Alcatel Lucent

Metaswitch Networks Limited

Suryaram Alladi

Lindsey D Owen

Craig Miller

James Lynn Bunch

Gerry R Dubois

Michael Jhu

Balachandar S Gettala

Henri R Vandette

Jim Hurd

Gerald Richard Dubois

Michael Roberts

Glenn Arne Karlsen

James A Stanton, Jr

Michael Jude Roberts

Gerry Dubois

Henri Vandette

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a protocol for managing redundant signaling links to form a reliable signaling connection is provided. The protocol has an initialization phase, in which the availability of signaling links is determined and an available signaling link is selected and activated, followed by an operational phase in which the activated link is used for sending signaling messages for a higher-level protocol. During the operational phase both links are monitored for availability using a query and reply technique. Should either link fail, a status message is sent to the remaining available link along with an activity switchover being performed, as required, depending on whether the failed link was the active link. The higher-level protocol process running on the media gateway performs management of the links, and the media gateway controller operates as a slave, whereby it need not initiate nor control any of the activities for management of the signaling links, thereby reducing the processing burden placed upon it. However, optionally, a media gateway controller may request a link switchover, which may be used to support link maintenance activities or link congestion avoidance measures.

Method and apparatus for redundant signaling links

A system is disclosed. The system includes a first network module communicatively coupled to a plurality of services associated with a first network utilizing a first protocol. The system also includes a second network module communicatively coupled to a plurality of services associated with a second network utilizing a second protocol, the second protocol being different than the first protocol. The system also includes a service determination module coupled to the first and second network modules, the service determination module operable to receive a request from the first network module to access at least one service from the plurality of services associated with the second network. The service determination module determines the at least one requested service and sends the request to the at least one requested service associated with the second network through the second network module utilizing the second protocol.

System for connecting applications to legacy and next generation networks

Growing community of inventors

Plano, TX, United States of America

Suryaram Alladi