Abstract: A high availability network mechanism (100) is provided having a primary node (105) and at least one secondary node (120) utilizing Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (“VRRP”) compatible redundancy systems. The primary and secondary nodes (105 and 120) are associated with access routers (110 and 130, respectively) that are associated with edge routers (115 and 130, respectively). A virtual IP address is associated with the primary node (105) with a first cost assigned to the primary node (105). The same virtual IP address is associated with the secondary node (120) with a second cost assigned to the secondary node (120). A core IP network (135) utilizing an Open Shortest Path First (“OSPF”) compatible redundancy system is accessible through the edge routers (115 and 130) such that the primary and secondary nodes (105 and 120) advertise the virtual IP address with different costs on the IP network (135).

Abstract: A communication unit (CU) (109, 111) network controller (113) and corresponding methods (603-609) are described that facilitate selectively routing calls. The CU includes a transceiver (403) suitable to support an air interface with a local area network (LAN) (101) and with a wide area network (WAN) (105) and a controller (405) that is coupled to and controlling the transceiver. These are each and collectively configured to determine when a bearer leg within the WLAN will not support a call attempt over the bearer leg and responsive to so determining, initiate the call over another bearer leg, e.g. within the LAN or the WAN. The determining includes, for example, receiving a message (703, 707, 713) that indicates or implies that the call can not be supported.

Abstract: A method (800, 900) and apparatus (1001) for controlling a session between communication units (141-146) sharing a group Internet Protocol (IP) multicast address. The method includes determining communication units from which a response to a session initiation protocol (SIP) control message is not required and preparing the control message which is sent to the communication units using the group address with information used to control from which of the of communication units the response is required. The SIP control message is sent to a second communication unit using a unicast address indicating that the response is required.

Abstract: An access point (102) conveys (202) to communication units (104) of a plurality of multicast groups, a first indication that the access point supports a method for sending a multicast message. The access point receives (204) a multicast message directed to a receiving one of the plurality of multicast groups, and determines (206) that the communication units belonging to the receiving one of the plurality of multicast groups also support the method. The access point signals (208) a second indication to selectively awaken the communication units belonging to the receiving one of the plurality of multicast groups, and transmits (210) the multicast message to the receiving one of the plurality of multicast groups in a manner that allows (212) at least one communication unit not belonging to the receiving one of the plurality of multicast groups to remain asleep during the transmitting.

Abstract: When using a first wireless communication system to facilitate at least a first wireless communication and in response to detecting at least one handover condition, a mobile station can automatically use a second wireless communication system to establish a communication link to a private branch exchange that is associated with the first wireless communication system and automatically transmit a pre-established message to the private branch exchange to trigger a handover of the first wireless communication from the first wireless communication system to the second wireless communication system.

Abstract: A wireless mobile station experiencing quality-of-service events (including, in some embodiments, quality-of-experience events) automatically transmits corresponding information, along with information that identifies a corresponding access point, to a quality-of-service network element. The latter can use this information to rapidly detect a quality-of-service problem and to also respond, automatically, with a problem isolation strategy and, if desired, automated curative actions such as automated re-routing.

Abstract: A wireless communication unit (101, 200), network switch (112, 300) and corresponding methods facilitate routing and handover or handin of calls from a second network (105) to a first network (103) when the unit has been operating in second network and is being handed in to the first network. The communication unit comprises a transceiver (203) and a controller (209) arranged to operate with the transceiver to determine (503) that the wireless communication unit is within a coverage area of the first network; to exchange messages (505, 507) corresponding to call appearance information with the switch in the first network; to decide whether a call within the second network can be handed in to the first network based on the exchange of the messages (507); and to initiate (519, 619) a handin of the call to the first network only when the decision is affirmative.

Abstract: A wireless communication unit (200) and corresponding method (500) selectively routes calls originated in one wireless communication network (105) through another wireless communication network (104, 108, 110). The communication unit comprises a transceiver (203) suitable to support an air interface with a first wireless communication network and with a second wireless communication network; a user interface (211) operable to initiate a call to a number of a target unit; and a controller (209), coupled to the transceiver and the user interface, and operable, responsive to the call initiation and when the wireless communication unit is operating in the second wireless communication network, to selectively hairpin the call through the first communication network.

Abstract: A wireless communication unit (101, 200, 401), network switch (112, 300, 407) and corresponding methods facilitate retrieval, routing, and management of on-hold calls (FIG. 4-FIG. 7) within a first communication network (103) when the unit is operating in a second communication network (105) that is loosely coupled to the first. The communication unit comprises a transceiver (203) configured to support an air interface with the first and the second communication network; and a controller (209) arranged to cooperatively operate with the transceiver to retrieve an on-hold call from the first network via a call leg established to support a handout to and while the unit is operating in the second network. A user interface (211) and in band signaling over the call leg facilitates management, connecting, disconnecting, etc., of the on-hold calls by the communication unit.

Abstract: A wireless communication unit (101, 200), network switch (112, 300) and corresponding methods facilitate retrieval, routing, and management of on-hold calls (FIG. 5) within a first communication network (103) when the unit is operating in a second communication network (105) that is loosely coupled to the first. The communication unit comprises a transceiver (203) configured to support an air interface with the first and the second communication network; and a controller (209) arranged to cooperatively operate with the transceiver to retrieve an on-hold call from the first network via a call leg established to handout on-hold calls to and while the unit is operating in the second network. A user interface (211) facilitates management, connecting, disconnecting, etc., of the on-hold calls by the communication unit.

Abstract: A wireless communication unit (101) is operable to reformat dialed numbers according to dialing plans for a plurality of communication networks (103, 107, 109), where the unit comprises a transceiver (201) for communicating with any of the plurality of communication networks; a user interface (211) operable to provide a number corresponding to a target unit (102, 102?) to be called; and a controller (209) implementing a corresponding method to provide a reformatted number (FIG. 3) corresponding to the number and according to a preference that is specific to the wireless communication unit, where the reformatted number is compatible with a dialing plan for a communication network that will be used to place a call to the target unit.

Abstract: A dual-band wireless subscriber unit (SU) (112) having an enterprise address of E1 and a cellular address of C1, corresponding method (200), software program (310-320), and WLAN (104) determines (202) that the SU is about to leave a wireless local area network (WLAN) (104). In response, when the SU is involved in a call on E1, the SU sends (212, 208) to the WLAN a SIP message, for example a Refer message with a “Refer To” field of C1 if an ongoing call or a SIP Redirect message with a contact address of C1 if a new call is attempting to begin on E1. In response to receiving either message, the WLAN seamlessly transfers (210, 214) the call to C1.