Abstract: Measures, including methods, systems, non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums and computer programs for use in routing packet data. At a network switching device, a data packet is received from a device located upstream of the network switching device. The received data packet comprises routing data associated with a routing decision which has been taken for the data packet upstream of the network switching device. The routing data comprises an abstract media access control (MAC) address corresponding to a next hop destination for the data packet located downstream of the network switching device. At the network switching device, the abstract MAC address in the data packet is replaced with a real MAC address of the next hop downstream destination. At the network switching device, the data packet is forwarded towards the next hop downstream destination.

Abstract: A message is processed at a node in a cluster of nodes. The message is received at the node. The message is addressed to at least one other node in the cluster. At least one action associated with the message is performed at the node. A response message is transmitted indicating that the at least one action has been performed.

Abstract: In a telecommunications network including at least a user device and a network node separated by at least a packet-switched part of the telecommunications network, the user device including a primary jitter buffer having a constant packet play-out rate, the network node including a secondary jitter buffer, incoming packets destined for the user device are received and passed through the secondary jitter buffer of the network node downstream towards the primary jitter buffer of the user device. The departure times of packets passing through the secondary jitter buffer of the network node downstream towards the primary jitter buffer of the user device are monitored. On the basis of the monitoring and one or more known characteristics of the primary jitter buffer, an estimate of a current state of the primary jitter buffer is maintained. Operation of the secondary jitter buffer is dynamically controlled according to the maintained estimate.

Abstract: Measures, including methods, systems and non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums, for use in providing presence notifications on behalf of an endpoint that does not participate in presence notification are disclosed. In embodiments, the presence server receives notifications from a switch providing services to the non-participating endpoint relating to that endpoint's status from which presence can be determined. This information is processed using a dummy roster in order to send out notifications. The dummy roster may be created responsive to receiving a subscription to presence notifications for the non-participating endpoint.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a network node configured as part of a link aggregation system. The system includes a plurality of first network nodes and a plurality of second network nodes for providing connectivity to first and second networks respectively, and a plurality of links between the first network nodes and the second network nodes. The network node is configured as one of the first network nodes. The network node may be set in one of an active operation mode and a standby operation mode based at least in part on a comparison of a priority with one or more received priorities. The priority may be based on connectivity to an active second network node or links available for selection. The network node may determine that it is isolated from the first network and indicate that isolation in control messages sent to second network nodes.

Abstract: A method of processing call setup signalling at a telecommunications switch. The telecommunications switch receives call setup signalling, comprising at least a caller ID. The telecommunications switch is connected via a plurality of trunks which connect the telecommunications switch to two or more other telecommunications switches capable of transmitting call setup signalling to the telecommunications switch. The telecommunications switch detects at least one of the plurality of trunks via which the call setup signalling has arrived at said telecommunications switch. The telecommunications switch determines a call handling option to be applied to the incoming call setup signalling based at least in part on the detecting and the caller ID.

Abstract: Measures, including methods, systems and computer program products, for use in processing route data in a network comprising a plurality of autonomous systems. At a network device, route data defining at least one route for network traffic which is configured on at least one border network device is received from the at least one border network device. The at least one border network device is located at a border of an autonomous system in the plurality of autonomous systems. The network device processes the received route data according to a set of policies to generate modified route data. The network device transmits at least a part of the modified route data to the at least one border network device. The at least part of the modified route data is operable to instruct the at least one border network device to modify the behavior of the at least one route.

Abstract: Measures, including methods, apparatus and computer programs, for use in operating a network node. A method includes, at the network node: receiving a session initiation protocol (SIP) message directed towards a downstream network element, wherein the received message comprises session description protocol (SDP) data indicating a first SDP preconditions setting; forwarding the received SIP message on to the downstream network element with no modifications; in response to forwarding the received SIP message, receiving a rejection message from the downstream network element; on the basis of the received rejection message, determining that the first SDP preconditions setting is not supported by downstream device; generating a second SIP message comprising SDP data indicating a second SDP preconditions setting different from the first SDP preconditions setting; and transmitting the generated second SIP message comprising SDP data indicating the second SDP preconditions setting to the downstream network element.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for providing a non-registering endpoint with non-registration services (such as the ability to make a call) in an IMS network without requiring the non-registering endpoint to register. A request for a non-registration service is received and processed by an entity in the IMS network that is configured to handle such requests. The entity requires information about the non-registering endpoint itself before it can process the request. Since the non-registering endpoint is part of the network, a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) knows some information about the non-registering endpoint, but can only provide this information to the entity if the non-registering endpoint is registered or being registered by the entity. Consequently, in embodiments, the entity makes it look like the non-registering endpoint is registering, in order for the entity to obtain the information from the HSS.

Abstract: A network function operable in a communication network, in which the network function is configured to receive a call setup request from an emergency service to set up a call between the emergency service and a user terminal, the received call setup request comprising a called party identifier. The network function determines whether the called party identifier is of a first type or of a second, different type, wherein the first type of called party identifier comprises a dialable number temporarily associated with the user terminal for use in receiving a call from the emergency service. In response to determining that the called party identifier is of the first type, the network function transmits priority indication data to a further network function in the communication network in order to cause the further network function to prioritize handling of the call between the emergency service and the user terminal.

Abstract: Measures (for example methods, systems and non-transitory computer-readable storage media) to process data in an IMS network, including an HSS, an I-CSCF and an S-CSCF. The I-CSCF transmits a request message identifying a user of the IMS network to the HSS. The I-CSCF receives an answer message from the HSS. The answer message comprises an indication either that the user is assigned and not registered to the S-CSCF, or that the user is registered with the S-CSCF. The I-CSCF performs a predetermined action in response to the answer message indicating that the user is assigned to the S-CSCF.

Abstract: Traffic is transferred between a first consumer network node and a second consumer network node via a local connection established at a first service provider network node. The first service provider network node is connected to the first consumer network node via a first attachment circuit, and to the second network consumer node via a second attachment circuit. A loss in connectivity is detected between the first consumer network node and the second consumer network node via the local connection, and in response, traffic is transferred between the first consumer network node and the second consumer network node via a remote connection. The remote connection includes a pseudowire established between the first service provider network node and a second service provider network node. The second consumer network node is connected to the second service provider network node via a third attachment circuit.

Abstract: A network node, during setup of a communication session between a calling party and at least a called party, receives a first provisional response message from a first device comprising first session description protocol (SDP) data; and forwards it on to a calling party device associated with the calling party, the forwarded first provisional response message comprising at least a part of the first SDP data. The network node receives a second provisional response message comprising second SDP data from a second device. Responsive to receipt of the second provisional response message, the network node transmits, during communication session setup, a message to the calling party device which offers to update the SDP data; removes the second SDP data from the second provisional response message; and transmits the second provisional response message from which the second SDP data has been removed to the calling party device.

Abstract: Measures, including methods, systems and computer-readable storage mediums, for use in operating a network node in a network. Signalling information for an in-progress communication session dialog is processed according to a stateless operating mode. The processing according to the stateless operating mode includes storing communication session dialog state data associated with the communication session dialog. An operating mode change trigger is detected. In response to the detection, the stored communication session dialog state data associated with the communication session dialog is retrieved. Signalling information for the in-progress communication session dialog is processed according to a state-full operating mode. The processing according to the state-full operating mode is carried out at least in part on the basis of the retrieved communication session dialog state data associated with the communication session dialog.

Abstract: A method of establishing a communications session for communication of data with respect to a telephony user device and at least one other user device in a data communications network. Communications are conducted with a server system. The communications comprise a client-server connection. Call party details of a telephone call are transmitted to the server system in the communications. The telephone call involves at least the telephony user device, as a first telephony user device involved in the call, and a second telephony user device involved in the call. The call party details including a first identity associated with the first telephony user device and a second identity associated with the second telephony user device.

Abstract: Measures for transferring routing protocol information between a software defined network and one or more external networks are provided. A control node in a software defined network (SDN) is configured to maintain a protocol information database comprising routing protocol information for one or more switching nodes in the SDN. In response to detecting occurrence of a predetermined trigger event, the control node modifies the routing protocol information in the protocol information database, and determines whether the one or more switching nodes include an edge switching node. In response to the determination, a routing protocol message is transmitted from the control node to the edge switching node for forwarding via an external network interface. The routing protocol message includes data generated on the basis of the modified routing protocol information.

Abstract: A first finite resource allocation request is received at a finite resources allocation server from a first client network node requesting a first amount of a given type of finite resource for use by the first client network node. A first allocated amount of the given type of finite resource is first allocated to the first client network node. The first allocating allocates the first allocated amount at least on the basis of a previously allocated first amount. A second finite resource allocation request is received at the finite resources allocation server from a second client network node requesting a second amount of the given type of finite resource. A second allocated amount of the given type of finite resource is second allocated to the second client network node. The second allocating allocates the second allocated amount at least on the basis of a previously allocated second amount.

Abstract: Measures, including methods, systems and computer-readable storage mediums, for use in processing notifications relating to telecommunication sessions. A cluster of servers is operable to receive incoming notifications where each server can process any given notification and update a store holding records based on previous notifications. The cluster may include a timer function to allow records to be closed when no relevant notifications are received after a timeout interval.

Abstract: A plurality of network nodes are configured to form a virtual logical network over a plurality of broadcast domains. Configuring the virtual logical network includes configuring at least one of the nodes in the plurality of nodes to broadcast routes to IP addresses hosted on nodes in the plurality of network nodes between nodes in the plurality of broadcast domains. A primary workload hosted on a first node in the plurality of nodes is configured to share ownership of an IP address with a secondary workload hosted on a second node in the plurality of nodes. In response to detecting a failure indication associated with the primary workload, an IP address failover procedure for the shared IP address is performed between the primary workload and the secondary workload.

Abstract: There is provided a method of enabling media bypass for a media gateway in a telecommunications network which includes a plurality of media gateways via which a signaling path for transfer of signaling information for setup of a communication session between endpoint devices can be established and via which a media path for transfer of media data between the endpoint devices during the communication session can be established.