Method and apparatus for providing a virtual SS7 link in a communications system
US6760343B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 6, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q3/0025
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method, apparatus, and instructions for establishing a virtual communication channel between applications on different nodes in which one node may be using a communication protocol stack based on one protocol, such as SS7, and another node may be using a communication protocol stack based on another protocol, such as IP. Alternatively, a virtual communication channel may be provided between applications on different nodes in which both nodes use a communication protocol stack based on IP to communicate with each other, but carry SS7 traffic through the communication channel. A gateway is provided in which both SS7 and IP are supported. The gateway allows for logical transport of signaling messages between peer applications on different nodes. Messages for SS7 are placed in data packets for transport to a destination using an IP connection or link to the destination. Header information also is placed into the data packet to allow for routing of the messages when the packet is received at the destination.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.