Abstract: There is provided a method for processing communications in a telephony network. The method includes configuring a first telephony identifier for communication with a first user and a second user, and a second telephony identity for communication with the second user, each of the telephony identifiers being configured for use as different destination addresses in different SMS messages sent to the second user. The method includes processing at least one SMS message in SMS processing equipment in the network, and during this processing, performing identity management, in relation to the use of the first and second telephony identifiers for the second user.

Abstract: Measures are provided for use in establishing a telephony session between first and second telephony devices in a telephony network. Telephony network equipment in the telephony network receives, from the first telephony device over a signalling link, a telephony session establishment request. The telephony network equipment receives, from the first telephony device over a data link that is separate to the signalling link, a message comprising data useable by the telephony network equipment to identify the second telephony device. The telephony network equipment correlates the received telephony session establishment request and the received message. The telephony network equipment transmits, to the second telephony device, a telephony session establishment request on the basis of the correlating. The first telephony device is associated with a multi-persona user having a first persona associated with a first telephony identifier and a second persona associated with a second telephony identifier.

Abstract: A first telephony identifier and a second telephony identifier are used for communication with a first, multi-identity user. Each of the first and second telephony identifiers are configured for use as different destination addresses in different SMS messages sent to the first user. At least one SMS message is processed in SMS processing equipment in the network, and the SMS processing equipment performs identity management, in relation to the use of the first and second telephony identifiers for the first user, during processing of the at least one SMS message.

Abstract: A network entity comprises an interworking function. The network entity is between an endpoint and a registrar in a telecommunications network. A message is received for the registrar from the endpoint, the message comprising data identifying an endpoint characteristic of the endpoint. A message is received for the endpoint. A processing action to be used to process the received message for the endpoint is determined based on the data identifying the endpoint characteristic of the endpoint comprised in the received message for the registrar from the endpoint. The received message for the endpoint is processed in accordance with the determined processing action.

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, 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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: Described herein is an inference-based approach to process network route definitions, e.g. routes received from other network devices according to a defined routing protocol. In examples, at least one proposition is defined that relates to at least one property of the route. Probabilities are also defined in association with the proposition. A first probability may be indicative of a randomly-selected network route and a second probability may be indicative of randomly-selected network route that is suitable for use in routing network traffic. In certain examples, a probability that a given route is malicious or erroneous may be computed. Probabilities may be calculated by processing historical routing data, such as network route definitions that are labelled as suitable for routing traffic. Probabilities may also be evaluated cumulatively over multiple routing policy elements. Final actions may be made by applying a configurable range or threshold to an output confidence value.

Abstract: Databases and methods for storing, processing and searching data in database tree structures are provided. More particularly, a method for processing data stored in database tree structures for use in data packet routing applications, and a method of searching a database containing data stored in a tree structure, using a search key, are provided. The tree structure includes a plurality of nodes. Data relating to a first node and a second node is stored in the database. The data includes a first node key and a second node key which is prefixed by the first node key. The tree structure is searched using a search key by traversing the second node and determining if the first node key has a prefix which matches the search key.

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.