Access Node Clustering for Survivable Calling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern telecommunications networks with diverse access technologies face challenges in providing regional survivable calling services when a connection to the central communications server is lost, as conventional approaches are limited to basic connectivity at the level of a single access node and do not effectively address disparate access technologies.
Innovation Solution
The method involves clustering access nodes that use different access technologies, allowing them to communicate using a normalized protocol, enabling call setup between endpoints connected to different access nodes even when the central communications server is unavailable, by converting call data and control information into packets using the normalized protocol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional approaches provide basic connectivity at the level of a single access node, then connectivity is maintained within that access node, but regional survivable calling services cannot be provided when the central communications server is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the network into multiple access nodes that can operate independently as autonomous entities. Each access node maintains local call routing capability and can function autonomously when disconnected from the central communications server, enabling regional survivable calling services without requiring centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The access nodes are designed with multi-functionality to support disparate access technologies including TDM, Ethernet, and wireless interfaces. Each access node can handle multiple protocol types and technology standards simultaneously, allowing the system to adapt to diverse network environments while maintaining regional connectivity.
2Reliability
If access nodes are grouped to provide regional access, then regional connectivity is improved, but the system cannot effectively address access nodes with disparate access technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The access nodes serve as intermediaries that translate and interwork between different access technologies. Each access node contains protocol translation capabilities that enable communication between endpoints using different technologies (e.g., TDM to Ethernet, wireless to wired), allowing disparate technologies to interoperate within the same regional network without requiring a central translator.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system supports multiple access technologies at access nodes, then versatility is improved, but complexity of protocol conversion and interworking increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each access node is equipped with localized protocol conversion capabilities specific to the technologies it interfaces with. Rather than requiring a centralized protocol translation system, each access node independently handles the protocol conversion needed for its local endpoints, distributing the complexity across multiple simple nodes rather than one complex central system.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is disclosed of providing survivable communications in a communications network, the method comprising: determining a loss of communications with a communications server, wherein the communications server provides calling features to an endpoint connected to the access node; and after determining a loss of communications with the communications server, forming a cluster of a plurality of access nodes to provide communication service to endpoints served by the plurality of access nodes, wherein the plurality of access nodes comprises the access node, and wherein the access node and a second access node in the plurality of access nodes use different access technology.