Data processing system and method for balancing a load in a communications network

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The previously mentioned needs are fulfilled with the present invention.
Accordingly, there is provided, in a first form, a method for balancing a number of operations to be performed by a plurality of data processors.
The method includes the steps of determining which mobile switching center in a communications network has a highest load.
Subsequently, mobile switching centers which have loads lower than a network average load are considered to be candidates for rehoming a group of mobile telephone users from the highest loaded mobile switching center.
All subscriber groups homed to the highest loaded mobile switching center are iteratively evaluated to determine whether or not a rehoming operation using the subscriber group will provide a highest benefit and give a lowest standard deviation of loads among mobile switching centers after the rehoming operation is performed.
After a group of mobile telephone users and the mobile switching center to which that group should be moved are identified, that group of mobile telephone users is rehomed to the new mobile switching center.
A resulting balanced load of the network resources provides increased effectiveness and efficiency of the wireless communications network.
Additionally, there is provided, in a second form, a data processing system.
The data processing system includes a memory for storing a software program and a central processing unit coupled to the memory for accessing the software program.
The central processing unit identifies a group of mobile telephone users in a communication network to be moved from a first mobile switching center to a second mobile switching center in response to the software program.
The central processing unit includes a device for calculating an average load of each of a plurality of mobile switching centers in the communication network.
The central processing unit also includes a device for calculating a standard deviation between the load of each of the plurality of mobile switching centers and the average load of the plurality of mobile switching centers