Abstract: The present invention manages a messaging network having messaging platforms interconnecting through a switched backbone such as the Internet. The master platform monitors each messaging platform on the messaging network and administers the addition, deletion, and updating of messaging platforms by modifying a master global routing table in the event the master platform encounters changes to the status of the messaging platforms. In the event that the master global routing table is updated, the global routing table held at each messaging platform is also updated, ensuring version consistency between said master global routing table and each of the global routing tables. This enables the master platform and each messaging platform to determine the operational status of another messaging platform. The present invention may also provide a cost tracking scheme when delivering messages between messaging platforms that are owned by different entities.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the present invention, at least one communication platform is networked to a switched backbone, such as the network commonly referred to as the Internet, and is configured to communicate with and manage at least one network interface, such as a private branch exchange (PBX), and a voice communication module so as to provide telecommunication services that includes voice-over-IP communication between or among communication platform users and call-holding, transferring, forwarding, conferencing, and the like (PBX-like features). The communication platform networked through the switched backbone with other communication platforms. The communication platform is networked to the switched backbone through a first network interface and to telephone lines driven by PBX equipment through a PBX network interface and/or to a telephone compatible network such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN) through a telephone network interface.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for receiving a message having a first format and for converting the message from the first format to a second format that is compatible for reception by a messaging interface having a destination address corresponding to an intended recipient. In the preferred embodiment, a computer system is used to receive and send messages between messaging interfaces and networks which may be dissimilar from each other. A variety of network interfaces is used to communicate with the networks and which may optionally have a first interface and a second interface for interfacing to a first and second network, respectively. The messages may optionally be presented through a web page. A forwarding program or equivalent may be used to forward subscriber messages to or from remote locations served by a remote computer system, enabling a messaging user to use the remote computer system as a local access point.