Abstract: A method of operating a mobile phone telecommunications network is provided, comprising using at least one mobile switching center (MSC) of the network to receive at least one message, and as a result to generate a mobile application part (MAP) message, transmitting the MAP message from the MSC to at least one service control point (SCP) of the network, and operating the SCP to process the MAP message. Processing of the MAP message by the SCP may comprise, for example, determining the subsequent handling of the MAP message, and charging a sender of the message received by the MSC. The message received by the MSC may comprise a text message, for example, a text message generated using the short message service (SMS).

Abstract: A client node in a network communicates with a server system having a plurality of servers. The client has a distributor which periodically measures server activity, assesses relative loading of the servers, and adjusts the request distribution as well as the server loadings in accordance with the loading assessment.

Abstract: A real-time transaction processing system includes a leaky bucket and a flow controller for monitoring the response time of each real-time transaction, for comparing the response time with a predetermined response time, and for incrementing the contents of the leaky bucket when the response time exceeds the predetermined response time. The real-time transaction processing system may reject transactions in proportion to the contents of the leaky bucket. Further, there is a method of operating the real-time transaction processing system by monitoring the response time of each real-time transaction; comparing the response time with a predetermined response time; and incrementing the contents of the leaky bucket when the response time exceeds the predetermined response time.