Patent ID: 7068594

Claim:
A method for fault tolerant permanent voice calls in a voice over packet-data-network system (VOPS), comprising the steps of: setting up at least one permanent voice call by coupling a plurality of nodes in series using a voice-over-packet protocol; detecting a failure of at least one of the plurality of nodes; automatically re-establishing the at least one permanent voice call connection using at least one alternate intermediate node and at least one alternate end-point node; defining at least one set of primary connection bindings for a permanent voice call between a first and a second port; defining at least one set of alternate connection bindings for the permanent voice call; generating at least one preference-based list comprising the at least one set of alternate connection bindings; determining at least one out-of-service state for at least one node, a determination made by the at least one node; establishing a reconnection relationship between at least one node on either side of at least one out-of-service node; and reconnecting the permanent voice call using one of the at least one set of alternate connection bindings.