Patent ID: 9178742
Filing Date: 2015-11-03
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of providing gatekeepers to an endpoint in a packet switched communications network to maintain a provisioned configuration, the communications network utilizing a signaling protocol between the endpoint and the gatekeepers, the method comprising: sending, during gatekeeper discovery, a gatekeeper request to a first gatekeeper from the endpoint within the signaling protocol; receiving, from the first gatekeeper, the identity of an assigned gatekeeper and the fact that the assigned gatekeeper is designated as the assigned gatekeeper to the endpoint via dedicated assigned gatekeeper field in a communication utilizing the signaling protocol, wherein the assigned gatekeeper is a second gatekeeper different from the first gatekeeper; receiving the addresses of the assigned gatekeeper and a plurality of alternate gatekeepers to the endpoint within the signaling protocol, the alternate gatekeepers being prioritized and being different from the first and second gatekeepers; setting the assigned gatekeeper as a default gatekeeper; in response to an assigned gatekeeper being unresponsive: selectively re-registering with the assigned gatekeeper in response to the assigned gatekeeper being once again responsive, wherein the assigned gatekeeper is a reconfigurable default gatekeeper for the endpoint.