Method and apparatus for fault tolerant permanent voice calls in voice-over-packet systems

An apparatus for fault tolerant permanent voice calls in a voice over packet-data-network system (VOPS), the apparatus comprising:

• at least one processor;
• at least one input coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one input capable of receiving a permanent voice call, the processor configured to control the apparatus to provide fault tolerant permanent voice calls by, setting up at least one permanent voice call by coupling a plurality of nodes in series using a voice-over-packet protocol;
• detecting a failure of at least one of the plurality of nodes;
• automatically re-establishing the at least one permanent voice call connection using at least one alternate intermediate node and at least one alternate end-point node;
• at least one output coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one output capable of providing the permanent voice call, wherein the processor is further configured to control the apparatus to provide fault tolerant permanent voice calls by:
• defining at least one set of primary connection bindings for a permanent voice call between a first and a second port;
• defining at least one set of alternate connection bindings for the permanent voice call;
• generating at least one preference-based list comprising the at least one set of alternate connection bindings;
• determining at least one out-of-service state for at least one node, a determination made by the at least one node;
• establishing a reconnection relationship between at least one node on either side of at least one out-of-service node;
• and
• reconnecting the permanent voice call using one of the at least one set of alternate connection bindings.

A computer readable medium containing executable instructions which, when executed in a Processing system, causes the system to perform the steps of a method for fault tolerant permanent voice calls in a voice over packet-data-network system (VOPS), the method comprising the steps of:

• setting up at least one permanent voice call by coupling a plurality of nodes in series using a voice-over-packet protocol;
• detecting a failure of at least one of the Plurality of nodes;
• automatically re-establishing the at least one permanent voice call connection using at least one alternate intermediate node and at least one alternate end-point node;
• defining at least one set of primary connection bindings for a permanent voice call between a first and a second port;
• defining at least one set of alternate connection bindings for the permanent voice call;
• generating at least one preference-based list comprising the at least one set of alternate connection bindings;
• determining at least one out-of-service state for at least one node, a determination made by the at least one node;
• establishing a reconnection relationship between at least one node on either side of at least one out-of-service node;
• and
• reconnecting the permanent voice call using one of the at least one set of alternate connection bindings.