Patent ID: 7020087

Claim:
A method of path optimization for routing of a communication session in a network, the network including a plurality of core networks coupled to a plurality of access networks, the method comprising the steps of: (a) determining, by a core network of the plurality of core networks, a plurality of possible paths to a plurality of target access points to form a first target matrix for the core network; (b) determining, by an access network of the plurality of access networks, a plurality of possible paths to a plurality of target access points to form a second target matrix for the access network; (c) determining, by the core network, a corresponding route preference factor for each possible path of the first target matrix; (d) determining, by the access network, a corresponding route preference factor for each possible path of the second target matrix; (e) by the core network, selecting from the first target matrix a first possible path of the plurality of possible paths having an optimal route preference factor; (f) by the access network, selecting from the second target matrix a second possible path of the plurality of possible paths having an optimal route preference factor; and (g) by one of the core network and access network, determining a complete path, based on the first possible path and the second possible path, for routing of the communication session.