SIP Endpoint Simultaneous Multi-Controller Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current SIP network configurations lack effective solutions for survivability, relying on expensive geo-redundant setups and requiring identical SIP versions and features across primary and secondary controllers, with routers unable to detect SIP-level failures despite IP layer operability, leading to potential communication disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where SIP-enabled endpoints simultaneously register with multiple controllers, allowing dynamic selection based on attribute information and status updates, enabling active-active or active-standby configurations to ensure continuous communication by overriding reliance on single network components for failover management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate SIP proxies are used to provide survivability, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to additional network elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the survivability function with existing SIP controllers by enabling endpoints to register with multiple controllers simultaneously. Instead of adding separate proxy elements, the solution merges redundancy capabilities into the existing controller architecture, allowing any SIP controller to serve as a backup without requiring dedicated survivability infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes SIP controllers universal by enabling them to perform both primary call control functions and backup survivability functions. Any SIP controller can serve multiple roles - as a primary controller for some endpoints and as a backup controller for others - eliminating the need for specialized proxy elements and maximizing resource utilization across the network.
2Reliability
If geo-redundant configurations are deployed, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to high availability servers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges geographic redundancy requirements into the existing SIP controller deployment by allowing endpoints to register with controllers in different geographic locations. Instead of deploying separate high availability servers, the solution utilizes existing SIP controllers distributed across geographic locations, enabling failover to remote controllers when local controllers fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates logical copies of controller functionality across multiple SIP controllers rather than physical copies of entire server systems. Each SIP controller maintains a copy of the registration information and can assume the role of any other controller, providing geographic redundancy through information sharing rather than through duplicate hardware infrastructure.
3Productivity
If routers perform failure detection, then processing burden on network components is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates because routers cannot detect SIP application level failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service failure detection where SIP endpoints and controllers actively monitor each other's operational status through SIP signaling exchanges. Endpoints periodically send registration requests and controllers respond, allowing each component to detect failures at the SIP application level without requiring external monitoring infrastructure or sacrificing processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes feedback loops between SIP endpoints and controllers through registration and re-registration signaling. Controllers provide feedback about their operational status by responding to registration requests, and endpoints provide feedback about their ability to reach controllers. This mutual feedback mechanism enables precise failure detection while maintaining efficient SIP processing, as the same signaling paths used for call control are also used for health monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are methods, devices, and systems for maintaining a SIP survivable network. The present invention is adapted to allow SIP endpoints or User Agents to discover and select the controller or controllers that the SIP endpoint will register with. Selection of the controller or controllers may be based upon the relative attributes of the controllers and the needs of the SIP endpoint.