Abstract: A signaling network routing node, such as a signaling system 7 (SS7)/Internet protocol (IP) gateway, is adapted to perform global title translation (GTT) or other processing on received signaling messages and route the signaling messages to a member of a load sharing group using a threshold-based weighted load sharing algorithm. In the event that one of the signaling destinations in the load sharing group becomes unavailable, signaling message traffic is redistributed evenly among the remaining available members of the load sharing group in a manner such that a maximum load sharing weight threshold value associated with each group member is not exceeded.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a communications system that increases successful call setups, improves resource utilization, and reduces overhead. The communications system of the present invention includes a calling endpoint coupled to a called endpoint through a packet switched network. A flag is encoded in a fast call setup message sent from the calling endpoint to the called endpoint. The flag allows the calling endpoint to present the called endpoint with a plurality of different codec options for the send and receive directions. The called endpoint can then choose which one of the codec options is best suited for the proposed call. If the calling endpoint does not support asymmetric channel capabilities, the flag indicates to the called endpoint that the calling endpoint wishes it choose the same or symmetric capability from the plurality of codec options presented for both the send and receive directions.