Method for setting up communication paths between access points of a switching system, and switching system implementing the method

A method of setting up communication paths between access points of a switching system, the switching system comprising a packet transmission network affording a first family of access points, switching means equipped with linking interfaces affording a second family of access points and with at least one gateway interface with the packet transmission network, and call processing means for storing configuration data and context data relating to terminals connected to the system through the access points, and for performing signalling processing relating to said terminals,

• wherein the setting up of a first communication path between access points so as to connect up first and second terminals respectively connected to said access points comprises the following steps when the first path comprises at least one first portion belonging to the packet transmission network and one second portion belonging to the switching means with a gateway interface between said first and second portions:
• associating with said first portion an addressing resource of the gateway interface in the packet transmission network for the connection with the first terminal;
• associating with said second portion an addressing resource of the gateway interface in the switching means for the connection with the second terminal;
• storing, in the context data relating to the first terminal, an identification of said addressing resource of the gateway interface in the switching means.

A switching system comprising a packet transmission network affording a first family of access points, switching means equipped with linking interfaces affording a second family of access points and with at least one gateway interface with the packet transmission network, and call processing means for storing configuration data and context data relating to terminals connected to the system through the access points, and for performing signal processing relating to said terminals,

• the switching system being arranged for setting up a first communication path between access points so as to connect up first and second terminals respectively connected to said access points, and comprising means for, when the first path comprises at least one first portion belonging to the packet transmission network and one second portion belonging to the switching means with a gateway interface between said first and second portions:
• associating with said first portion an addressing resource of the gateway interface in the packet transmission network for the connection with the first terminal;
• associating with said second portion an addressing resource of the gateway interface in the switching means for the connection with the second terminal;
• storing, in the context data relating to the second terminal, an identification of said addressing resource of the gateway interface in the packet transmission network.

A switching system comprising a packet transmission network affording a first family of access points, switching means equipped with linking interfaces affording a second family of access points and with at least one gateway interface with the packet transmission network, and call processing means for storing configuration data and context data relating to terminals connected to the system through the access points, and for performing signal processing relating to said terminals in accordance with a method according to any one of the preceding claims, the switching system being arranged for setting up a first communication path between access points so as to connect up first and second terminals respectively connected to said access points, and comprising means for, when the first path comprises at least one first portion belonging to the packet transmission network and one second portion belonging to the switching means with a gateway interface between said first and second portions:

• associating with said first portion an addressing resource of the gateway interface in the packet transmission network for the connection with the first terminal;
• associating with said second portion an addressing resource of the gateway interface in the switching means for the connection with the second terminal;
• storing, in the context data relating to the first terminal, an identification of said addressing resource of the gateway interface in the switching means.