Patent ID: 8036237
Filing Date: 2011-10-11
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of providing differentiated quality of service within an access network in communication with an upstream network, said method comprising: disposing a transparent virtual router within said access network, said transparent virtual router being in communication with said upstream network; defining, by said transparent virtual router, a plurality of virtual subscriber-side interfaces disposed to effectively terminate a corresponding plurality of subscriber-side connections with a plurality of subscriber host devices served by the access network; defining, by said transparent virtual router, first and second network-side connections between the access network and the upstream network, said first network-side connection being associated with a first quality of service and said second network-side connection being associated with a second quality of service; receiving, by said transparent virtual router, internet protocol (IP) data packets from the plurality of subscriber host devices via the corresponding plurality of virtual subscriber-side interfaces; classifying, by said transparent virtual router, the IP data packets received from each of the plurality of virtual subscriber-side interface into a first set of IP data packets that are characterized by said first quality of service and a second set of IP data packets that are characterized by said second quality of service; redirecting, by said transparent virtual router, said first set of IP data packets of the received IP data packets to said first network-side connection; and redirecting, by said transparent virtual router, said second set of IP data packets of the received IP data packets to said second network-side connection.