Abstract: The invention concerns a method of management of interworking between at least one wireless local area network and one mobile network comprising the following steps: in the case of a first handover, from the wireless local area network to the mobile network, of a communication session involving a mobile station, the communication session using, before the first handover, on the one hand an end-to-end tunnel between the mobile station and a TTG gateway and on the other hand a GTP tunnel between the TTG gateway and a GGSN node: replacement of the GTP tunnel between the TTG gateway and the GGSN node by a GTP tunnel between an SGSN node and the GGSN node; clearing down of the end-to-end tunnel between the mobile station and the TTG gateway; in the case of a second handover, from the mobile network to the wireless local area network, of a communication session involving a mobile station, the communication session using, before the second handover, a GTP tunnel between an SGSN node and a GGSN node, the method compr

Abstract: A method for routing calls in a packet-based network includes receiving a call request at a first call manager from a device that is coupled to the packet-based network. The call request includes a telephone number associated with a plurality of telephony devices that are coupled to the packet-based network and that are controlled by a number of call managers. The method also includes determining a line control process associated with the telephone number that is included in the call request and communicating the call request to the line control process. The method further includes determining a device process controlling each telephony device that is associated with the telephone number included in the call request and communicating the call request from the line control process to the device processes.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a telephone exchange apparatus includes a first interface unit which houses a plurality of communication channels and at least one control channel and makes communication connections among a plurality of telephone terminals via the communication channels when incoming calls arrive via the control channel, and a second interface unit which is connected to the first interface and has the same function as that of the first interface, wherein the first interface includes a first controller which transfers the incoming calls to the second interface unit based on predetermined conditions when the incoming calls arrive, and the second interface includes a second controller which makes communication connections among the corresponding plurality of the telephone terminals by using free communication channels based on the incoming calls transferred from the first interface unit.

Abstract: A Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) based Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system, upon receipt of a first registration request message from an SIP terminal, transmits a user information request message to the SIP terminal to request a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the SIP terminal, and upon receipt of a second registration request message including the MAC address from the SIP terminal, registers the SIP terminal and stores the MAC address to be matched to the registered SIP terminal, and then transmits a response message to the SIP terminal. The SIP based VoIP system improves a registration authentication process for the SIP terminal in the VoIP system using standard SIP so that the SIP server can effectively manage SIP terminals which are gradually increasing in number.

Abstract: A system and method of telephony resource management and security for monitoring and/or controlling incoming and outgoing calls between an enterprise's end-user stations and a public circuit-switched network and/or a public packet-switched network. A security policy is made up of one or more rules designating at least one action to be performed based on at least one attribute of the incoming or outgoing call. Calls are detected and sensed on the line, trunk and/or cabling, and analyzed to determine attributes associated with each call. Actions are performed based upon the determined attributes, in accordance with the security policy rules.

Abstract: A system and method for providing packet-switched telephony service. The system provides call control, signaling, and/or delivery of voice, video, and other media in substantially real time. One embodiment of the system includes a call client application on a user device, and a call server located at a packet-switched telephony service provider. The call server is preferably operable to communicate with the call client in a non-native protocol and with the gateway in a native protocol.

Abstract: A method for switching Termination state in an MG includes: exchanging between an MGC and an MG a ServiceChange request for a Termination in the MG, with a parameter used for instructing the Termination to be in a Test state carried in the request; testing by the MG the Termination according to the parameter. A method for switching the state of a Termination in an MG includes: after a test to a Termination is finished, switching the service state of the Termination to an InService or OutOfService state through exchanging a ServiceChange request for the Termination between an MGC and an MG Systems for switching the state of a Termination in an MG are also disclosed. When an MG or MGC tests a Termination, they can notify each other of the service state of the Termination, thereby simplifying the operations of switching the service state of the Termination.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an Internet Protocol (IP)-based service in a communication system are provided. In an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) communication system, a menu server generates a service object based on service capability information of a subscriber received from a service provider, and a terminal activates the service object received from the menu server so that the subscriber can easily use services. The user can select one of services from a service menu displayed on the terminal and immediately implement the selected service.

Abstract: A mobility event for a VoIP user is detected, with an estimated confidence/certainty that the VoIP user in fact moved. In response, a user is prompted to cause an update to their registration and/or location information. Notification to the VoIP user of the likely need for a location update may be implemented in the communication protocol such that an icon on the VoIP phone displays the need to the VoIP user. The icon may include a measure of the confidence/certainty of the need for a location update, e.g., similar in visual image to the bars showing coverage on a wireless phone. Mobility of the VoIP user may be detected using, e.g., (1) The VoIP user's Internet protocol (IP) address; (2) a mapping of physical to logical location; and/or (3) mapping between physical location information and physical network resources such as switches, routers, ports, access points, etc.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a server apparatus includes an acquiring unit to acquire level information showing the security levels from a first and a second telephone terminals among the plurality of telephone terminals in communication-connecting between the first and the second telephone terminals, and a notifying unit to notify each security level to the first and the second telephone terminals based on the acquired level information.

Abstract: A system for providing lifeline telecommunication service includes a gateway, an analog signal service module, and an integrated access device. The gateway receives telecommunication information from a telecommunication switch and generates data packets for communicating the telecommunication information. The analog signal service module is remotely coupled to the gateway. The analog signal service module may receive the data packets from the gateway and generate a first analog telephone signal for communicating the telecommunication information over a local loop circuit. Coupled to the local loop circuit, the integrated access device may receive the first analog telephone signal from the analog signal service module and communicate the first analog telephone signal to a subscriber line in a first mode of operation.

Abstract: In a communication system that includes a communication terminal that originates and receives a call through a call control server, the call control server receives destination information from the communication terminal as a call request. The call control server checks an address of the communication terminal and determines based on the destination information whether transmission to a destination terminal is permitted for the communication terminal. Only when the transmission is permitted, the call control server originates a call to an address corresponding to the destination information to connect the communication terminal to the destination terminal.

Abstract: A communications apparatus includes a router 10, a network address translator 12 and a connection controller 11. The connection controller 11 governs the connection from LAN 1 to other networks such as the Internet. The LAN serves a number of terminals 2 to 7. In the event that the connection controller determines that the link to a particular LAN is not used it will enter a short term hold process. After a predetermined time has elapse the connection is broken. However, this short term hold process can be circumvented by the network translator maintaining a record of the terminal use (or more particularly a port serving an application on the terminal). In the event that all the terminals are determined as not in use then a message is sent to the connection controller 11 indicating such and the connection is released. This avoids unnecessary connection cost and also enhances security of the LAN 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining whether database located on a first router is synchronized with the database located on a second router by performing a hash function on the values contained in a link state database to derive a SHA-1 digest value. In an embodiment, the digest value is based on LSA type. The digest value is exchanged initially during a database description packet swap between the first router and second router. If the digest values are the same, the databases are already synchronized. The routers thus skip the database description packet exchange of LSAs in the database and go directly to FULL state, indicating full synchronization between databases on the first and second router and announcing adjacency to each other. If the digest differs, normal database description packet exchange is performed as specified in OSPF.

Abstract: A data communication method for transmitting a data packet from a transmitter to a receiver includes providing a key to the transmitter and the receiver where the key includes a K-bit data pattern sensitive to the location of each data bit in the data pattern; appending the key to the tail of the data packet; transmitting the data packet with the key; receiving data bits at the receiver to form a received data packet; retrieving K data bits from the tail of the received data packet; and determining if the K data bits match the key. If the K data bits match the key, a first output signal having a first state indicating that the data packet is acceptable is provided. If the K data bits do not match the key, the first output signal having a second state indicating that the data packet should be rejected is provided.

Abstract: A network apparatus for forwarding multicast packets to a plurality of multicast receivers includes a switch and a main module. The switch includes a plurality of ports for connecting the plurality of multicast receivers. The main module includes an Internet group management protocol (IGMP) snooping module and a forwarding module. The IGMP snooping module creates several virtual local area networks (VLANs) based on the possible combinations of the plurality of ports, snoops IGMP report messages, determines port identifiers (IDs) of source ports of the IGMP report messages, and establishes a forwarding table according to the VLANs, the IGMP report messages, and the port IDs. The forwarding module adds VLAN tags to multicast packets according to the forwarding table. The switch forwards the multicast packets with the added VLAN tags to corresponding ports according to the VLAN tags. A method for forwarding multicast packets is also disclosed.

Abstract: An embodiment of an open data network system facilitates communication between applications related to operation of a vehicle, such as an aircraft, and re-use of components in different systems and implementations. A switch/router communicates data between on-board systems. A server communicates with the switch/router and provides at least one of processing services and storage services to the on-board systems via the switch/router. A network manager communicates with the switch/router to direct the switch/router in selectively allowing access between the on-board systems. In other embodiments, an avionics interface unit communicates with the switch/router and enable communications between at least one avionics system and at least one of the on-board systems.

Abstract: When points are connected by a L2VPN, it is necessary to unify the address system (network). When the user sets the address manually, address duplication may occur or the network may not be unified due to a setting mistake. In addition, when points are connected by a L2VPN, the VPN internet connection is redundant, and therefore must be prevented. The delegate CE router from among the CE routers that make up the VPN determines the address that is distributed by the other CE routers on the LAN. The determined address is included in the control message for establishing the VPN and the address is then distributed to the other CE routers. Also, the control message for establishing the VPN includes the interface MAC address that is used by the CE routers on the LAN. Each CE router controls the channel according to the MAC address of the next-hop router.

Abstract: A method of operating a communication terminal managing a channel conversion error of a program with respect to a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) content and a communication terminal employing the method. More particularly, a method of operating a communication terminal managing a channel conversion error of a program with respect to a DMB content receiving a normal pilot table by determining an error of a pilot table received from a code-division multiplexing (CDM) chip through a predetermined process, and the communication terminal employing the method are provided. Accordingly, when a communication terminal receives a pilot table through a CDM chip, the communication terminal determines whether two pilot tables are identical by serially receiving the two pilot tables. When the pilot tables are identical, the communication terminal may prevent an error from occurring in the pilot table by recording in a predetermined pilot table storage unit.

Abstract: A conferencing Gatekeeper configured to be adjusted so as to forward a conferencing media stream to be recorded to an appropriate streaming/archiving server, or alternatively to have streaming and archiving modules incorporated. Further, a method and computer program product for archiving or streaming media data between a plurality of endpoints through said gatekeeper.

Abstract: A technique for managing control protocol information in a network node involves identifying messages as control protocol messages and checking the messages to see if the messages carry any updated control protocol information. If a control protocol message carries updated control protocol information, then the message is forwarded to a control protocol processor and if the message does not carry any updated control protocol information then the message is dropped before getting to the control protocol processor. The determination as to whether or not a control protocol message carries updated control protocol information can be made by generating a digest from a control protocol message and comparing the digest to a digest generated from a previously received control protocol message. A mismatch between the newly generated digest and the digest from the previously received control protocol message is an indication that the current message carries updated control protocol information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing services from a server to a terminal over a mobile/wireless communication network. According to the present invention, the method comprises the steps of: sending messages from said server to an access node of said mobile/wireless communication network; extracting at said access node the payload from said message and storing it in a cache memory, including in the message a label identifying the location of said payload in said cache memory, forwarding said modified message to the terminal, downloading from the terminal said payload from said cache memory upon detection of appropriate radio conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a packet in a voice and data integration system are provided. The voice and data integration apparatus includes: a digital signal processing (DSP) for decoding a packet into PCM (pulse code modulation) data; and a host driver for receiving one or more packets from an Internet protocol (IP) network for a predetermined time, storing the received packets in storage regions in the order of sequence numbers, and transmitting the packets to the DSP in the order of the sequence numbers when the predetermined time has lapsed,. Accordingly, a quality of voice in voice communication using the voice and data integration apparatus is guaranteed to a maximal extent.

Abstract: A method for eliminating useless waiting for lost data units in a segmentation and reassembly (SAR) receiver operation is disclosed. The SAR receiver checks for any missing data units upon receiving a transmission of a plurality of data units in a predetermined sequence, storing all received data units following a first missing data in the SAR receiver, starting an abort timer for every missing data unit and delivering the stored data units between a first missing data unit and a second missing data unit if the abort timer for the first missing data unit has expired and the abort timer for the second missing data unit has not expired.

Abstract: Provided is an IP data transmission apparatus using a legacy transmission system and a broadband downstream transmission system in a HFC network. The IP data transmission apparatus includes: an headend unit for receiving data from an application server system that is a service providing apparatus, splitting the received data into general user data and management message, determining whether the general user is transmitted using a broadband or an existing service band, and transmitting the general user data through the HFC network; and a user cable terminal unit for receiving the split data transmitted from the headend unit through the HFC network, transmitting the received data to an IP based user device, and transferring the management message to the IP based user device through the legacy transmission system.

Abstract: A cross-bar switch includes a set of input ports for receiving data packets and a set of sink ports for transmitting the received packets to identified targets. A set of data rings couples the input ports to the sink ports. Each sink port utilizes the set of data rings to simultaneously accept multiple data packets targeted to the same destination—creating a non-blocking cross-bar switch. Sink ports are also each capable of supporting multiple targets—providing the cross-bar switch with implicit multicast capability.

Abstract: An interface link layer device (1) of an interface which allows the interconnection of different networks to build a distributed network according to the present invention routes complete data packets directly to another interface link layer device (1) that serves the destination via uplink means (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17) to accept a data packet from a first data bus (2) that has a predetermined destination on a second data bus and to transmit it via said transmission path (3) to said other interface link layer device (1), and downlink means (20, 21) to output data packets received via said transmission path (3) from one other interface link layer device (1) to a predetermined destination on the first data bus (2).

Abstract: Method and system for multicast broadcasting towards a roaming terminal according to the location thereof in relation to its site and/or original organization. Upon connection of the roaming terminal and transmission towards the site of a signalling message, it is possible to discriminate at the site an item of locating information of the roaming terminal whereby the latter receives a signalling acknowledgement message containing the locating information. When a request is made by the roaming terminal for access to group multicast broadcasting, involving a request for an address, the request is substituted or not by an extended multicast broadcast request according to the location of the connection of the roaming terminal, whereby the new address makes it possible to receive all local broadcasting at the site and/or at the original.

Abstract: A broadcast data communication method is capable of reducing unnecessary power consumption accompanying the reception of broadcast data that is not desired by a user and it is possible to reduce annoyance accompanying the performing of broadcast notification by not carrying out broadcast notification for broadcast data the user does not desire. In this method, a broadcast notification information identifier is added to broadcast notification information at a broadcast data transmission server of a broadcast data communication system. The broadcast notification information is received at the broadcast data receiving terminal (S1). The broadcast notification information identifier is then saved as notification unnecessary information (S8), and reception of broadcast data corresponding to broadcast notification information containing a broadcast notification information identifier that is the same as the saved broadcast notification information identifier is stopped (S9).

Abstract: A system and method to facilitate Bi-Directional PIM communication between hosts in different multicast domains. In one embodiment of the method, a first rendezvous point (RP) router contained in a first multicast domain receives a first control packet. The first control packet includes a first multicast destination address G1. In response to receiving the first control packet, the first RP router generates a second control packet. This second control packet includes a second multicast destination address G2, wherein the second multicast destination address G2 is distinct from the first multicast IP address G1. After the second control packet is generated, the first RP router transmitting the second control packet toward a second RP router contained in a second multicast domain. In one embodiment, the second control packet initiates a distribution tree building process between the first and second RP routers.

Abstract: The present invention provides automatic classification of an IPv6 packet to a given topology. A topology identifier is carried as an embedded field in the interface ID portion of an IPv6 address. Automatic classification of an IPv6 packet for a given topology prevents manual configuration in intermediate nodes. Further, it remedies the value limit problem of differentiated services code points (DSCPs) and re-use of DSCP values within each topology.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for switching nodes from a current packet data connection point to a new packet data connection point are provided. According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one group of nodes that are in communication with a network infrastructure using a first packet data connection point are identified (304) based, at least in part, on at least one predefined criterion. This group of selected nodes is then reestablished (306) using a second packet data connection point.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes a server of a first broadcast/multicast system and an adaptation function. The adaptation function provides communication between the server of the first broadcast/multicast system and a server of a second broadcast/multicast system. The adaptation function is configured to envelop at least one content item of the second broadcast/multicast system within a program of the first broadcast/multicast system.

Abstract: A method for implementing multicast based on a Multi-Service Transport Platform (MSTP), by establishing a Label Switch Path (LSP) multicast tree branch from a source network node based on the MSTP to multiple destination network nodes. According to the LSP multicast tree branch, data packets can be transmitted in multicast manner from the source network node to multiple destination network nodes, so that the procedure of network node's transmitting the data packets to multiple parts is simplified. In the present invention embodiment, LSP is utilized and multiple protocols label switch is supported, so that service protection function, flow management and flow engineering can be implemented and good QoS guarantee can be provided, which is suitable for large-scale network construction; while the multicast method is simplified and effective, operational and controllable management upon communication networks can be implemented to provide reliable QoS guarantee for network terminals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and unique method and apparatus for communicating information between two nodes, points or terminals in a wireless local area network (WLAN), where a variable multicast and/or broadcast listening interval and associated signalling is allowed between the two nodes, points or terminals in the wireless LAN network. The two nodes, points or terminals include an access point (AP) or other suitable network node or terminal and a station (STA) or other suitable network node or terminal in the WLAN. The AP and the STA can indicate its capability to support a flexible multicast and broadcast listening interval by using new fields in Beacon and Probe Response frames and in (Re)Association Request Frames. The multicast and broadcast service is setup by using Multicast and Broadcast Service Setup signalling.

Abstract: The signaling for establishing a Pseudo Wire (PW) that crosses a Multiple Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network is augmented to permit decoupling the PW processing and encapsulation from a Provider Edge (PE) or Customer Edge (CE) router. Configuration of a PW triggers the augmented PW signaling that traverses from the destination PW processing function to the origin PW processing function. The signaling may use Traffic Engineering (TE) tunnels set up a priori and, in the upstream CEs (or PEs) uses the embedded PW origin IP address to make routing decisions for the signaling packet. The rest of the signaling processing is conventional PWE3 signaling on MPLS.

Abstract: A method for implementing packet en-queuing and de-queuing processes in a network switch is provided. The method comprises the following steps. First, an en-queuing process and a de-queuing process are divided into a plurality of en-queuing and de-queuing stages. The en-queuing process of a plurality of en-queued packets is then processed with each of the plurality of en-queued packets processed in one of the plurality of en-queuing stages simultaneously, and every one of the plurality of en-queued packets passes through all of the plurality of en-queuing stages sequentially to complete the en-queuing process. The de-queuing process of a plurality of de-queued packets is then processed with each of the plurality of de-queued packets processed in one of the plurality of de-queuing stages simultaneously, and every one of the plurality of de-queued packets passes through all of the plurality of de-queuing stages sequentially to complete the de-queuing process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a peer-to-peer (P2P) based streaming service are provided. The method provides a streaming service in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network comprising a plurality of peers. That is, a receiving peer requests a plurality of transmitting peers having contents for a streaming service among peers in the P2P network to transmit the contents. Then, the receiving peer receives identical portions of the same content from the plurality of transmitting peers at the same time. After receiving, the receiving peer provides a streaming service for the received content from a first transmitting peer among the plurality of transmitting peers to a user.

Abstract: A general purpose processor architecture (methods and apparatuses) that can discern all subsets of a serial data stream which fulfill an arbitrarily complex reference pattern. The invention comprises an ordered set of Detection Cells conditionally interconnected according to the reference pattern and operationally controlling one another's states through the network. The invention preferably includes a Host Interface to enable reporting of Results from a search session as well as the input and control of reference patterns and source data.

Abstract: A network node able to receive, process and forward data packets, has a first stage data plane packet classifier (111) supporting basic services initially deployed and a later insertable second stage data plane packet classifier (121) supporting more advanced services deployed afterwards.

Abstract: A method where a datastream is received via one bus, and then is temporarily stored in a buffer memory. The datastream includes overhead data and payload data. The payload data is transmitted via a second bus. The overhead information includes information about the amount of subsequent payload data and may additionally include other information. The method extracts the information about the amount of payload data and other optional information, if any, from the received data stream and according to a reception of a complete message or a certain type of overhead information, the controlling logic of the second bus transmits or raises a request to optimally transmit the received message or parts thereof via the second bus to reduce latency for the transaction.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for transmitting a packet on Internet Protocol (IP) offload. The apparatus includes: an IP header creating unit for creating an IP header; an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) request header creating unit for creating an ARP request header; an ARP response header creating unit for creating an ARP response header; a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) header and data creating unit for creating data and a TCP header; a Media Access Control (MAC) header creating unit for creating an MAC header; a main control unit (MCU) for controlling header creation to transmit a packet; and a cache memory.

Abstract: A packet detecting device used in a receiver employing PCI Express protocol is disclosed. The packet detecting device includes: a physical layer packet detecting unit for detecting a physical layer packet from a PCI express packet received and parallelized to 16 bit data through a physical deserializer; a descrambling unit for descrambling a physical layer packet from a PCI express packet received and parallelized to 16 bit data through a physical deserializer; a data link layer packet detecting unit for detecting a data link layer packet from a descrambled packet outputted from the descrambling unit; and a transaction layer packet detecting unit for detecting a transaction layer packet from a descrambled packet outputted from the descrambling unit.

Abstract: A method for managing a service bandwidth by a customer port and an EPON system using the same are provided. In order to manage the service bandwidth by a customer, ONU and ONT allocate a service class according to a combination of information about a customer that receives a service, and a service type and a service priority of a service provided to a customer, allocate a bandwidth according to each service class and control a uplink bandwidth or a downlink bandwidth according to a service class. Also, a system manger collects information about a service provider, a service provided from a service provider, a customer that receives a service, and information for classifying a service. After collecting, the system manager provides the collected information to the ONU and the OLT.

Abstract: JPEG-2000 data is formatted into RTP packets for transmission through the Internet. A priority field is provided in the format, and a value indicating the importance of a code stream included in a packet is stored therein. A type field indicates a payload type of a JPEG-2000 code stream. An mh_id field is provided as an identifier of a main header of the JPEG-2000 code stream and indicates a change in the main header. An mh_length field indicates the length of the main header and a fragment offset field stores the number of offset bytes from the start of an image of the packet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for optimizing the utilization and the delivery of multiple applications over a Digital Subscriber Loop (DSL). The apparatus detects the type of media being delivered in each Protocol Data Unit (PDU) over a Digital Subscriber Loop (DSL) and switches or otherwise directs the PDU to a Virtual Circuit (VC) on the DSL best suited for that type of media. The apparatus allows for the delivery of multiple applications to the Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) requiring VCs of differing profile or characteristic. Another aspect of the present invention includes an apparatus and method for dynamically re-partitioning the bandwidth allocated to each VC of differing profile on the DSL, for the purposes of optimizing and utilizing all available bandwidth on the DSL.

Abstract: This present invention concerns a method and a system for simulating and optimising the use of resources available in a zone of coverage of a mobile telephone network (RT), characterised, firstly, in that it is implemented by processing resources (10) of at least one resource optimisation system (1) and, secondly, in that it includes the following stages determination (50), by an event management module (EM) of the optimisation system (1), of a variation, called a disruption, of at least one packet (P) transmission (T) required within the network (RT), from at least one statistical distribution map (CR) held in storage resources (11) of the optimisation system (1), and that consists of data representing data packet (P) transmissions (T), selection (52) of a set of cells determining a simulated zone (ZS), by a resource operating-resources control module (CL), and then use of a routing algorithm in order to determine a routing path (CP) in the simulated zone (ZS) and to successively optimise the resources of th

Abstract: A network node comprises at least one data plane processor (101) for handling data packets of a first type (144) and for redirecting and rate-limiting data packets of a second type (142). A control plane processor (102) in the network node handles the data packets of a second type (142) redirected by the data plane processor (101). In order to protect the control plane processor (102) against overload, e.g. caused by Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, individual flows of data packets of the second type are identified for enhanced rate-limiting by the data plane processor (101).

Abstract: Systems and methods of storing DNS data associated with a telephone number are presented. These systems and methods can reduce storage space needs, increase access speed and/or result in other benefits, in comparison with the prior art. In some embodiments, DNS data is indexed using a numerical representation of a telephone number rather than an alphanumeric representation. In some embodiments, DNS data associated with several different telephone numbers are grouped together within a single DNS data record and indexed using a secondary key. In some embodiments, DNS data is compressed.

Abstract: A sending transmission control protocol (TCP) host is used in a first network node (106) to transmit TCP flows over a network segment to a receiving TCP host in a second network node (104). The sending TCP host comprises a TCP convergence module for aggregating all TCP flows through the network segment between the first network node (106) and the second network node (104) into an aggregate TCP flow (112). The receiving TCP host comprises a TCP convergence module for disaggregating the TCP flows from the aggregate TCP flow (112).