Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A signaling cache suitable for use in networks, such as ATM networks, that utilize signaling in establishing calls. The invention functions to greatly reduce the amount of call processing required for calls that have been previously received and processed by the switch. The signaling cache can be implemented on each switch in the network to reduce the processing requirements network wide. Each switch along the call route functions to perform signaling processing only once for each unique call request. The results of the signaling processing are stored in a cache memory to enable re-use in the event a call request is receive that matches a previously received and processed call request. Signaling processing is performed for each request message having a particular set of characteristics, e.g., a set of IEs having a particular value. Anytime thereafter, when a signaling request having the same characteristics is received, the signaling process is bypassed and the results fetched from the cache memory. The signaling cache of the present invention can be applied to other related processes including routing, resource allocation, etc.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim