Abstract: Systems for monitoring, storage, and analysis of information in signaling messages, communicated from originating networks to a destination network through one or more intermediate networks are described. Correlation and comparison between signaling messages of interest sent from an origination network to signaling messages received by the destination network allows for the detection of inconsistent information, e.g., information fields in a communicated message that have been altered, either intentionally or unintentionally, by an intermediate carrier. The introduction of an additional communications path over which notification messages are forwarded from signaling monitoring equipment in the origination network to signaling monitoring equipment in the destination network allows for a significant reduction in the memory storage requirements at the destination network and in the amount of processing required to match, compare, and evaluate signaling messages.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring, storage, and analysis of information in signaling messages, communicated from originating networks to a destination network through one or more intermediate networks are described. Correlation and comparison between signaling messages of interest sent from an origination network to signaling messages received by the destination network allows for the detection of inconsistent information, e.g., information fields in a communicated message that have been altered, either intentionally or unintentionally, by an intermediate carrier. The introduction of an additional communications path over which notification messages are forwarded from signaling monitoring equipment in the origination network to signaling monitoring equipment in the destination network allows for a significant reduction in the memory storage requirements at the destination network and in the amount of processing required to match, compare, and evaluate signaling messages.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring, storage, and analysis of information in signaling messages, communicated from originating networks to a destination network through one or more intermediate networks are described. Correlation and comparison between signaling messages of interest sent from an origination network to signaling messages received by the destination network allows for the detection of inconsistent information, e.g., information fields in a communicated message that have been altered, either intentionally or unintentionally, by an intermediate carrier. The introduction of an additional communications path over which notification messages are forwarded from signaling monitoring equipment in the origination network to signaling monitoring equipment in the destination network allows for a significant reduction in the memory storage requirements at the destination network and in the amount of processing required to match, compare, and evaluate signaling messages.

Abstract: A communication network includes an SS7 Security Gatekeeper that authenticates and validates network control messages within, transiting, entering and leaving an overlying control fabric such as an SS7 network. The SS7 Security Gatekeeper incorporates several levels of checks to ensure that messages are properly authenticated, valid, and consistent with call progress and system status. In addition to message format, message content is checked to ensure that the originating node has the proper authority to send the message and to invoke the related functions. Predefined sets of templates may be used to check the messages, each set of templates being associated with respective originating point codes and/or calling party addresses. The templates may also be associated with various system states such that messages corresponding to a particular template cause a state transition along a particular edge to a next state node at which another set of templates are defined. Thus, system and call state is maintained.

Abstract: An (e.g., primary rate interface) offload device used relieve switches designed and engineered to carry short duration voice telephone calls, from servicing other types of calls (such as modem-based Internet calls), such as calls to a remote access server. Security is enhanced by isolating signaling and data communications. Such isolation may be provided by the use of separate networks, or a network with appropriate firewalls.

Abstract: A communication network includes an SS7 Security Gatekeeper that authenticates and validates network control messages within, transiting, entering and leaving an overlying control fabric such as an SS7 network. The SS7 Security Gatekeeper incorporates several levels of checks to ensure that messages are properly authenticated, valid, and consistent with call progress and system status. In addition to message format, message content is checked to ensure that the originating node has the proper authority to send the message and to invoke the related functions. Predefined sets of templates may be used to check the messages, each set of templates being associated with respective originating point codes and/or calling party addresses. The templates may also be associated with various system states such that messages corresponding to a particular template cause a state transition along a particular edge to a next state node at which another set of templates are defined. Thus, system and call state is maintained.

Abstract: A communication network includes a SS7 Security Gatekeeper that authenticates and validates network control messages within, transiting, entering and leaving an overlying control fabric such as an SS7 network. The SS7 Security Gatekeeper incorporates several levels of checks to ensure that messages are properly authenticated, valid, and consistent with call progress and system status. In addition to message format, message content is checked to ensure that the originating node has the proper authority to send the message and to invoke the related functions. predefined sets of templates may be used to check the messages, each set of templates being associated with respective originating point codes and/or calling party addresses. The templates may also be associated with various system states such that messages corresponding to a particular template cause a state transition along a particular edge to a next state node at which another set of templates are defined. Thus, system and call state is maintained.

Abstract: A communication network includes a Security Gatekeeper that authenticates and validates network control messages within, transiting, entering and leaving an overlying control fabric such as an SS7 network. The Security Gatekeeper incorporates several levels of checks to ensure that messages are properly authenticated, valid, and consistent with call progress and system status. In addition to message format, message content is checked to ensure that the originating node has the proper authority to send the message and to invoke the related functions and that the message, itself, is appropriately coded. Predefined sets of templates may be used to check the messages, each set of templates being associated with respective originating point codes and/or calling party addresses. The templates may also be associated with various system states such that messages corresponding to a particular template cause a state transition along a particular edge to a next state node for which another set of templates is defined.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring, storage, and analysis of information in signaling messages, communicated from originating networks to a destination network through one or more intermediate networks are described. Correlation and comparison between signaling messages of interest sent from an origination network to signaling messages received by the destination network allows for the detection of inconsistent information, e.g., information fields in a communicated message that have been altered, either intentionally or unintentionally, by an intermediate carrier. The introduction of an additional communications path over which notification messages are forwarded from signaling monitoring equipment in the origination network to signaling monitoring equipment in the destination network allows for a significant reduction in the memory storage requirements at the destination network and in the amount of processing required to match, compare, and evaluate signaling messages.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring, storage, and analysis of information in signaling messages, communicated from originating networks to a destination network through one or more intermediate networks are described. Correlation and comparison between signaling messages of interest sent from an origination network to signaling messages received by the destination network allows for the detection of inconsistent information, e.g., information fields in a communicated message that have been altered, either intentionally or unintentionally, by an intermediate carrier. The introduction of an additional communications path over which notification messages are forwarded from signaling monitoring equipment in the origination network to signaling monitoring equipment in the destination network allows for a significant reduction in the memory storage requirements at the destination network and in the amount of processing required to match, compare, and evaluate signaling messages.

Abstract: In an Advanced Intelligent Network, a central mediation point stores call processing records for controlling call routing and other call processing functions. To provide short code access to information service providers, each information service provider will operate an independent database which stores additional call processing records. When an established subscriber dials the short code, e.g. an N11 code, the mediation point identifies the information provider that the subscriber has previously selected from the subscriber's call processing record stored in the mediation point. The mediation point communicates with that service provider's database to obtain call processing information. The mediation point validates the call processing information for compatibility with network operations. The mediation point forwards validated call processing information to a node of the network to process the call in accord with the information from the provider's database.

Abstract: In an Advanced Intelligent Network, a central mediation point stores call processing records for controlling call routing and other call processing functions. To provide short code access to information service providers, each information service provider will operate an independent database which stores additional call processing records. When an established subscriber dials the short code, e.g. an N11 code, the mediation point identifies the information provider that the subscriber has previously selected from the subscriber's call processing record stored in the mediation point. The mediation point communicates with that service provider's database to obtain call processing information. The mediation point validates the call processing information for compatibility with network operations. The mediation point forwards validated call processing information to a node of the network to process the call in accord with the information from the provider's database.

Abstract: Equal access to the trigger functionality of the Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) is accessible to a plurality of service providers offering independent communication services. In response to a trigger event during processing of a call, a switching office sends a query to a mediation point. In the preferred embodiment, the switching office is a telephone office, and the mediation point is an Integrated Service Control Point (ISCP) of a local exchange carrier AIN telephone network. The ISCP may access its own internal data to determine how to process the call, if the call meets certain criteria. Under other criteria, the ISCP acting as a mediator communicates with an alternate carrier's remote database via the common channel interoffice signaling (CCIS) network to obtain one or more instructions as to how to process the particular call. The ISCP validates the instructions from the remote database to insure compatibility with the switches or other equipment of the local network.