IP Library Granted Patent US 10,686,846
Granted Patent B2
US 10,686,846 · App. 16/378,292 · Granted Jun 16, 2020

Operating a network node

Inventors: Salem Amin Al-Damluji (Enfield, GB); George Malcolm Gilbert (Enfield, GB)
Assignee: Metaswitch Networks Ltd.
H04L65/1006H04L65/105H04L69/03
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,686,846
App. No.
16/378,292
Granted
Jun 16, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

Measures, including methods, apparatus and computer programs, for use in operating a network node. A method includes, at the network node: receiving a session initiation protocol (SIP) message directed towards a downstream network element, wherein the received message comprises session description protocol (SDP) data indicating a first SDP preconditions setting; forwarding the received SIP message on to the downstream network element with no modifications; in response to forwarding the received SIP message, receiving a rejection message from the downstream network element; on the basis of the received rejection message, determining that the first SDP preconditions setting is not supported by downstream device; generating a second SIP message comprising SDP data indicating a second SDP preconditions setting different from the first SDP preconditions setting; and transmitting the generated second SIP message comprising SDP data indicating the second SDP preconditions setting to the downstream network element.

Claims (20)

1. A method of processing session initiation protocol (SIP) messages at a network node located on a logical border between a first network and a second network, the method comprising, at the network node:

receiving, from an upstream network element which is located in the first network and which is logically adjacent the network node, a session initiation protocol (SIP) message directed towards a downstream network element which is located in the second network and which is logically adjacent the network node, wherein the received message comprises session description protocol (SDP) data;

forwarding the received SIP message on to the downstream network element in the second network with no modifications;

in response to forwarding the received SIP message, receiving a rejection message from the downstream network element in the second network;

in response to the received rejection message indicating that the rejection message was transmitted due to the forwarded SIP message comprising no SDP preconditions, generating a second SIP message comprising one or more SDP preconditions and transmitting the generated second SIP message to the downstream network element in the second network; and

in response to the received rejection message indicating that the rejection message was transmitted due to the forwarded SIP message comprising one or more SDP preconditions, generating a third SIP message comprising no SDP preconditions and transmitting the generated third SIP message to the downstream network element in the second network.

2. An apparatus for use in processing session initiation protocol (SIP) messages, the apparatus comprising:

at least one memory including computer program code; and

at least one processor in data communication with the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to, at a network node located on a logical border between a first network and a second network:

receive, from an upstream network element which is located in the first network and which is logically adjacent the network node, a session initiation protocol (SIP) message directed towards a downstream network element which is located in the second network and which is logically adjacent the network node, wherein the received message comprises session description protocol (SDP) data;

forward the received SIP message on to the downstream network element in the second network with no modifications;

in response to forwarding the received SIP message, receive a rejection message from the downstream network element in the second network;

in response to the received rejection message indicating that the rejection message was transmitted due to the forwarded SIP message comprising no SDP preconditions, generate a second SIP message comprising one or more SDP preconditions and transmit the generated second SIP message to the downstream network element in the second network; and

in response to the received rejection message indicating that the rejection message was transmitted due to the forwarded SIP message comprising one or more SDP preconditions, generate a third SIP message comprising no SDP preconditions and transmit the generated third SIP message to the downstream network element in the second network.

3. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause a computerised device to perform a method of processing session initiation protocol (SIP) messages at a network node located on a logical border between a first network and a second network, the method comprising, at the network node:

receiving, from an upstream network element which is located in the first network and which is logically adjacent the network node, a session initiation protocol (SIP) message directed towards a downstream network element which is located in the second network and which is logically adjacent the network node, wherein the received message comprises session description protocol (SDP) data;

forwarding the received SIP message on to the downstream network element in the second network with no modifications;

in response to forwarding the received SIP message, receiving a rejection message from the downstream network element in the second network;

in response to the received rejection message indicating that the rejection message was transmitted due to the forwarded SIP message comprising no SDP preconditions, generating a second SIP message comprising one or more SDP preconditions and transmitting the generated second SIP message to the downstream network element in the second network; and

in response to the received rejection message indicating that the rejection message was transmitted due to the forwarded SIP message comprising one or more SDP preconditions, generating a third SIP message comprising no SDP preconditions and transmitting the generated third SIP message to the downstream network element in the second network.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 13, 2026
From: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
To: ALIANZA, INC.
Reel/Frame 075645/0892 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 13, 2026
From: ALIANZA, INC.
To: ALIANZA, LLC
Reel/Frame 075646/0037 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 13, 2026
From: METASWITCH NETWORKS LTD.
To: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
Reel/Frame 075578/0155 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 6, 2025
From: ALIANZA, INC.; METASWITCH NETWORKS LTD
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 071191/0228 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 8, 2019
From: AL-DAMLUJI, SALEM AMIN; GILBERT, GEORGE MALCOLM
To: METASWITCH NETWORKS LTD
Reel/Frame 051322/0742 →
Priority Claims (1)
GB 1617323.9 · Oct 12, 2016 · national
Continuity (3)
Continuation 15439556 · Feb 22, 2017
Continuation 15682393 · Aug 21, 2017
Related Publication 20190238594A1 · Aug 1, 2019