Master Border Controller for VoIP Routing Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) networks face issues with low quality of service and reliability due to inefficient routing decisions and lack of intelligent border control, particularly when calls transit between competitive networks, which burdens host switches and potentially creates security vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a communication network with a master border controller that determines the optimal border controller for calls between packet voice networks, reducing processing burdens on host switches and enhancing security by segregating network operations and handling signaling protocol conversions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If host switches are required to choose border controllers and interface with destination switches, then routing decisions can be made, but processing burdens on host switches increase and security vulnerabilities are created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the border controller selection function from the host switch and assigns it to a dedicated border controller. The host switch only needs to forward calls to the border controller, which then autonomously selects the optimal border controller and manages the routing decision, thereby reducing the processing burden on the host switch while maintaining routing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a border controller as an intermediary between the host switch and the destination switch. This border controller mediates the routing decision process by selecting the appropriate border controller and managing the call setup, thereby reducing the direct interaction and processing burden on the host switch while improving security.
2Adaptability or versatility
If host switches communicate with multiple border controllers and destination switches, then routing flexibility is achieved, but security holes are opened to the packet network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the border controller as an intermediary that centralizes the communication interface. Instead of the host switch communicating directly with multiple border controllers and destination switches, all such communications are routed through the border controller, which maintains security policies and controls access, thereby preserving routing flexibility while closing security holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the security management function from the host switch and assigns it to the border controller. The border controller is responsible for managing communications with multiple border controllers and destination switches, implementing security policies, and controlling access to the packet network, thereby protecting the host switch from security vulnerabilities while maintaining routing adaptability.
3Reliability
If dedicated VoIP networks are implemented, then quality of service for on-net calls is improved, but intelligent gateway selection and border control capabilities are lost for off-net calls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the border controller a universal component that handles both on-net and off-net calls. The border controller provides intelligent gateway selection and border control capabilities for all types of calls, whether within the same network or between different networks, thereby maintaining quality of service for on-net calls while adding intelligent routing capabilities for off-net calls.
Solution Approach 2:
The border controller acts as an intermediary that provides intelligent gateway selection for off-net calls. When a call needs to reach the PSTN or transit between competitive networks, the border controller selects the appropriate gateway and manages the routing, thereby restoring intelligent gateway selection capabilities that were lost in dedicated VoIP networks while maintaining high quality of service.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication network comprising a plurality of border controllers, a first packet voice network, a second packet voice network coupled to the first packet network by the plurality of border controllers, and a master border controller coupled to the plurality of border controllers and coupled to the first packet voice network and the second packet voice network. The master border controller, responsive to receiving a query from a switch in the first packet voice network for a call between the first and second packet voice networks, processes the query to determine a first border controller for the call of the plurality of border controllers, and transfers a response to the switch in the first packet network wherein the response indicates the first border controller.