Apparatus and method for scalable call-processing system

A telecommunications node comprising a load-sharing manager connected to multiple processing nodes in a distributed call-processing system, each one of said multiple processing nodes capable of processing signaling messages using one or more of multiple resource server nodes operable to provide resources to said processing nodes, said load-sharing manager comprising:

• a distribution controller connected to receive said signaling messages and distribute said signaling messages to said processing nodes using load-sharing rules, wherein said distribution controller is configured to determine which of said signaling messages are related signaling messages, and routes said related signaling message to a single processing node;
• a rules generator configured to receive programmable policies and real-time loading information for each of said processing nodes and each of said resource server nodes and to generate said load-sharing rules therefrom;
• and
• a load analyzer operable to receive a response message including said real-time loading information from one of said processing nodes or one of said resource server nodes, extract said real-time loading information from said response message and provide said real-time loading information to said rules generator.

For use in a telecommunication node capable of processing signaling messages in a distributed call-processing system including multiple processing nodes for processing said signaling messages using one or more of multiple resource server nodes operable to provide resources to said processing nodes, a method of distributing said signaling messages to said processing nodes, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving real-time loading information for each of said processing nodes and each of said resource server nodes;
• generating load-sharing rules based on said real-time loading information and programmable policies;
• receiving a signaling message;
• determining which of said signaling messages are related signaling messages;
• and
• selecting one of said processing nodes and one or more of said resource server nodes for said received signaling message using said load-sharing rules.