Processing signalling messages in a network node

A method of processing signaling messages in a network node in a telecommunications network, the network node configured to operate in a first configuration and a second configuration,

• the method comprising:
• in the first configuration of the network node:
• determining an egress characteristic indicative of how an outgoing signaling message is to be outputted from the network node;
• and
• manipulating, using a message manipulation function, an incoming signaling message based on the determined egress characteristic, wherein in the first configuration, the message manipulation function is instantiated in an ingress part of the network node;
• and
• in the second configuration of the network node:
• determining an ingress characteristic indicative of how an incoming signaling message has been received at the network node;
• and
• manipulating, using the message manipulation function, an outgoing signaling message based on the determined ingress characteristic, wherein in the second configuration, the message manipulation function is instantiated in an egress part of the network node,
• wherein the message manipulation function is configured to manipulate signaling messages according to one or more pre-defined message manipulation rules.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon, the computer-readable instructions being executable by a computing device to cause the computing device to perform operations for processing signaling messages in a network node in a telecommunications network, the network node configured to operate in a first configuration and a second configuration, the operations comprising:

• in the first configuration of the network node:
• determining an egress characteristic indicative of how an outgoing signaling message is to be outputted from the network node;
• and
• manipulating, using a message manipulation function, an incoming signaling message based on the determined egress characteristic, wherein in the first configuration, the message manipulation function is instantiated in an ingress part of the network node;
• and
• in the second configuration of the network node:
• determining an ingress characteristic indicative of how an incoming signaling message has been received at the network node;
• and
• manipulating, using the message manipulation function, an outgoing signaling message based on the determined ingress characteristic, wherein in the second configuration, the message manipulation function is instantiated in an egress part of the network node,
• wherein the message manipulation function is configured to manipulate signaling messages according to one or more pre-defined message manipulation rules.