Generation of fast busy signals in data networks

A data network comprising:

• a softswitch;
• a calling device and a called device;
• a communications path between the calling and called devices;
• and
• a resource information system (RIS) coupled to the softswitch, the RIS having access to a model containing information about resources on the data network, wherein the RIS is operable to inform the softswitch to initiate the sending of a fast busy signal to the calling device if there are insufficient resources to make a connection along the communications path at a predetermined level of quality of service (QOS).

A method for generating a fast busy signal comprising:

• providing a softswitch;
• requesting the softswitch to make a connection between a first device and a second device at a predetermined level of quality of service (QOS);
• querying a model to determine whether there are available resources to make the connection at the predetermined level of QOS;
• and
• informing the switch to initiate the generation of a fast busy signal if the available resources are insufficient to make the connection at the predetermined level of QOS.