Messaging systems and methods

A method of operating a multi-node messaging system comprising a core node and a plurality of non-core nodes, each non-core node of the plurality of non-core nodes being in communication with telephone switching equipment associated with said each non-core node, the method comprising:

• storing system configuration information of the messaging:
• system on the core node;
• storing subscriber information for subscribers served by the multi-node messaging system on the core node;
• replicating at least a portion of the subscriber information stored on the core node to said each non-core node;
• replicating at least a portion of the system configuration information stored on the core node to said each non-core node;
• providing through the core node centralized administrative and subscriber access to the system configuration information and the subscriber information;
• and
• running, at said each non-core node, one or more telephony user interface applications for processing telephone calls, the one or more telephony user interface applications comprising at least one voice user interface application, wherein the telephony user interface applications enable the multi-node messaging system to receive calls and voice messages from outside callers to the subscribers served by the multi-node messaging system, so that the outside callers can call extensions of specific subscribers selected by the outside callers, and so that the outside callers can leave voicemail for the specific subscribers called by the outside callers, and wherein the one or more telephony user interface applications configure the multi-node messaging system to enable the subscribers served by the multi-node messaging system to place through the multi-node messaging system external calls directed outside the multi-node messaging system.

An article of manufacture comprising machine-readable storage medium with program code stored in the medium, the program code, when executed by at least one processor of a multi-node messaging system comprising a core node and a plurality of non-core nodes, each non-core node of the plurality of non-core nodes being in communication with telephone switching equipment associated with said each non-core node, configures the system to perform steps comprising:

• storing system configuration information of the multi-node messaging system on the core node;
• storing, subscriber information for subscribers served by the multi-node messaging system on the core node;
• replicating at least a portion of the subscriber information stored on the core node to said each non-core node;
• replicating at least a portion of the system configuration information stored on the core node to said each non-core node;
• providing through the core node centralized administrative and subscriber access to the system configuration information and the subscriber information;
• and
• running, at said each non-core node, one or more telephony user interface applications for processing telephone calls, the one or more telephony user interface applications comprising at least one voice user interface application, wherein the telephony user interface applications enable the multi-node messaging system to receive calls and voice messages from outside callers to the subscribers served by the multi-node messaging system, so that the outside callers can call extensions of specific subscribers selected by the outside callers, and so that the outside callers can leave voicemail for the specific subscribers selected by the outside callers, and wherein the one or more telephony user interface applications configure the multi-node messaging system to enable the subscribers served by the multi-node messaging system to place through the multi-node messaging system external calls directed outside the multi-node messaging system.

A messaging system for servicing a plurality of subscribers, the messaging system comprising:

• a core node configured to provide central repository services for storing system configuration information and subscriber information for the plurality of subscribers:
• a plurality of non-core nodes;
• telephone switching equipment in communication with each non-core node of the plurality of non-core nodes, said each non-core node being configured to provide a platform for running telephony user interface applications and voice user interface applications for processing telephone calls of the plurality of subscribers;
• wherein the messaging system is configured to (1) receive calls and voice messages from outside callers to the subscribers of the plurality of subscribers, so that the outside callers can call extensions of specific subscribers of the plurality of subscribers selected by the outside callers, and so that the outside callers can leave voicemail for the specific subscribers called by the outside callers, to (2) enable the plurality of subscribers served by the messaging system to place through the messaging system external calls directed outside the messaging system, and to (3) provide through the core node centralized administrative and subscriber access to the system configuration information and the subscriber information;
• and
• wherein the core node and said each non-core node are configured to replicate at least a portion of the system configuration information and at least a portion of the subscriber information stored on the core node to said each non-core node so that the messaging system can provide at least partial services to the subscribers and to outside callers when the core node is unavailable.

A messaging system comprising:

• a core node comprising a core store configured to perform central repository services for system configuration information and subscriber information, to provide centralized administrative and subscriber access to the system configuration information and the subscriber information, and to store received and sent messages of subscribers of the messaging system, the core store being an authoritative store of the messaging system, the messages comprising telephone messages and email messages;
• and
• a plurality of non-core nodes, each non-core node of the plurality of non-core nodes being configured as a platform running telephony and email user interface applications for processing the received and sent telephone and email messages, the telephony and email user interface applications comprising at least one voice user interface application, said each non-core node comprising a store configured to store at least some of the received and sent telephone and email messages;
• wherein the messaging system is configured to (1) receive calls and voice messages from outside callers to the subscribers served by the messaging system, so that the outside callers can call extensions of specific subscribers selected by the outside callers, and so that the outside callers can leave voicemail for the specific subscribers called by the outside callers, and to (2) enable the plurality of subscribers served by the messaging system to place through the messaging system external calls directed outside the messaging system;
• and
• the core node and said each non-core node are configured to replicate at least a portion of the system configuration information and at least a portion of the subscriber information stored on the core node to said each non-core node.