DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology and particularly, but not exclusively, to a system and method for establishing connection between one or more electronic devices of a local network, and managing communication between said devices in order to facilitate data transfer without utilizing any intermediary connecting devices such as router or a gateway device.

BACKGROUND
[0002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] In recent years, communication using communication devices has become an integral part of human life. Communication / computing devices such as computers, mobile phones, televisions, radios, and the like, are associated to communication networks using one or more communication technologies. Currently, communication devices facilitate communication in a number of different ways such as by allowing users to send email messages, make telephone calls, send text and multimedia messages, chat with other users, and so on. There exists a need today to transfer data from one computing device to at least one other computing device in a local or different network. In order such a transfer to occur, the two computing devices typically need to communicate with each other. In order to facilitate data transfer, a wired or wireless connection needs to be established between the computing devices through respective resources in local or different network. Existing communication architectures use a large variety and quantity of network equipment for performing communication, which requires multiple technologies that need to be managed by network operator(s).
[0004] In past few years, with the number of users rapidly growing, data over communication networks has widely increased. There are multiple mechanisms by which two users of same or different networks can exchange data/voice, one mechanism being storage of data in a cloud storage e.g. Google Drive, One Drive etc. and granting access to another user to retrieve stored data from the cloud storage. Optionally, users use email services such as GmailTM, OutlookTM, among others to exchange data. Further, if a first user wants to make voice call with a second user, then again they can either use VoIP servers (e.g. Skype) or can use telephony operator’s networks. Both options (VOIP servers and especially, the 4G/LTE telephony operator’s networks) involve user traffic to be carried all the way to gateway elements e.g. Broadband Network Gateway (BNG) or broadband remote access server (BRAS, B-RAS or BBRAS), PDG-gateway, MSC-gateway, etc. 2G and 3G mobile networks support local calls like in PSTN, but do not support data transfer locally.
[0005] In existing communication architecture, irrespective of whether users belong to local network or are from different networks, the traffic every time is directed towards via BRAS or Provider Edge (PE) router, which increases unwanted user traffic at BRAS or PE router (also simply referred to as router hereinafter). Also, whenever voice call or data connection is established between users, VoIP Server is contacted via BRAS or PE, making the communication architecture heavy, costly, loaded, and low on response time, thereby degrading overall system performance.
[0006] FIG. 1 (prior art) illustrates an existing mechanism for connection establishment for local users via broadband remote access server (BRAS). As illustrated, a computing device 102 is connected to a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem 104 that transfers information received from the computing device 102 over telephone or cable line to the BRAS 110. DSL modem 104 connects to the BRAS 110 via a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) 106 to transfer the received information to transport layer device(s) 108, which forward the information to the BRAS 110. Transport layer device(s) 108 can include a customer-premises equipment (CPE) 116 and a hardware POTP 118 to support TDM and Ethernet as line interfaces. An authentication server 112 such as AAA server 112 is configured with the BRAS 110 to authenticate the DSL modem 104. BRAS 110 also uses dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) 114 to automatically assign an IP address to the DSL modem 104. Further, BRAS 110 is connected with a provider edge (PE) router 120A to forward received information from a first network service provider to a second network service provider. PE router 120a is further connected to one or more provider routers such as 120b and 120c. Therefore, even in cases where computing devices 102 (such as mobile phone, laptop, PC, tablet PC, PDA, smart phone, among other like network enabled computing devices) that try to communicate with each other are part of the same local network (i.e. have the same network service provider, or are part of a local area network (LAN)), they need to route their communication requests through BRAS and/or PE routers, leading to above-mentioned performance, operational, and commercial limitations.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need for an improved system and method for establishment of connection between users of a local network so as to enable exchange of voice/data without contacting BRAS (broadband remote access server) or Provider Edge (PE) router or any other like gateway device. Further, therefore is need for a mechanism/system that enables voice call or data connection to be established directly between the users without contacting voice-over-IP server (e.g. Skype server) via BRAS or Provider Edge router.
[0008] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[0009] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0010] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0011] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0012] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0013] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system and method for establishment of connection between users of local network for exchanging voice/data without contacting BRAS (broadband remote access server) or Provider Edge (PE) router or any other like gateway device.
[0014] Another object of the present disclosure is to overcome one or more disadvantages associated with conventional systems and methods for managing communication between two devices of a local network.
[0015] Another object of the present disclosure is to enhance speed for handling users who belong to local network.
[0016] Another object of the present disclosure enables reduction of traffic of same network users over a broadband remote access server (BRAS).
[0017] Another object of the present disclosure enables reduction of network resources to be used for establishing communication between the same network users.
[0018] Another object of the present disclosure provides a method and/or a system thereof that enables efficient use of BRAS by avoiding traffic relating to users on the same network.
[0019] Another object of the present disclosure is to reduce the cost of establishing communication between the same network users.

SUMMARY
[0020] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology and particularly, but not exclusively, to a system and method for establishing connection between one or more electronic devices of a local network, and managing communication between said devices in order to facilitate data transfer without utilizing any intermediary connecting devices such as router or a gateway device.
[0021] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a controller device to manage connection between a first computing device and a second computing device in a local network. The controller device includes a non-transitory storage device having embodied therein one or more routines and one or more processors coupled to the non-transitory storage device and operable to execute the one or more routines. The one or more routines include a connection request receive module to receive a request from a first network device to establish a connection with a second network device, and a tunnel creation module to create a tunnel between the first network device and the second network device to enable communication between the first computing device and the second computing device.
[0022] In an aspect, the first network device or the second network device can be any or a combination of a modem, digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a frame relay, a packet aggregator, a frame processing device, a packet processing device, a switch, a router, an E-nodeB, a signal processing device.
[0023] In another aspect, the tunnel can be associated with a unique tunnel identifier..
[0024] In another aspect, the first network device can send the request to the controller device through an aggregator device, wherein the tunnel can be created through the aggregator device.
[0025] In another aspect, the aggregator device can be selected from any or a combination of a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM), a multiplexer device, a digital subscriber line access multiplexer, or an IP-DSLAM.
[0026] In an aspect, communication between the first computing device and the second computing device does not bypass a gateway element.
[0027] In an aspect, the gateway element can be any of a Broadband remote access server (BRAS), a Broadband Network Gateway, a router, or a PE Router.
[0028] In an aspect, the controller device assigns an IP address to the first network device before creation of the tunnel,
[0029] In an aspect, the first network device can be authenticated before the IP address is assigned thereto.
[0030] In an aspect, the authentication of the first network device can be carried out by an AAA server.
[0031] In an aspect, the controller device can identify the second network device from the request received from the first network device.
[0032] In an another aspect, the first network device can be associated with a first network device identifier, and the second network device can be associated with a second network device identifier, and wherein the request can include the second network device identifier.
[0033] In an aspect, the first network device and the second network device can enable voice and/or data connection.
[0034] The present disclosure further relates to a method to manage connection between a first computing device and a second computing device, wherein the method can include the steps of receiving a request from a first network device associated with the first computing device at a controller device, through a local network, to connect with a second network device associated with the second computing device; and creating, using the controller device, a tunnel between the first network device and the second network device to enable communication between the first computing device and the second computing device.
[0035] It would be appreciated that although aspects of the present disclosure have been explained with respect to manage connection between one or more devices in order to facilitate data transfer between the devices of a local network without communicating BRAS (broadband remote access server) or Provider Edge (PE) router or any other like gateway device in communication technology, the present invention is not limited to the same in any manner whatsoever and any other form of communication technology is completely covered within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0036] Furthermore, although aspects of the present disclosure have been explained with respect to users, such users may be individual, individuals, or legal entities, and therefore any type/form of users is completely within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0037] Other features of embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent from accompanying drawings and from detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0039] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label
[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates an existing mechanism for connection establishment for local users via broadband remote access server (BRAS).
[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram for connection establishment via a connection controller (controller device) in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary functional modules of a system for connection establishment for users belonging to same network.in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram depicting steps involved in establishing connection between local network users in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] Embodiments of the present disclosure include various steps, which will be described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, and firmware or by human operators.
[0045] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as a computer program product, which may include a machine-readable storage medium tangibly embodying thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, fixed (hard) drives, magnetic tape, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, such as ROMs, PROMs, random access memories (RAMs), programmable read-only memories (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), electrically erasable PROMs (EEPROMs), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions (e.g., computer programming code, such as software or firmware).
[0046] Various methods described herein may be practiced by combining one or more machine-readable storage media containing the code according to the present disclosure with appropriate standard computer hardware to execute the code contained therein. An apparatus for practicing various embodiments of the present disclosure may involve one or more computers (or one or more processors within a single computer) and storage systems containing or having network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance with various methods described herein, and the method steps of the disclosure could be accomplished by modules, routines, subroutines, or subparts of a computer program product.
[0047] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0048] The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.
[0049] Although the present disclosure has been described as a method for managing communication between two computing devices of a local network without connecting with gateway devices, it should be appreciated that the same has been done merely to illustrate the disclosure in an exemplary manner and any other purpose or function for which the explained structure or configuration can be used is covered within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0050] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the disclosure, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).
[0051] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this disclosure. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any electronic code generator shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named.
[0052] One should appreciate that the disclosed techniques provide many advantageous technical effects including, but not limited to, efficient communication between local users.
[0053] The present disclosure relates to the field of communicating data over a data network. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to a system and method for managing communication between two or more devices of a local network.
[0054] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a system and method for establishing a connection between one or more electronic devices of a local network and managing communication between said devices in order to facilitate data transfer without utilizing any intermediary connecting devices such as router or gateway devices.
[0055] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a controller device to manage connection between a first computing device and a second computing device in a local network. The controller device includes a non-transitory storage device having embodied therein one or more routines and one or more processors coupled to the non-transitory storage device and operable to execute the one or more routines. The one or more routines include a connection request receive module to receive a request from a first network device to establish a connection with a second network device, and a tunnel creation module to create a tunnel between the first network device and the second network device to enable communication between the first computing device and the second computing device.
[0056] In an aspect, the first network device or the second network device can be any or a combination of a modem, digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a frame relay, a packet aggregator, a frame processing device, a packet processing device, a switch, a router, an E-nodeB, a signal processing device.
[0057] In another aspect, the tunnel can be associated with a unique tunnel identifier..
[0058] In another aspect, the first network device can send the request to the controller device through an aggregator device, wherein the tunnel can be created through the aggregator device.
[0059] In another aspect, the aggregator device can be selected from any or a combination of a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM), a multiplexer device, a digital subscriber line access multiplexer, or an IP-DSLAM.
[0060] In an aspect, communication between the first computing device and the second computing device does not bypass a gateway element.
[0061] In an aspect, the gateway element can be any of a Broadband remote access server (BRAS), a Broadband Network Gateway, a router, or a PE Router.
[0062] In an aspect, the controller device assigns an IP address to the first network device before creation of the tunnel,
[0063] In an aspect, the first network device can be authenticated before the IP address is assigned thereto.
[0064] In an aspect, authentication of the first network device can be carried out by an AAA server.
[0065] In an aspect, the controller device can identify the second network device from the request received from the first network device.
[0066] In an another aspect, first network device can be associated with a first network device identifier, and the second network device can be associated with a second network device identifier, and wherein the request can include the second network device identifier.
[0067] In an aspect, the first network device and the second network device can enable voice and/or data connection.
[0068] The present disclosure further relates to a method to manage connection between a first computing device and a second computing device, wherein the method can include the steps of receiving a request from a first network device associated with the first computing device at a controller device, through a local network, to connect with a second network device associated with the second computing device; and creating, using the controller device, a tunnel between the first network device and the second network device to enable communication between the first computing device and the second computing device.
[0069] It would be appreciated that although aspects of the present disclosure have been explained with respect to manage connection between one or more devices in order to facilitate data transfer between the devices of a local network without communicating BRAS (broadband remote access server) or Provider Edge (PE) router or any other like gateway device in communication technology, the present invention is not limited to the same in any manner whatsoever and any other form of communication technology is completely covered within the scope of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram 200 for connection establishment via a connection controller (controller device) 210 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0070] FIG. 2 further illustrates an exemplary process for connection establishment between two computing devices that form part of the same local network through a connection controller 210, thereby bypassing BRAS 212 or PE router 228 or like gateway devices. It would be appreciated that network elements such as DSL modem, DSLAM, among others illustrated in FIG. 2 are completely exemplary in nature, and other suitable network element/entity can be configured to enable aspects of the present disclosure, and all such possible network configurations/architectures are completely within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0071] In an exemplary embodiment, the proposed system can include a first computing device 202 that is connected to a first DSL modem 204, and a second computing device 218 that is connected to a second DSL modem 216. In exemplary embodiments, computing devices 202/218 can be selected from a variety of computing systems such as a laptop computer, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a wearable device, a desktop computer a notebook, a workstation, a mainframe computer, a server, a network server, and the like. In another embodiment, the digital subscriber line (DSL) modem 204 can be a device configured to connect a computing device 202 or router to a telephone line that provides digital subscriber line service for connectivity to the Internet. First DSL modem 204 and/or second DSL modem 216 can be configured to send requests for authentication over Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) to an aggregator device 206 (e.g., Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM), a multiplexer device, or an IP-DSLAM), wherein the aggregator device 206 can forward the received request for authentication via transport 208 to a connection controller device 210 (also interchangeably referred to as controller device 210 or to connection controller (CC) hereinafter) over, for instance, Point-to-Point Protocol over ATM (PPPoA). Any other method of sending a request from any computing device such as 202/218 through a network device such as 204/216 to the controller device 210 is completely within the scope of the present disclosure. It may be understood that local users may use a variety of computing systems such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer a notebook, a workstation, a mainframe computer, a server, a network server, and the like and existing technology may be accessed by multiple users.
[0072] In an aspect, each network device such as DSL modem 204/216 (or simply referred to as modem) can have a globally unique identifier (also referred to have UID), which can be retrieved by the CC 210 or can be pre-known to the CC 210, based on which it can enable identification and processing of source and destination network devices for each communication request.
[0073] In an alternate embodiment, authentication request from modem 204 and/or from modem 216 (also referred to as network device) to aggregator device 206, and further from the aggregator device 206 to the CC 210 can be sent via any or a combination of Point-to-Point, Point-to-Multipoint, PSTN, Peer-to-Peer, Multipoint-to-Point mechanism. Transport 208 can include a customer-premises equipment (CPE) 224, and a hardware POTP 222 to support TDM and Ethernet as line interfaces. In an embodiment, transport layer device(s) 208 can include a customer-premises equipment (CPE) 224 and a hardware POTP 228 to support TDM and Ethernet as line interfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, customer premises equipment (CPE) 224 can be a telephone or other service provider equipment such as Telephone handset, cable TV set-top box, and Digital Subscriber Line router that is located on the customer's premises (physical location) rather than on the provider's premises or in between.
[0074] In an aspect, CC 210 can authenticate network devices such as DSL Modems 204/216, and assign IP addresses to the network devices. In an aspect, first network device such as 204 and/or second network device such as 216 can be selected from any or a combination of a modem, digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a frame relay, a packet aggregator, a frame processing device, a packet processing device, a switch, a router, an E-nodeB, and a signal processing device. Authentication of the network devices/elements can also be performed by an AAA server and other like authentication means/devices. An authentication server can be an application that facilitates authentication of an entity that attempts to access a network. Such an entity may be a human user or another server. An authentication server can reside in a dedicated computer, an Ethernet switch, an access point or a network access server. In an alternate aspect, CC 210 can automatically perform IP address assignment to modems 204/216. Although not being limited to, in one exemplary implementation, CC 210 can use a network protocol, including but not limited to, dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP), and the like, as known to persons ordinary skilled in the art for IP address assignment.
[0075] In an aspect, when data/voice is to be exchanged between the computing device 202 and 218 (that form part of the same/local network) via DSL modems 204 and 216, modem 204 can request the CC 210 for establishing connection with modem 216, based on which request, the CC 210 can identify destination modem 216 by using a globally unique identifier (UID) assigned to the modem 216, create a tunnel 220 through, for instance, the aggregator device 206 between the modem 204 and 216, and inform about the created tunnel 220 to the communication initiating modem 204 by communicating the tunnel’s unique identifier. In an exemplary implementation, CC 210 can send a signal to modem 204 to establish connection with destination modem 216 via the aggregator device 206. Once the connection between the modems 204 and 216 is established via the tunnel 220, data can be exchanged between the two computing devices 202 and 218. Although embodiments of the present disclosure are described as having a flow of data via the modem 204 to the modem 216, it is within the scope and the spirit of the present disclosure that the flow of data can be via the modem 216 to the modem 204 by following the same process as described for modem 204 to modem 216.
[0076] In one of the embodiment, computing device 202 or 218 can be any or a combination of a laptop, a tablet PC, a general purpose computer, a mobile phone, a portable computing device, a smart phone, and the like, as known to a person ordinary skilled in the art.
[0077] In an embodiment, it would be appreciated that modem 204 is just an exemplary implementation, and any other networking device or a combination thereof is well within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0078] In an exemplary embodiment, data transmission can be done in any of simplex mode, half duplex mode, or full duplex mode.
[0079] In an embodiment, when computing devices 202 and 218 do not belong to same network, data/voice communication can be performed through BRAS 212 and/or PE router, which is associated with AAA server 214 and DHCP 226, provider edge (PE) router 218 as explained with respect to FIG. 1.
[0080] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary functional modules of the proposed connection controller (controller device) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an aspect, the proposed CC can include an authentication module 302 that can be configured to, at the CC, authenticate one or more network devices such as DSL modems before enabling tunnels to be created between the one or more network devices. In an aspect, network device authentication can be performed by an authentication agent such as by an AAA server.
[0081] The proposed system can further include an authentication module 302 that can be configured in the connection controller (controller device) and can authenticate one or more computing devices such as mobile phone by interacting with a (Home subscriber server) HSS, which can be used to support IMSI network entities by containing relevant information such as subscriber profiles and performing authentication and authorization of the user along with providing information about subscriber's location and IP information. This can be similar to GSM home location register (HLR) and Authentication center (AUC). In another embodiment, an AAA server can be configured to perform authentication, wherein the AAA server can be a server program that handles user requests for access computer resources and, for an enterprise, provide authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) services. AAA server typically interacts with network access and gateway servers and with databases and directories containing user information.
[0082] In an aspect, the CC can further include an Internet Protocol (IP) address assignment module 304 that can be configured to assign an IP address to each network device for which or between which a tunnel is created by the proposed CC.
[0083] In another aspect, CC of the proposed invention can include a connection request receive module 306 configured to, at the CC, receive a request from a first network device to establish connection with a second network device, wherein, in an aspect, the request can include globally unique identifiers of the first network device and the second network device to enable CC identify the source and destination network device.
[0084] CC of the present disclosure can further include a tunnel creation module 308 that can be configured to, based on the received request, in case the first and second network device belong to the same network, create a tunnel having a unique identifier between the first network device and the second network device. In an aspect, creation of the tunnel along with the tunnel’s unique identifier can be informed to the first network device (such as a DSL modem, or a router, or a switch, or a base station, or an EnodeB, among other like and applicable network devices), which requested for establishing the data/voice communication.
[0085] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the tunnel can utilize a network protocol, including but not limited to, Multiprotocol Label Switching - Transport Profile (MPLS-TP), Provider Backbone Bridge Traffic Engineering (PBB-TE), and the like, as known to a person ordinarily skilled in the art
[0086] In an exemplary embodiment, the proposed invention is applicable to all devices that form part of a local or same network. For instance, even in a telecommunication architecture, a tunnel can be created by a controller device when a user A on network service provider 1 intends to speak with or do a voice call with user B of the same network service provider 1, wherein BRAS can only be referred to when user C on network service provider 1 intends to speak with or do a voice call with user D of a different network service provider 2.
[0087] In an aspect of the present disclosure, local network referred to the instant disclosure can include a broadband communication network such as a broadband DSL network having a DSLAM and/or IP-DSLAM), or a broadband provider switching network (e.g. Carrier Ethernet, PSTN), or a broadband provider routing network (e.g. IP network), or a broadband cross-connect network (e.g. SDH, OTN, etc.), or a broadband light-path network (e.g. CDWM, WDM, DWDM). In an aspect, the local connections can be established directly between at least two of the broadband network entities such as network devices (e.g. DSL modems), wherein each network entity can be any of DSL modems, set of DSLAMs, set of CPEs, set of packet aggregators, set of frame processing devices, set of packet processing devices, set of signal processing devices, or a set of computers. In an aspect, local connection establishment does not make use of AAA/BRAS for setting up local connections, wherein the local connection is not anchored at AAA or at PE router or at a remote server (e.g. BRAS, webserver, content server, etc.). Furthermore, local connection may not use network entity functioning as remote anchoring gateway (as in SGW, PGW, BRAS, etc.), wherein the local connection can be a virtual circuit triggered by network entity. Furthermore, subsequent addition of network entity to the connection can be triggered by any of the network entity that is part of the established connection, wherein the connection establishment can be triggered by connection request sent by the user or user device or calling user. In an aspect, the connection request can include at least one recipient user (i.e. the called party), where the connection request can be sent to network connection controller, and after establishing local connections, the set of users (the calling and the called) can exchange bits (i.e. voice, data, telex, telemetry, etc.). In an aspect, the local connections can be Point-to-Point, Point-to-Multipoint, Peer-to-Peer, Multipoint-to-Point, etc., wherein connection establishment can be based on globally unique identifiers of respective network entities. In an aspect, globally unique identifiers can have network or operator specific locally unique identifiers that can be used for quick connection establishment.
[0088] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram depicting steps involved in establishing connection between local network users in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an aspect, the proposed method/flow diagram 400 can include the steps of, at step 402, authenticating, by means of controller device, one or more network devices, and at step 404, assigning IP addresses to the one or more network devices. The method can further include the step of, at step 406, receiving, at the controller device, through a local network, a request from a first network device associated with a first computing device to connect with a second network device associated with a second computing device, and at step 408, creating, using the controller device, a tunnel between the first network device and the second network device to enable communication between the first computing device and the second computing device.
[0089] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term "coupled to" is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are used synonymously. Within the context of this document terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are also used euphemistically to mean “communicatively coupled with” over a network, where two or more devices are able to exchange data with each other over the network, possibly via one or more intermediary device.
[0090] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C …. and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
[0091] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as described in the claims.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0092] The present disclosure overcomes one or more disadvantages associated with conventional systems and methods for establishing data/voice/telex/telemetry communication between the local network users.
[0093] The present disclosure enhances speed for handling users who belong to same network.
[0094] The present disclosure enables reduction of traffic of same network users over a broadband remote access server (BRAS).
[0095] The present disclosure enables reduction of components to be used for establishing communication between same network users.
[0096] The present disclosure provides a method and/or a system thereof that enables efficient use of a BRAS by avoiding local users traffic.
[0097] The present disclosure reduces cost of establishing communication between same network users.
,CLAIMS:
1. A controller device, comprising:
a non-transitory storage device having embodied therein one or more routines operable to manage connection between a first computing device and a second computing device in a local network; and
one or more processors coupled to the non-transitory storage device and operable to execute the one or more routines, wherein the one or more routines include:
a connection request receive module 306 which when executed by the one or more processors, receives a request from a first network device to establish a connection with a second network device;
a tunnel creation module 308 which when executed by the one or more processors, creates a tunnel between the first network device and the second network device to enable communication between the first computing device and the second computing device.
2. The controller device of claim 1, wherein the first network device or the second network device is any or a combination of a modem, digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a frame relay, a packet aggregator, a frame processing device, a packet processing device, a switch, a router, an E-nodeB, a signal processing device.
3. The controller device of claim 1, wherein the tunnel is associated with a unique tunnel identifier.
4. The controller device of claim 1, wherein the first network device sends the request to the controller device through an aggregator device, and wherein the tunnel is created through the aggregator device.
5. The controller device of claim 4, wherein the aggregator device is selected from any or a combination of a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM), a multiplexer device, a digital subscriber line access multiplexer, or an IP-DSLAM.
6. The controller device of claim 1, wherein the communication between the first computing device and the second computing device does not pass a gateway element.
7. The controller device of claim 1, wherein the gateway element is any of a Broadband remote access server (BRAS), a Broadband Network Gateway, a router, or a PE Router.

8. The controller device of claim 1, wherein the controller device assigns an IP address to the first network device before creation of the tunnel.
9. The controller device of claim 8, wherein the first network device is authenticated before the IP address is assigned thereto.
10. The controller device of claim 9, wherein the authentication of the first network device is carried out by an AAA server.
11. The controller device of claim 1, wherein the controller device identifies the second network device from the request received from the first network device.
12. The controller device of claim 1, wherein the first network device is associated with a first network device identifier, and the second network device is associated with a second network device identifier, and wherein the request comprises the second network device identifier.
13. The controller device of claim 1, wherein the first network device and the second network device enable voice and/or data connection.
14. A method to manage connection between a first computing device and a second computing device, said method comprising the steps of:
receiving, at a controller device, through a local network, a request from a first network device associated with the first computing device to connect with a second network device associated with the second computing device; and
creating, using the controller device, a tunnel between the first network device and the second network device to enable communication between the first computing device and the second computing device.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first network device or the second network device is any or a combination of a modem, digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a frame relay, a packet aggregator, a frame processing device, a packet processing device, a switch, a router, an E-nodeB, a signal processing device.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the tunnel is associated with a unique tunnel identifier.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the first network device sends the request to the controller device through an aggregator device, and wherein the tunnel is created through the aggregator device.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the aggregator device is selected from any or a combination of a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM), a multiplexer device, a digital subscriber line access multiplexer, or an IP-DSLAM.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein the communication between the first computing device and the second computing device does not pass a gateway element.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the gateway element is any of a Broadband remote access server (BRAS), a Broadband Network Gateway, a router, or a PE Router.
21. The method of claim 14, wherein the controller device assigns an IP address to the first network device before creation of the tunnel, and wherein the first network device is authenticated before the IP address is assigned thereto.
22. The method of claim 14, wherein the controller device identifies the second network device from the request received from the first network device.
23. The method of claim 14, wherein the first network device is associated with a first network device identifier, and the second network device is associated with a second network device identifier, and wherein the request comprises the second network device identifier.
24. The method of claim 14, wherein the first network device and the second network device enable voice and/or data connection.