Patent ID: 8155116

Claim:
A method for control of mobile packet flows forwarded on an IP-based user plane, where each mobile user data packet flow is separate and different from session set up messages sent with IP layer control signaling and/or session layer control signaling, comprising the steps of: a. controlling individual mobile user data packet flows forwarded on the IP-based user plane from a common, IP-based control plane provided with one or more midcom agents, where the common, IP-based control plane is separate from the IP-based user plane, said control being provided by: b. each mobile user data packet flow registering its presence in each middlebox it encounters on its way from its source to its destination in the IP-based user plane, and c. in response to step b, each middlebox in the IP-based user plane registering itself and the identities of mobile user data packet flows it handles in the IP-based user plane at a midcom agent in the common, IP-based control plane using an extended midcom signalling protocol, and d. after step c, the midcom agent signalling control orders to the registered middleboxes, said orders pertaining to the handling of the mobile user data packet flows at respective middleboxes in the IP-based user plane.