Abstract: A method has provides a router having an input, an output, and a shared memory. The router also has a forwarding path to forward a plurality of packets from the input to the output, and a service path to manage statistical data relating to packets forwarded through the forwarding path. The forwarding path has a counter to count aggregate packet information relating to the plurality of packets it forwards. Next, the method counts, using the counter(s), aggregate packet information relating to the packets forwarded through the forwarding path to produce count information. After producing the count information, the method uses the forwarding path to store the count information in the shared memory of the router, and then causes the service path to retrieve the count information from the shared memory. The service path ultimately produces statistical information using the count information retrieved from the shared memory.

Abstract: An intermediate node obtains a lead packet of a plurality of packets in a session having a unique session identifier, modifies the lead packet to identify at least the intermediate node, and then forwards the lead packet toward the destination node though an intermediate node electronic output interface to the IP network. The intermediate node also receives, through an intermediate node electronic input interface in communication with the IP network, a backward message from a next node having a next node identifier. The backward message includes the next node identifier and the session identifier. The intermediate node forms an association between the next node identifier and the session identifier, stores the association in memory to maintain state information for the session, and obtains (e.g., receives) additional packets of the session. Substantially all of the additional packets in the session are forwarded toward the next node using the stored association.

Abstract: An advanced routing system and protocol (referred to herein as “Route Exchange” or “REX”) hides familiar IPv4 and IPv6 addresses and replaces traditional routing logic with words and relationships between named elements. Among other things, this makes IP routing tables significantly easier to understand. In addition, a single routing scheme can be used for any combination of private networks, public networks, IPv4 addressing models, and IPv6 addressing models. Underneath the words lie real IP addresses that move the packets from place to place. These routing addresses abstract away the underlying network.

Abstract: An intermediate node obtains a lead packet of a plurality of packets in a session having a unique session identifier, modifies the lead packet to identify at least the intermediate node, and then forwards the lead packet toward the destination node though an intermediate node electronic output interface to the IP network. The intermediate node also receives, through an intermediate node electronic input interface in communication with the IP network, a backward message from a next node having a next node identifier. The backward message includes the next node identifier and the session identifier. The intermediate node forms an association between the next node identifier and the session identifier, stores the association in memory to maintain state information for the session, and obtains (e.g., receives) additional packets of the session. Substantially all of the additional packets in the session are forwarded toward the next node using the stored association.

Abstract: A method has provides a router having an input, an output, and a shared memory. The router also has a forwarding path to forward a plurality of packets from the input to the output, and a service path to manage statistical data relating to packets forwarded through the forwarding path. The forwarding path has a counter to count aggregate packet information relating to the plurality of packets it forwards. Next, the method counts, using the counter(s), aggregate packet information relating to the packets forwarded through the forwarding path to produce count information. After producing the count information, the method uses the forwarding path to store the count information in the shared memory of the router, and then causes the service path to retrieve the count information from the shared memory. The service path ultimately produces statistical information using the count information retrieved from the shared memory.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for monitoring communications in a packet-switched network. More specifically, the system initiates a communication between a network endpoint associated with a call mediator and at least a second network endpoint; records, at the call mediator, information associated with the communication; and upon termination of the communication, communicates, from the call mediator to an enterprise gatekeeper, the information associated with the communication.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for monitoring communications in a packet-switched network. More specifically, the system initiates a communication between a network endpoint associated with a call mediator and at least a second network endpoint; records, at the call mediator, information associated with the communication; and upon termination of the communication, communicates, from the call mediator to an enterprise gatekeeper, the information associated with the communication.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for monitoring communications in a packet-switched network. More specifically, the system initiates a communication between a network endpoint associated with a call mediator and at least a second network endpoint; records, at the call mediator, information associated with the communication; and upon termination of the communication, communicates, from the call mediator to an enterprise gatekeeper, the information associated with the communication.

Abstract: A packet routing method for directing packets of a session in an IP network causes an intermediate node to obtain a lead packet of a plurality of packets in a given session. The intermediate node has an electronic interface in communication with the IP network and obtains the lead packet through that same interface. The method maintains, in a routing database, state information relating to a plurality of sessions in the IP network. Each session includes a single stateful session path formed by an ordered plurality of nodes in the IP network, and the state information includes information about the ordered plurality of nodes in the sessions. The method further accesses the routing database to determine the state of a plurality of sessions, and forms a stateful given path for packets of the given session across the IP network as a function of the state information in the routing database.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for monitoring communications in a packet-switched network. More specifically, the system initiates a communication between a network endpoint associated with a call mediator and at least a second network endpoint; records, at the call mediator, information associated with the communication; and upon termination of the communication, communicates, from the call mediator to an enterprise gatekeeper, the information associated with the communication.

Abstract: An intermediate node obtains a lead packet of a plurality of packets in a session having a unique session identifier, modifies the lead packet to identify at least the intermediate node, and then forwards the lead packet toward the destination node though an intermediate node electronic output interface to the IP network. The intermediate node also receives, through an intermediate node electronic input interface in communication with the IP network, a backward message from a next node having a next node identifier. The backward message includes the next node identifier and the session identifier. The intermediate node forms an association between the next node identifier and the session identifier, stores the association in memory to maintain state information for the session, and obtains (e.g., receives) additional packets of the session. Substantially all of the additional packets in the session are forwarded toward the next node using the stored association.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for performing alternate routing of communications in a network. The system initiates a communication from an origination endpoint in a packet-switched network, such as a VOIP network, to a destination endpoint, and determining, according to selection criteria, whether to route the communication to the destination endpoint using at least a second circuit-switched network, such as the PSTN.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for monitoring communications in a packet-switched network. More specifically, the system initiates a communication between a network endpoint associated with a call mediator and at least a second network endpoint; records, at the call mediator, information associated with the communication; and upon termination of the communication, communicates, from the call mediator to an enterprise gatekeeper, the information associated with the communication.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for monitoring communications in a packet-switched network. More specifically, the system initiates a communication between a network endpoint associated with a call mediator and at least a second network endpoint; records, at the call mediator, information associated with the communication; and upon termination of the communication, communicates, from the call mediator to an enterprise gatekeeper, the information associated with the communication.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for monitoring communications in a packet-switched network. More specifically, the system initiates a communication between a network endpoint associated with a call mediator and at least a second network endpoint; records, at the call mediator, information associated with the communication; and upon termination of the communication, communicates, from the call mediator to an enterprise gatekeeper, the information associated with the communication.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for performing alternate routing of communications in a network. The system initiates a communication from an origination endpoint in a packet-switched network, such as a VOIP network, to a destination endpoint, and determining, according to selection criteria, whether to route the communication to the destination endpoint using at least a second circuit-switched network, such as the PSTN.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for performing alternate routing of communications in a network. The system initiates a communication from an origination endpoint in a packet-switched network, such as a VOIP network, to a destination endpoint, and determining, according to selection criteria, whether to route the communication to the destination endpoint using at least a second circuit-switched network, such as the PSTN.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for performing alternate routing of communications in a network. The system initiates a communication from an origination endpoint in a packet-switched network, such as a VOIP network, to a destination endpoint, and determining, according to selection criteria, whether to route the communication to the destination endpoint using at least a second circuit-switched network, such as the PSTN.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for performing alternate routing of communications in a network. The system initiates a communication from an origination endpoint in a packet-switched network, such as a VoIP network, to a destination endpoint, and determining, according to selection criteria, whether to route the communication to the destination endpoint using at least a second circuit-switched network, such as the PSTN.

Abstract: A system for testing a software client or hardware module in a voice-over-IP (VoIP) network path includes a VoIP client, a test tool, and an analyzer. The VoIP client, connected to the VoIP network, makes a series of calls to a destination. The calls activate the software client or hardware module under test. The test tool, which has access to the network, plays a series of audio files over the VoIP during the calls. The test tool also polls the software client or hardware module over the network for status information after the calls are completed. While the audio files are being played, the analyzer records the audio files at the destination for measurement the quality of the calls. Accordingly, the quality of voice connection on the VoIP network can be measured, and specific components on the network can be tested.