Abstract: An existing primary data copy can be maintained on an existing primary front end server node. One or more existing secondary data copies can be maintained on one or more existing secondary front end server nodes to minor the existing primary data copy (such as by making synchronous changes to the secondary data copies). One or more existing backup data copies can be maintained on an existing backend server node to mirror the existing primary data copy (such as by making asynchronous changes to the one or more backup data copies). The existing backend server node can be accessible by one or more of the front end nodes. In response to detecting a failure of the existing primary data copy, one of the one or more secondary data copies can be designated as a new primary data copy in place of the existing primary data copy.

Abstract: Call policy enforcement and routing is based on user location. A plurality of endpoints is provided for receiving and making calls. Each of the plurality of endpoints are assigned a default policy for controlling call authorization and providing call routing rules. A mapping of policies for a plurality of locations is stored. A location of a client associated with one of the plurality of endpoints is identified. A location-based policy is obtained from the stored mapping of policies of the plurality of locations based on the identified location of the client. The obtained location-based policy is applied instead of the default policy assigned to the client associated with one of the plurality of endpoints.

Abstract: Protocol architecture for wiring media streams and specifying mixing behavior in a multipoint control unit. The protocol provides the capability to expose the core mixing algorithms to modification for mixing media without dealing with the functionality of the mixer itself (e.g., ports and IP specifics). The protocol facilitates the wiring of input media streams to output media streams by changing the mixing behavior via changes to the mixing algorithms using the protocol. The protocol operates based on a schema that includes controls related to route, wire, and filter for the mixer input and mixer output.

Abstract: Architecture for a session lock and lobby feature in a distributed conferencing framework for a conferencing session. Under a lock scenario, once a user enters the session, the session can be locked to prevent other individuals from entering, even if the individuals were invited to the session. Locking can be accomplished manually by a session participant and/or automatically based on criteria. The lobby feature allows a session participant to be aware of users in the lobby and pending access to the session by providing notification and/or identification of the user attempting to gain access. The session leader can selectively allow access to the session. The architecture facilitates lock and lobby features in multiple identical, leaderless, conference servers which together form a distributed conferencing system. The lock and lobby features can employ media session protocols such as session initiation protocol (SIP) and centralized conference control protocol (C3P).

Abstract: Architecture for a scalable, pluggable multi-party, and distributed multimedia conferencing. A centralized policy and control conferencing component allows the seamless plug-in of different distributed media components (e.g., data, audio/video, messaging) to accommodate client participation in a conference session. The centralized conference control component includes the following: a conference notification service for accepting subscriptions to the conference state and notifying subscribers about changes to that state; a conference policy and roster control service for storing and manipulating conference policy and rosters; a security service for user authorization/authentication based on user identity information; a scheduling service for conference scheduling; an allocation service for allocating the most available media component(s) for a conference session; and, an MCU management service for conference policy and roster management of the distributed media components.

Abstract: A data structure that includes a user profile including user profile information, and a data structure comprising a set of available telephone numbers can be accessed. A targeted list of one or more telephone numbers can be generated using the set of available telephone numbers and information from the user profile. The targeted list can include one or more telephone numbers from the set of available telephone numbers that match at least a portion of the user profile information. Also, the targeted list can be sent to a rendering computing environment for display. User input selecting a telephone number from the targeted list can be received. In response to user input, the selected telephone number can be associated with a user profile in a data structure.

Abstract: An existing primary data copy can be maintained on an existing primary front end server node. One or more existing secondary data copies can be maintained on one or more existing secondary front end server nodes to minor the existing primary data copy (such as by making synchronous changes to the secondary data copies). One or more existing backup data copies can be maintained on an existing backend server node to mirror the existing primary data copy (such as by making asynchronous changes to the one or more backup data copies). The existing backend server node can be accessible by one or more of the front end nodes. In response to detecting a failure of the existing primary data copy, one of the one or more secondary data copies can be designated as a new primary data copy in place of the existing primary data copy.

Abstract: A data structure that includes a user profile including user profile information, and a data structure comprising a set of available telephone numbers can be accessed. A targeted list of one or more telephone numbers can be generated using the set of available telephone numbers and information from the user profile. The targeted list can include one or more telephone numbers from the set of available telephone numbers that match at least a portion of the user profile information. Also, the targeted list can be sent to a rendering computing environment for display. User input selecting a telephone number from the targeted list can be received. In response to user input, the selected telephone number can be associated with a user profile in a data structure.

Abstract: Call policy enforcement and routing is based on user location. A plurality of endpoints is provided for receiving and making calls. Each of the plurality of endpoints are assigned a default policy for controlling call authorization and providing call routing rules. A mapping of policies for a plurality of locations is stored. A location of a client associated with one of the plurality of endpoints is identified. A location-based policy is obtained from the stored mapping of policies of the plurality of locations based on the identified location of the client. The obtained location-based policy is applied instead of the default policy assigned to the client associated with one of the plurality of endpoints.

Abstract: A communications manager of an enterprise receives an add-conference request to host a conference by the enterprise from an organizer client, wherein the conference to enable an anonymous user that does not have enterprise credentials to join the conference. The communications manager sends an add-conference response to the organizer client indicating that the conference is organized.

Abstract: A communications manager of an enterprise receives an add-conference request to host a conference by the enterprise from an organizer client, wherein the conference to enable an anonymous user that does not have enterprise credentials to join the conference. The communications manager sends an add-conference response to the organizer client indicating that the conference is organized.

Abstract: Enhanced communication systems with various resiliency and survivability aspects are provided. Data center, cluster, network, and load balancer survivability are provided for seamless communication experience in case of data center, cluster, discovery infrastructure, or hardware load balancer failures. Call, data, and authentication survivability are provided through dynamic re-routing over alternative networks, continuous data replication, and alternative authentication mechanisms. Seamless failover is ensured through use of identical signaling protocols and data carried by protocols between primary and backup clusters. Voicemail resiliency is achieved by re-routing calls directed to voicemail over alternative paths such as PSTN connections.

Abstract: Architecture that facilitates management and control of sidebar sessions (or breakout rooms) in a distributed conferencing environment. Distributed frontends (or MCUs) are provided for multi-party access into a main conferencing session. In one implementation, the main session can then be partitioned to provide one or more sidebar sessions for side conferencing. The sidebar sessions can all be contained on a single MCU or distributed across multiple MCUs. The leader of the main session can then freely roam among the sidebar sessions of a single MCU or among the sessions on the distributed MCUs. The protocol can be SIP-based, and also or alternatively use C3P commands for creating (or adding) a sidebar session, modifying the sidebar, moving users to and from a sidebar, and deleting the sidebar session.

Abstract: Enhanced communication systems with various resiliency and survivability aspects are provided. Data center, cluster, network, and load balancer survivability are provided for seamless communication experience in case of data center, cluster, discovery infrastructure, or hardware load balancer failures. Call, data, and authentication survivability are provided through dynamic re-routing over alternative networks, continuous data replication, and alternative authentication mechanisms. Seamless failover is ensured through use of identical signaling protocols and data carried by protocols between primary and backup clusters. Voicemail resiliency is achieved by re-routing calls directed to voicemail over alternative paths such as PSTN connections.

Abstract: Systems and methods that enable conference unaware clients to participate in the conference. A conferencing component is aware of what protocol to employ, and enables devices and/or end points that employ disparate or heterogeneous protocols to participate in the same conference initiated therebetween. A call flow (e.g., in form of a dial out) can be initiated, wherein the conferencing component invites conference unaware devices to participate in the conference.

Abstract: A communications manager of an enterprise receives an add-conference request to host a conference by the enterprise from an organizer client, wherein the conference to enable an anonymous user that does not have enterprise credentials to join the conference. The communications manager sends an add-conference response to the organizer client indicating that the conference is organized.

Abstract: A control server initiates a call to a first device. After creating a connection to the device, the control server reverses the direction of the message flow between the device and the control server such that the device becomes the initiator of the call (the caller) and the control server becomes the device that is called (the callee). A connection is also established between the first device, the control server and a second device that is an endpoint for the call. Early media and forking is available to the first device after reversing the direction of the message flow between the first device and the control server and the callee has been contacted. Additionally, information flows between the first device and the second device through the control server as if the first device and the second device were directly connected.

Abstract: Endpoint crashes in a real time communication system are detected by a home server providing presence and other services to the endpoint upon receipt of an error message from an access server between the endpoint and the home server. The home server uses a cookie inserted into a dialog between itself and the endpoint identifying the endpoint, a session state created by the access server identifying the endpoint, or a transaction state maintained by the home server to look up the endpoint associated with the error message. Race conditions occurring when an endpoint crashes and recovers rapidly can be avoided employing a timestamp or sequence number incremented for each new endpoint registration and comparing a current timestamp or sequence number to the stored one before updating records at the home server. By notifying other subscribers about crashed endpoints, routing fidelity is enhanced.

Abstract: Architecture that provides synchronization of delegation permissions between discrete delegation models. For example, the synchronization of the delegation permissions (of a delegator and delegatee) can be performed between a delegation component of a scheduling system and a delegation component of a conferencing system such that the delegatee not only accesses the scheduling system on behalf of the delegator but also the conferencing system on behalf of the delegator. A synchronization component synchronizes the delegation permissions between the server systems (delegation components). Once synchronized, the delegatee administers the communications session, based on on-behalf-of information is validated, the delegatee can then establish the communications session.

Abstract: Architecture that employs a cost-effective mechanism to only engage the services as needed, and then release these services in a managed way. This reduces the runtime cost so that users can have more conferences for the same amount of hardware purchased for such purposes at a minimum cost. The architecture provides the efficient and seamless integration of PSTN phone users and VoIP audio users in a cost effective and efficient way by the use of the same conferencing server and the same audio-video multi-point control unit that users currently employ with additional services that include a conferencing auto attendant service authenticates the phone user and transfers the phone user into the conference, a conference announcement server application is responsible for playing conference announcements, and a personal virtual assistant application which is responsible for translating user-initiated DTMF (dual-tone multi-frequency) tones into conference control commands.