Dynamically expandable conference call system using active load balancing

A method comprising:

• receiving a notification to setup a conference call, wherein the notification comprises a request for a conference call line, an indication of a number of attendees to the conference call, and a date and time of the conference call;
• instantiating an active media replication server and a standby media replication server;
• checking resources of available media control units associated with the active media replication server;
• setting up a parent conference by instantiating a first active media control unit and a first standby media control unit of the available media control units of the active media replication server, the first standby media control unit being associated with the first active media control unit;
• duplicating media received by a conference call system and transmitted the media to both the first active media control unit and the first standby media control unit;
• configuring the first active media control unit and the first standby media control unit to receive the media from the active media replication server if the active media replication server is in service or from the standby media replication server if the active media replication server is not in service and the standby media replication server is in service;
• receiving a notification that an additional number of participants are requesting to join the conference call, wherein the additional number exceeds a capacity of the parent conference;
• setting up a child conference by instantiating a second active media control unit and a second standby media control unit, the second standby media control unit being associated with the second active media control unit;
• and
• configuring the second active media control unit and the second standby media control unit to receive media from the active media replication server if the active media replication server is in service or from the standby media replication server if the active media replication server is not in service and the standby media replication server is in service.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereupon that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform acts comprising:

• in response to receiving a notification to setup a conference call, wherein the notification comprises a request for a conference call line, an indication of a number of attendees to the conference call, and a date and time of the conference call:
• instantiating an active media replication server and a standby media replication server;
• checking resources of available media control units associated with the active media replication server;
• setting up a parent conference by instantiating a first active media control unit and a first standby media control unit of the available media control units of the active media replication server, the first standby media control unit being associated with the first active media control unit;
• duplicating media received by a conference call system and transmitted the media to both the first active media control unit and the first standby media control unit;
• configuring the first active media control unit and the first standby media control unit to receive the media from the active media replication server if the active media replication server is in service or from the standby media replication server if the active media replication server is not in service and the standby media replication server is in service;
• receiving a notification that an additional number of participants are requesting to join the conference call, wherein the additional number of participants exceeds a capacity of the parent conference;
• setting up a child conference by instantiating a second active media control unit and a second standby media control unit, the second standby media control unit being associated with the second active media control unit;
• and
• configuring the second active media control unit and the second standby media control unit to receive media from the active media replication server if the active media replication server is in service or from the standby media replication server if the active media replication server is not in service and the standby media replication server is in service.