Abstract: A method and system for network based call-pickup is provided. In one embodiment a first user agent communicates in a communication session with a second user agent in a network telephony system. The second user agent may request that a third user agent replace the second user agent in the communication. The third user agent may be a park server, and when it replaces the second user agent, the communication session may thereby be parked at the park server. A fourth user agent may then request that the third user agent (e.g. park server) initiate a communication session between the first user agent and the fourth user agent. The third user agent may then instruct the first user agent to communicate with the fourth user agent. The parked communication session may thereby be picked up by the fourth user agent.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for constructing and operating a distributed database. The system and method use multi-master replication and synchronization, whereby one or more central sites provide redundant database support of groupings of local sites. The correspondence of local primary database and its centrally-located secondary (redundant) partner is configured such that each primary-secondary pair is independent of every other pair. Replication and synchronization within each pair is thus achieved independently across all pairs.

Abstract: A method and system for distributed network address translation with security features. The method and system allow Internet Protocol security protocol (“IPsec”) to be used with distributed network address translation. The distributed network address translation is accomplished with IPsec by mapping a local Internet Protocol (“IP”) address of a given local network device and a IPsec Security Parameter Index (“SPI”) associated with an inbound IPsec Security Association (“SA”) that terminates at the local network device. A router allocates locally unique security values that are used as the IPsec SPIs. A router used for distributed network address translation is used as a local certificate authority that may vouch for identities of local network devices, allowing local network devices to bind a public key to a security name space that combines a global IP address for the router with a set of locally unique port numbers used for distributed network address translation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to support the delivery of the IP address of a secondary address server to a dial-up remote access client. The secondary address server may be an RSIP server, with which the client may perform an RSIP negotiation resulting in the client being assigned an IP address associated with the RSIP server.

Abstract: A system and method for switching security associations between network devices. The system and method includes a first, a second, and a third network device, with a first secure communication being established between the first and second network devices, and a second secure communication being established between the first and third network devices. Both secure communications may have replay prevention enabled. In addition, the first secure communication has a security association and a pre-defined sequence number limit less than a maximum sequence number, while the second secure communication has the same security association as the first secure communication, but an initial sequence number greater than the pre-defined sequence number limit. The system and method may also have a fourth network device with security information corresponding to the security association. The fourth network device is capable of passing the security information from the first network device to the third network device.

Abstract: A telephony system and method having a switch for analog voice and data signals that is connected to a first network, and a router for routing Internet Protocol packets that is connected to a second network using Internet Protocol addressing. The telephony system and method also includes a telephony gateway that is connected to both the switch and the router for converting analog voice signals into Internet Protocol packets and for converting Internet Protocol packets into analog voice signals, the telephony gateway being connected, and a remote access server that is connected to both the switch and the router for converting analog data signals into Internet Protocol packets and for converting Internet Protocol packets into analog data signals. The switch may have a switch matrix capable of being connected to the Public Switched Telephone Network, a line rack with a plurality of line cards connected to the switch matrix, and a trunk rack with a plurality of trunk cards connected to the switch matrix.

Abstract: A method and system for distributed generation of unique random numbers. The unique random number can be used to create digital cookies or digital tokens. A first network device (e.g., a computer) on a computer network receives an x-bit bit mask template from a second network device on the computer network (e.g., a gateway). The first network device generates a first portion of an x-bit digital cookie. The first network device requests a second portion of the x-bit digital cookie from the second network device. The request includes the first portion of the x-bit digital cookie. The first network device generates a complete x-bit digital cookie using the first portion of the x-bit digital cookie generated by the first network device and the second portion of the x-bit digital cookie generated by the second network device.

Abstract: A Medium Access Control (“MAC”) Layer protocol and a method for contention resolution using the protocol is provided for networks with multiple priority traffic. The protocol is used where a physical layer connected to a transmission medium uses a carrier modulation scheme with multiple frequencies. Stations on the network that desire access to the transmission medium use a carrier modulation scheme with multiple frequencies. Stations that desire access simultaneously transmit a single frequency selected at random from a set of physical layer frequencies during an open-contention-interval. At the same time, the stations listen to a combined frequency signal and analyzes it for frequency content. The station whose own frequency matches the highest frequency signal in the combined signal gains access to a transmission medium. In the event of a collision, a restricted-contention-interval is used only for the colliding stations.

Abstract: Providing enhanced emergency services (E-911) to an IP Telephony-based PBX or similar system, by utilizing aspects of the intelligence of end-user SIP client devices to address challenges and difficulties associated with E-911-like services in LAN-based telephony environments.

Abstract: A method and system for providing directory based services is provided. The directory service may process an ambiguous destination identifier from a call-session request to multiple database entries in a directory server, and return an appropriately constructed response that can be interpreted by a user as a prompt for additional input to refine the destination identifier. The possible matches could be sent as a list of possible choices. The user can then select the desired match from the list and send a follow-on request including the selection to the directory server. Based on the selection, the directory server will then either send additional possible matches to the user or obtain a contact address corresponding to the selection. After resolving the ambiguous match to a unique destination identifier, a call can then be established.

Abstract: System and method for distributed network address translation in a network telephony system. A first network phone with a first protocol, requests at least one locally unique port from a first network device. The first network phone and the first network device are located on a first network. The first network phone receives, with the first protocol, the at least one locally unique port from the first network device. At least one default or ephemeral port on the first network phone is replaced with the at least one locally unique port. A combination network address is created for the first network phone with the at least one locally unique port and a common external network address, thereby identifying the first network phone for communications with a second network device located on a second network. The second network device may, for example, be a second network phone. In a preferred embodiment, the first protocol is a Port Allocation Protocol, such as the Realm Specific Internet Protocol.

Abstract: When an Internet protocol connection for a given mobile communications unit already exists, that existing link can be used to conduct an Internet protocol communication with that mobile communications unit. When such a link does not already exist, and a need exists to convey information to the mobile communication unit via such a link, a message can be provided to the mobile communications unit via a non-Internet protocol wireless link to cause the mobile communications unit to self-initiate establishment of such an Internet protocol communications link. Upon establishing such a link, the requesting entity, service, or application can use that link to facilitate the desired Internet protocol-based communication.

Abstract: Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) information from an Signaling System 7 (SS7) network (11) is provided, in response to an original SIP-compatible request by an SIP entity (17) in an SIP network (10), to the SIP network where the TCAP information is then used to facilitate call setup and routing of the call. In one embodiment, the SIP network locally stores the TCAP information upon receipt (at least temporarily) such that the TCAP information is available for subsequent local use without requiring a correspond inquiry to the SS7 network.

Abstract: A method and system for allocating persistent private network addresses between private networks. An Internet Protocol (“IP”) address of a multimedia device (e.g., a Voice-over-IP (“VoIP”) device) is publicly available and the device, the device's location or the device's user may be identified and become the target of a hacker. Persistent private IP addresses may be used for such multimedia devices. Persistent private IP addresses are unique and persistent for a duration of a multimedia session between two private networks. The persistent private IP addresses are not routable on a public network like the Internet. The persistent private IP addresses allow a first network device on a first private network to establish a data session with a second network device on a second private network over a public network such as the Internet.

Abstract: A method and system for address server redirection for multiple address networks. A primary network address and an address of a secondary network address server are requested by a network device from a primary network address server. The address of the secondary network address server is requested in an option field in a request message sent to the primary network address server to request a primary network address. The request message may be sent through one or more routers. The primary network address is used by a network device to communicate with other network devices on a first network. The secondary network address is used by the network device to communicate with other network devices on a second network. For example, the primary network address may be a private Internet Protocol address or an Internet Protocol version-6 address and the secondary network address may be a public Internet Protocol address or an Internet Protocol version-4 address.

Abstract: A Media Gateway proxy receives a message and parses the message. The message contains an attribute, sub-command, and a destination address. The proxy stores the message and the attributes. Each of the attributes corresponds to a selected one of a plurality of Media Gateways. Each of the gateways has an address. The proxy finds in the memory the address of the selected Media Gateway using the destination address and the attribute. The proxy then forms a message using said sub-command, said address, and said attribute and transmits the message to the destination Media Gateway.

Abstract: Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) information from an Signaling System 7 (SS7) network (11) is provided, in response to an original SIP-compatible request by an SIP entity (17) in an SIP network (10), to the SIP network where the TCAP information is then used to facilitate call setup and routing of the call. In one embodiment, the SIP network locally stores the TCAP information upon receipt (at least temporarily) such that the TCAP information is available for subsequent local use without requiring a correspond inquiry to the SS7 network.

Abstract: A telephony system and method having a switch for analog voice and data signals that is connected to a first network, and a router for routing Internet Protocol packets that is connected to a second network using Internet Protocol addressing. The telephony system and method also includes a telephony gateway that is connected to both the switch and the router for converting analog voice signals into Internet Protocol packets and for converting Internet Protocol packets into analog voice signals, the telephony gateway being connected, and a remote access server that is connected to both the switch and the router for converting analog data signals into Internet Protocol packets and for converting Internet Protocol packets into analog data signals. The switch may have a switch matrix capable of being connected to the Public Switched Telephone Network, a line rack with a plurality of line cards connected to the switch matrix, and a trunk rack with a plurality of trunk cards connected to the switch matrix.

Abstract: The methods and system described herein help the transition from Internet Protocol version-4 (“IPv4”) networks to Internet Protocol version-6 (“IPv6”) networks. Dual address allocation of IPv4 and/or IPv6 network addresses is provided via a dual protocol stack. Network devices may communicate with legacy IPv4 networks while using IPv6 network addresses on an IPv6 network for local communications. IPv6 over IPv4 remote virtual tunnels are used to allow network devices using IPv6 network addresses on a local IPv6 network to communicate with remote IPv6 networks over IPv4 public networks IPv4 over IPv6 local virtual tunnels may be used to allow network devices to using IPv4 network addresses on a local IPv6 network to communicate with remote IPv4 public networks. The IPv4 addresses allocated include IPv4 addresses that may be allocated and used for Distributed Network Address Translation (“DNAT”) and/or the Realm Specific Internet Protocol (“RSIP”).

Abstract: A method and system for distributed network address translation for mobile network devices. A mobile network device requests one or more locally-unique ports with a Port Allocation Protocol from a second network device on a first network to identify the first network device on the first network if the mobile first network device roams to a second external network. One or more default or ephemeral ports on the mobile network device are replaced with one or more locally-unique ports obtained with the Port Allocation Protocol. The one or more locally-unique ports allow distributed network address translation to be used with the mobile network device. A combination network address is created for the mobile network device with a locally unique port and an external network address for the first network to identify the mobile first network device if the mobile first network device roams to a second external network.