Global title translation with load sharing

Apparatus for routing signalling information at a signalling transfer point of a telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising:

• a first memory for storing a Global Title Routing Case (GTRC) table mapping Global Titles to GTRCs;
• a second memory for storing for each GTRC allocated primary and secondary destination signalling points;
• a first signal processor for swapping said primary and secondary destination signalling points for the duration of a predefined time period;
• a second signal processor arranged to receive signalling transfer requests and to determine the destination signalling point to be used for the request in dependence upon the primary and secondary destination signalling points allocated to the mapped GTRC and signalling point availability;
• and
• in case the primary destination signalling point is unable to handle signalling information, the secondary destination signalling point is used to handle the signalling information.

A Signalling Connection and Control Part (SCCP) for use in a Signalling System no. 7 signalling network having at least one first time period and one second time period, the second time period defining at least one peak period during which heavy signalling traffic is expected, the SCCP comprising:

• a Global Title Routing Case (GTRC) table mapping Global Titles to GTRCs;
• a primary and a secondary destination signalling point allocated to each GTRC;
• a changer that swaps said primary and secondary destination signalling points for a fraction of said GTRCs for the duration of said second period;
• a mapper for mapping a Global Title, associated with a signalling transfer request received at the signalling transfer point, to a GTRC using the GTRC table;
• means for determining the destination signalling point to be used for the request in dependence upon the primary and secondary destination signalling points allocated to the mapped GTRC and signalling point availability;
• and
• in case the primary destination signalling point is unable to handle signalling information, the secondary destination signalling point is used to handle the signalling information.