Abstract: A system and method for providing call management services in a Virtual Private Network of the present invention uses the advantages of end-to-end Internet Protocol signaling. The system and method of the present invention includes a user profile which offers both a customer address and a user name as search keys. The method includes locating the called party who may be at a multiplicity of possible physical locations, evaluating the calling and called party privileges, routing preferences and busy/idle status for establishing permission to set up the call, determining an optimum route to establish the telephone call. Due to the system and method of the present invention, the telephone call takes the optimum route and preferably the most direct route to the destination with a high probability of completion.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a private telephone network using Voice over Internet Protocol includes an addressing scheme that supports two levels of numbers, an Internet name that identifies individual users and a Directory number, which allow the network supported by a plurality of switches to function as if the multiple customers are being served by a single switch. The system of the present invention includes a gateway in communication with both a Public Switch Telephone Network and users of the private network; a call agent in communication with the gateway for processing different requests received at the gateway; a server-based interface including a Directory Server for translating between the Internet name (Network Address) and a Customer address and a Domain Name Server for translating between the Internet name (Network Address) and an Internet Protocol Address.