Abstract: A method and system for wiretapping a packet-based communication, such as a voice communication for instance. When a node in the normal path of packet-transmission between a source and destination receives packets of the communication, the node can conventionally route the packets to the intended destination. At the same time, a session manager can notify a wiretap server that the session is being established or is underway, and the wiretap server can then direct the node to bi-cast the packets of the communication to the wiretap server node. At the wiretap server, the packetized communication can be depacketized, and a TDM signal representing the communication can be sent via a conventional circuit-switch to a law enforcement agency or other authorized entity.

Abstract: A communication device automatically transfers a software application to a bridge agent in response to an operational control channel between the communication device and the bridge agent. The bridge agent executes the software application to translate a bridge request into a bridge command. The bridge agent transfers the bridge command to the communication device. The communication device receives the bridge command through a physical port dedicated to bridge control. The communication device processes the bridge command to implement a bridge.