Patent ID: 7996504

Claim:
A method of updating routing tables stored at a multiplicity of Signalling End Points of an SS7 over IP signalling network following the introduction of a new Signalling End Point into the network, the method comprising: sending a message from the new Signalling End Point to an existing Signalling End Point, the message identifying an IP address and SS7 address(es) of the new Signalling End Point; updating the routing table(s) stored at said existing Signalling End Point by adding the IP address and SS7 address(es) of the new Signalling End Point to the routing table(s) stored at the existing Signalling End Point; forwarding said message from said existing Signalling End Point to other Signalling End Points identified in the routing table(s) at said existing Signalling End Point; updating the routing tables at said other Signalling End Points upon receipt of said messages by adding the IP address and SS7 address(es) of the new Signalling End Point to the routing table(s) stored at each of the other Signalling End Points; sending from each Signalling End Point that receives the message, a response message to the new Signalling End Point containing the IP and SS7 addresses of the responding Signalling End Point; and the new Signalling End Point populating its routing table(s) using the contents of the response messages.