Abstract: A method for storing data in an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) is disclosed, the method comprising selecting a first user and a second user, which are not aliases; analysing first and second data sets associated with the first and second users respectively to identify common data elements in each of the first and second data sets, the first and second data sets being useable by a first application server within the IMS to satisfy service requests on behalf of the first and second users; creating a data structure containing a single instance of the identified common data elements; and storing the data structure in a home subscriber server (HSS) within the IMS.

Abstract: A method for storing data in an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) is disclosed. The method comprises: i) selecting a first user and a second user, which are not aliases; ii) analyzing first and second data sets associated with the first and second users respectively to identify common data elements in each of the first and second data sets, the first and second data sets being useable by a first application server within the IMS to satisfy service requests on behalf of the first and second users; iii) creating a data structure containing a single instance of the identified common data elements; and iv) storing the data structure in a home subscriber server (HSS) within the IMS.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing a resilient network database. The invention relates particularly, but not exclusively, to the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). The invention is directed to an interface for a database node comprising: a port for receiving a request for information from a network node; a processor for determining if the database node can respond to said request; and a transmitter for forwarding the request to another database node if the particular database node cannot respond. The invention is also directed to a distributed database comprising a number of database nodes, wherein a request received by one node is forwarded to other nodes in the distributed database if the particular node cannot handle the request.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing a resilient network database. The invention relates particularly, but not exclusively, to the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). The invention is directed to an interface for a database node comprising: a port for receiving a request for information from a network node; a processor for determining if the database node can respond to said request; and a transmitter for forwarding the request to another database node if the particular database node cannot respond. The invention is also directed to a distributed database comprising a number of database nodes, wherein a request received by one node is forwarded to other nodes in the distributed database if the particular node cannot handle the request.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing a resilient network database. The invention relates particularly, but not exclusively, to the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). The invention is directed to an interface for a database node comprising: a port for receiving a request for information from a network node; a processor for determining if the database node can respond to said request; and a transmitter for forwarding the request to another database node if the particular database node cannot respond. The invention is also directed to a distributed database comprising a number of database nodes, wherein a request received by one node is forwarded to other nodes in the distributed database if the particular node cannot handle the request.