Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for managing operation of a spanning tree protocol process in a network bridge. This comprises setting the network bridge to either an active mode or a defer mode in which a spanning tree protocol process is not run in response to a triggering event. The system remains in the defer mode for a period of time in which no further operations of the state machines will take place, before reverting to the active mode and normal processing of triggering events is carried out.

Abstract: The invention relates to sending media packets, such as SIP or RTP, via a media forwarding element which includes an anycast interface having an address shared with other media forwarding elements. If network topology changes or a media forwarding element becomes unavailable, then anycast messages may be routed to a different media forwarding element sharing the same anycast address. The new media element can then take over handling of the call from the first one.

Abstract: The invention relates to managing operation of a spanning tree protocol process in a network bridge having a central controller and one or more port controllers, each for controlling one or more ports of said network bridge. The spanning tree protocol process comprises a plurality of state machines including a Port Information state machine. The Port Information state machine comprises an UPDATE state and a plurality of other states. The invention involves running a Protocol Manager on a central controller, wherein the Protocol Manager owns the UPDATE state such that updates are carried out by the Protocol Manager. The Neighbor Managers on each of the port controllers owns the plurality of other states of the Port Information state machine, such that updates are carried out by the respective Neighbor Manager on said port controller. This allows the Protocol Manager and the Neighbor Managers to operate without having to force one to pause whilst work is done on the other.

Abstract: Multiple session initiation protocol (SIP) devices connected to a server via a network may attempt to initiate a process (such as SIP registration) at approximately the same time as each other, by sending SIP messages (e.g. “REGISTER” messages) towards the server substantially simultaneously. Depending on the number of devices and the resources of the server, the server may not be able to process all of the messages without crashing. An interposed network element, such as a session border controller (SBC), may prevent some of the messages from reaching the server, to stop the server from crashing. However, some messages may be of higher priority than others. The invention provides a way of differentiating between messages to assist in prioritising messages with higher priority over others.

Abstract: The present invention relates to signalling between entities in a SIP protocol communication in which the transport protocol can be changed during the call to provide improved call reliability.

Abstract: The application relates to systems, devices and methods for controlling enablement of resources based on a number of tokens in a token store. A resource is enabled when a number of tokens in the token store is greater than a minimum value. The resource is disabled when the number of tokens in the token store is not greater than the minimum value. When used in combination with an authorisation source, such as an authorisation source stored on a server or storage means, the token store provides a grace period during which the resource is enabled, even if the authorisation source is unavailable due to network or hardware failure, or disconnection of the storage means, for example.

Abstract: A web application assigns a number that resembles a conventional telephone number and that uniquely identifies the current Web session, and injects this number into a signalling message or signalling messages that flow towards a WebRTC gateway. The WebRTC gateway inserts this number into the signalling information element that conveys Caller ID in the signalling message that it sends into the telephone network. This allows the recipient of a WebRTC call to identify the web session from which the WebRTC call originates.

Abstract: Telecommunications equipment may require network connectivity. On newer systems, an additional local management interface is provided for proprietary maintenance functions, typically via a shell-based Command Line Interface. This is not available on remote sites with only TDM connections. The invention provides a method of communicating between a management console and remote access equipment via a class 4 telecommunications switch, which comprises establishing an IP connection, establishing a synchronous telecommunications transport connection between the class 5 switch and the remote access equipment, setting up a voice call between the management console and the remote access equipment, passing the voice call over the IP connection as a VOIP call, passing the voice call over the synchronous telecommunications transport connection as a PCM encoded call, and encapsulating an IP data stream in the VOIP and PCM encoded call to establish an end-to-end IP.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for collecting diagnostic messages and collating them into correlated groups to be matched to specific calls, to identify and diagnose issues with those calls.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for monitoring a handshaking exchange between a call initiator and a call recipient to determine if handshaking has failed, to avoid repeated failed calls between the call initiator and the call recipient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for allowing presence information from multiple platforms to be synchronised to provide a single master presence status. This is achieved by a client monitoring the status on one platform and then updating the status on a different platform in response to changes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to signalling between entities in a SIP protocol communication in which the transport protocol can be changed during the call to provide improved call reliability.

Abstract: Existing telecommunications equipment may require network connectivity for data transfer but may have no external interfaces except for the TDM voice circuits to which they are connected. Thus on most newer systems, an additional local management interface is provided for proprietary maintenance functions. This is typically accessed via a shell-based Command Line Interface. This cannot be used on a remote site with only TDM connections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for monitoring a handshaking exchange between a call initiator and a call recipient to determine if handshaking has failed, to avoid repeated failed calls between the call initiator and the call recipient.