Abstract: A Call Server in a network is able to monitor an offered rate of incoming calls per Access Gateway (AGW). A calculated GlobalLeakRate can be distributed between the AGWs in proportion to the traffic rate they offer. A leak rate calculation method is used to calculate the GlobalLeakRate control parameter of the ETSI NR restrictor at an overloaded Control Server The leak rate calculation is based on the POTS call rejection rate. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the calculation is based on bringing the call reject rate close to a configurable low target reject level. An MGC is able to identify the end of an overload event with a greater degree of confidence and an AGW is able respond appropriately if the AGW is prematurely instructed to stop the control.

Abstract: A Call Server in a network is able to monitor an offered rate of incoming calls per Access Gateway (AGW). A calculated GlobalLeakRate can be distributed between the AGWs in proportion to the traffic rate they offer. A leak rate calculation method is used to calculate the GlobalLeakRate control parameter of the ETSI NR restrictor at an overloaded Control Server The leak rate calculation is based on the POTS call rejection rate. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the calculation is based on bringing the call reject rate close to a configurable low target reject level. An MGC is able to identify the end of an overload event with a greater degree of confidence and an AGW is able respond appropriately if the AGW is prematurely instructed to stop the control.

Abstract: A Call Server in a network is able to monitor an offered rate of incoming calls per Access Gateway (AGW). A calculated GlobalLeakRate can be distributed between the AGWs in proportion to the traffic rate they offer. A leak rate calculation method is used to calculate the GlobalLeakRate control parameter of the ETSI_NR restrictor at an overloaded Control Server The leak rate calculation is based on the POTS call rejection rate. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the calculation is based on bringing the call reject rate close to a configurable low target reject level. An MGC is able to identify the end of an overload event with a greater degree of confidence and an AGW is able respond appropriately if the AGW is prematurely instructed to stop the control.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for querying an IPsec Security Policy Database comprising a plurality of groups of Security Policies that have been assigned a priority value. When a network node receives an IP packet, it determines a priority value and looks for Security Policies in the Security Policy Database having that priority value. If no Security Policies are found, then it looks for Security Policies having a lower priority value. This process is repeated until a Security Policy is found, in which case it is returned and applied to the IP packet, or it is determined that no suitable Security Policy exists.

Abstract: A gateway apparatus for interfacing an access network 1 to a service network 3, the apparatus comprising an input for receiving access requests from the access network at a first flow rate, an output for forwarding access requests to a gateway controller at a second flow rate, and a flow controller for controlling the flow of access requests from said input to said output. The flow controller comprises a receiver for receiving a restrict ion value from the gateway controller, first processing means for determining whether the received restriction value is more restrictive than any currently in use restriction value and, if so, for determining a leak rate on the basis of the received restriction value and the current second flow rate, and second processing means for allowing access requests to pass to said output at a rate up to the determined leak rate at least until a further restriction value is received.

Abstract: A gateway apparatus for interfacing an access network 1 to a service network 3, the apparatus comprising an input for receiving access requests from the access network at a first flow rate, an output for forwarding access requests to a gateway controller at a second flow rate, and a flow controller for controlling the flow of access requests from said input to said output. The flow controller comprises a receiver for receiving a restrict ion value from the gateway controller, first processing means for determining whether the received restriction value is more restrictive than any currently in use restriction value and, if so, for determining a leak rate on the basis of the received restriction value and the current second flow rate, and second processing means for allowing access requests to pass to said output at a rate up to the determined leak rate at least until a further restriction value is received.

Abstract: A method is provided of regulating a load placed on a first node (200) of a telecommunications network caused by transactions (Tr) sent to the first node (200) by a second node (100) of the network according to a signalling protocol between reached the first node (200) and the second node (100). The method comprises specifying a limit on the number of transactions sent from the second node (100) to the first node (200) for which a reply (R) has not yet been received, and adjusting the limit based on signals received at the second node (100) from the first node (200) that provide an indication of a level of load being experienced at the first node (200). In one example, the signalling protocol is the H.248 protocol, the signals comprise H.248.11 overload notifications, and the network is a Next Generation Network. The second node may be a gateway controller node and the first node may be a gateway node.

Abstract: A method is provided of regulating a load placed on a first node of a telecommunications network caused by messages sent to the first node by a second node of the network according to a signalling protocol between the first node and the second node, comprising: using a leaky bucket restrictor associated with the second node to regulate the load, the leaky bucket having an adjustable leak rate; determining a roundtrip response delay relating to at least some of the messages during a measurement period; and adjusting the leak rate in dependence upon the determined response delay.

Abstract: A Call Server in a network is able to monitor an offered rate of incoming calls per Access Gateway (AGW). A calculated GlobalLeakRate can be distributed between the AGWs in proportion to the traffic rate they offer. A leak rate calculation method is used to calculate the GlobalLeakRate control parameter of the ETSI NR restrictor at an overloaded Control Server The leak rate calculation is based on the POTS call rejection rate. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the calculation is based on bringing the call reject rate close to a configurable low target reject level. An MGC is able to identify the end of an overload event with a greater degree of confidence and an AGW is able respond appropriately if the AGW is prematurely instructed to stop the control.