Abstract: A method for migrating from an old communication switch to a new communication switch is provided according to the invention. The old communication switch interfaces between a packet telephony network and a circuit switched telephony network. The method includes configuring the old communication switch to signal the new communication switch and swinging one or more logical links from the old communication switch to the new communication switch until all logical links between the circuit switched telephony network and the old communication switch have been swung.

Abstract: A method for testing a Local Number Portability (LNP) ported telephone number is provided according to the invention. The method includes in a first switch generating a LNP test telephone call to a second switch. The LNP test telephone call is targeted to the LNP-ported telephone number associated with the first switch. The method further includes indicating that the LNP-ported telephone number is being correctly routed in the second switch if the first switch receives the LNP test telephone call back from the second switch. The method further includes indicating that the LNP-ported telephone number is being incorrectly routed in the second switch if the first switch does not receive the LNP test telephone call back from the second switch.

Abstract: A tandem switch migration method is provided according to the invention. The tandem switch migration method migrates at least some end users from an old tandem switch of a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to a new tandem switch using a Local Number Portability (LNP) capability. The method includes configuring a Local Routing Number (LRN) information of the PSTN in order to direct inbound cells from the PSTN through the new tandem switch and to an old node. The method further includes programming routing information of the new tandem switch to direct inbound calls from the PSTN to a new node after at least a portion of end users of the old node have been physically moved from the old node to the new node.

Abstract: A method for testing an assigned Location Routing Number (LRN) that is assigned to a first switch is provided according to the invention. The method includes in the first switch generating a LRN test telephone call to a second switch. The LRN test telephone call is targeted to the LRN assigned to the first switch. The method further includes indicating that the LRN is being incorrectly routed in the second switch if the first switch does not receive the LRN test telephone call back from the second switch. The method further includes indicating that the LRN is being correctly routed in the second switch if the first switch receives the LRN test telephone call back from the second switch.

Abstract: A packet communication system is disclosed that includes an end communication device, a call processing system, and a packet network. To setup up a call from an end user, the end communication device transmits a call request message to the call processing system. The call request message has a header that includes priority information for the call. The call processing system processes the priority information in the header of the call request message to determine if the call request message is for a high priority call. If the call request message is not for a high priority call and the call processing system is in a state of congestion, then the call processing system transmits a response message indicating the state of congestion. Responsive to receiving the response message, the end communication device performs call blocking and provides call treatment to the end user.

Abstract: An InterWorking Unit (IWU) for interfacing a plurality of client devices to a MultiProtocol Label Switching (MPLS) network is provided. The IWU includes a plurality of IWU edge nodes and an IWU switch node communicating with the plurality of IWU edge nodes. The IWU switch node is configured to receive a MPLS frame from the MPLS network, with the MPLS frame including an inner label and an outer MPLS label, process the outer MPLS label in order to determine one designated IWU edge node of the plurality of IWU edge nodes, with the one designated IWU edge node being designated by the outer MPLS label, and transfer the MPLS frame to the one designated IWU edge node. The one designated IWU edge node is configured to transfer the data transported in the MPLS frame to a designated client device that is designated by the inner label of the MPLS frame.

Abstract: A method of allocating ATM connections is described. The first step of the method includes determining a first bandwidth for the ATM connection based on a number of calls for the ATM connection and an estimated bandwidth per call. The estimated bandwidth per call corresponds to a maximum bandwidth required for a call. Another step includes determining an overbooking factor for the link over which the ATM connection will be allocated. Another step includes adjusting the first bandwidth based on the overbooking factor to determine a second bandwidth. Another step includes determining if the link has at least the second bandwidth available. Another step includes allocating the ATM connection for the second bandwidth if the link has at least the second bandwidth available. Another step includes denying the ATM connection if the link does not have at least the second bandwidth available.

Abstract: A call is set up between a first communication device (101) and a second communication device (115) on a first communication path (117), via an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network (105). A second communication path (203) is established from the ATM network (105) to a law enforcement agency (201), which second communication path comprises audio sourced by the first communication device (101) on the first communication path (117). A third communication path (205) is established from the ATM network (105) to the law enforcement agency (201), which third communication path (205) comprises audio sourced by the second communication device (115) on the first communication path (117). The audio sourced by the first communication device (101) and the audio sourced by the second communication device (115) are replicated by an ATM switch (107) in the ATM network (105).

Abstract: A call is set up between a first communication device (101) and a second communication device (115) on a first communication path (117), via an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network (105). A second communication path (203) is established from the ATM network (105) to a law enforcement agency (201), which second communication path comprises audio sourced by the first communication device (101) on the first communication path (117). A third communication path (205) is established from the ATM network (105) to the law enforcement agency (201), which third communication path (205) comprises audio sourced by the second communication device (115) on the first communication path (117). The audio sourced by the first communication device (101) and the audio sourced by the second communication device (115) are replicated by an ATM switch (107) in the ATM network (105).

Abstract: An arrangement for generating and receiving standard telecommunications network signals on behalf of a terminal not equipped to generate or receive such signals. A controller shared by a plurality of such terminals receives signals from these terminals over a permanent virtual circuit (PVC) and uses the information received over the PVC to perform signaling. In a specific embodiment, the terminals are set top boxes, connected to a video cable, for controlling television sets. The controller controls signaling for establishing connections between the set top box and a video vendor system, and tunes the set top box to receive signals on the proper channel. Advantageously, such an arrangement significantly reduces the cost of the set top box while still allowing for a highly flexible signaling arrangement to the video vendor system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling overload in a data network. The exemplary embodiment is a Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network (B-ISDN) in which data is transmitted within data cells included in a larger data frame using the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) protocol. In response to the network detecting overload, the network sends slow down messages to selected virtual channels to decrease their data rates. The network also acts to block or decrease resource allocations to transmission requests that are likely to overload the network.

Abstract: An initialization arrangement is disclosed that allows call services defined in service profiles stored in a switching system to be enabled for individual terminals in a multipoint configuration without requiring assignment of terminal endpoint identifiers or virtual channel identifiers at subscription time. The call services are enabled for a terminal when the terminal transmits two identifiers to the switching system, one identifier defining the terminal and the other identifier defining a service profile. The switching system includes the identifier of the service profile in broadcast messages to address terminals with features defined by that service profile. Two embodiments of the invention are disclosed, one applicable in a narrowband integrated service digital network (ISDN) and the other applicable in a broadband ISDN (BISDN).

Abstract: A call processing method and apparatus for maximizing the number of calls that are offered to terminals sharing a digital subscriber line while insuring that for every call offered, a channel of the digital subscriber line remains allocatable to at least one terminal addressed by the call for use in answering the call. The switching system reserves a channel of the digital subscriber line in response to an incoming call. This channel is reserved for a set of terminals that share the digital subscriber line and that are addressed by the incoming call. This reservation entitles one of the terminals to be allocated a channel to originate or answer calls.