Patent ID: 7639601

Claim:
A gateway, comprising: an interface for allowing establishment of an end-to-end connection between a first remote entity and a second remote entity; a control entity operative to: monitor the end-to-end connection; detect the presence of in-band messages received from the first remote entity, the in-band messages being indicative of an attempt by the first remote entity to enter a tandem-free mode of operation; and in the absence of an in-band response message from the second remote entity that is responsive to one of the in-band messages from the first remote entity, generate an in-band response message that is responsive to said one of the in-band messages from the first remote entity, send the generated in-band response message to the first remote entity and negotiate therewith establishment of a second connection with the first remote entity, while maintaining the portion of the end-to-end connection between said gateway and the second remote entity.