Abstract: The combination of narrowband applications with broadband transport may be enabled with a tri-level nodal communications architecture including a call control node having both switching intelligence and narrowband switching fabric, a plurality of connection control nodes having broadband switching fabric and an intermediate node for interworking between the call control node and the plurality of connection control nodes. The intermediate node includes a database providing an indication of which format(s) of multiple formats a given connection control node uses. When an incoming communication arrives to/from a specific connection control node, the database is consulted to ascertain the corresponding particular format(s) used by that specific connection control node. Accordingly, the incoming communication may be translated responsive to the ascertained particular format(s).

Abstract: The combination of narrowband applications with broadband transport may be enabled with an intermediate signaling protocol that supports narrowband inter-domain bearer independent call control (BICC) signaling over a broadband network. For each setup request carried by the BICC signaling protocol, a seize device message is forwarded from a narrowband call control node to an intermediate entity responsible for converting the seize device message into a broadband endpoint request message. The interworking entity obtains broadband endpoint information from a selected broadband endpoint and creates a dynamic device representing the selected broadband endpoint. The dynamic device is used in the establishment of inter-domain switch connections.

Abstract: The combination of narrowband applications with broadband transport may be enabled with a tri-level nodal architecture including a call control node having switching intelligence and narrowband switching fabric, at least one connection control node having broadband switching fabric and an intermediate node for interworking between the call control node and the connection control node. The call control node further includes a load distribution function for distributing the load amongst a plurality of call processors within the intermediate node. In certain embodiments, the load distribution function assigns the call processors on a per call basis. The assigned call processor is used for encoding all messages transmitted from the call control node to a selected connection control node for the call.

Abstract: The combination of narrowband applications with broadband transport may be enabled with a tri-level nodal system in which a narrowband node (e.g., a telecommunications node) may provide switching intelligence to the switching fabric of multiple broadband nodes (e.g., media gateways). The switching intelligence is provided via an intermediate node (e.g., mediation logic) that emulates a switch interface for the narrowband node and translates circuit-based addresses/routing instructions to packet-based addresses/routing instructions. This translation equates to a mapping of address(es) in a first address space to address(es) in a second address space in order to utilize the address(es) of the second address space for propagating communications on a broadband transport mechanism.

Abstract: The combination of narrowband applications with broadband transport may be enabled with an intermediate signaling protocol that supports narrowband inter-domain bearer independent call control (BICC) signaling over a broadband network. For each setup request carried by the BICC signaling protocol, a seize device message is forwarded from a narrowband call control node to an intermediate entity responsible for converting the seize device message into a broadband endpoint request message. The interworking entity obtains broadband endpoint information from a selected broadband endpoint and creates a dynamic device representing the selected broadband endpoint. The dynamic device is used in the establishment of inter-domain switch connections.

Abstract: The combination of narrowband applications with broadband transport may be enabled with a tri-level nodal architecture including a call control node having switching intelligence and narrowband switching fabric, at least one connection control node having broadband switching fabric and an intermediate node for interworking between the call control node and the connection control node. The call control node further includes a load distribution function for distributing the load amongst a plurality of call processors within the intermediate node. In certain embodiments, the load distribution function assigns the call processors on a per call basis. The assigned call processor is used for encoding all messages transmitted from the call control node to a selected connection control node for the call.

Abstract: The combination of narrowband applications with broadband transport may be enabled with a tri-level nodal communications architecture including a call control node having both switching intelligence and narrowband switching fabric, a plurality of connection control nodes having broadband switching fabric and an intermediate node for interworking between the call control node and the plurality of connection control nodes. The intermediate node includes a database providing an indication of which format(s) of multiple formats a given connection control node uses. When an incoming communication arrives to/from a specific connection control node, the database is consulted to ascertain the corresponding particular format(s) used by that specific connection control node. Accordingly, the incoming communication may be translated responsive to the ascertained particular format(s).

Abstract: The combination of narrowband applications with broadband transport may be enabled with a tri-level nodal system in which a narrowband node (e.g., a telecommunications node) may provide switching intelligence to the switching fabric of multiple broadband nodes (e.g., media gateways). The switching intelligence is provided via an intermediate node (e.g., media logic) that emulates a switch interface for the narrowband node and translates circuit-based addresses/routing instructions to packet-based addresses/routing instructions. This translation equates to a mapping of address(es) in a first address space to address(es) in a second address space in order to utilize the address(es) of the second address space for propagating communications on a broadband transport mechanism.

Abstract: A test message is constructed using a set of predefined natural language message types and keywords. The constructed test message is then interpreted during run-time and converted to a properly formatted Transaction Capable Application Part (TCAP) message. The converted TCAP message is transmitted to a telecommunications software module being tested. When a response to the transmitted TCAP message from the software module is received by the interpreter, it is compared against yet another test message constructed using a set of predefined natural language message types and keywords to verify the proper execution of the software module. If a difference exists, an error message is generated by the interpreter and recorded in a log file.

Abstract: Service Control Point (SCP) and Service Data Point (SDP) software modules within an Intelligent Network telecommunications system are function tested using a UNIX environment. Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) messages are generated using a simulator and transported over a Local Area Network (LAN) such as Ethernet. TCAP messages are encapsulated using Transmission Control Point/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) packets and transported over the Ethernet. A LAN card is installed on the SCP or SDP to interface with the Ethernet in order to receive the transmitted encapsulated TCAP messages. Alternatively, UNIX based SCP or SDP software modules are loaded onto a UNIX based work-station and receive the transmitted encapsulated TCAP messages over the Ethernet. Resulting TCAP messages generated by the software modules are compared against the expected data and the functionality of the software modules is accordingly function tested.