Power mode aware packet communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Packet communication method and system in which a packet destined for a terminal is provided service according to a service table indexed by packet classification and the terminal's power mode. The service table may specify for a connection a predetermined quality of service or discarding the packet. For a power mode having an alerting (i.e., paging) mechanism, the service may include alerting the terminal. The service table may also include a network edge point's own service requests and service requests from terminals, provisioning servers, and handoff sources. For a multicast or broadcast packet, as each terminal may be in a different power mode, the associated service in the service table may therefore be different for each terminal. In that case, the packet is provided with service so that any given terminal is provided with at least the quality of service specified in the service table. Thus, a multicast or broadcast packet is discarded when the service specified for all terminals is “discard.” Each terminal is alerted, however, if the associated service includes alerting the terminal. During handoff, a part of service table associated with the terminal can be transferred from the handoff source to the handoff destination.

We claim: 
     
       1. A network edge point operable to be associated with a terminal in a communication network associated with a terminal and receiving to receive packets from the network that specify the terminal as destination, the network edge point comprising:
 a connection manager for determining a classification rule for the packets; 
 a classifier that assigns for assigning to each packet a classification according to the classification rule; and 
 a service manager that maps for mapping a service to the packet according to the packet's classification and a current power mode associated with the terminal, wherein the service manager accesses is for accessing a rule table to determine whether the terminal should be alerted from a power saving state to process the packet. 
 
     
     
       2. A network edge point as in  claim 1 , wherein the classifier assigns is for assigning a connection identification to the packet. 
     
     
       3. A network edge point as in  claim 1 , wherein the service mapping is determined based on a functionality of the packet and the current power mode. 
     
     
       4. A network edge point as in  claim 3 , wherein the rule table is for being accessed using the packet's classification and the current power mode associated with the terminal. 
     
     
       5. A network edge point as in  claim 4 , wherein the terminal provides is for providing the rule table to the network edge point. 
     
     
       6. A network edge point as in  claim 1 , wherein the terminal provides the current power mode to the network edge point when the terminal undertakes a power mode transition. 
     
     
       7. A network edge point as in  claim 1 , wherein the connection manager manages is for managing the connection between the network edge point and the terminal. 
     
     
       8. A network edge point as in  claim 1 , further comprising a hand-off manager, which transfers for transferring the connection from the network edge point to a second network edge point. 
     
     
       9. A network edge point as in  claim 8 , wherein a portion of the service mapping associated with the terminal is transferred to the second network edge point at the transfer of the connection to the second network edge point. 
     
     
       10. A network edge point as in  claim 1  wherein, when the packet specifies multiple recipients, each recipient receives at least the least of the services specified for the multiple recipients. 
     
     
       11. A network edge point as in  claim 1 , wherein the mapped service comprises alerting the terminal. 
     
     
       12. A network edge point as in  claim 1 , wherein the mapped service comprises not alerting the terminal. 
     
     
       13. A network edge point operable to be associated with a terminal in a communication network associated with a terminal and receiving to receive packets from the network that specify the terminal as destination, the network edge point comprising:
 a connection manager for determining a classification rule for the packets; 
 a classifier that assigns for assigning to each packet a classification according to the classification rule; and 
 a service manager that maps for mapping a service to the packet according to the packet's classification and a current power mode associated with the terminal, wherein the service manager accesses is for accessing a current power mode table to determine the current power mode of the terminal. 
 
     
     
       14. A method for providing service in a network edge point in a computer communication network having a connection with a terminal, the method comprising:
 classifying packets received from the communication network that specify the terminal as destination and assigning to each packet a classification; 
 determining a service for the packet according to the packet's classification and a current power mode associated with the terminal; 
 accessing a rule table to determine whether or not the terminal should be alerted from the current power mode to process the packet; and accordingly providing the service. 
 
     
     
       15. A method as in  claim 14 , wherein classifying packets comprises assigning a connection identification to each packet. 
     
     
       16. A method as in  claim 14 , wherein the service is determined based on a functionality of the packet and the current power mode. 
     
     
       17. A method as in  claim 16 , wherein the rule table is accessed using the packet's classification and the current power mode associated with the terminal. 
     
     
       18. A method as in  claim 17 , wherein the terminal provides the rule table to the network edge point. 
     
     
       19. A method as in  claim 14 , further comprising notifying the network edge point the terminal's current power mode, when the terminal undertakes a power mode transition. 
     
     
       20. A method as in  claim 14 , further comprising managing the connection with the terminal in a connection table. 
     
     
       21. A method as in  claim 14 , further comprising following a hand-off procedure when the terminal transfers the connection from the network edge point to a second network edge point. 
     
     
       22. A method as in  claim 21 , wherein a portion of a service table associated with the terminal is transferred to the second network edge point at the transfer of the connection to the second network edge point. 
     
     
       23. A method as in  claim 14  wherein, when the packet specifies multiple recipients, each recipient receives at least the least of the services specified for the multiple recipients. 
     
     
       24. A method as in  claim 14 ; wherein the determined service comprises alerting the terminal. 
     
     
       25. A method as in  claim 14 , wherein the determined service comprises not alerting the terminal. 
     
     
       26. A method as in  claim 14  wherein, when the packet specifies multiple recipients, each recipient receives at least the least of the services specified for the multiple recipients. 
     
     
       27. A method for providing service in a network edge point in a computer communication network having a connection with a terminal, the method comprising:
 classifying packets received from the communication network that specify the terminal as destination and assigning to each packet a classification; 
 determining a service for the packet according to the packet's classification and a current power mode associated with the terminal, wherein a current power mode table is accessed to determine the current power mode of the terminal; 
 and providing the service. 
 
     
     
       28. A network edge point operable to be associated with a terminal in a communication network associated with a terminal and receiving to receive packets from the network that specify the terminal as destination, the network edge point comprising:
 a connection manager for determining a classification rule for the packets; 
 a classifier that assigns for assigning to each packet a classification according to the classification rule; and 
 a service manager that maps for mapping a service to the packet according to the packet's classification and a current power mode associated with the terminal, wherein the service is mapped according to a service table comprising quality of service (QoS) specifications. 
 
     
     
       29. A network edge point operable to be associated with a terminal in a communication network associated with a terminal and receiving to receive packets from the network that specify the terminal as destination, the network edge point comprising:
 a connection manager for determining a classification rule for the packets; 
 a classifier that assigns for assigning to each packet a classification according to the classification rule; and 
 a service manager that maps for mapping a service to the packet according to the packet's classification and a current power mode associated with the terminal, wherein the terminal provides is for providing the network edge point mapping between the service and the packet as a function of packet classification and the terminal's power mode. 
 
     
     
       30. A network edge point operable to be associated with a terminal in a communication network associated with a terminal and receiving to receive packets from the network that specify the terminal as destination, the network edge point comprising:
 a connection manager for determining a classification rule for the packets; 
 a classifier that assigns for assigning to each packet a classification according to the classification rule; and 
 a service manager that maps for mapping a service to the packet according to the packet's classification and a current power mode associated with the terminal, wherein the mapped service comprises discarding the packet, and, wherein a criterion for determining whether or not to discard the packet is based on packet classification and the terminal's power mode. 
 
     
     
       31. A network edge point as in  claim 30 , wherein the terminal provides is for providing the criterion to the network edge point. 
     
     
       32. A network edge point operable to be associated with a terminal in a communication network associated with a terminal and receiving to receive packets from the network that specify the terminal as destination, the network edge point comprising:
 a connection manager for determining a classification rule for the packets; 
 a classifier that assigns for assigning to each packet a classification according to the classification rule; and 
 a service manager that maps for mapping a service to the packet according to the packet's classification and a current power mode associated with the terminal, wherein the service manager is for further determines determining whether or not a service resource is maintained for the packet according to a criterion that depends on the packet's classification and the current power mode associated with the terminal. 
 
     
     
       33. A network edge point as in  claim 32 , wherein the terminal provides is for providing the criterion to the network edge point. 
     
     
       34. A method for providing service in a network edge point in a computer communication network having a connection with a terminal, the method comprising:
 classifying packets received from the communication network that specify the terminal as destination and assigning to each packet a classification; 
 determining a service for the packet according to the packet's classification and a current power mode associated with the terminal, wherein a service table provided by the terminal to the network edge point provides quality of service (QoS) specifications; 
 and providing the service. 
 
     
     
       35. A method as in  claim 34 , wherein the service is determined based on a functionality of the packet and the current power mode. 
     
     
       36. A method for providing service in a network edge point in a computer communication network having a connection with a terminal, the method comprising:
 classifying packets received from the communication network that specify the terminal as destination and assigning to each packet a classification; 
 determining a service for the packet according to the packet's classification and a current power mode associated with the terminal, wherein the service comprises discarding the packet and wherein a criterion for determining whether or not to discard the packet is based on packet classification and the terminal's power mode; and 
 providing the service. 
 
     
     
       37. A method as in claim  36 , wherein the terminal provides the criterion to the network edge point. 
     
     
       38. A method for providing service in a network edge point in a computer communication network having a connection with a terminal, the method comprising:
 classifying packets received from the communication network that specify the terminal as destination and assigning to each packet a classification; 
 determining a service for the packet according to the packet's classification and a current power mode associated with the terminal, further comprising determining whether or not a service resource is maintained for the packet according to a criterion that depends on the packet's classification and the current power mode associated with the terminal. 
 
     
     
       39. A method as in  claim 38 , wherein the terminal provides the criterion to the network edge point. 
     
     
       40. A terminal operable to be associated with a network edge point in a communication network, the terminal comprising:
 a power mode manager for determining a power mode of the terminal and communicating the power mode to the network edge point; and 
 a connection manager for communicating with the network edge point a classification rule for packets designating the terminal as destination and a service rule, wherein the service rule maps a service to each packet according to the packet's classification and the power mode of the terminal, wherein the connection manager provides is for providing a rule table to a service manager at the network edge point for determining whether or not the terminal is to be alerted from a power saving state, according to the packet's classification and the current power mode associated with the terminal. 
 
     
     
       41. A terminal as in  claim 40 , wherein the mapped service comprises alerting the terminal. 
     
     
       42. A terminal as in  claim 40 , wherein the mapped service comprises not alerting the terminal. 
     
     
       43. A terminal as in  claim 40 , wherein the terminal provides the current power mode to the network edge point when the terminal undertakes a power mode transition. 
     
     
       44. A terminal as in  claim 40 , wherein the connection manager manages the connection between the network edge point and the terminal. 
     
     
       45. A terminal as in  claim 40 , further comprising a hand-off manager, which manages for managing the transfer of the terminal's association from the network edge point to a second network edge point. 
     
     
       46. A terminal as in  claim 45 , wherein a portion of the service mapping associated with the terminal is transferred to the second network edge point at the transfer of the connection to the second network edge point. 
     
     
       47. A terminal as in  claim 40 , wherein whether or not the terminal is to be alerted is determined based on a functionality of the packet and the current power mode. 
     
     
       48. A terminal operable to be associated with a network edge point in a communication network, the terminal comprising:
 a power mode manager for determining a power mode of the terminal and communicating the power mode to the network edge point; and 
 a connection manager for communicating with the network edge point a classification rule for packets designating the terminal as destination and a service rule, wherein the service rule maps a service to each packet according to the packet's classification and the power mode of the terminal, wherein the mapped service comprises discarding the packet, and wherein a criterion for determining whether or not to discard the packet is based on packet classification and the terminal's power mode. 
 
     
     
       49. A terminal as in  claim 48 , wherein the criterion is based on a functionality of the packet and the current power mode. 
     
     
       50. A terminal as in  claim 48 , wherein the terminal provides is for providing the criterion to the network edge point. 
     
     
       51. A terminal operable to be associated with a network edge point in a communication network, the terminal comprising:
 a power mode manager for determining a power mode of the terminal and communicating the power mode to the network edge point; and 
 a connection manager for communicating with the network edge point a classification rule for packets designating the terminal as destination and a service rule, wherein the service rule maps a service to each packet according to the packet's classification and the power mode of the terminal, wherein the connection manager provides is for providing to a service manager of the network edge point a criterion that depends on the packet's classification and the current power mode associated with the terminal, the criterion enabling the service manager to determine whether or not a service resource is maintained for the packet. 
 
     
     
       52. A terminal operable to be associated with a network edge point in a communication network, the terminal comprising:
 a power mode manager for determining a power mode of the terminal and communicating the power mode to the network edge point; and 
 a connection manager for communicating with the network edge point a classification rule for packets designating the terminal as destination and a service rule, wherein the service rule maps a service to each packet according to the packet's classification and the power mode of the terminal, wherein the connection manager is for further communicates communicating to the network edge point a resource retention rule that determines whether or not a service resource for a packet is maintained, according to the packet's classification and the power mode of the terminal. 
 
     
     
       53. A terminal as in  claim 52 , wherein the service resource is maintained during the power mode of the terminal and the service rule specifies that the terminal is to be alerted. 
     
     
       54. A method for enabling service for a terminal associated with a network edge point in a communication network, the method comprising:
 determining a power mode of the terminal; and 
 communicating to the network edge point: (a) the power mode; (b) a classification rule for packets designating the terminal as destination; and (c) a service rule, wherein the service rule maps a service to each packet according to the packet's classification and the power mode of the terminal, and wherein a rule table is accessed to determine whether or not the terminal is to be alerted from a power saving state, according to the packet's classification and the current power mode associated with the terminal. 
 
     
     
       55. A method as in  claim 54 , wherein the mapped service comprises alerting the terminal. 
     
     
       56. A method as in  claim 54 , wherein the mapped service comprises not alerting the terminal. 
     
     
       57. A method as in  claim 54 , wherein the terminal provides the current power mode to the network edge point when the terminal undertakes a power mode transition. 
     
     
       58. A method as in  claim 54 , further comprising managing the association between the network edge point and the terminal. 
     
     
       59. A method as in  claim 54 , further comprising managing the transfer of the terminal's association from the network edge point to a second network edge point. 
     
     
       60. A method as in  claim 59 , wherein a portion of the service mapping associated with the terminal is transferred to the second network edge point at the transfer of the connection to the second network edge point. 
     
     
       61. A method as in  claim 54 , wherein whether or not the terminal is to be alerted is determined based on a functionality of the packet and the current power mode. 
     
     
       62. A method for enabling service for a terminal associated with a network edge point in a communication network, the method comprising;: 
 determining a power mode of the terminal; and 
 communicating to the network edge point: (a) the power mode; (b) a classification rule for packets designating the terminal as destination; and (c) a service rule, wherein the service rule maps a service to each packet according to the packet's classification and the power mode of the terminal, wherein the mapped service comprises discarding the packet, and wherein a criterion for determining whether or not to discard the packet is based on packet classification and the terminal's power mode. 
 
     
     
       63. A method as in  claim 62 , wherein the criterion is based on a functionality of the packet and the current power mode. 
     
     
       64. A method as in  claim 62 , wherein the terminal provides the criterion to the network edge point. 
     
     
       65. A method for enabling service for a terminal associated with a network edge point in a communication network, the method comprising:
 determining a power mode of the terminal; and 
 communicating to the network edge point: (a) the power mode; (b) a classification rule for packets designating the terminal as destination; and (c) a service rule, wherein the service rule maps a service to each packet according to the packet's classification and the power mode of the terminal and wherein a service manager of the network edge point is provided a criterion that depends on the packet's classification and the current power mode associated with the terminal, the criterion enabling the service manager to determine whether or not a service resource is maintained for the packet. 
 
     
     
       66. A method for enabling service for a terminal associated with a network edge point in a communication network, the method comprising:
 determining a power mode of the terminal; and 
 communicating to the network edge point: (a) the power mode; (b) a classification rule for packets designating the terminal as destination; and (c) a service rule, wherein the service rule maps a service to each packet according to the packet's classification and the power mode of the terminal and wherein the network edge point is provided a resource retention rule that determines whether or not a service resource for a packet is maintained, according to the packet's classification and the power mode of the terminal. 
 
     
     
       67. A method as in  claim 66 , wherein the service resource is maintained during the power mode of the terminal and the service rule specifies that the terminal is to be alerted. 
     
     
       68. A network edge point operable to be associated with a terminal in a communication network and to receive from the network packets specifying the terminal as destination, the network edge point comprising:
 a connection manager for selecting a classification rule for the packets;   a classifier for assigning to each packet a classification according to the classification rule; and   a service manager for applying a service rule that corresponds to the packet's classification and a current power mode of the terminal, wherein applying the service rule results in either delivering or discarding the packet.    
     
     
       69. A network edge point as in claim 67, wherein the service rule is provided by the terminal.  
     
     
       70. A network edge point as in claim 69, wherein the terminal provides the service rule when the terminal establishes or changes a connection between the network edge point and the terminal.  
     
     
       71. A network edge point as in claim 69, wherein the service rule defines one or more of a default service rule, a default classification, and a default power mode.  
     
     
       72. A network edge point as in claim 68, wherein the terminal provides the current power mode to the network edge point when the terminal undertakes a power mode transition.  
     
     
       73. A network edge point as in claim 72, wherein the service rule is provided by the terminal at the time the terminal provides the current power mode to the network edge point.  
     
     
       74. A network edge point as in claim 68, wherein the service rule is provided by a provisioning server.  
     
     
       75. A network edge point as in claim 74, wherein the provisioning server provides the service rule at the time the provisioning server establishes or changes a connection between the network edge point and the terminal.  
     
     
       76. A network edge point as in claim 75, wherein the service rule defines one or more of a default service rule, a default classification, and a default power mode.  
     
     
       77. A network edge point as in claim 68, wherein the service rule is provided by a second network edge point with which the terminal is associated prior to associating with the current network edge point.  
     
     
       78. A network edge point as in claim 68, wherein, when the packet specifies multiple recipients, the packet is discarded only when the service rule instructs discarding the packet for all recipients.  
     
     
       79. A network edge point as in claim 68, wherein, when the service rule specifies delivering the packet, the service rule further specifies a quality of service.  
     
     
       80. A network edge point as in claim 68, wherein the service manager is for further selecting an alerting rule that is associated with the packet's classification and the current power mode of the terminal, wherein the alerting rule specifies whether or not to alert the terminal.  
     
     
       81. A network edge point as in claim 80, wherein the alerting rule specifies alerting the terminal when the service rule requires delivering the packet, and not alerting the terminal when the service rule requires discarding the packet to be discarded.  
     
     
       82. A network edge point operable to be associated with a terminal in a communication network and to receive from the network packets specifying the terminal as destination, the network edge point comprising:
 a connection manager for selecting a classification rule for the packets;   a classifier for assigning to each packet a classification according to the classification rule; and   a service manager for applying an alerting rule that corresponds to the packet's classification and a current power mode of the terminal, the alerting rule specifying whether or not to alert the terminal, wherein, while in the current power mode, the terminal relies on receiving the alert to be informed of the packet destined to the terminal.    
     
     
       83. A network edge point as in claim 82, wherein the alerting rule is provided by the terminal.  
     
     
       84. A network edge point as in claim 83, wherein the terminal provides the alerting rule at the time the terminal establishes or changes a connection between the network edge point and the terminal.  
     
     
       85. A network edge point as in claim 82, wherein the alerting rule defines one or more of a default alerting rule, a default classification, and a default power mode.  
     
     
       86. A network edge point as in claim 82, wherein the terminal provides the current power mode to the network edge point at the time the terminal undertakes a power mode transition.  
     
     
       87. A network edge point as in claim 86, wherein the alerting rule is provided by the terminal at the time the terminal provides the current power mode to the network edge point.  
     
     
       88. A network edge point as in claim 82, wherein the alerting rule is provided by a provisioning server.  
     
     
       89. A network edge point as in claim 88, wherein the provisioning server provides the alerting rule at the time the provisioning server establishes or changes a connection between the network edge point and the terminal.  
     
     
       90. A network edge point as in claim 88, wherein the alerting rule defines one or more of a default alerting rule, a default classification, and a default power mode.  
     
     
       91. A network edge point as in claim 82, wherein the alerting rule is provided by a second network edge point with which the terminal is associated prior to associating with the current network edge point.  
     
     
       92. A network edge point as in claim 82, wherein when the alerting rule specifies alerting the terminal, an alerting message is transmitted from the network edge point.  
     
     
       93. A network edge point as in claim 92 wherein the alerting message further comprises a request to the terminal for performing a specified operation.  
     
     
       94. A network edge point as in claim 82, wherein, the terminal is alerted only when, at the network edge point, there is at least a packet that specifies the terminal as destination and that satisfies at least one alerting rule's requirement for alerting the terminal.  
     
     
       95. In a network edge point in a communication network that is currently associated with a terminal and that receives from the network packets specifying the terminal as destination, a method comprising:
 selecting a classification rule for the packets;   assigning to each packet a classification according to the classification rule; and   applying a service rule that corresponds to the packet's classification and a current power mode associated with the terminal, wherein applying the service rule results in either delivering or discarding the packet.    
     
     
       96. A method as in claim 95, wherein the service rule is provided by the terminal.  
     
     
       97. A method as in claim 96, wherein the terminal provides the service rule when the terminal establishes or changes a connection between the network edge point and the terminal.  
     
     
       98. A method as in claim 96, wherein the service rule defines one or more of a default service rule, a default classification, and a default power mode.  
     
     
       99. A method as in claim 95, wherein the terminal provides the current power mode to the network edge point when the terminal undertakes a power mode transition.  
     
     
       100. A method as in claim 99, wherein the service rule is provided by the terminal at the time the terminal provides the current power mode to the network edge point.  
     
     
       101. A method as in claim 95, wherein the service rule is provided by a provisioning server.  
     
     
       102. A method as in claim 101, wherein the provisioning server provides the service rule at the time the provisioning server establishes or changes a connection between the network edge point and the terminal.  
     
     
       103. A method as in claim 102, wherein the service rule defines one or more of a default service rule, a default classification, and a default power mode.  
     
     
       104. A method as in claim 95, wherein the service rule is provided by a second network edge point with which the terminal is associated prior to associating with the current network edge point.  
     
     
       105. A method as in claim 95, wherein, when the packet specifies multiple recipients, the packet is discarded only when the service rule instructs discarding the packet for all recipients.  
     
     
       106. A method as in claim 95, wherein, when the service rule specifies delivering the packet, the service rule further specifies a quality of service.  
     
     
       107. A method as in claim 95, further comprising selecting an alerting rule that is associated with the packet's classification and the current power mode of the terminal, wherein the alerting rule specifies whether or not to alert the terminal.  
     
     
       108. A method as in claim 107, wherein the alerting rule specifies alerting the terminal when the service rule requires delivering the packet, and not alerting the terminal when the service rule requires discarding the packet to be discarded.  
     
     
       109. In a network edge point in a communication network that is currently associated with a terminal and that receives from the network packets specifying the terminal as destination, a method comprising:
 selecting a classification rule for the packets;   assigning to each packet a classification according to the classification rule; and   applying an alerting rule that corresponds to the packet's classification and a current power mode associated with the terminal, the alerting rule specifying whether or not to alert the terminal, wherein, while in the current power mode, the terminal relies on receiving the alert to be informed of the packet destined to the terminal.    
     
     
       110. A method as in claim 109, wherein the alerting rule is provided by the terminal.  
     
     
       111. A method as in claim 110, wherein the terminal provides the alerting rule at the time the terminal establishes or changes a connection between the network edge point and the terminal.  
     
     
       112. A method as in claim 109, wherein the alerting rule defines one or more of a default alerting rule, a default classification, and a default power mode.  
     
     
       113. A method as in claim 109, wherein the terminal provides the current power mode to the network edge point at the time the terminal undertakes a power mode transition.  
     
     
       114. A method as in claim 113, wherein the alerting rule is provided by the terminal at the time the terminal provides the current power mode to the network edge point.  
     
     
       115. A method as in claim 109, wherein the alerting rule is provided by a provisioning server.  
     
     
       116. A method as in claim 115, wherein the provisioning server provides the alerting rule at the time the provisioning server establishes or changes a connection between the network edge point and the terminal.  
     
     
       117. A method as in claim 115, wherein when the alerting rule defines one or more of a default alerting rule, a default classification, and a default power mode.  
     
     
       118. A method as in claim 109, wherein the alerting rule is provided by a second network edge point with which the terminal is associated prior to associating with the current network edge point.  
     
     
       119. A method as in claim 109, wherein, when the alerting rule specifies alerting the terminal, an alerting message is transmitted from the network edge point.  
     
     
       120. A method as in claim 109, wherein the alerting message further comprises a request to the terminal for performing a specified operation.  
     
     
       121. A method as in claim 109, wherein, the terminal is alerted only when, at the network edge point, there is at least a packet that specifies the terminal as destination and that satisfies at least one alerting rule's requirement for alerting the terminal.  
     
     
       122. A terminal operable to be associated with a network edge point in a communication network and to be a destination of packets transmitted in the communication network, the terminal comprising:
 a connection manager for providing the network edge point a classification rule for assigning to each packet a classification; and   a service manager for receiving packets from the network edge point each according to a service rule that corresponds to the packet's classification and a current power mode of the terminal, wherein the service rule specifies either delivering or discarding the packet.    
     
     
       123. A terminal as in claim 122, wherein the terminal provides the service rule when the terminal establishes or changes a connection between the network edge point and the terminal.  
     
     
       124. A terminal as in claim 122, wherein the service rule defines one or more of a default service rule, a default classification, and a default power mode.  
     
     
       125. A terminal as in claim 122, wherein the terminal provides the current power mode to the network edge point when the terminal undertakes a power mode transition.  
     
     
       126. A terminal as in claim 125, wherein the service rule is provided by the terminal at the time the terminal provides the current power mode to the network edge point.  
     
     
       127. A terminal as in claim 122, wherein the service rule is provided by a provisioning server.  
     
     
       128. A terminal as in claim 127, wherein the provisioning server provides the service rule at the time the provisioning server establishes or changes a connection between the network edge point and the terminal.  
     
     
       129. A terminal as in claim 122, wherein the service rule defines one or more of a default service rule, a default classification, and a default power mode.  
     
     
       130. A terminal as in claim 122, wherein the service rule is provided by a second network edge point with which the terminal is associated prior to associating with the current network edge point.  
     
     
       131. A terminal as in claim 122, wherein, when the packet specifies multiple recipients, the packet is discarded only when the service rule instructs discarding the packet for all recipients.  
     
     
       132. A terminal as in claim 122, wherein when the service rule specifies delivering the packet, the service rule further specifies a quality of service.  
     
     
       133. A terminal as in claim 122, wherein the service manager is for operating according to an alerting rule that is associated with the packet's classification and the current power mode of the terminal, wherein the alerting rule specifies whether or not the terminal is to be alerted.  
     
     
       134. A terminal as in claim 133, wherein the alerting rule specifies alerting the terminal when the service rule requires delivering the packet, and not alerting the terminal when the service rule requires discarding the packet to be discarded.  
     
     
       135. A terminal operable to be associated with a network edge point in a communication network and to be a destination of packets transmitted in the network, the terminal comprising:
 a connection manager for providing to the network edge point a classification rule that assigns to each packet a classification; and   a service manager for operating according to an alerting rule that corresponds to the packet's classification and a current power mode of the terminal, the alerting rule specifying whether or not to alert the terminal, wherein, while in the current power mode, the terminal relies on receiving the alert to be informed of the packet destined to the terminal.    
     
     
       136. A terminal as in claim 135, wherein the terminal provides the alerting rule at the time the terminal establishes or changes a connection between the network edge point and the terminal.  
     
     
       137. A terminal as in claim 135, wherein the alerting rule defines one or more of a default alerting rule, a default classification, and a default power mode.  
     
     
       138. A terminal as in claim 135, wherein the terminal provides the current power mode to the network edge point at the time the terminal undertakes a power mode transition.  
     
     
       139. A terminal as in claim 138, wherein the alerting rule is provided by the terminal at the time the terminal provides the current power mode to the network edge point.  
     
     
       140. A terminal as in claim 135, wherein the alerting rule is provided by a provisioning server.  
     
     
       141. A terminal as in claim 140, wherein the provisioning server provides the alerting rule at the time the provisioning server establishes or changes a connection between the network edge point and the terminal.  
     
     
       142. A terminal as in claim 135, wherein the alerting rule defines one or more of a default alerting rule, a default classification, and a default power mode.  
     
     
       143. A terminal as in claim 135, wherein the alerting rule is provided by a second network edge point with which the terminal is associated prior to associating with the current network edge point.  
     
     
       144. A terminal as in claim 135, wherein when the alerting rule specifies alerting the terminal, an alerting message is transmitted from the network edge point.  
     
     
       145. A terminal as in claim 144, wherein the alerting message further comprises a request to the terminal for performing a specified operation.  
     
     
       146. A terminal as in claim 135, wherein, the terminal is alerted only when, at the network edge point, there is at least a packet that specifies the terminal as destination and that satisfies at least one alerting rule's requirement for alerting the terminal.  
     
     
       147. In a terminal in a communication network that is currently associated with a network edge point and that is a destination of packets transmitted in the communication network, a method comprising:
 providing the network edge point a classification rule for assigning to each packet a classification; and   receiving packets from the network edge point each according to a service rule that corresponds to the packet's classification and a current power mode of the terminal, wherein the service rule specifies either delivering or discarding the packet.    
     
     
       148. A method as in claim 147, wherein the terminal provides the service rule when the terminal establishes or changes a connection between the network edge point and the terminal.  
     
     
       149. A method as in claim 147, wherein the service rule defines one or more of a default service rule, a default classification, and a default power mode.  
     
     
       150. A method as in claim 147, wherein the terminal provides the current power mode to the network edge point when the terminal undertakes a power mode transition.  
     
     
       151. A method as in claim 150, wherein the service rule is provided by the terminal at the time the terminal provides the current power mode to the network edge point.  
     
     
       152. A method as in claim 147, wherein the service rule is provided by a provisioning server.  
     
     
       153. A method as in claim 152, wherein the provisioning server provides the service rule at the time the provisioning server establishes or changes a connection between the network edge point and the terminal.  
     
     
       154. A method as in claim 147, wherein the service rule defines one or more of a default service rule, a default classification, and a default power mode.  
     
     
       155. A method as in claim 147, wherein the service rule is provided by a second network edge point with which the terminal is associated prior to associating with the current network edge point.  
     
     
       156. A method as in claim 147, wherein the packet specifies multiple recipients, the packet is discarded only when the service rule instructs discarding the packet for all recipients.  
     
     
       157. A method as in claim 147, wherein the service rule specifies delivering the packet, the service rule further specifies a quality of service.  
     
     
       158. A method as in claim 147, further comprising operating according to an alerting rule that is associated with the packet's classification and the current power mode of the terminal, wherein the alerting rule specifies whether or not the terminal is to be alerted.  
     
     
       159. A method as in claim 158, wherein the alerting rule specifies alerting the terminal when the service rule requires delivering the packet, and not alerting the terminal when the service rule requires discarding the packet to be discarded.  
     
     
       160. In a terminal in a communication network that is currently associated with a network edge point and that is a destination of packets transmitted in the network, a method comprising:
 providing to the network edge point a classification rule that assigns to each packet a classification; and   operating according to an alerting rule that corresponds to the packet's classification and a current power mode of the terminal, the alerting rule specifying whether or not to alert the terminal, wherein, while in the current power mode, the terminal relies on receiving the alert to be informed of the packet destined to the terminal.    
     
     
       161. A method as in claim 160, wherein the terminal provides the alerting rule at the time the terminal establishes or changes a connection between the network edge point and the terminal.  
     
     
       162. A method as in claim 160, wherein the alerting rule defines one or more of a default alerting rule, a default classification, and a default power mode.  
     
     
       163. A method as in claim 160, wherein the terminal provides the current power mode to the network edge point at the time the terminal undertakes a power mode transition.  
     
     
       164. A method as in claim 163, wherein the alerting rule is provided by the terminal at the time the terminal provides the current power mode to the network edge point.  
     
     
       165. A method as in claim 160, wherein the alerting rule is provided by a provisioning server.  
     
     
       166. A method as in claim 165, wherein the provisioning server provides the alerting rule at the time the provisioning server establishes or changes a connection between the network edge point and the terminal.  
     
     
       167. A method as in claim 160, wherein the alerting rule defines one or more of a default alerting rule, a default classification, and a default power mode.  
     
     
       168. A method as in claim 160, wherein the alerting rule is provided by a second network edge point with which the terminal is associated prior to associating with the current network edge point.  
     
     
       169. A method as in claim 168, wherein the alerting rule specifies alerting the terminal, an alerting message is transmitted from the network edge point.  
     
     
       170. A method as in claim 169, wherein the alerting message further comprises a request to the terminal for performing a specified operation.  
     
     
       171. A method as in claim 169, wherein, the terminal is alerted only when, at the network edge point, there is at least a packet that specifies the terminal as destination and that satisfies at least one alerting rule's requirement for alerting the terminal.