Abstract: A solution for the Network Address Translation (NAT) traversal problem for Real Time Protocol (RTP) is provided, which uses an RTP Proxy (e.g., a Session Border Controller (SBC)), instead of being logically located between the NAT and the Feature Server (FS), but instead, for devices which use a protocol unsupported by the SBC, having these devices first signal the Feature Server, which determines whether and how an RTP proxy should be invoked. An RTP proxy should be invoked by the FS if Both endpoints (e.g., devices) are behind different NATs (or one of the endpoints is behind a NAT and the other is not) and neither of the endpoints are already signaled through an RTP proxy. For example, the SBC is interposed (at least logically) between the Feature Server and other shared components.

Abstract: The solutions offered herein include introducing a mediator in the codec: negotiation process. Rather than having the endpoints negotiate codecs directly, the mediator receives signaling from the endpoints relating to the establishment of a communication session which requires codec negotiation, and influences the selection of a codec based on codec policy criteria which depends on known topology information.

Abstract: A solution for the Network Address Translation (NAT) traversal problem for Real Time Protocol (RTP) is provided, which uses an RTP Proxy (e.g., a Session Border Controller (SBC)), instead of being logically located between the NAT and the Feature Server (FS), but instead, for devices which use a protocol unsupported by the SBC, having these devices first signal the Feature Server, which determines whether and how an RTP proxy should be invoked. An RTP proxy should be invoked by the FS if Both endpoints (e.g., devices) are behind different NATs (or one of the endpoints is behind a NAT and the other is not) and neither of the endpoints are already signaled through an RTP proxy. For example, the SBC is interposed (at least logically) between the Feature Server and other shared components.

Abstract: A method to control feature interaction and ensure compatibility among disparate service features, resources and terminals of a communications network is provided. Resource devices and terminals access a compatibility message bus via interface agent modules when originating requests or events. The message bus, which could be, for example, an Ethernet link of any length, is accessible to all devices and to one or more compatibility controllers in the computing platform of a PBX or switching office, or in a general computing platform separate from the switch or PBX. A temporary compatibility control module is then constituted, which processes requests and events, by retrieving processing rules stored in a data base to ensure provision of invoked service features in a controlled manner.