Method and apparatus for in context mediating common channel signaling messages between networks
First Claim
1. A communication network, comprising:
- (A) local communication links,(B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links,(C) a signaling communication system including at least one signaling network element, said signaling communication system configured to provide two-way communications of control data messages between and among said central office switching systems and said signaling network element, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems and said signaling network element;
(D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and(E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems, said signaling system security monitor configured to maintain records of contexts of existing calls and transactions, and evaluate whether control data messages are appropriate to those contexts.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A communication network includes a SS7 Security Gatekeeper that authenticates and validates network control messages within, transiting, entering and leaving an overlying control fabric such as an SS7 network. The SS7 Security Gatekeeper incorporates several levels of checks to ensure that messages are properly authenticated, valid, and consistent with call progress and system status. In addition to message format, message content is checked to ensure that the originating node has the proper authority to send the message and to invoke the related functions. predefined sets of templates may be used to check the messages, each set of templates being associated with respective originating point codes and/or calling party addresses. The templates may also be associated with various system states such that messages corresponding to a particular template cause a state transition along a particular edge to a next state node at which another set of templates are defined. Thus, system and call state is maintained. The monitor also includes signaling point authentication using digital signatures and timestamps. Timestamps are also used to initiate appropriate timeouts and so that old or improperly sequenced message may be ignored, corrected or otherwise processed appropriately. The SS7 Security Gatekeeper may be located at the edge of a network to be protected so that all messaging to and from the protected network most egress by way of the Gatekeeper. Alternatively, the SS7 Security Gatekeeper may be internal to the protected network and configured as a “pseudo switch” so that ISUP messaging is routed through the Gatekeeper while actual traffic is trunked directly between the associated SSPs, bypassing the Gatekeeper.
50 Citations
69 Claims
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1. A communication network, comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links, (C) a signaling communication system including at least one signaling network element, said signaling communication system configured to provide two-way communications of control data messages between and among said central office switching systems and said signaling network element, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems and said signaling network element; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems, said signaling system security monitor configured to maintain records of contexts of existing calls and transactions, and evaluate whether control data messages are appropriate to those contexts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A communications network comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data message between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper and correlate messages associated with a call or transaction to ensure that a proper relationship exists between parameter values to the correlated messages.
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9. A communication network, comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems and including a memory storing a state of the communication system, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper, wherein said control data messages comprise ISUP messages. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A communication network, comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing a switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems and including a memory storing a state of the communication system, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper, and (F) a service control point (SCP) wherein said signaling system security monitor is configured to evaluate said control data messages sent to and received from said SCP, and correlate said messages to determine that said messages are proper and to ensure that a proper relationship exists between said messages and between parameter values of said messages.
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12. A communication network, comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems and including a memory storing a state of the communication system, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper, wherein said control data messages comprise TCAP messages. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A communication network, comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems and including a memory storing a state of the communication system, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper, wherein said state of said communications network includes records of the contexts of existing calls and transactions, and said signaling system security monitor is configured to evaluate whether monitored messages are appropriate to those contexts.
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15. A communications network comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper and selectively enable and inhibit said signaling gateway from exchanging said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system.
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16. A communication network, comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems and including a memory storing a state of the communication system, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper, wherein said signaling communication system includes a service control point (SCP), said state of said communications network includes states of said central office switching systems and said SCP, and said signaling system security monitor is responsive to said states for determining if said control messages are proper.
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17. A communications network comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data message, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper and selectively modify said control messages in response to a determination of the propriety of said control messages.
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18. A communications network comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper; wherein said signaling gateway includes a signaling protocol converter, and said signaling protocol converter is configured to convert SS7 type message to another packet data format. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A communication network, comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems and including a memory storing a state of the communication system, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper, wherein said signaling system security monitor is configured to monitor at least one of SCCP, ISUP, TCAP, and AIN messages.
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23. A communication network, comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems and including a memory storing a state of the communication system, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper, wherein said signaling system security monitor is configured to monitor a plurality of message types selected from SCCP, ISUP, TCAP, and AIN type messages.
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24. A communication network, comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems and including a memory storing a state of the communication system, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper, wherein said signaling system security monitor is configured to monitor calling and called party address parameters contained in an SCCP message portion of said control data messages. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A communication network, comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems and including a memory storing a state of the communication system, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper, wherein said signaling system security monitor is configured to monitor origination and destination point codes contained in an MTP header of the control data messages and calling and called party address parameters contained in the SCCP message portion of said control data messages.
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27. A communication network, comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems and including a memory storing a state of the communication system, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper, wherein said signaling system security monitor is configured to monitor origination and destination point code parameters contained in an MTP header of said control data messages and determine if a particular origination point code is authorized to send a particular message to a particular destination point code.
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28. A communication network, comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems and including a memory storing a state of the communication system, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper, wherein said signaling system security monitor includes a memory storing permissible states of said communications network and rules for transitioning from each of said permissible states to others of said permissible states.
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29. A communication network, comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems and including a memory storing a state of the communication system, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper, wherein said signaling system security monitor includes a memory storing data relating call progress status with respective sets of control messages appropriate to initiate a next action consistent with a particular service.
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30. A communication network, comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems and including a memory storing a state of the communication system, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper, wherein said signaling system security monitor includes a memory storing data relating transaction status with respective sets of control messages appropriate to initiate a next action consistent with a particular service.
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31. A communications network comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper, wherein said signaling system security monitor includes a memory storing a plurality of message templates. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A communication network, comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems and including a memory storing a state of the communication system, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper, wherein said signaling system security monitor comprises a certification agent configured to exchange and maintain encryption key certificates.
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38. A communication network, comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems and including a memory storing a state of the communication system, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper, wherein said signaling system security monitor is configured to issue and decrypt digital time stamps.
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39. A communication network, comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications of said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems and including a memory storing a state of the communication system, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper, wherein said signaling system security monitor comprises a digital certificate issuing authority.
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40. A communication network, comprising:
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(A) local communication links, (B) a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, (C) a signaling communication system for two-way communications and said control data messages between said central office switching systems, said signaling communication system interconnecting the central office switching systems; (D) a signaling gateway, separate from the central office switching systems and connected to said signaling communications system, said signaling gateway including an interface connected to a remote communications network and configured to exchange said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system, and (E) a signaling system security monitor, separate from the central office switching systems and including a memory storing a state of the communication system, said signaling system security monitor configured to determine if said control data messages are proper, wherein said signaling system security monitor includes data encryption and decryption facilities.
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41. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communications networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data messages to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining if said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; and selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, wherein said step of interpreting include steps of maintaining records of the contexts of existing calls and transactions, and evaluating whether monitored messages are appropriate to those contexts.
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42. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communication networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data messages to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining if said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; and selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, wherein said step of selectively communicating control data messages includes selectively enabling and inhibiting said signaling gateway from exchanging said control data messages between said remote communication network and said signaling communication system.
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43. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communication networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data messages to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining if said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, and storing states of respective ones of said central office switching systems, wherein said interpreting step is additionally responsive to said states for determining if said control messages are contextually proper.
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44. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communication networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data message to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining if said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, and selectively modifying said control messages in response to a determination of an impropriety of said control messages.
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45. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communication networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data messages to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining if said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, and converting a protocol of said control data messages between a protocol of said remote communication network and a protocol of said local signaling communication system. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communication networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data messages to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining is said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; and selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, wherein said interpreting step includes monitoring of a plurality of message types selected from SCCP, ISUP, TCAP, and AIN type messages. - View Dependent Claims (51)
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52. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communication networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data messages to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining if said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; and selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, wherein said interpreting step includes monitoring of calling and called party address parameters contained in SCCP message portions of said control data messages.
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53. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communication networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data messages to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining is said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; and selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, wherein said interpreting step includes determining if said monitor calling and called party address parameters are consistent with an authorized signaling relationship.
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54. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communication networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data messages to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining if said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; and selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, wherein said interpreting step includes monitoring calling and called party address parameters contained in an SCCP message portion of said control data messages.
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55. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communication networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data messages to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining if said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; and selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, wherein said interpreting step includes monitoring origination and destination point codes contained in an MTP header of the control data messages and calling and called party address parameters contained in an SCCP message portion of said control data messages.
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56. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communication networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data messages to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining if said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; and selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, wherein said interpreting step includes monitoring origination and destination point codes parameters contained in an MTP header of said control data messages and determining if a particular destination point code is authorized to send a particular message to a particular destination point code.
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57. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communication networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data messages to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining if said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, and storing a state of said communications network.
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58. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communication networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data messages to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining if said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, and storing (i) permissible states of said communications network and (ii) rules for transitioning from each of said permissible states to others of said permissible states.
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59. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communication networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data messages to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining if said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, and storing data relating call progress status with respective sets of control messages appropriate to initiate a next action consistent with a particular service.
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60. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communication networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data messages to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining if said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, and storing data relating transaction status with respective sets of control messages appropriate to initiate a next action consistent with a particular service.
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61. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communication networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data messages to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining if said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, and storing a plurality of message templates. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63)
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64. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communication networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data messages to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining if said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, and storing sets of templates, each of said sets corresponding to control messages appropriate to particular call progress flow. - View Dependent Claims (65, 66)
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67. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communication networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data messages to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining if said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, and exchanging and maintaining encryption key certificates.
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68. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communication networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data messages to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining if said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, and issuing and decrypting digital time stamps.
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69. A method of securely interfacing control links of respective communication networks, comprising:
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exchanging control data messages between a remote communication network and a local signaling communication system; interpreting said control data messages to determine whether it is appropriate with respect to a destination point code of said control data messages and, in response, determining if said control data messages are contextually proper; selectively communicating said control data messages between central office switching systems; selectively providing switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links in response to predetermined control data messages, and issuing a digital certificate.
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Specification