Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing resources in packet-switched communication networks. Communication components use resources in a network or provide resources in a network to be used by other communication components, said resources being provided by software which runs on the communication components and accesses the hardware of the communication components. A service examines the hardware of at least one of the communication components in order to determine whether a resource can be provided by a software on said communication component. If the result is positive, the resource-specific software is transmitted to the communication component and provides the resource to be used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the transmission quality in a packet-oriented data transmission network, wherein time-critical data is transmitted over a packet-oriented data transmission network having a number of communications equipment units which are networked to one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a communication network, especially a packet-switched communication network, provided with communication components having client and server functionalities. The client functionalities of the communication components have search functions for determining the current addresses of the communication components of the communication network which enable the server functionalities thereof to be used. A plurality of communication components have both client and server functionalities. Information relating to the intrinsic server functionalities can be directly retrieved by means of client functionalities of other communication components and can be directly used.

Abstract: The invention is based on a communication network containing components which use and provide services in the communication network, a plurality of components being able to provide the same service. One component determines the services provided by other components in the communication network. Where the same services are provided by two components, information relating to the output state of the software controlling the services is exchanged between the components and compared. A software update is initialised if the output states differ. If a defined service is activated in a second component by means of a first component, but the service cannot be provided by means of the software of the second component although the second component has the necessary hardware requirements therefore, said service is made available by updating the software of the second component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a network, in which addresses are assigned to communication components, said addresses allowing the components to communicate with one another. Several communication components comprise integrated search functions for determining the addresses of resources that are installed in other communication components. To determine the addresses, each of said search functions sends a first search notification, as a consequence of which each communication component that has been contacted returns a hit response comprising its address. The search function subsequently sends a second search notification containing information concerning the desired resources to at least one of the communication components that have been determined, whereby a communication component that can provide one of the desired resources replies to the second search notification.

Abstract: For alternate operation of a terminal (EG1) at at least two communication nodes (GK1, GK2), the terminal (EG1) is first registered with a first of the communication nodes (GK1). In this case, registration is followed by there being a logical connection between the terminal (EG1) and the first communication node (GK1). The obtainability of the first communication node (GK1) is monitored, and in the event of the first communication node (GK1) being unobtainable a status information item relating to the unobtainability is produced, and the status information item is taken as a basis for setting up a logical connection between the terminal (EG1) and the second communication node (GK2). The terminal (EG1) is then automatically operated at the second communication node (GK2).

Abstract: In a communications network, one component at a time can be monitored by at least one other component. To this end, a monitoring task is issued by a monitoring component, whereby this monitoring task contains the address of said component. Each component, which can be monitored and which monitors, is provided with communications means for carrying out direct data exchange. The monitoring component transmits the monitoring task directly to the component, which is to be monitored and which comprises both storage means for storing the addresses contained in the monitoring tasks as well as monitoring means for monitoring the state. A communications means is used to directly transmit a state to be monitored to the monitoring component at least in the event of a state change.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for synchronizing databases in distributed communication systems utilizing a server for a preferably private communication system having a number of communications installations connected to one another via a network, the server including a central database for centrally storing data for the individual communications installations and a central synchronization device which synchronizes the data between the central database and the individual communications installations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the transmission quality in a packet-oriented data transmission network, wherein time-critical data is transmitted over a packet-oriented data transmission network having a number of communications equipment units which are networked to one another.

Abstract: A distributed communication system consisting of at least one communication device, preferably a private communication installation, and at least one central data processing device which are connected to one another via a network, preferably an IP-oriented network, wherein the central data processing device executes at least one communication application, and a central database for storing overlapping data, which are accessed by at least one communication device and/or at least one communication application, is arranged in the communication system.