
     
       6. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising creating upstream and downstream Service Flows with QoS when the cable modem recognizes a SIP signaling message on a CM/MTA interface. 
     
     
       7. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising sending a request to a cable modem termination system (CMTS) using a dynamic service addition request message (DSA-REQ) to create a service flow, wherein the service flow is one of an upstream flow, a downstream flow, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
       8. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising concluding setting up the QOS enabled service flow with a dynamic service addition acknowledgement message (DSA-ACK). 
     
     
       9. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising including an upstream and a downstream service flow in a single DSA-REQ in order to facilitate a common admission response. 
     
     
       10. The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein both the upstream and downstream service flows are either accepted or rejected together. 
     
     
       11. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising forwarding signaling and traffic from a CM/MTA interface onto upstream Service Flows and forwarding signaling and traffic from downstream Service Flows to the CM/MTA interface after upstream and downstream Service Flows have been established and activated. 
     
     
       12. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising altering Quality of Service parameters during a call. 
     
     
       13. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the cable modem initiating additional Service Flows to accommodate traffic requirements when an additional line goes off-hook or additional calls are incoming to a multimedia terminal adapter. 
     
     
       14. The method as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising using a dynamic service feature to tear-down the additional Service Flows for the additional calls and returning the network resources to a network pool after all calls have gone on-hook and all signaling has ceased. 
     
     
       15. A method comprising processing a request issued by a cable modem without implementing quality of service (QoS) elements in a cable network, wherein the cable network provides desired QoS to Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based services by only using a built-in Dynamic Service features of the cable modem, wherein the cable modem recognizes SIP-based signaling and traffic, and automatically requests network resources based on apriori knowledge of QoS requirements using the built-in Dynamic Service features of the cable modem, wherein the request uses a dynamic service addition request message (DSA-REQ) to create a service flow, wherein the service flow is one of an upstream flow, a downstream flow, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
       16. The method as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising:
 checking an authorization of the cable modem for the requested service, wherein the cable modem requests the service using the built-in Dynamic Service feature of the cable modem without the use of QoS elements; 
 checking if a QoS requirement can be supported; and 
 generating an appropriate response using a dynamic service addition response message (DSA-RSP). 
 
     
     
       17. A device comprising:
 a cable modem having a processor, the processor being configured to:
 facilitate setting up a Quality of Service (QoS) enabled service flow for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based signaling and multimedia traffic over a cable system without implementing QoS elements in a cable network, wherein the cable network provides desired QoS to SIP-based services by only using built-in Dynamic Service features of the cable modem, wherein the cable modem recognizes the SIP-based signaling and multimedia traffic, and automatically requests network resources based on apriori knowledge of QoS requirements using the built-in Dynamic Service features of the cable modem; 
 facilitate enforcing the Quality of Service enabled service flow for the SIP-based signaling and multimedia traffic over the cable system; and 
 facilitate tearing down the Quality of Service enabled service flow for the SIP-based signaling and multimedia traffic over the cable system. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The device as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising a built-in Dynamic Service feature configured to modify the QoS enabled service flow for the SIP-based signaling and multimedia traffic over the cable system. 
     
     
       19. The device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the SIP-based signaling and multimedia traffic is communicated via the cable modem and the cable modem is configured to recognize the SIP-based signaling and traffic on a Cable Modem (CM)/Multimedia Terminal Adapter (MTA) interface. 
     
     
       20. The device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the SIP-based signaling and multimedia traffic is communicated via the cable modem and the cable modem is configured to recognize the SIP-based signaling and traffic on a CM/Multimedia Terminal Adapter interface and to automatically request network resources. 
     
     
       21. The device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the processor is configured to facilitate establishing a bi-directional Service Flow for SIP signaling messages. 
     
     
       22. The device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the processor is configured to facilitate creating upstream and downstream Service Flows with QoS when the cable modem recognizes a SIP signaling message on a CM/MTA interface. 
     
     
       23. The device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the processor is configured to facilitate sending a request to a cable modem termination system (CMTS) using a dynamic service addition request message (DSA-REQ) to create a service flow, wherein the service flow is one of an upstream flow, a downstream flow, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       24. The device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the processor is configured to facilitate concluding setting up the QoS enabled service flow with a dynamic service addition acknowledgement message (DSA-ACK). 
     
     
       25. The device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the processor is configured to forward signaling and traffic from a CM/MTA interface onto upstream Service Flows and forward signaling and traffic from downstream Service Flows to the CM/MTA interface after the upstream and downstream Service Flows have been established and activated. 
     
     
       26. The device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the processor is configured to alter Quality of Service parameters during a call. 
     
     
       27. The device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the processor is configured to initiate additional Service Flows to accommodate traffic requirements when an additional line goes off-hook or additional calls are incoming to a multimedia terminal adapter. 
     
     
       28. The device as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the processor is configured to facilitate using a dynamic service feature to tear-down the additional Service Flows for the additional calls and returning the network resources to a network pool after all calls have gone on-hook and all signaling has ceased. 
     
     
       29. A device comprising:
 a cable interface; 
 a WAN interface; 
 a processor in communication with the cable interface and the WAN interface, the processor being configured to process a request that is made automatically for network resources based on apriori knowledge of Quality of Service (QoS) requirements without implementing QoS elements in, a cable network, wherein the cable network provides desired QoS to Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based services by only using built-in Dynamic Service features of the device, wherein the request is made by using a dynamic service addition request message (DSA-REQ) to create a service flow, wherein the service flow is one of an upstream flow, a downstream flow, and a combination thereof. 
 
     
     
       30. The device as recited in  claim 29 , wherein:
 the processor is configured to facilitate checking an authorization of the cable modem for the requested service, wherein the cable modem requests the service using the built-in Dynamic Service feature of the cable modem without using QoS elements; 
 the processor is configured to facilitate checking if a QoS requirement can be supported; and 
 the processor is configured to facilitate generating an appropriate response using a dynamic service addition response message (DSA-RSP). 
 
     
     
       31. A device comprising:
 means for setting up a Quality of Service (QoS) enabled service flow for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based signaling and multimedia traffic over a cable system without implementing QoS elements in a cable network, wherein the cable network provides desired QoS to SIP-based services by only using a built-in Dynamic Service features of the device, wherein the SIP-based signaling and multimedia traffic are recognized, and network resources are automatically requested based on apriori knowledge of QoS requirements using the built-in Dynamic Service features of the device; 
 means for enforcing the Quality of Service enabled service flow for the SIP-based signaling and multimedia traffic over the cable system; and 
 means for tearing down the Quality of Service enabled service flow for the SIP-based signaling and multimedia traffic over the cable system. 
 
     
     
       32. A device comprising:
 a cable interface; 
 a WAN interface; 
 means for processing a request that is made automatically for network resources based on apriori knowledge of Quality of Service (QoS) requirements without implementing QoS elements in a cable network, wherein the cable network provides desired QoS to Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based services by only using a built-in Dynamic Service features of the device, wherein the request is made by using a dynamic service addition request message (DSA-REQ) to create a service flow, wherein the service flow is one of an upstream flow, a downstream flow, and a combination thereof.