Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for providing priority processing to critical data as the data is transmitted across a network. A plurality of Internet protocol (IP) packets, each of which contains data and priority information, are received at a first router. The data contained in the IP packets is then encapsulated into frame relay frames containing the priority information. The frame relay frames are transmitted from the first router to a frame relay network in a manner determined by the priority information included in the frame relay frames. The frame relay flames are then transmitted across a frame relay network to a second router in a manner determined by the priority information included in the frame relay frames.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for providing priority processing to critical data as the data is transmitted across a network. A plurality of Internet protocol (IP) packets, each of which contains data and priority information, are received at a first router. The data contained in the IP packets is then encapsulated into frame relay frames containing the priority information. The frame relay frames are transmitted from the first router to a frame relay network in a manner determined by the priority information included in the frame relay frames. The frame relay flames are then transmitted across a frame relay network to a second router in a manner determined by the priority information included in the frame relay frames.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for providing priority processing to critical data as the data is transmitted across a network. A plurality of Internet protocol (IP) packets, each of which contains data and priority information, are received at a first router. The data contained in the IP packets is then encapsulated into frame relay frames containing the priority information. The frame relay frames are transmitted from the first router to a frame relay network in a manner determined by the priority information included in the frame relay frames. The frame relay frames are then transmitted across a frame relay network to a second router in a manner determined by the priority information included in the frame relay frames.

Abstract: One communications device (called the "impersonating" device) can selectively impersonate another communications device (called the "impersonated" device) by arranging the impersonating device to take over and/or use the same network identification number (typically stored in an identification number memory and used to control selection of incoming calls to which the device responds) normally associated with the impersonated device. As a result of impersonation, there is a hand-off between the devices, with the impersonated device becoming dormant and the impersonating device becoming active, such that calls normally received by the impersonated device are received by the impersonating device, and such that calls originating in the impersonating device get the identical network treatment as would be accorded to calls originated by the impersonated device, all of this without any need to adjust or update profiles stored in a network database.