Patent ID: 8228891

Claim:
A method, comprising: receiving a load balance stimulus to migrate call origination from a first switch/server to a second switch/server, wherein the first switch/server controls two or more subscriber communication devices including a first subscriber's first communication device, and wherein the second switch/server controls two or more subscriber communication devices; providing, at the second switch/server, a virtual communication device and a second electronic address, wherein calls directed to or coming from the first communication device are routed through the virtual communication device controlled by the second switch/server; the second switch/server receiving a registration message from the first communication device; thereafter creating, at the second switch/server, a visitor application record associated with the first subscriber's first communication device, wherein the visitor application record comprises at least the following information: a first subscriber's name, the second electronic address, a first subscriber's home security information, a first communication device type, call state information, a button record having a set of a plurality of buttons identical to a set of a plurality of buttons on the first communication device, and a first electronic address; in response to creating the visitor application record, associating the second electronic address of the virtual communication device with the visitor application record, the second electronic address being different from the first electronic address associated with the first communication device; and after and while the virtual communication device is associated with the visitor application record, receiving, from the first switch/server, an incoming call at the second electronic address associated with the second switch/server to set up the incoming call with the first subscriber's first communication device, wherein the incoming call is directed to the first communication device.