Method and system for providing voice over IP managed services utilizing a centralized data store

A system for supported managed communication services, the system comprising:

• a centralized data store configured to store one or more user identifiers and an associated directory number, the centralized data store further storing routing information including one or more communication paths corresponding to the user identifier, wherein the routing information includes a data path or a circuit-switched path for establishing a call to the user, wherein in response to a request for establishing the call to the directory number, the data store being configured to retrieve the routing information for use to establish the call;
• a media server configured to support termination of the call behind a network address translator or firewall within a private domain, wherein the centralized data store stores credential information corresponding to the user, wherein the credential information provides for authentication of the user and supports communication with the media server;
• and
• a proxy server configured to initiate setup of the call according to a media signaling protocol, wherein the centralized data store stores other credential information for the user to communicate with the proxy server,
• wherein the call is established to the user behind the network address translator or firewall within the private domain responsive to both the retrieved routing information and a credential pair, the credential pair comprising the credential information and the other credential information.

A method for establishing a packetized voice call, the method comprising:

• receiving a request from a calling party to establish the packetized voice call with a called party;
• submitting an inquiry, in response to the request, with a centralized data store for routing information associated with the called party, wherein the routing information specifies alternate paths including a data path and a circuit-switched path for establishing the packetized voice call;
• initiating setup of the packetized voice call based on the routing information, wherein the centralized data store stores credential information corresponding to the called party, and the credential information provides for authentication of the called party and supports communication with a media server configured to establish a connection behind a network address translator or firewall within a private domain;
• storing, in the centralized data store, other credential information corresponding to the user, wherein the other credential information supports communication with a proxy server configured to initiate setup of the call according to a media signaling protocol;
• and
• establishing the packetized voice call behind the network address translator or firewall within the private domain responsive to both the routing information and a credential pair, the credential pair comprising the credential information and the other credential information.

An apparatus for establishing a packetized voice call, the apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving a request from a calling party to establish the packetized voice call with a called party;
• means for submitting, in response to the request, an inquiry with a centralized data store for routing information associated with the called party, wherein the routing information specifies alternate paths including a data path and a circuit-switched path for establishing the packetized voice call;
• means for initiating setup of the packetized voice call based on the routing information, wherein the centralized data store stores credential information corresponding to the called party, and the credential information provides for authentication of the called party and supports communication with a media server configured to establish a connection behind a network address translator or firewall within a private domain;
• means for maintaining other credential information corresponding to the called party, the other credential information managed by an enterprise different from an enterprise managing the credential information, wherein the other credential information is required for establishing the packetized call within the private domain;
• and
• means for establishing the packetized voice call behind the network address translator or firewall within the private domain responsive to both the routing information and a credential pair, the credential pair comprising the credential information and the other credential information.