Clusters of devices, softwares and methods for improved handling of a gatekeeper load in VoIP communication

• US 7,453,891 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2004
• Issued: 11/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jones, Paul E., Bhargava, Vivek
• Primary Examiner(s): Orgad; Edan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee; Andrew C
• Application Number:
  US11/025,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20050117597A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,421 Days
• Field of Search: 370/216, 370/260, 370/328, 370/318, 370/331, 370/389, 370/220, 370/352
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1043 Gateway controllers, e.g. media gateway control protocol [MGCP] controllers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1046 Call controllers; Call servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1106 Call signalling protocols; H.323 and related
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/40 for recovering from a failure of a protocol instance or entity, e.g. service redundancy protocols, protocol state redundancy or protocol service redirection management of faults, events, alarms or notifications in data switching networks H04L41/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/08 Indicating faults in circuits or apparatus

Abstract

A cluster of alternate gatekeepers handles the load of a single logical zone. The alternate gatekeepers exchange signals among each other according to a special cluster protocol. Each alternate gatekeeper may be connected and exchange signals with endpoint devices.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a first alternate gatekeeper capable of coupling to at least a second alternate gatekeeper in a cluster, the first alternate gatekeeper being capable of exchanging cluster signals with the second alternate gatekeeper,

wherein the first and the second alternate gatekeepers are capable of coupling to and exchanging endpoint status signals with a plurality of endpoints, and

wherein the cluster signals encode one of alternate gatekeepers status information about at least one of the alternate gatekeepers in the cluster, and endpoint status information about at least one of the endpoints.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the alternate gatekeeper status information includes at least one of alternate gatekeeper availability information and alternate gatekeeper load condition.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the endpoint status information includes at least one of endpoint registration status and endpoint availability status.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the alternate gatekeepers includes a processor capable of computing an evolving priority table based on the cluster signals, and a memory capable of storing the computed priority table.

5. A cluster, comprising:

a plurality of alternate gatekeepers capable of being coupled with each other through data transmission links, the alternate gatekeepers being capable of being coupled to and exchanging endpoint status signals with a plurality of endpoints,

wherein the alternate gatekeepers are capable of exchanging through the links cluster signals which encode one of alternate gatekeeper status information about at least one of the alternate gatekeepers in the cluster and endpoint status information about at least one of the endpoints.

6. The cluster of claim 5, wherein the alternate gatekeeper status information includes at least one of alternate gatekeeper availability information and alternate gatekeeper load condition.

7. The cluster of claim 5, wherein the endpoint status information includes at least one of endpoint registration status and endpoint availability status.

8. The cluster of claim 5, wherein each of the alternate gatekeepers includes a processor capable of computing an evolving priority table based on the cluster signals, and a memory capable of storing the computed priority table.

9. The cluster of claim 5, wherein a priority processor is adapted to receive the cluster signals and to compute an evolving priority table based on the received cluster signals, the cluster further comprising:

a memory coupled with the priority processor and adapted to store the computed priority table.

10. The cluster of claim 9, wherein the priority processor and the memory are components of a standalone priority computer.

11. A system, comprising:

first, second, and third alternate gatekeepers having first, second, and third processors respectively, wherein the first, the second, and the third alternate gatekeepers have interfaces for being connected together in a cluster through data transmission links,

wherein the first processor is capable of;

encoding individual status information in a cluster signal, and

transmitting the cluster signal to the second alternate gatekeeper and to the third alternate gatekeeper,

wherein the second processor is capable of;

decoding the individual status information from the received cluster signal, and

processing the decoded individual status information to update a first version of a cluster status,

and wherein the third processor is capable of;

decoding the individual status information from the received cluster signal, and

processing the decoded individual status information to update a second version of the cluster status.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the individual status information includes at least one of alternate gatekeeper availability information and alternate gatekeeper load condition of the first alternate gatekeeper.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the cluster status includes one of a relative priority of the first, second, and third alternate gatekeepers and bandwidth utilization data of the combined first, second and third alternate gatekeepers.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the first processor is further adapted to receive from an endpoint device an endpoint status signal.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the individual status information includes at least one of an endpoint registration status, an endpoint availability status, a total capacity, a current capacity and a current availability of the endpoint device.

16. A device, comprising:

a processor capable of receiving cluster signals from a cluster of alternate gatekeepers that are coupled with each other through data transmission links,

the alternate gatekeepers capable of being coupled to and exchanging endpoint status signals with a plurality of endpoints,

the processor being further capable of computing an evolving priority table of the alternate gatekeepers based on the received cluster signals; and

a memory coupled with the processor and capable of storing the computed priority table.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the alternate gatekeepers are capable of exchanging through the links cluster signals which encode one of alternate gatekeeper status information about at least one of the alternate gatekeepers in the cluster and endpoint status information about at least one of the endpoints.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the alternate gatekeeper status information includes at least one of alternate gatekeeper availability information and alternate gatekeeper load condition.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the endpoint status information includes at least one of endpoint registration status and endpoint availability status.

20. A device, comprising:

means for receiving cluster signals from a cluster of alternate gatekeepers that are coupled with each other through data transmission links, the alternate gatekeepers capable of coupling to and exchanging endpoint status signals with a plurality of endpoints,

means for computing an evolving priority table of the alternate gatekeepers based on the received cluster signals; and

means for storing the computed priority table.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the alternate gatekeepers are capable of exchanging through the links cluster signals which encode one of alternate gatekeeper status information about at least one of the alternate gatekeepers in the cluster, and endpoint status information about at least one of the endpoints.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the alternate gatekeeper status information includes at least one of alternate gate keeper availability information and alternate gatekeeper load condition.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein the endpoint status information includes at least one of endpoint registration status and endpoint availability status.

24. A device, comprising:

means for accumulating a list of first registrations of first endpoints associated with a first alternate gatekeeper;

means for receiving from a second alternate gatekeeper a second registration of a second endpoint associated with the second alternate gatekeeper; and

means for incorporating the second registration in the list.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the list includes a third registration of a third endpoint, the device further comprising:

means for receiving an unregistration of the third registration; and

means for removing the third registration from the list responsive to the unregistration.

26. A computer readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed, result in:

receiving a registration from a first endpoint;

transmitting the registration to at least two alternate gatekeepers;

receiving from the first endpoint usage data associated with the first endpoint; and

transmitting the usage data to the two alternate gatekeepers.

27. The computer readable medium of claim 26, wherein the instructions further result in:

receiving from the first endpoint updated usage data associated with the first endpoint; and

transmitting the updated usage data to the two alternate gatekeepers.

28. The computer readable medium of claim 26, wherein

the usage data includes at least one of total capacity, current capacity, and current availability.

29. A computer readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed, result in:

receiving cluster signals from a plurality of alternate gatekeepers;

decoding from the cluster signals bandwidth utilization data for each of the alternate gatekeepers;

adding together the bandwidth utilization data to determine a cluster bandwidth utilization;

receiving a request for a new call; and

determining whether to grant the request depending on a value of the determined cluster bandwidth utilization.

30. The computer readable medium of claim 29, wherein

determining is performed by comparing the value of the determined cluster bandwidth utilization to a preset threshold value.

31. A computer readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed, result in:

determining availability functions of one or more alternate gatekeepers,

compare the determined availability functions;

generating a priority list of the alternate gatekeepers based on the comparison;

receiving recent usage information about at least one of the alternate gatekeepers;

determining, based on the recent usage information, an updated availability function for each of the alternate gatekeepers for which recent usage information has been received;

then comparing the recently determined availability functions; and

adjusting the priority list based on the most recent comparison.

32. The computer readable medium of claim 31, wherein:

the recent usage information is that a transmission was not received by a certain a1ternate gatekeeper within a prescribed time, and

the corresponding updated availability function of the certain alternate gatekeeper is lowered.

33. The computer readable medium of claim 31, wherein the availability function is determined on at least one of a CPU utilization and a memory utilization.

34. A method, comprising:

a first alternate gatekeeper encoding individual status information in a cluster signal;

the first alternate gatekeeper transmitting the cluster signal to a second alternate gatekeeper and a third alternate gatekeeper;

the second alternate gatekeeper decoding the individual status information from the received cluster signal;

the second alternate gatekeeper processing the decoded individual status information to update a first version of a cluster status;

the third alternate gatekeeper decoding the individual status information from the received cluster signal; and

the third alternate gatekeeper processing the decoded individual status information to update a second version of the cluster status.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the individual status information includes at least one of alternate gatekeeper availability information and alternate gatekeeper load condition of the first alternate gatekeeper.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein

the cluster status includes one of

a relative priority of the first, second and third alternate gatekeepers and

bandwidth utilization data of the combined first, second and third alternate gatekeepers.

37. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

the first gatekeeper receiving from an endpoint device an endpoint status signal.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein:

the individual status information includes at least one of an endpoint registration status, an endpoint availability status, a total capacity, a current capacity and a current availability of the endpoint device.

39. A method, comprising:

accumulating a list of first registrations of first endpoints associated with a first alternate gatekeeper;

receiving from a second alternate gatekeeper a second registration of a second endpoint associated with the second alternate gatekeeper; and

incorporating the second registration in the list.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the list includes a third registration of a third endpoint, the method further comprising:

receiving an unregistration of the third registration; and

removing the third registration from the list responsive to the unregistration.

41. A method, comprising:

receiving a registration from a first endpoint;

transmitting the registration to at least two alternate gatekeepers;

receiving from the first endpoint usage data associated with the first endpoint; and

transmitting the usage data to the two alternate gatekeepers.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

receiving from the first endpoint updated usage data associated with the first endpoint; and

transmitting the updated usage data to the two alternate gatekeepers.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the usage data includes at least one of total capacity, current capacity, and current availability.

44. A method, comprising:

receiving cluster signals from a plurality of alternate gatekeepers;

decoding from the cluster signals bandwidth utilization data for each of the alternate gatekeepers;

adding together the bandwidth utilization data to determine a cluster bandwidth utilization;

receiving a request for a new call; and

determining whether to grant the request depending on a value of the determined cluster bandwidth utilization.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein determining is performed by comparing the value of the determined cluster bandwidth utilization to a preset threshold value.

46. A method, comprising:

determining availability functions of one or more alternate gatekeepers;

comparing the determined availability functions;

generating a priority list of the alternate gatekeepers based on the comparison;

receiving recent usage information about at least one of the alternate gatekeepers;

determining, based on the recent usage information, an updated availability function for each of the alternate gatekeepers for which recent usage information has been received;

then comparing the recently determined availability function; and

adjusting the priority list based on the most recent comparison.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein:

the recent usage information is that a transmission was not received by a certain alternate gatekeeper within a prescribed time, and

the corresponding updated availability function of the certain alternate gatekeeper is lowered.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein the availability function is determined on at least one of a CPU utilization and a memory utilization.

49. A device, comprising:

a processor configured to;

accumulate a list of first registrations of first endpoints associated with a first alternate gatekeeper, and

receive from a second alternate gatekeeper a second registration of a second endpoint associated with the second alternate gatekeeper,

the processor further configured to incorporate the second registration in the list.

50. The device of claim 49, wherein the list includes a third registration of a third endpoint, and the processor is further configured to remove the third registration from the list responsive to an unregistration of the third registration.

51. A device, comprising:

means for receiving a registration from a first endpoint;

means for transmitting the registration to at least two alternate gatekeepers;

means for receiving from the first endpoint usage data associated with the first endpoint; and

means for transmitting the usage data to the at least two alternate gatekeepers.

52. The device of claim 51, comprising:

means for receiving from the first endpoint updated usage data associated with the first endpoint; and

means for transmitting the updated usage data to the at least two alternate gatekeepers.

53. The device of claim 52, wherein the usage data comprises at least one of total capacity, current capacity, and current availability.

54. A device, comprising:

a processor configured to receive a registration from a first endpoint and transmit the registration to at least two alternate gatekeepers, and

the processor receiving from the first endpoint usage data associated with the first endpoint and transmitting the usage data to the at least two alternate gatekeepers.

55. The device of claim 54, wherein the processor receives from the first endpoint updated usage data associated with the first endpoint,

the processor transmits the updated usage data to the at least two alternate gatekeepers.

56. The device of claim 54, wherein the usage data comprises at least one of total capacity, current capacity, and current availability.

57. A device, comprising:

means for exchanging cluster signals among a plurality of alternate gatekeepers;

means for decoding from the cluster signals bandwidth utilization data for each of the alternate gatekeepers;

means for adding together the bandwidth utilization data to determine a cluster bandwidth utilization;

means for receiving a request for a new call; and

means for determining whether to grant the request depending on a value of the determined cluster bandwidth utilization.

58. The device of claim 57, wherein the means for determining whether to grant the request comprises:

means for comparing the value of the determined cluster bandwidth utilization to a preset threshold value.

59. A device, comprising:

a processor capable of exchanging cluster signals among a plurality of alternate gatekeepers,

the processor decoding from the cluster signals bandwidth utilization data for each of the alternate gatekeepers and adding together the bandwidth utilization data to determine a cluster bandwidth utilization, and

the processor receiving a request for a new call and determining whether to grant the request depending on a value of the determined cluster bandwidth utilization.

60. The device of claim 59, wherein the processor determines whether to grant the request by comparing the value of the determined cluster bandwidth utilization to a preset threshold value.

61. A device, comprising:

means for determining availability functions of one or more alternate gatekeepers;

means for comparing the determined availability functions;

means for generating a priority list of the alternate gatekeepers based on the comparison;

means for receiving recent usage information about at least one of the alternate gatekeepers;

means for determining, based on the recent usage information, an updated availability function for each of the alternate gatekeepers for which recent usage information has been received;

means for comparing the recently determined availability functions;

means for adjusting the priority list based on the most recent comparison.

62. The device of claim 61, wherein:

the recent usage information is that a transmission was not received by a certain alternate gatekeeper within a prescribed time, and

the corresponding updated availability function of the certain alternate gatekeeper is lowered.

63. The device of claim 62, wherein the availability function is determined on at least one of a CPU utilization and a memory utilization.

64. A network processing device, comprising:

a processor configured to;

determine availability functions of one or more alternate gatekeepers,

compare the determined availability functions, and

generate a priority list of the alternate gatekeepers based on the comparison,

the processor receiving recent usage information about at least one of the alternate gatekeepers and, based on the recent usage information, determining an updated availability function for each of the alternate gatekeepers for which recent usage information has been received; and

the processor then comparing the recently determined availability functions and adjusting the priority list based on the most recent comparison.

65. The network processing device of claim 64, wherein:

the recent usage information is that a transmission was not received by a certain alternate gatekeeper within a prescribed time, and

the corresponding updated availability function of the certain alternate gatekeeper is lowered.

66. The network processing device of claim 64, wherein the availability function is determined on at least one of a CPU utilization and a memory utilization.