Tekelec

Stentor Resource Centre Inc.

U.s.t.n. Services

Virgil E Long

Lee B Smith

Venkataramaiah Ravishankar

Dean Douglas Glenn

Gerald W Fikis

Venkat Ravishankar

Michael J Mueller

H Stewart Patch

Peter Joseph Marsico

Apirux Bantukul

Robert John Tinsley

Gregory Allen Hunt

Richard Arthur Ellis

Michael J Muelifr

Bruce E Johnson

Jesse Sherwood

Brian Frederick Bidulock

Craig C Pedersen

Methods and systems for identifying and mitigating telecommunications management message security threats are disclosed. A distributed security screening platform receives management messages from external sources. The distributed security screening platform identifies messages affecting the status of the same managed resource and applies a time-based security policy to these messages. If the messages are determined to violate the time-based security policy, a mitigating action is performed to protect the managed resource.

Methods and systems for identifying and mitigating telecommunications network security threats

A distributed gateway includes distributed gateway routing elements co-located with SS7 network elements. Each distributed gateway routing element performs an SS7 routing function, such an MTP level 3 routing function. The distributed gateway routing elements communicate with each other over a virtual bus that guarantees quality of service for SS7 message packets. Accordingly, the distributed gateway routing elements set quality of service parameters in the SS7 message packets that are forwarded over the virtual bus.

Distributed signaling system 7 (SS7) message routing gateway

A method and apparatus for signal mediation in a common channel signaling network are described. The method involves identifying candidate message signal units that require mediation and transmitting the candidate signal unit to an associated mediation function which performs access mediation on the contents of the candidate signal unit. The access mediation function may return one or more data packets to the network. The apparatus includes the signal transfer point, the associated mediation function and enhanced functionality in the signal transfer point for screening candidate signal units. The advantage is a more flexible and easily managed signal mediation point that removes the bulk of signal mediation from the signal transfer point so that the signal transfer point can remain dedicated to its signal transfer function.

Method and apparatus for signal mediation in a common channel signaling

An enhanced frame relay access device (FRAD) capable of bidirectional interfacing between Signaling System No. 7 (SS7) protocol and Frame Relay protocol is utilized to economically transport SS7 signaling and link management information between SS7 networks via a Frame Relay protocol digital communications network. In an outgoing data transfer, the enhanced SS7 FRAD interface determines and eliminates redundant signaling unit information found in an SS7 data stream before packaging the essential information into a frame 'payload' and introducing the frame into the Frame Relay network. For incoming data transfers, the SS7 FRAD extracts the frame payload data and regenerates the appropriate SS7 signaling units to maintain a continuous and synchronous data stream on the SS7 network. In the event communications with an SS7 facility is not possible (for example, an SS7 network or facility is down), the SS7 FRAD communicates its operational status to other SS7 FRADs by sending a proprietary coordination and status information frame across the Frame Relay network. A plurality of SS7 FRADs are configurable to provide multiple efficient links between different SS7 facilities over the Frame Relay network. In addition, each FRAD is individually customized to provide special functions such as encryption/decryption and data compression/decompression.

Frame relay access device and method for transporting SS7 information

A method and system is disclosed for mediating signalling protocol dialogue between an internal signalling network operational domain operated by one network operator and an external signalling network operational domain operated by another network operator. One embodiment provides a method of dividing the SS7 traffic (Message Signal Units or MSUs) arriving for Mediation, into classes such that network performance requirements can be met, wherein some message classes will receive only normal SS7 processing while others will be analyzed in detail. MSUs requiring detailed analysis must be routed to a mediation application process appropriate to that class. Another embodiment provides a method of manipulating Signalling Connection Control Part (SCCP) address parameters in the SMP in order to maintain normal SS7 message processing and routing functions while mediating individual messages. Yet another embodiment provides a method enabling the SMP to route a received MSU on toward its intended final destination based on information encoded in the Message Transfer Part (MTP) addresses contained in the MSU.

Method and system for providing mediated access between signaling

Growing community of inventors

Raleigh, NC, United States of America

Virgil E Long