Method and apparatus for providing reliable communications in an intelligent network
AssigneeWorldCom, Inc.
InventorsJohn K. Gallant, Kathleen A. McMurry, Terry A. Caterisano, Robert H. Barnhouse, Steven R. Donovan
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Abstract
A network device receives signals transmitted via a network and generates trigger messages. The network device transmits the trigger messages to an intelligent network platform that performs a network control function. The network device and the intelligent network platform both include redundant systems to provide increased reliability and rerouting capabilities in case one or more of the components experiences problems or a failure.
Claims28
In a signal intercept device comprising at least a primary signal intercept processor (SIP) and a secondary SIP, the primary and secondary SIPs each configured to communicate with a network resource and a network application platform, the network application platform comprising at least two processing systems, a method for communicating with the network application platform, comprising:
- designating a first one of the at least two processing systems as a preferred processing system and a second one of the at least two processing systems as an alternate processing system;
- transmitting a message from the primary SIP to the preferred processing system;
- determining whether a response from the preferred processing system is received;
- retransmitting the message from the primary SIP to the preferred processing system when the response is not received in a predetermined period of time;
- and
- redesignating the alternate processing system as the preferred processing system when the response is not received by the primary SIP after a predetermined number of retransmissions.
A system for providing communications in a network, comprising:
- a network application platform comprising:
- a preferred processing system, and
- at least one alternate processing system;
- and
- a signal intercept platform comprising:
- a primary signal intercept processor (SIP) system, and
- at least one secondary SIP system, the first and secondary SIP systems each configured to communicate with a network resource wherein the primary SIP system is further configured to:
- transmit a message to the preferred processing system,
- determine whether a response from the preferred processing system is received,
- retransmit the message to the preferred processing system when the response is not received in a predetermined period of time, and
- redesignate the alternate processing system as the preferred processing system when the response is not received after a predetermined number of retransmissions.
In an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network interface device comprising a primary ATM signal intercept processor (ASIP) and at least one secondary ASIP, the primary and secondary ASIPs each configured to communicate with a network resource and a network application platform, the network application platform comprising a preferred processing system and at least one alternate processing system, a method for communicating with the network application platform, comprising:
- transmitting a message from the primary ASIP to both the preferred and the at least one alternate processing systems;
- determining whether a response from the preferred processing system is received;
- retransmitting the message to the preferred processing system when the response is not received in a predetermined period of time;
- and
- redesignating the alternate processing system as the preferred processing system when a response is not received by the primary SIP after a predetermined number of retransmissions.
A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of sequences of instructions, said sequences of instructions including sequences of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause said processor to perform a method comprising:
- designating a first one of at least two processing systems in a network application platform as a preferred processing system and a second one of the at least two processing systems as an alternate processing system;
- transmitting a message to the preferred processing system;
- determining whether a response from the preferred processing system is received;
- retransmitting the message to the preferred processing system when the response is not received in a predetermined period of time;
- and
- redesignating the alternate processing system as the preferred processing system when the response is not received after a predetermined number of retransmissions.
In a telecommunications network supporting intelligent network control functions, a method for communicating between a network device and an intelligent network controller comprising at least two processing systems, the method comprising:
- designating a first one of the at least two processing systems as a preferred processing system and a second one of the at least two processing systems as an alternate processing system;
- transmitting a trigger message from the network device to the preferred processing system, the trigger message representing a request for an intelligent control function;
- performing the intelligent control function in response to the trigger message;
- transmitting a response to the trigger message from the preferred processing system to the network device;
- determining whether the response from the preferred processing system is received;
- and
- redesignating the alternate processing system as the preferred processing system when the response is not received by the network device in a predetermined period of time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.