Abstract: In multilink capable transport protocols, e.g. Stream Control Transmission Protocol SCTP, several paths or links exist between two endpoints (110, 120). Whilst a communication system (100) is operating with this type of transport protocol, situations arise wherein a path (140,142) must be selected for the transmission of messages, such as if for reasons of redundancy a message should be transmitted on different paths (140,142), or when a path (140) is disturbed and the object is to select a path (142) suitable for the message repetition.

Abstract: A method is provided in which at least one of the following parameters is first determined for a transmitter: parameter representative of the presence of the message oriented memory management feature in the receiver; number of message storage locations provided in the receiver; size of the message storage locations provided in the receiver. A receiver transmits to the transmitter the number of information units still permitted under time control or under event control, the receiver ascertaining this number from the number of messages received or from the number of message storage locations which are still free. The transmitter ascertains the number of messages that can still be transmitted to the receiver from the transmitted number of information units which are still permitted.

Abstract: A service indicator SI field is used for load sharing in SS7 networks, in addition to the service link selection SLS field. If there are only two links or connections between two points of the SS7 network, load sharing can also be performed on the basis of the SI field only.

Abstract: In multilink capable transport protocols, e.g. Stream Control Transmission Protocol SCTP, several paths or links exist between two endpoints (110, 120). Whilst a communication system (100) is operating with this type of transport protocol, situations arise wherein a path (140,142) must be selected for the transmission of messages, such as if for reasons of redundancy a message should be transmitted on different paths (140,142), or when a path (140) is disturbed and the object is to select a path (142) suitable for the message repetition.

Abstract: Secured transport protocols normally measure the round-trip delay in order to derive therefrom when messages should be repeated. Typical examples of such secured transport protocols are Transmission Control Protocol, according to IETF RFC 793 and Stream Control Transmission Protocol, according to IETF RFC 2960. An inference about the one-way delay from the determined round-trip delay is generally not possible. If multiple message paths exist for a transmitter to transmit the messages to the receiver, then it can be advantageous to send the messages via that message path which transmits the message to the receiver the quickest. Thus the transmitter must have available information on which message path is the quickest. According to the invention, a clock synchronisation of the transmitter and the receiver is not necessary for the above.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transmitting information between two entities via a network. Said method comprises a first protocol that uses network paths, which are identified by labels and whose target entity and source entity are un-equivocally defined, for transmitting information between the entities and comprises a second transport protocol, which is built on the first protocol. According to the invention, the transport protocol guarantees the receipt of information by means of a confirmation. The method also comprises a first initialising step, in which 1 to n labels of network paths, which permit an information exchange between the entities, are exchanged via a first network path and a second information exchange step, in which the information is exchanged via the 1 to n network paths. The first protocol is preferably MPLS, each FEC standing for a unique target and source entity. The second protocol is preferably SCTP, the IP addresses being replaced by the labels from the network paths.

Abstract: A service indicator SI field is used for load sharing in SS7 networks, in addition to the service link selection SLS field. If there are only two links or connections between two points of the SS7 network, load sharing can also be performed on the basis of the SI field only.

Abstract: A method is provided in which at least one of the following parameters is first determined for a transmitter: parameter representative of the presence of the message oriented memory management feature in the receiver; number of message storage locations provided in the receiver; size of the message storage locations provided in the receiver. A receiver transmits to the transmitter the number of information units still permitted under time control or under event control, the receiver ascertaining this number from the number of messages received or from the number of message storage locations which are still free. The transmitter ascertains the number of messages that can still be transmitted to the receiver from the transmitted number of information units which are still permitted.

Abstract: According to the invention, a connection is routed both via a slow, but broad-band path and via a high-speed, but narrow-band path. The slow path is used for the primary transport of the message. The second path is used for the retransmission requests and/or the retransmissions. There is thus little traffic on this path. The entire connection however has the delay characteristics of the slow path for a faultless transmission.

Abstract: Both user data and monitoring information are transmitted in communication protocols. While (message) packets with user data are successively numbered in many protocols, thus ensuring that the user data are transmitted completely and with a protected sequence to the receiver, messages which contain only monitoring information are not normally successively numbered. This situation can lead to monitoring messages being overtaken, and thus to the rejection of current monitoring information. The invention describes how the rejection of current monitoring information can be avoided.