Control Module Partitioning Hosted Communications Platform
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CISCO CallManager systems are costly and complex to configure, leading to inefficient hardware utilization and high costs for smaller organizations due to restrictions on the number of users and shared server capacity, with issues in managing overlapping extension codes and direct-dial-in numbers.
Innovation Solution
A control module that partitions the hosted communications platform, allowing multiple subscribers to share a single instance of CISCO Unified Communications Manager, enabling efficient resource usage and eliminating the need for extension masking by configuring unique identifiers for direct-dial-in numbers and route patterns, thereby allowing flexible extension code reuse and integration with IT systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple subscribers share a single instance of CUCM, then hardware costs and licensing costs are reduced, but extension code conflicts and direct-dial-in number management become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces partitioning of the CUCM instance into separate subscriber spaces, allowing multiple subscribers to share the same physical server while maintaining logical separation. Each partition manages its own extension codes and direct-dial-in numbers independently, eliminating conflicts that would arise from a single unified space.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module acts as an intermediary between subscribers and the shared CUCM instance. It manages the partitioning logic, handles extension code translation, and coordinates direct-dial-in number routing, thereby enabling multiple subscribers to share resources without experiencing the complexity of direct conflicts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single clustered instance of CUCM is used for large organizations, then system capacity is maximized, but hardware utilization becomes inefficient for smaller organizations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables segmentation of a single large CUCM instance into smaller logical partitions that can be allocated to different organizations based on their size requirements. This allows smaller organizations to share the infrastructure more efficiently without being forced to pay for or utilize the entire large system capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared CUCM instance serves multiple organizations simultaneously through partitioning, making the system universal in its applicability. The same physical hardware and software instance can efficiently support both large and small organizations by dynamically allocating resources based on actual usage needs across different partitions.
3Reliability
If separate instances of CUCM are installed for each subscriber, then subscriber isolation is maintained, but hardware costs and licensing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate CUCM instances into a single shared instance while maintaining logical isolation through partitioning. This allows subscribers to retain the benefits of dedicated systems (isolation, dedicated configuration) while sharing the underlying hardware and software costs, thereby reducing overall expenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared CUCM instance performs multiple functions by serving different subscribers simultaneously through partitioning. Each subscriber experiences a dedicated-like environment within their partition, while the system as a whole achieves cost efficiency through resource sharing across multiple organizations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If extension masking is used to manage overlapping extension codes, then multiple subscribers can share extension codes, but system complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation of the extension code space into separate partitions for each subscriber. This eliminates the need for extension masking techniques while still allowing extension code reuse across subscribers, as each partition manages its own extension codes independently without conflicts.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module serves as an intermediary that automatically handles extension code translation and routing between partitions. This eliminates the need for manual extension masking configuration while enabling extension code reuse, thereby reducing configuration complexity and improving ease of setup.
Data Source
AI summary
A control module arranged to manage a hosted communications platform, the hosted communications platform being located between a telecommunications network and a subscriber communications network, the subscriber communications network being associated with a subscriber to the hosted communications platform, the subscriber being associated with a plurality of users. The module comprises a first communications interface arranged to interface with the telecommunications network, and processing means arranged to configure the hosted communications platform for use with two or more subscribers, each subscriber comprising a respective subscriber communications network. The module further comprises a second communications interface arranged to interface with the hosted communications platform. For each subscriber, the processing means is arranged to form a partition on the hosted communications platform.