A method for real time call tracing, the method comprising: (a) copying signaling messages from signaling links and storing the signaling messages in a real time database located on a computing platform in sequential memory locations (500, 502); (b) requesting real time call trace information by sending, from a network monitoring server to the computing platform, queries (ST2, ST7) including a filter condition for locating a message in a real time call trace, the filter condition including a signaling message parameter used to route the signaling message; (c) polling the database for messages based on the filter condition by searching (ST3, ST8), in the database, historical data copied from the signaling link for a message matching the filter condition; (d) in response to failing to locate the message in the historical data, searching signaling messages received in the database in real time for the message matching the filter condition; (e) in response to locating the message in steps (c) or (d), forwarding (ST4C, ST10) the message to the remote location; (f) repeating steps (b)-(e), wherein the step (b) comprises either sending a first query including a first filter condition to capture a first message in the real time call trace or, in response to capturing the first message, sending a further query including a filter condition being different from the first filter condition and including database location information dependent on database location information of the first message, the database location information instructing the computing platform of a database location, where searching for the next message shall begin; and (h) repeating steps (b)-(e) until the last message associated with the real time call trace reaches the network monitoring server; wherein the first and further query are sent in real time as signaling messages are received at the computing platform; whereby said copying is performed at a signal transfer point; said computing platform is connected to the signal transfer point; the network monitoring server is remote from the signal transfer point; the signaling message parameter is used by the signal transfer point. (a) copying signaling messages from signaling links and storing the signaling messages in a real time database located on a computing platform in sequential memory locations (500, 502); (b) requesting real time call trace information by sending, from a network monitoring server to the computing platform, queries (ST2, ST7) including a filter condition for locating a message in a real time call trace, the filter condition including a signaling message parameter used to route the signaling message; (c) polling the database for messages based on the filter condition by searching (ST3, ST8), in the database, historical data copied from the signaling link for a message matching the filter condition; (d) in response to failing to locate the message in the historical data, searching signaling messages received in the database in real time for the message matching the filter condition; (e) in response to locating the message in steps (c) or (d), forwarding (ST4C, ST10) the message to the remote location; (f) repeating steps (b)-(e), wherein the step (b) comprises either sending a first query including a first filter condition to capture a first message in the real time call trace or, in response to capturing the first message, sending a further query including a filter condition being different from the first filter condition and including database location information dependent on database location information of the first message, the database location information instructing the computing platform of a database location, where searching for the next message shall begin; and (h) repeating steps (b)-(e) until the last message associated with the real time call trace reaches the network monitoring server; wherein the first and further query are sent in real time as signaling messages are received at the computing platform; whereby said copying is performed at a signal transfer point; said computing platform is connected to the signal transfer point; the network monitoring server is remote from the signal transfer point; the signaling message parameter is used by the signal transfer point.