Abstract: A scalable call processing node includes link interface modules capable of processing n calls per second and call server modules capable of processing m calls per second, n is variable relative to m by changing the relative numbers of call server and link interface modules. In addition, call server modules can perform subsecond switchover when a call server fails without requiring inter-call server transfer of call state information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mobility management routing (MMR) node that performs location management signaling operations associated with mobile subscribers. The MMR node may also perform the signaling message routing functionality typically provided by a network routing node, such as a signaling system 7 (SS7) signal transfer point (STP) or an SS7-over-Internet protocol signaling gateway (SG). The MMR node caches mobile subscriber information extracted from messages transmitted between an HLR and a VLR and responds to some of the messages using the cached information. As a result, signaling message traffic and call setup time in a mobile communications network are reduced.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preserving dynamic random access memory content in response to a hung processor condition are disclosed. In order to preserve dynamic random access memory content, a first watchdog timer is initiated and strobed at a predetermined time interval less than its timeout value. If a hung processor condition occurs and the strobing of the first watchdog timer fails, the first watchdog timer generates a non-maskable interrupt to the processor. The non-maskable interrupt triggers the processor to execute an interrupt service routine. If the processor is able to execute the interrupt service routine, the interrupt service routine controls the processor to perform a selective system reset and preserve dynamic random access memory contents. If the processor is not capable of executing the interrupt service routine, a board reset occurs and dynamic random access memory contents are cleared.

Abstract: Methods and systems for defining and distributing network data collection rule sets and for filtering messages using the rule sets are disclosed. Message-based filter criteria are automatically deduced from CDR-based filter criteria and downloaded to site collectors. The site collectors implement rule changes on-the-fly using a table-driven system. The message-based rule sets downloaded to the site collectors are supersets of the messages required by multiple different network monitoring applications. As a result, non-redundant, multi-application data streams are sent across the service provider's internal network, resulting in efficient bandwidth utilization.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamic, rules-based peg counting are disclosed. According to one method, a user creates peg counter definitions using a rules-based language accessible via a graphical user interface. The peg counter definitions are downloaded from an administration server to network monitoring site collectors. The site collectors automatically detect the new peg counter definitions and begin using the new peg counter definitions without ceasing existing peg counting. Peg counter software on the site collectors periodically sends peg counter instances to a data gateway server. The data gateway server aggregates the peg counter instances generated by the various site collectors into system wide peg counter instances.

Abstract: A redundancy protection scheme comprises sending a protection packet from the primary network interface to the secondary network interface, the protection packet having a hardware address of the primary network interface as a source address and a hardware address of the secondary network interface as a destination address. The scheme further comprises determining whether the secondary network interface receives the protection packet from the primary network interface, operating the primary and secondary network interface as active and standby network interface in response to the secondary network interface receiving the protection packet, or operating both the primary and secondary network interface as active network interface in response to the secondary network interface not receiving the protection packet, and providing the hardware address of the active secondary network interface to devices coupled thereto.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transmitting user part messages between signaling system seven (SS7) signaling points over an internet protocol (IP) network include receiving, at a signal transfer point, a first SS7 user part message. The first SS7 user part message can be received from a first SS7 signaling point, such as a service switching point (SSP). The first SS7 signaling point is encapsulated in a first IP packet. The first IP packet is transmitted to a second SS7 signaling point over an IP network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating accurate call detail records in networks that utilize number portability are disclosed. A number portability reconciliation (NPR) monitoring system receives signaling messages relating to different calls or transactions. The signaling messages may be copied from a network monitoring location upstream from where a number portability database lookup occurs for a call. The monitoring system automatically correlates messages relating to the same call or transaction into a call detail record usable by a plurality of different network monitoring applications. The NPR monitoring system determines whether number portability processing is required, and, in response, the NPR monitoring system queries a number portability database. The NPR monitoring system receives a response from the number portability database and updates the call detail record based on the response.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing messages at a first network node in a mobile communications network are disclosed. A first message relating to a communication in a mobile communications network that includes a called directory number is received. A lookup is performed in a first database based on the called directory number to determine whether a called party has been ported out of a first network and to determine a migration status of the called party. In response to determining that the called party has been ported out of the first network, a first reply message is formulated including first routing information from the first database that indicates a second network to which the called party has been ported. If the called party has not been ported out, a second reply message is formulated including second routing information from the first database that corresponds to the determined migration status.

Abstract: Methods and systems for triggerless prepaid SMS screening and accounting in a signalling message muting node are disclosed. According to one method, a prepaid SMS screening, accounting, and routing node receives a first SMS message including mobile subscriber identification information. It is determined whether the mobile subscriber has prepaid SMS service or post-paid SMS service. In response to determining that the mobile subscriber has prepaid SMS service, it is determined whether the mobile subscriber has sufficient prepald SMS credit for delivery of the first SMS message.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for automatically provisioning prepaid mobile subscriber information in a telecommunications network are provided. In one method, a location management message regarding a prepaid mobile subscriber is received at a routing node. The routing node determines whether a routing address translation entry exists for the prepaid mobile subscriber. If a routing address translation entry does not exist, the routing node sends a notification message to a provisioning system. The provisioning system receives the notification message and provisions an HLR with subscription information for the subscriber. The provisioning system also sends routing address translation information to the routing node for provisioning an entry in the routing address translation database for the subscriber. The routing node may then either route the original location management message to the HLR or discard the original message and wait until the MSC retransmits the location management message.

Abstract: Methods and systems for ticket voucher flow control throttle MSUs that were enqueued during a signaling link failure. The throttling is performed based on a system of ticket voucher requests and grants. Communication modules seeking to send call signaling messages to outgoing signaling links issue ticket voucher requests. Grantors that are available to send the call signaling messages issue grants to the requestor. The grants may be based on the available capacity of an outbound signaling link.

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 for content-based screening of messaging service (MS) messages, such as short message service messages and multimedia message service messages, are disclosed. MS subscribers may provision specific message content screening rules via a web interface. Content-based MS screening functionality may be applied in the core of a communications network, such as at a network signaling node separate from a short message service center or a mobile terminal.

Abstract: Methods and system for delivering presence information regarding push-to-talk subscribers are disclosed. In one method, a short message gateway receives presence information from a first push-to-talk subscriber from a presence or push-to-talk server. The short message gateway determines the location and availability of a second push-to-talk subscriber to which the presence information is directed. If the second push-to-talk subscriber is available, the SMS gateway delivers the presence information to the second push-to-talk subscriber in a manner that bypasses the SMSC. If the SMS gateway determines that the second push-to-talk subscriber is not available, the SMS gateway discards the presence information.

Abstract: A short message service (SMS) flood control routing node includes an SMS flood control module that receives short message service messages, determines the presence of short message service flooding, and takes appropriate action, such as discarding short message service messages that result in flooding. The presence of short message service message flooding may be determined by maintaining a count of short message service messages addressed to a particular called party within a time period. If the count exceeds a threshold, the short message service message that caused the count to exceed the threshold may be discarded. The routing node may generate a message the originator of a short message service message flood and/or to an enforcement agency.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for post global title translation load sharing include receiving a plurality of signaling messages sent route on global title. Global title translation is performed for the signaling messages to result in multiple global title destinations for at least some of the signaling messages. One of the destination addresses is selected using the parameter in the signaling messages and the load sharing algorithm so that messages that are part of the same transaction are sent to the same destination address and messages related to different transactions are load shared among different destination addresses. Sequencing may also be performed so that sequenced messages are transmitted in the same order that they are received.

Abstract: An end office support (EOS) routing node implements MTP layers 1-3 on behalf of one or more remote applications that share the true point code of the EOS routing node. Implementing MTP layers 1-3 includes receiving messages addressed to the true point code, determining whether the messages are contain application level information of interest to a remote application, and forwarding the application level information to the remote application. Messages may be routed internally within the EOS routing node using an internal point code used to uniquely identify the remote application within the EOS routing node. The EOS routing node may also perform network management functions on behalf of one or more remote applications.

Abstract: Methods and systems for triggerless screening of WMS messages for delivery with differential quality of service (QoS) are disclosed. Signaling messages are screened to determine whether they contain WMS content. In response to determining that a message contains WMS content, origination and/or destination party information is extracted from the WMS message to determine the QoS associated with the WMS message. The WMS message is then modified to include routing information for delivering the SMS messages to their intended destinations with different qualities of service.

Abstract: Methods and systems for distributing and accessing large amounts of signaling message processing data in a signaling message processing node are disclosed. More particularly, a large amount of signaling message processing data, such as number portability translation data, may be segmented and distributed across multiple processing modules. For example, subscriber portability data contained in a large national local number portability (LNP) database is divided or segmented according to NPA-NXX ranges or geographic regions, and LNP data associated with each region or segment is stored on a different database service module (DSM) within the message processing system. A signaling message requiring number portability processing is received by a communication module. The communication module directs the message a DSM that contains the LNP data segment necessary to process the message.