Patent ID: 7155505
Filing Date: 2006-12-26
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling call signaling message flow through a signaling node when a signaling link fails, the method comprising: within a signaling node: (a) receiving a first call signaling message at a first communication module associated with a first signaling link; (b) determining a second signaling link to which the first call signaling message should be routed for outbound transmission based on address information in the first call signaling message; (c) determining whether a linkset associated with the second signaling link is on-hold, and, in response to determining that the linkset is on-hold, storing the first call signaling message in a memory buffer associated with the first communication module; (d) determining when a linkset becomes off-hold, and, in response, transmitting a ticket voucher request message from the first communication module to a plurality of second communication modules; (e) issuing ticket voucher grants at a rate based on available outbound signaling link bandwidth in response to ticket voucher requests, wherein issuing ticket voucher grants at a rate based on available outbound signaling link bandwidth in response to the ticket voucher requests includes issuing the grants at a rate based on a number of messages that the outbound signaling link has capacity to send within a time period; (f) in response to transmitting the request message, receiving one of the ticket voucher grants indicating that one of the plurality of second communication modules is capable of transmitting the first call signaling message over an outbound signaling link; and (g) in response to receiving the grant, routing the first call signaling message to one of the second communication modules based on address information in the call signaling message.