Method and system for providing softswitch failure protection in a communication network

A method for providing softswitch failure protection in a communication network having a first softswitch and a second softswitch, the first softswitch and the second softswitch selectably operable to provide control service at least at a selected portion of the communication network, said method comprising:

• assigning a first alias point code to a first softswitch;
• assigning the first alias point code to a second softswitch;
• assigning a second alias point code to the first softswitch;
• assigning the second alias point code to the second softswitch;
• generating a first message at a first network element, the first message comprising a destination point code operable to identify a destination for the first message, the destination point code comprising the first alias point code.

A system for providing softswitch failure protection in a communication network, said system comprising:

• a first network element operable to generate a first message comprising a destination point code that is operable to identify a destination for the first message, the destination point code comprising a first alias point code;
• a plurality of signal transfer points coupled to the first network element,
• a first softswitch coupled to the signal transfer points, the first softswitch operable to be identified by the first alias point code;
• and
• a second softswitch coupled to the signal transfer points, the second softswitch operable to be identified by the first alias point code.

A method for providing softswitch failure protection in a communication network, said method comprising:

• sending a transfer allowed message comprising a first alias point code from a first softswitch to each of a plurality of adjacent signaling transfer points;
• sending a transfer prohibited message comprising the first alias point code from a second softswitch to each of the adjacent signaling transfer points;
• monitoring the first softswitch for failure;
• and
• if the first softswitch fails,
• sending a transfer prohibited message comprising the first alias point code from the first softswitch to each of the adjacent signaling transfer points,
• establishing control with the second softswitch, and
• sending a transfer allowed message comprising the first alias point code from the second softswitch to each of the adjacent signaling transfer points.