Nortel Networks Corporation

Unisphere Solutions, Inc.

Robert J Dalias

Lyndon Y Ong

Richard J Schmidt

Katherine L Zebrose

Vikram Shenoy

Jiri Matousek

Norman Schwartz

A improved protocol for communication between a SS7 gateway and a Remote Access Server (RAS). The gateway connects to the SS7 network and supports, e.g., ISUP and TUP protocols. The gateway relays call handling and administrative events over an Internet Protocol (IP)connection to the RAS using the protocol.

SS7-Internet gateway access signaling protocol

An inter-machine trunk (IMT) is provisioned between two witches through an ATM network. The IMT includes a number of virtual connections (VCs) and cell slots within each VC for carrying telephone calls. The IMT is established by multiple repetitions of an inter-switch signaling process, each resulting in the creation of one VC. The number of VCs and cell slots for the IMT is selected based on provisioning information from a network operator. The IMT may be either a pre-established IMT (&ldquo;PIMT&rdquo;) or an on-demand IMT (&ldquo;VIMT&rdquo;). A PIMT is a quasi-permanent connection set up and torn down by an operator to provide some guaranteed data-carrying capacity on the IMT. A VIMT is created automatically upon receipt of a call when no connections are available on the IMT. An IMT can use both a PIMT and a VIMT. When a call request is received at a switch, a call processor determines whether the IMT is to carry the call. If so, a VC of the IMT is selected, and a call request message identifying the called user and the selected VC and cell slot is forwarded to the remote switch. Each switch establishes a connection between the selected VC/cell slot and a respective telephony interface circuit to the calling or called party, as appropriate. The VC/cell slots are identified in both switches by Trunk Circuit Identifier Codes (TCICs) allocated when the IMT is established.

Method and apparatus for provisioning inter-machine trunks

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Methuen, MA, United States of America

Robert J Dalias