Abstract: An originating node is configured for generating a route management signaling message having a signaling link selection (SLS) value that is selected by the originating node based on an affected destination value. The affected destination value, distinct from a destination point code (DPC) that specifies a destination node for the route management signaling message, identifies an affected signaling node that is affected by the route management signaling message. Hence, route management signaling messages related to the affected signaling node are routed along the same signaling path, ensuring that all the related route management signaling messages remain in sequence. Further, different signaling path can be established for respective affected signaling nodes, providing load sharing of route management signaling messages relative to the respective affected signaling nodes.

Abstract: A signaling network node is configured for generating a routing decision based on selectively masking a point code field from a received SS7 signaling message. The received SS7 signaling message includes a header that includes a point code field having a prescribed bit length. The signaling network node searches its routing table to determine the presence of a matching full-length point code of the prescribed bit length that specifies a prescribed route for the received signaling message. If there is no matching full-length point code, the signaling network node generates a reduced point code by applying a user-selectable mask to the point code. The signaling network node then searches its routing table, based on the reduced point code, for a matching reduced-length point code that specifies a corresponding summary route. If desired different masks may be used until a matching reduced-length point code is located.