Method of filtering responses to gatekeeper discovery multicast request message

A method of filtering responses to a request message that is multicast from a client to a plurality of servers in a network so that an optimum server can be selected, said method comprising the steps of:

• including criteria for an optimum server in the multicast request message;
• determining in each server that receives the multicast message, whether the server meets the criteria in the request message;
• sending a confirmation message to the client from each server that recognizes the client, said confirmation message including a list of server capabilities;
• and
• determining in the client which of the responding servers is the optimum server.

A method of filtering responses to a request message that is multicast from a client to a plurality of servers in a network so that an optimum server can be selected, said method comprising the steps of:

• storing in the client, predefined criteria for an optimum server;
• multicasting the request message from the client to the plurality of servers;
• sending a confirmation message to the client from each server that recognizes the client, said confirmation message including a list of server capabilities;
• and
• determining in the client which of the responding servers is the optimum server by comparing the list of server capabilities received from each server with the predefined criteria for an optimum server.

A gatekeeper that controls access to a communications network and responds to gatekeeper request messages from mobile terminals seeking access to the network, said gatekeeper comprising:

• receiving means for receiving a request message from a mobile terminal, said request message including criteria for an optimum gatekeeper;
• comparing means for determining whether the gatekeeper meets the criteria in the request message;
• and
• transmission means for sending a confirmation message to the mobile terminal upon determining that the gatekeeper meets the criteria.

A mobile terminal in a radio telecommunications network that communicates with a gatekeeper that controls access to a packet-switched network, said mobile terminal comprising:

• means for requesting a service node to multicast a gatekeeper discovery message to a plurality of gatekeepers;
• means for receiving a plurality of response messages from the gatekeepers, said response messages including performance capabilities of each responding gatekeeper;
• a list of criteria for an optimum gatekeeper for the mobile terminal;
• and
• means for comparing the received performance capabilities of each responding gatekeeper with the list of criteria for an optimum gatekeeper in order to determine which of the responding gatekeepers best meets the criteria.