Offloading data traffic from facilities designed to handle voice call traffic
AssigneeVerizon Services Corp.
InventorsEllen R. Cericola, Nick T. Davis, Bradley J. Frison, Harry A. Hetz, Kathleen F. Jarosinski, David George Morris
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An (e.g., primary rate interface) offload device used relieve switches designed and engineered to carry short duration voice telephone calls, from servicing other types of calls (such as modem-based Internet calls), such as calls to a remote access server. Security is enhanced by isolating signaling and data communications. Such isolation may be provided by the use of separate networks, or a network with appropriate firewalls.
Claims22
An apparatus for offloading calls to high usage customers, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a converter, the converter including
- i) a first interface for terminating an inter-machine trunk,
- ii) a primary rate interface, and
- iii) means for converting data signals received on the first interface to new data signals for placement on the primary rate interface;
- and
- b) a signaling interface for establishing a call, through the converter, from a first terminal device to a second terminal device,
- wherein the signaling interface communicates via a signaling network that is isolated and secured from a network for carrying the new data signals using a firewall, and
- wherein messages in the communications network are authenticated with the signaling network by a security gatekeeper function.
A method for servicing a call to a remote access server, the method comprising:
- a) setting up the call, using a signaling network, such that the call passes through a primary rate interface;
- b) converting, using the primary rate interface, the call from a time-division multiplexed signal on an inter-machine trunk to a primary rate signal, wherein
- the inter-machine trunk is a part of a communications network;
- and
- c) isolating and securing the communications network from the signaling network using a firewall, wherein messages in the communications network are authenticated with the signaling network by a security gatekeeper function.
An apparatus for offloading calls to high usage customers, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a converter, the converter including
- i) a first interface for terminating an inter-machine trunk,
- ii) a primary rate interface, and
- iii) means for converting data signals received on the first interface to new data signals for placement on the primary rate interface;
- and
- b) a signaling interface for establishing a call, through the converter, from a first terminal device to a second terminal device,
- wherein the signaling interface communicates via a signaling network that is isolated from a network for carrying the new data signals using a firewall, and
- wherein messages in the communications network are authenticated with the signaling network by a security gatekeeper function,
- wherein the converter and signaling interface are accommodated on a line card.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.