Session initiation protocol survivable server

• US 8,125,888 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2006
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Multi-Tech Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Multi-Tech Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Arimilli, Harinarayana, Kandikonda, Prasad V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shah, Chirag
• Assistant Examiner(s): PERSAUD, AMARNAUTH G
• Application Number:
  US11/466,582
• Publication Number:
  US 20070047571A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,015 Days
• Field of Search: 370216-221, 370/237, 370/449
• US Class Current: 370/216
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS

Abstract

This document discusses, among other things, a telephony network having a server configured to provide selected communication functions following failure of a primary server.

Claims

1. A method for selecting an operating mode of a first server in a communication network, the method comprising:

sending a session initiation protocol (SIP) polling message from the first server to a second server using a first communication link, the first server is coupled to at least one endpoint configured as an analog telephone device; and

monitoring for a reply message from the second server, the reply message based on the polling message and upon receiving the reply message selecting a first mode of operation for the first server, wherein when in the first mode of operation, the second server is configured to register the at least one endpoint and configured to enable the at least one endpoint to communicate using the first communication link; and

upon absence of the reply message, selecting a second mode of operation for the first server, wherein when in the second mode of operation, the first server is configured to register the at least one endpoint and configured to enable the at least one endpoint to communicate using a second communication link of the communication network, the second communication link separate from the first communication link and including a public switched telephone network (PSTN).

2. The method of claim 1 wherein sending the SIP polling message includes at least one of sending an inquiry message and sending a request message.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein monitoring includes waiting for a predetermined period of time.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein selecting the first mode of operation includes forwarding registration information from an endpoint to the second server.

5. The method of claim 4 further including redirecting a call from the endpoint to a destination, wherein the destination is selected based on the registration information at the second server.

6. The method of claim 5 further including exchanging network traffic using a public switched telephone network (PSTN).

7. The method of claim 1 wherein selecting the second mode of operation includes authenticating registration information at the first server, the registration information corresponding to an endpoint.

8. The method of claim 7 further including redirecting a call from the endpoint to a destination, wherein the destination is selected based on the registration information at the first server.

9. A system comprising:

an interface configured to couple to a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), at least one endpoint configured as an analog telephone device, and a public switched telephone network (PSTN);

a processor coupled to the interface and having instructions stored thereon configured to;

send a session initiation protocol (SIP) polling message from the interface to a remote server using the WAN, the interface coupled to at least one endpoint configured as an analog telephone device; and

monitor for a reply message from the remote server, the reply message based on the polling message and upon receiving the reply message, select a first mode of operation for the interface, wherein when in the first mode of operation, the remote server is configured to register the at least one endpoint and configured to enable the at least one endpoint to communicate using the WAN; and

upon absence of the reply message, select a second mode of operation for the interface, wherein when in the second mode of operation, the interface is configured to register the at least one endpoint and configured to enable the at least one endpoint to communicate using the LAN and the PSTN, the LAN separate from the WAN.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the WAN includes an internet.

11. The system of claim 9 further wherein the interface includes an endpoint, and wherein the endpoint includes a device configured to communicate using SIP.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the endpoint includes at least one of a telephone, a facsimile machine, an Internet Protocol (IP) device, and a gateway.

13. The system of claim 9 further wherein the processor is configured to determine operability of the WAN by monitoring for a reply to a predetermined polling message.

14. The system of claim 9 wherein the processor is configured to authenticate an endpoint on the LAN.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for executing a method comprising:

receiving registration information from each of at least one endpoint of a local area network (LAN), the LAN coupled to a first server configured for communicating a session initiation protocol (SIP) message with a second server using a wide area network (WAN);

determining availability of the second server; and

if the second server is operable, then sending the registration information on the WAN to the second server, the second server is configured to register the at least one endpoint and configured to enable the at least one endpoint to communicate using the WAN; and

if the second server is inoperable, then registering the at least one endpoint with the first server and forwarding contact information for a destination endpoint from the first server to the at least one endpoint to enable communications between the at least one endpoint and the destination endpoint using a public switched telephone network (PSTN) coupled to the first server.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein determining includes monitoring for a reply to a message sent by the first server.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 15 further wherein the first server is configured to establish communications between endpoints.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 15 further including detecting restoration of operability of the second server.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 18 further including providing the registration information to the second server upon detecting the restoration of the operability of the second server.

20. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for executing a method comprising:

receiving registration information from each of at least one endpoint of a local area network (LAN), the LAN coupled to a first server configured for communicating a session initiation protocol (SIP) message with a first link to a wide area network (WAN);

determining operability of the first link; and

if the first link is operable, then sending the registration information on the WAN to a second server coupled to the WAN, the second server is configured to register the at least one endpoint and configured to enable the at least one endpoint to communicate using the first link; and

if the first link is inoperable, then registering the at least one endpoint with the first server and forwarding contact information for a destination endpoint from the first server to the at least one endpoint to enable communications between the at least one endpoint and the destination endpoint using a second link separate from the first link, the second link including a public switched telephone network (PSTN).

21. The computer readable medium of claim 20 wherein determining includes monitoring for a response to an Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) request message sent by the first server.

22. The computer readable medium of claim 20 wherein determining includes monitoring for a link signal on a physical port coupled to the first server.

23. The computer readable medium of claim 20 further wherein the first server is configured to establish communications between endpoints.

24. The computer readable medium of claim 20 further including detecting restoration of operability of the first link.

25. The computer readable medium of claim 24 further including providing the registration information to the second server upon detecting the restoration of the first link.