Methods and systems for providing call admission control in packetized voice networks

A method for controlling establishment of a communication channel in a distributed network environment, comprising:

• detecting approach of network congestion in a first network;
• transmitting an indicator of said approach of network congestion in an access network in operative communication with said first network;
• and
• deasserting said congestion indicator upon abatement of said approach of network congestion.

A method for preventing call initiation by an integrated access device, comprising:

• receiving a congestion indicator appropriate for said integrated access device from a data transfer device;
• detecting an attempt to initiate a call by a user of said integrated access device during periods of approach of network congestion in a distributed network environment;
• and
• providing an indication to said user of said integrated access device of the unavailability of the requested service.

A system for providing call admission control in a distributed network environment, comprising:

• a data transfer device operably coupled to one or more computers in said distributed network environment, said data transfer device including software executable on a first of said one or more computers and configured to:
• monitor network capacity;
• detect onset of network congestion;
• indicate said network congestion upon said network capacity exceeding a specified threshold by asserting a congestion indicator appropriate for an underlying network protocol;
• and
• deassert said congestion indicator upon the abatement of said network congestion.

A computer readable medium containing computer program instructions for providing call admission control in a distributed network environment, said computer program containing instructions for:

• monitoring network capacity;
• detecting approach of network congestion;
• indicating said approach of network congestion upon said network capacity exceeding a specified threshold by asserting a congestion indicator appropriate for the underlying network protocol;
• and
• deasserting said congestion indicator upon the abatement of said approach of network congestion.