Telecommunication switch using generic API to support multiple protocol-specific signal control functions

A telecommunication network comprising a plurality of switches, at least one of the switches comprising:

• a plurality of call control agent functions, at least three of the call control agent functions associated with different signaling protocols, the signaling protocols defining a plurality of signaling control primitives;
• and
• a first call control function operable to control routing of telephone calls through the switch, wherein
• the first call control function is accessed by the plurality of call control agent functions using the same application programming interface (API), the API comprising a plurality of classes defining objects representing the signaling control primitives, and
• a second call control function accessed by the first call control function using the API.

For use in a telecommunication switch, a method comprising:

• identifying a plurality of signaling control primitives associated with a signaling protocol;
• identifying one or more first classes associated with an application programming interface (API) to a call control function in a switch;
• extending one or more second classes associated with the API, the one or more first classes and the one or more second classes defining objects representing the signaling control primitives;
• and
• allowing access to the call control function using the signaling protocol from a second call control function;
• wherein the first and second classes facilitate access to the call control function by a plurality of call control agent functions, at least three of the call control agent functions associated with different signaling protocols.