Method and apparatus for redundant signaling links
First Claim
1. A method comprising the steps of:
- initializing a plurality of links between a media gateway and a media gateway controller;
activating a first link of the plurality of links;
registering the first link for communication of call control signaling information by a higher level process running on the media gateway, wherein the higher level process performs management of the links, while the media gateway controller operates as a slave to the media gateway;
monitoring the first link by transmitting an internet control message protocol (ICMP) echo request over the first link and over a second link;
waiting for an ICMP reply message within a predetermined period of time on each of the first and second links; and
when no reply message is received on the first link, transmitting a status message on the second link to indicate a fault on the first link.
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Abstract
According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a protocol for managing redundant signaling links to form a reliable signaling connection is provided. The protocol has an initialization phase, in which the availability of signaling links is determined and an available signaling link is selected and activated, followed by an operational phase in which the activated link is used for sending signaling messages for a higher-level protocol. During the operational phase both links are monitored for availability using a query and reply technique. Should either link fail, a status message is sent to the remaining available link along with an activity switchover being performed, as required, depending on whether the failed link was the active link. The higher-level protocol process running on the media gateway performs management of the links, and the media gateway controller operates as a slave, whereby it need not initiate nor control any of the activities for management of the signaling links, thereby reducing the processing burden placed upon it. However, optionally, a media gateway controller may request a link switchover, which may be used to support link maintenance activities or link congestion avoidance measures.
27 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method comprising the steps of:
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initializing a plurality of links between a media gateway and a media gateway controller; activating a first link of the plurality of links; registering the first link for communication of call control signaling information by a higher level process running on the media gateway, wherein the higher level process performs management of the links, while the media gateway controller operates as a slave to the media gateway; monitoring the first link by transmitting an internet control message protocol (ICMP) echo request over the first link and over a second link; waiting for an ICMP reply message within a predetermined period of time on each of the first and second links; and when no reply message is received on the first link, transmitting a status message on the second link to indicate a fault on the first link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method comprising the steps of:
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monitoring a plurality of links between a media gateway and a media gateway controller; monitoring a first link of the plurality of the links by transmitting an internet control message protocol (ICMP) echo request over the first link and over a second link; waiting for an ICMP reply message within a predetermined period of time on each of the first and second links; determining a failure affecting the first link; when no reply message is received on the first link, transmitting a status message on the second link to indicate a fault on the first link; activating the second link of the plurality of the links; and registering the second link for communication of call control signaling information by a higher level process. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method comprising the steps of:
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establishing communication between a media gateway and a media gateway controller over a first link of a plurality of links; receiving at the media gateway a switchover request from the media gateway controller; monitoring the first link by transmitting an internet control message protocol (ICMP) echo request over the first link and over a second link; waiting for an ICMP reply message within a predetermined period of time on each of the first and second links; when no reply message is received on the first link, transmitting a status message on the second link to indicate a fault on the first link; activating the second link of the plurality of links; and registering the second link for communication of call control signaling information by a higher level process. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method comprising the steps of:
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establishing communication between a media gateway and a media gateway controller over a first link of a plurality of links during an initialization phase; monitoring the plurality of links between a media gateway and a media gateway controller during an operational phase including monitoring the first link by transmitting an internet control message protocol (ICMP) echo request over the first link and over a second link; waiting for an ICMP reply message within a predetermined period of time on each of the first and second links; when no reply message is received on the first link, transmitting a status message on the second link to indicate a fault on the first link; determining a failure affecting the second link of the plurality of the links; and transmitting a link status message regarding the failure affecting the second link from the media gateway to the media gateway controller. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification