Abstract: Disclosed is a communications network element that is capable of routing signaling messages and also performing inter-network management functions in a converged telephony-data network environment. A signaling gateway routing node is adapted to facilitate signaling communication between nodes in a signaling system 7 network and nodes in an Internet protocol (IP) type network. In addition to basic message routing functionality, the signaling gateway routing node is adapted to notify nodes in the IP network when a node in the SS7 network becomes congested or unavailable. In certain cases, the signaling gateway selectively notifies only IP nodes that are concerned with the status of the troubled SS7 node, while in other cases, notification messages are broadcast to all relevant IP nodes. The signaling gateway also serves to filter redundant congestion status queries or polling type messages that are conveyed from IP nodes through to the distressed SS7 node.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for distributing application or higher layer communications network signaling entity operational status information among SIP entities are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method includes determining operational status information for an application or higher layer communications network signaling entity. Further, the method includes identifying at least one second SIP entity to receive the operational status information. The method also includes distributing the operational status information to the at least one second SIP entity. The first SIP entity, the at least one second SIP entity, and the application or higher layer communications network signaling entity are associated with network nodes separate from subscriber communication terminals.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for using signaling system 7 (SS7) subsystem numbers to route message to session initiation protocol (SIP) nodes. According to one method, an SS7 message can be received. A SIP message can be generated based on the SS7 message. A subsystem number associated with the SS7 message can be identified. A destination SIP node for the SIP message can be identified based on the subsystem number. Further, the SIP message can be forwarded to the SIP node.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for rerouting signaling message traffic in response to unavailability of one or more services are disclosed. According to one method, service signaling message traffic is received at a signaling message routing node that provides a plurality of different services. It is determined whether at least one of the services is unavailable. In response to determining that at least one of the services is unavailable, the signaling message traffic for the unavailable service is rerouted to an alternate destination. Signaling message traffic for the remaining services is received and processed.

Abstract: Methods, Systems, and Computer Program Products for Providing Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Gateway Visitor Location Register (VLR) Functionality. A method is disclosed herein for providing Wi-Fi gateway VLR functionality for an access point in a Wi-Fi network. The steps of the method can occur at a Wi-Fi gateway VLR that can perform VLR functions for at least one access point in a Wi-Fi network. The VLR functions can include receiving a registration request from a subscriber located in a service area of an access point in the Wi-Fi network. Further, the VLR functions can include authenticating the subscriber with a home location register (HLR) associated with the cellular network. The VLR functions can also include receiving information associated with the subscriber from the HLR. The Wi-Fi gateway VLR can store the information associated with the subscriber and maintain Wi-Fi reachability information for sending media packets to the subscriber in the Wi-Fi network.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer program products for providing third party control of access to media content available via broadcast and multicast service (BCMCS). According to one method, control of access to streaming media content to a subscriber terminal via a BCMCS may be implemented at a network element, such as an authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) server or a BCMCS controller. The method may include receiving a message associated with a request for access to streaming media content by a requesting mobile subscriber. Mobile subscriber identification and requested content identification information are determined from the message. The mobile subscriber identification is used to identify a content viewing rule for the requesting mobile subscriber. The content identification is used to determine whether allowing the subscriber to view the content would violate the content viewing rule.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for multicast compression and pacing are disclosed. In one method, messages relating to events that affect or require use of a database maintained by multiple processing modules in a distributed processing system are received. The messages are buffered and placed in a third message in a manner that preserves time ordering of the messages. The packed message is then multicast to the processing modules. Each processing module processes messages that are addressed to it. A method for pacing multicast messages destined for the processing modules is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for WLAN-based signaling network monitoring are disclosed. A signaling message is received at a network routing node. A message copy function on the network routing node copies the signaling message. The message copy function forwards the copied signaling message to a WLAN interface. The WLAN interface transmits the signaling message to an external network monitoring platform via a wireless local area network connection.

Abstract: A presence registration and routing node receives a message indicative of a telephony-related action performed by a user. In response to the message, the presence registration and routing node sends a message to a presence server for updating presence information regarding the user in a presence server database.

Abstract: A method and system are described for distributing at least one clock signal between shelves in a multi-shelf modular computing system includes a clock signal generator for generating a first clock signal, an inter-shelf bus for carrying the first clock signal to a second shelf, and a first shelf manager module, associated with the second shelf, for receiving and regenerating the first clock signal and providing the regenerated first clock signal to at least one module within the second shelf. A system and method for detecting a location of a fault in an inter-shelf bus in a multi-shelf modular computing system is also disclosed. A power source applies a bias between at least two conductors of the inter-shelf bus. At least one module detects the applied bias to determine if a fault is located between the at least one shelf and the power source.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for reducing the likelihood of signaling link congestion on a failing or recovering signaling linkset are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for reducing or eliminating congestion on a recovered link in a previously failed linkset due to the routing of post-global title (GT) translated signaling message traffic is disclosed. When the first link in a previously failed linkset becomes available, routes associated with the recovering linkset are marked as restricted. GT translated messages are directed to the lowest cost route that is marked as allowed. If no routes are marked as allowed, messages are directed to the lowest cost route that is marked as restricted. When a predetermined number or percentage of the links in a linkset become available, routes associated with the recovering linkset are marked as allowed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for providing a distributed hardware platform interface (HPI) architecture are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a system for providing distributed operations, administration, and maintenance (OAM) functionality in a multi-shelf processing environment. The system includes a first shelf that includes first hardware components, a second shelf that includes second hardware components, and an OAM module for providing an OAM function. The system also includes a first hardware platform interface (HPI) daemon for communicating OAM-related information between the first hardware components and the OAM module, and a second HPI daemon for communicating OAM-related information between the second hardware components and the OAM module.

Abstract: An automatically configurable network monitoring system includes a network monitoring communications protocol used for communications between a network monitoring client executing on a routing node (100) being monitored and a network monitoring server executing on a network monitoring processor (106). According to the network monitoring communications protocol, the network monitoring client broadcasts a network monitoring service request message to the network monitoring servers. The service request message identifies a signaling link for which network monitoring service is being requested. The network monitoring servers provisioned to the requested provide network monitoring service respond affirmatively and thereby automatically grant network monitoring service. The network monitoring system may be completely probeless or, alternatively, used in conjunction with probe-based network monitoring devices.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are disclosed for selectively performing global title translation based on message type at an SS7 network node. A message is received indicating route-on-global-title. A message type of the received message is determined. Global title translation is selectively performed based on the determined message type.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting and restoring missing or corrupted data in a distributed, scalable, redundant measurement platform database are disclosed. According to one method, a local database including local database entries is audited to identify suspect local database entries having at least one of missing and corrupted data. The local database is cross-compared with a redundant remote database that is a peer of the local database and that includes redundant remote database entries that are associated with the local database entries to identify local database entries that are inconsistent with the redundant remote database entries. For each local database entry identified as suspect and inconsistent with the corresponding redundant remote database entry, the local database entry is replaced with the redundant remote database entry.

Abstract: A method for connecting an externally accessible shared serial port to one of a plurality of target serial ports is provided. The target serial ports are associated with a plurality of different application cards within a shelf assembly. The method includes receiving, from an external device connected to an externally accessible shared serial port, a request for a connection between the externally accessible shared serial port and one of a plurality of target serial ports within a shelf assembly associated with a plurality of different application cards, and determining whether shelf resources are available to connect the externally accessible shared serial port to the requested target serial port. In response to determining that shelf resources are available, the externally accessible shared serial port is connected to the requested target serial port.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer program products for managing congestion in a multi-layer telecommunications signaling network protocol stack. According to one method, a congestion parameter is set for a first layer in a telecommunications signaling network protocol stack. The congestion parameter is automatically propagated for at least one second layer in the telecommunications signaling protocol stack. The first layer and the at least one second layer are monitored and layer-specific congestion management procedures are triggered using the parameters.

Abstract: A signaling network routing node, such as a signaling system 7 (SS7)/Internet protocol (IP) gateway, is adapted to perform global title translation (GTT) or other processing on received signaling messages and route the signaling messages to a member of a load sharing group using a threshold-based weighted load sharing algorithm. In the event that one of the signaling destinations in the load sharing group becomes unavailable, signaling message traffic is redistributed evenly among the remaining available members of the load sharing group in a manner such that a maximum load sharing weight threshold value associated with each group member is not exceeded.

Abstract: An electronic shelf assembly includes a frame having a plurality of card slots arranged in parallel to each other along an axis of the frame and a midplane having a plurality of connectors are arranged to align with the card slots. Conductive traces are connected to predetermined pins of the midplane connectors and provide point-to-point signaling pathways between midplane connectors aligned with different card slots. An application node card may reside in one of the plurality of card slots. The application node card may have an application processor, a disk controller, and an application card connector. The application card connector is adapted to interface with at least some of the pins of one of the plurality of midplane connectors. A disk storage card may reside in one of the plurality of card slots. The disk storage card may have at least one storage media unit and a disk interface connector.

Abstract: A scalable, reliable session initiation protocol (SIP) signaling router includes cluster nodes for performing SIP services. A location server replicates its database of SIP location information to each of the cluster nodes. Because each cluster node maintains its own local copy of the SIP location database, the time for routing SIP signaling messages is decreased. Load sharing is also performed among the cluster nodes by Ethernet switches that connect the cluster nodes to external networks. One Ethernet switch periodically sends messages to each of the cluster nodes to monitor the operational status of the cluster nodes. The Ethernet switch also maintains a connection tuple table containing information regarding active connections to each of the cluster nodes. Load sharing is performed based on the operational status and the connection tuple table.