Inter-working function selection system in a network

A data network coupled to a foreign network that includes a foreign mobile switching center with a serving registration server, the data network comprising:

• a home network that includes a home mobile switching center with a home registration server and a plurality of unassigned home inter-working functions;
• a first end system subscribed to the home network and operating within the foreign network, the first end system including an end registration agent to form a registration request, the end registration agent sending the registration request through the serving registration server to the home registration server, the home registration server including a module to select an active home inter-working function from the plurality of unassigned home inter-working functions based on the registration request;
• and
• the serving and home registration servers directly interacting in performing registration while the home inter-working functions performing message routing.

A home network for use in a data network coupled to a foreign network that includes a foreign mobile switching center with a serving registration server, and

• a first end system subscribed to the home network and operating within the foreign network, the first end system including an end registration agent to form a registration request, the end registration agent sending the registration request through the serving registration server to the home registration server, comprising:
• a home network that includes a home mobile switching center with a home registration server and a plurality of unassigned home inter-working functions;
• the home registration server including a module to select an active home inter-working function from the plurality of unassigned home inter-working functions based on the registration request;
• and
• the serving and home registration servers directly interacting in performing registration while the home inter-working functions performing message routing.