Method and apparatus for link state determination in voice over frame-relay networks

In a voice over packet-data-network system, a method for determining a link state for a permanent call, comprising:

• an initiator Multiservice Access Concentrator (MAC) determining a primary path to a reciprocator MAC;
• the initiator MAC determining a plurality of alternate paths to the reciprocator MAC;
• the initiator MAC sending a standard signaling frame over the primary path, wherein the standard signaling frame includes a status bit set to a first value;
• the initiator MAC sending the standard signaling frame over each of the plurality of alternate paths, wherein the standard signaling frame includes a status bit set to a second value;
• if the initiator MAC receives the standard signaling frame with a status bit set to the first value from the reciprocator MAC, the initiator sending payload data over the primary path;
• else
• the initiator MAC choosing an alternate path over which to send the payload data.

In a packet-data-network system, an apparatus for routing integrated traffic comprising data, voice, and video traffic, the apparatus comprising at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to control the apparatus to:

• packetize voice data for transmission through the packet-data-network, wherein transmission through the packet-data-network includes using one of a plurality of paths to a device at a termination point, wherein each of the plurality of paths comprises a plurality of permanent virtual circuits, and wherein each permanent virtual circuit comprises a plurality of virtual channels;
• designate one of the plurality of paths:
• as a primary path;
• transmit the packetized voice data through the packet-data-network using the primary path;
• and
• transmit a first signaling frame associated with the packetized voice data through the packet-data-network using the primary path, wherein the first signaling frame indicates that the packetized voice data is transmitted using the primary path, and further indicates a status of a virtual channel in the primary path.

A computer readable medium containing executable instructions which, when executed in a processing system, cause the system to perform a method for determining a link state for a permanent call in a voice over data network, the method comprising:

• a master device determining a primary path to a slave device, wherein a path is a route through the network for packetized voice data;
• the master device determining a plurality of alternate paths to the slave device;
• the master device sending a first status signal over the primary path;
• the master device sending a second status signal over each of the alternate paths;
• if the first status signal is returned by the slave device, the master device sending payload data over the primary path;
• else
• the master device determining that the primary path has failed;
• wherein failure of the primary path comprises failure of a virtual channel in the primary path.