Abstract: Method, apparatuses and computer programs for handling data related to users of a communications system comprising: a database server storing data related to users of the system, and a plurality of service servers. The database server modifies (1103) a first data stored therein for a user according to a received request (1101), and sends a second message (1109) notifying the data modification to a first service server comprising: an identifier of the user, the first data after the modification, and an identifier of a second service server of the system that handle data related to the user. The first service server sends a third message (2105) to the second service server requesting to modify a data held therein in relationship with said user. Features of the invention help in reducing signaling in layered systems, since additional data are communicated in the second message.

Abstract: Handling core network entities of a radio core communications network comprising a first network entity and a second network entity, where the second network entity differs from the first network entity in that it is capable of processing inter-working between messages exchanged with the radio core communications network and messages exchanged with an IP multimedia subsystem. In other words, one network entity is capable of performing inter-working while the other one not. The first and/or second network entities are provided with configuration information indicating a relationship between the two network entities. Messages relating to calls established between the at least one user terminal attached to the entity non capable of inter-working and a further user terminal attached to the IP multimedia subsystem are routed according to the configuration information.

Abstract: The invention related to handling core network entities of a radio core communications network comprising a first network entity and a second network entity. The said second network entity differs from the first network entity in that it is capable of processing interworking between messages exchanged with said radio core communications network and messages exchanged with an IP multimedia subsystem. In other words, one network entity is capable of performing inter-working while the other one not. The first and/or second network entities are provided (S200) with configuration information indicating a relationship between the two network entities. The invention then foreseen routing (S300) messages relating to calls established between the at least one user terminal attached to the entity non capable of inter-working and a further user terminal attached to said IP multimedia subsystem according to said configuration information.

Abstract: A data layered architecture (DLA) system includes a front end (FE) server and a common directory (CD). The FE server includes a processing unit which defines an FE time zone (FETZ) based on the FE server's geographical location and that defines a current date and time of the FETZ. The FE server includes a network interfacing unit which obtains from the CD through the network a subscriber default time zone (SDTZ), a subscriber service time zone (SSTZ), a service activation date (SAD) and a service activation time (SAT). The processing unit selects as service time zone (STZ) for executing the service the SSTZ, if a valid SSTZ exists, or the SDTZ, if a valid SSTZ does not exist, or the FETZ, if a valid SDTZ does not exist. Furthermore, the processing unit only executes the service after checking that the SAD and SAT of the STZ correspond to the current date and time of the FETZ.

Abstract: In the method of the invention, messages received by a message distributor are distributed to destination nodes. The method includes an optional procedure for obtaining a congestion metric of each of the at least two destination nodes, and a procedure for obtaining a latency metric of each of at least two destination nodes. The latency metric of a destination node includes a measure of a transmission time between the message distributor and the destination node. The method further includes a procedure for computing destination weights of each of the at least two destination nodes by taking into account the congestion metric, if obtained, and the latency metric of each of the at least two destination nodes; and a procedure for selecting as a destination for a received message one of the at least two destination nodes, depending at least on the destination weights.

Abstract: The invention related to handling core network entities of a radio core communications network comprising a first network entity and a second network entity. The said second network entity differs from the first network entity in that it is capable of processing interworking between messages exchanged with said radio core communications network and messages exchanged with an IP multimedia subsystem. In other words, one network entity is capable of performing inter-working while the other one not. The first and/or second network entities are provided (S200) with configuration information indicating a relationship between the two network entities. The invention then foreseen routing (S300) messages relating to calls established between the at least one user terminal attached to the entity non capable of inter-working and a further user terminal attached to said IP multimedia subsystem according to said configuration information.

Abstract: There are services that can be invoked by the subscribers, or triggered by a network entity, and wherein this invocation or trigger may depend on date or time of the day, namely, time-dependent services. Regarding the execution of these time-dependent services, there might be two problems with the determination of the execution time. The first problem is caused by the nature of so called “Data Layered Architectures” where the service execution servers, referred to as “Front-Ends” and the database servers storing the subscriber data, referred to as “Common Directory” are geographically spread over different time zones. As a consequence, the “Front-End” executes the service according to its own time zone rather than at the time zone where the subscriber is currently located or at home. The second problem is cause by the subscriber when he is roaming in an area located in a different time zone than his home time zone.

Abstract: Method, apparatuses and computer programs for handling data related to users of a communications system comprising: a database server storing data related to users of the system, and a plurality of service servers. The database server modifies (1103) a first data stored therein for a user according to a received request (1101), and sends a second message (1109) notifying the data modification to a first service server comprising: an identifier of the user, the first data after the modification, and an identifier of a second service server of the system that handle data related to the user. The first service server sends a third message (2105) to the second service server requesting to modify a data held therein in relationship with said user. Features of the invention help in reducing signaling in layered systems, since additional data are communicated in the second message.

Abstract: In the method of the invention, messages received by a message distributor are distributed to destination nodes. The method includes an optional procedure for obtaining a congestion metric of each of the at least two destination nodes, and a procedure for obtaining a latency metric of each of at least two destination nodes. The latency metric of a destination node includes a measure of a transmission time between the message distributor and the destination node. The method further includes a procedure for computing destination weights of each of the at least two destination nodes by taking into account the congestion metric, if obtained, and the latency metric of each of the at least two destination nodes; and a procedure for selecting as a destination for a received message one of the at least two destination nodes, depending at least on the destination weights.