Abstract: A data layered architecture (DLA) system includes a front end (FE) server and a common directory (CD). The FE server includes a processing unit which defines an FE time zone (FETZ) based on the FE server's geographical location and that defines a current date and time of the FETZ. The FE server includes a network interfacing unit which obtains from the CD through the network a subscriber default time zone (SDTZ), a subscriber service time zone (SSTZ), a service activation date (SAD) and a service activation time (SAT). The processing unit selects as service time zone (STZ) for executing the service the SSTZ, if a valid SSTZ exists, or the SDTZ, if a valid SSTZ does not exist, or the FETZ, if a valid SDTZ does not exist. Furthermore, the processing unit only executes the service after checking that the SAD and SAT of the STZ correspond to the current date and time of the FETZ.

Abstract: In the method of the invention, messages received by a message distributor are distributed to destination nodes. The method includes an optional procedure for obtaining a congestion metric of each of the at least two destination nodes, and a procedure for obtaining a latency metric of each of at least two destination nodes. The latency metric of a destination node includes a measure of a transmission time between the message distributor and the destination node. The method further includes a procedure for computing destination weights of each of the at least two destination nodes by taking into account the congestion metric, if obtained, and the latency metric of each of the at least two destination nodes; and a procedure for selecting as a destination for a received message one of the at least two destination nodes, depending at least on the destination weights.

Abstract: There are services that can be invoked by the subscribers, or triggered by a network entity, and wherein this invocation or trigger may depend on date or time of the day, namely, time-dependent services. Regarding the execution of these time-dependent services, there might be two problems with the determination of the execution time. The first problem is caused by the nature of so called “Data Layered Architectures” where the service execution servers, referred to as “Front-Ends” and the database servers storing the subscriber data, referred to as “Common Directory” are geographically spread over different time zones. As a consequence, the “Front-End” executes the service according to its own time zone rather than at the time zone where the subscriber is currently located or at home. The second problem is cause by the subscriber when he is roaming in an area located in a different time zone than his home time zone.

Abstract: In the method of the invention, messages received by a message distributor are distributed to destination nodes. The method includes an optional procedure for obtaining a congestion metric of each of the at least two destination nodes, and a procedure for obtaining a latency metric of each of at least two destination nodes. The latency metric of a destination node includes a measure of a transmission time between the message distributor and the destination node. The method further includes a procedure for computing destination weights of each of the at least two destination nodes by taking into account the congestion metric, if obtained, and the latency metric of each of the at least two destination nodes; and a procedure for selecting as a destination for a received message one of the at least two destination nodes, depending at least on the destination weights.