Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for protecting equipment and switching functionality in a telecommunication system, which system comprises a central processor and regional processors, one or more of which is/are standby processor(s), and in order to avoid that the system configuration set by command is changed if protection switching occurs, and in order to provide a flexible concept that allows different types of protection switching methods, there is according to the present invention suggested a solution by introducing a protection group between the existing client(s) and server layers (i.e. switching network terminals), said protection group administering which server units should be working (active) and which should be standby units.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for transferring a call to a backup according to call context are provided. A context for a call from a caller to an intended callee is detected. An intended party backup profile is accessed that indicates multiple backup parties designated by the intended callee. At least one backup party is automatically selected from among the multiple backup parties according to the context for the call. The call may be automatically forwarded to at least one backup party if the intended callee has currently elected to forward calls. Alternatively, after detecting that the intended callee is unavailable, the call may be automatically transferred to at least one backup party.

Abstract: A method for providing automatic restoration of network access for user lines within a communication system. The user lines interface with groups of transmission lines that include dedicated transmission lines which are connected to the user lines, idle transmission lines and reserved transmission lines. The method includes steps for making a number of transmission lines among the groups of transmission lines available for user lines which have a dedicated transmission line in a group of transmission lines that fails and for coupling each of such user lines to a respective available transmission line. The method may also include steps for delaying the coupling of such user lines if a sufficient number of transmission lines are not available.

Abstract: A centralized restoration system and a distributed restoration system for restoring a network are integrated. Trunks within the network that have failed are first processed by the distributed restoration system to attempt restoration of the failed trunks. Trunks that cannot be restored by the distributed restoration system and trunks that are designated for restoration by the centralized restoration system are then restored by the centralized restoration system. The centralized restoration system and distributed restoration system communicate to keep each other aware of their respective actions. Mechanisms are utilized to prevent conflict between the two types of restoration systems. The integration of the two types of restoration systems causes high-priority trunks to be quickly restored by the distributed restoration system and lower-priority trunks to be restored by the centralized restoration system to balance the workload of restoration.

Abstract: A computerized method of preserving stable calls during a split mode operation of telecommunications equipment includes the steps of sending a call block update message from a first side of the telecommunications equipment to a second side of the telecommunications equipment. The call block update message includes dynamic call state data on the stable call handled by the first side and stored in a call block file in the first side of the telecommunications equipment. The method includes sending a call block update acknowledgement message from the second side of the telecommunications equipment to the first side of the telecommunications equipment in response to receiving the call block update message. The above steps are repeated until all dynamic call state data in the call block file is duplicated and sent to the second side.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the management of multiple-node networks to provide for efficient and rapid determination of an alternative connection path through the network to avoid a fault in the connection path. The present invention seeks to minimize the number of nodes affected by the alternative connection path by systematically seeking alternative, non-retracing connection paths from nodes neighboring the connection fault. Until an alternative connection is found, searches are conducted from nodes further from the connection fault. Optionally, the present invention may use a retracing path to establish a connection.

Abstract: A system for providing local call connection services via local call control services in a remote peripheral in the event of a loss of communication between the remote peripheral and a main controller, comprising a local memory within the remote peripheral for receiving and synchronizing copies of dialing plans and local device configurations from the main controller for use by the local call control services during the loss of communications, a backup call services manager for receiving requests for service from devices connected to the remote peripheral, transmitting these requests to the main controller while the communication between the remote peripheral and main controller is established, and while the communication is lost instantiating a local device handler for each of the requests, a further local memory within the remote peripheral for maintaining current device state for each of the devices, and wherein each local device handler receives a corresponding one of the requests and in response consults

Abstract: Procedure for releasing the connection between a user port and an associated channel, or voice time slot, in an access node (AN) connected to a local exchange (LE) via a V5.2 interface. According to the invention, in a situation where there is a break in the V5.2 interface signalling channels, the connection between a user port and the associated channel may be left unreleased. In this case, the unsuccessful release of the connection between the subscriber port and the associated channel is stored in memory and the operation for releasing the connection between the subscriber port and the associated channel is carried out again.

Abstract: A generic interface is provided for interfacing multiple client application programs with multiple network devices. The client application programs may differ from each other and may include application programs for performing a network restoration, network maintenance, and network administration. The network devices may be of different device types. The interface converts communications between the client application programs and the network devices so that the communications are compatible with the requirements of the destination. The interface may include added functionality, such as an automatic auditing mechanism and a data link manager mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for even SLS code distribution is provided. SLS codes are assigned to signaling links that connect signaling nodes in a telecommunications network. The SLS codes determine a physical link used for routing messages in the network. Each link has a nominal set of SLS codes, which provide for even SLS distribution when all links are available. When a link is unavailable, its nominal SLS codes are reassigned to an available link. When an unavailable link is restored, the nominal SLS codes for the restored link are allocated to the restored link (302). Then a determination is made of the desirable number of SLS codes each available link should have for even SLS distribution (303). Any links that have more than the desired number of SLS codes for even distribution have the number of SLS codes assigned to that link reduced by allocating the excess SLS codes to a buffer (305, 308).

Abstract: In processing a global title translation request, a segmentation directory performs a directory function based on information found in a services-related portion of a global title translation request, resulting in call parameters that allow the segmentation directory to determine the point code/subsystem number of a service processor needed to complete a call. Without altering a services-related portion of the global title translation request, a modified version of the global title translation request is sent to the service processor. Additionally, the segmentation directory can respond directly to exception and error conditions.

Abstract: A method of detecting and recovering from an out-of-band signaling failure in a telecommunications network involves the reprogramming of switching centers to utilize existent inband signaling capabilities to temporarily replace the failed out-of-band capability. A processor of an originating switching center recognizes the loss of out-of-band signaling capability, determines impacted trunks and switches to in-band signaling from out-of-band signaling. In an alternative embodiment, the switch may use maintenance data bits of impacted trunks to initiate a call. The terminating switching center is programmed to receive and recognize the change in bit value of the signaling data and initiates well known processes to seize the trunk in memory, check continuity and receive dialed number data, preferably in the form of tones, over the seized trunk. The terminal switching center for the trunk then attempts to complete the call in accordance with the received dialed number data.