Abstract: Methods and systems for load sharing and preserving sequencing of signaling connection control part (SCCP) messages are disclosed. According to one method, SCCP messages are received at an inbound interface module and assigned a sequence number. Each SCCP message is then transmitted using a load sharing algorithm to any one of a plurality of SCCP modules for SCCP processing. After the SCCP processing, the SCCP messages are returned to the inbound interface module and ordered based on the assigned sequence numbers the messages are then transmitted in order to an outbound interface module.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing stateful signaling transactions in a distributed processing environment are disclosed. A method for performing stateful signaling transactions in a distributed processing environment includes receiving a signaling message at a routing node, such as a signal transfer point. The signaling message is distributed to one of the plurality of stateful processing modules. The receiving stateful processing module buffers the signaling message and initiates a stateful transaction based on the signaling message. Initiating the stateful transaction may include generating a query message and inserting a stateful processing module identifier in the query message. The query message is sent to an external node, such as an SCP, which formulates a response. The SCP may insert the stateful processing module in the response and send the response back to the signal transfer point.

Abstract: A normalizing signaling gateway (NSG) routing node receives a first signaling message formatted according to a first variant of a common or standard signaling protocol, such as ISUP, and creates a second signaling message based on the first message. The second signaling message includes a normalized component and a variant component. The second signaling message may then be routed to a second NSG routing node or to a media gateway controller. Because the NSG routing node converts messages to and from variants of a standard signaling protocol, the media gateway controller is not required to support all of the variants of the standard signaling protocol, and its complexity is reduced.

Abstract: Methods and systems for ticket voucher flow control throttle MSUs that were enqueued during a signaling link failure. The throttling is performed based on a system of ticket voucher requests and grants. Communication modules seeking to send call signaling messages to outgoing signaling links issue ticket voucher requests. Grantors that are available to send the call signaling messages issue grants to the requestor. The grants may be based on the available capacity of an outbound signaling link.

Abstract: Disclosed is a communications network element that is capable of routing signaling messages and includes a dynamic routing key registration feature which allows Internet protocol (IP) nodes to automatically register/de-register and subsequently direct traffic towards or away from themselves without the need for manual operator intervention. A signaling gateway routing node includes a self-registering data communication module (sDCM) that is adapted to receive and process dynamic routing key registration messages from associated IP nodes. Such dynamic routing key registration messages may include information that is used to register a new routing key association with a TCP/IP connection, de-register an existing routing key association with the TCP/IP connection, or modify routing key information associated with the TCP/IP connection.

Abstract: An end office support (EOS) routing node implements MTP layers 1-3 on behalf of one or more remote applications that share the true point code of the EOS routing node. Implementing MTP layers 1-3 includes receiving messages addressed to the true point code, determining whether the messages are contain application level information of interest to a remote application, and forwarding the application level information to the remote application. Messages may be routed internally within the EOS routing node using an internal point code used to uniquely identify the remote application within the EOS routing node. The EOS routing node may also perform network management functions on behalf of one or more remote applications.

Abstract: A normalizing signaling gateway (NSG) routing node receives a first signaling message formatted according to a first variant of a common or standard signaling protocol, such as ISUP, and creates a second signaling message based on the first message. The second signaling message includes a normalized component and a variant component. The second signaling message may then be routed to a second NSG routing node or to a media gateway controller. Because the NSG routing node converts messages to and from variants of a standard signaling protocol, the media gateway controller is not required to support all of the variants of the standard signaling protocol, and its complexity is reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a communications network element that is capable of routing signaling messages and includes a dynamic routing key registration feature which allows Internet protocol (IP) nodes to automatically register/de-register and subsequently direct traffic towards or away from themselves without the need for manual operator intervention. A signaling gateway routing node includes a self-registering data communication module (sDCM) that is adapted to receive and process dynamic routing key registration messages from associated IP nodes. Such dynamic routing key registration messages may include information that is used to register a new routing key association with a TCP/IP connection, de-register an existing routing key association with the TCP/IP connection, or modify routing key information associated with the TCP/IP connection.