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 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: Disclosed is a communications network element that is capable of routing signaling messages and includes a dynamic routing key registration feature which allows Internet protocol (IP) nodes to automatically register/de-register and subsequently direct traffic towards or away from themselves without the need for manual operator intervention. A signaling gateway routing node includes a self-registering data communication module (sDCM) that is adapted to receive and process dynamic routing key registration messages from associated IP nodes. Such dynamic routing key registration messages may include information that is used to register a new routing key association with a TCP/IP connection, de-register an existing routing key association with the TCP/IP connection, or modify routing key information associated with the TCP/IP connection.

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 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: A transport adapter layer interface (TALI) includes messages, processes, and packet structures for sending and receiving SS7 information over a stream-oriented connection, such as a TCP/IP connection. For example, the TALI interface includes test messages for testing the status of a connection and allow and prohibit messages for enabling and disabling service data communications without invoking a TCP handshaking procedure. The TALI interface also includes SYNC and LENGTH fields for facilitating extraction of individual message packets over a stream-oriented connection.

Abstract: A network element that is capable facilitating the routing and accounting of messages between a plurality of network elements that do not share a common signaling application protocol nor a common transport protocol suite. In one embodiment of the present invention, a Multi-Protocol Gateway (MPG) is adapted to receive a signaling message and subsequently translate both the signaling and transport protocol suite prior to message routing. The MPG node is also configured to create and maintain usage and measurements data that may subsequently be used to produce billing records.

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 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 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 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: 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: A normalizing signaling gateway (NSG) routing node receives a first signaling message formatted according to a first variant of a common or standard signaling protocol, such as ISUP, and creates a second signaling message based on the first message. The second signaling message includes a normalized component and a variant component. The second signaling message may then be routed to a second NSG routing node or to a media gateway controller. Because the NSG routing node converts messages to and from variants of a standard signaling protocol, the media gateway controller is not required to support all of the variants of the standard signaling protocol, and its complexity is reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a communications network element that is capable of routing signaling messages and includes a dynamic routing key registration feature which allows Internet protocol (IP) nodes to automatically register/de-register and subsequently direct traffic towards or away from themselves without the need for manual operator intervention. A signaling gateway routing node includes a self-registering data communication module (sDCM) that is adapted to receive and process dynamic routing key registration messages from associated IP nodes. Such dynamic routing key registration messages may include information that is used to register a new routing key association with a TCP/IP connection, de-register an existing routing key association with the TCP/IP connection, or modify routing key information associated with the TCP/IP connection.

Abstract: Seamless transport of messages is provided between SS7 network elements and Internet Protocol (IP) network elements using an STP as an intermediary. Thus, messages may be routed between a first SP and a second SP via an STP using IP. Messages may be routed between an SP and an IP node via an STP using IP. Messages also may be routed between a first IP node and a second IP node via an STP using IP. Thus, the STP can be used as a vehicle for message transport among nodes of an SS7 network, among nodes of an IP network and between SS7 and IP networks. SS7 messages are bidirectionally communicated between an STP and at least one other SP of an SS7 network using IP, preferably TCP/IP. Preferably, SS7 messages are bidirectionally communicated between an STP and at least one SCP using IP.