Patent ID: 6714544
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for establishing a connection across a connection oriented network on behalf of an originating network element to enable communications between the originating network element and a destination network node, the destination network node being addressable in the connection oriented network, the originating network element being connected to a source network node in the connection oriented network by a source communications channel addressable in the connection oriented network, the connection oriented network having a signalling infrastructure employing a network signalling protocol for establishing connections within the connection oriented network, the method comprising the steps of:(a) generating a proxy connection establishment request message for requesting the establishment of the connection between the originating network element and the destination network node, the proxy connection establishment request message comprising information identifying the source communications channel; (b) sending the generated proxy connection establishment request message from a network controlling element to the connection oriented network over a proxy signalling link provided between the network controlling element and the signalling infrastructure of the connection oriented network; (c) receiving the proxy connection establishment request message at the connection oriented network over the signalling link; (d) extracting the information identifying the source communications channel from the proxy connection establishment request message so received and establishing a cross-connect at the source network node to the source communications channel identified in the proxy connection establishment request message; (e) generating a network connection establishment request message based on information contained in said proxy connection establishment message according to the network signalling protocol; (f) sending the generated network connection establishment message over the signalling infrastructure to establish a path between the source network node and the destination network node using automated signalling procedures according to the network signalling protocol; (g) sending a network acknowledgement message which confirms establishment of said path, said network acknowledgement message being sent according to the network signalling protocol from the destination network node to the source network node over said signalling infrastructure; (h) after said path is established, sending a proxy acknowledgement message which confirms establishment of said connection between the originating network entity and the destination node, said proxy acknowledgement message being sent to the network controlling element from the source network node.