Abstract: A method is disclosed that enables an improved technique for recovering from an error scenario encountered during a call setup involving a malfunctioning media gateway and corresponding media gateway controller. The media gateway first detects a malfunction that affects a digital signal processing resource, and then proactively selects a processing resource available elsewhere at the gateway. The media gateway selects the new processing resource based on criteria including: i) the capabilities that were identified to handle the packet stream at the affected (faulty) processor; ii) the capabilities of the IP terminal originating the packet stream that is being moved; and iii) the Internet Protocol address of the affected processing resource. Advantageously, an effort is made to avoid having to inform the media gateway controller of the move, thereby minimizing any discontinuity in each packet stream and minimizing the time and processing that are required to establish the call.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that enables an improved technique for recovering from an error scenario encountered during a call setup that involves a malfunctioning media gateway and the corresponding media gateway controller. The media gateway first detects a malfunction that affects a digital signal processing resource. The media gateway then proactively selects a processing resource available elsewhere at the gateway. The media gateway selects the new processing resource based on criteria that include: i) the capabilities that were identified to handle the packet stream at the affected (faulty) processor; ii) the capabilities of the IP terminal originating the packet stream that is being moved; and iii) the Internet Protocol address of the affected processing resource. Advantageously, an effort is made to avoid having to inform the media gateway controller of the move, thereby minimizing any discontinuity in each packet stream and minimizing the time and processing that are required to establish the call.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that enables a media gateway controller to optimize the selection of a media gateway from which to acquire call-related resources, in a multi-gateway environment. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the controller sets a high utilization threshold and a low utilization threshold for each media gateway it controls, for the purpose of receiving a notification when a threshold is crossed. As resources are utilized, removed from service, or become available for use, the media gateway recalculates the resource utilization of one or more predetermined resources and notifies the controller if a threshold for a particular resource has been crossed. The controller, in turn, uses the current threshold states as part of the selection of media gateway to serve one or more subsequent calls. The disclosed method can increase the probability of selecting a media gateway with sufficient resources for a successful call completion on the first attempt.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that enables accelerating the removal from service of a signal processor at a media gateway. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the media gateway receives an indication to remove one of its digital signal processors from service. Instead of waiting for all of the calls that are using the signal processor to come to an end, the media gateway proactively moves the packet streams from the signal processor to one or more other signal processors resident at the gateway. Advantageously, an effort is made to avoid having to inform the corresponding media gateway controller of the move, thereby minimizing any discontinuity in each moved packet stream.