Russ C Coffin

US Patent:

7177952, Feb 13, 2007

Filed:

Aug 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/631251

Inventors:

Donald L. Wurch - Rockwall TX, US
Liem Q. Le - Richardson TX, US
Carey B. Becker - Plano TX, US
Emad A. Qaddoura - Plano TX, US
Russ C. Coffin - Plano TX, US

Assignee:

Nortel Networks Limited - St.Laurent

International Classification:

G06F 15/16

US Classification:

709250, 709245, 709249

Abstract:

A system and method is provided for seamlessly switching between different network access technologies without interrupting active network applications or sessions. A Network Access Arbitrator (NAA), which contains a virtual network adapter driver, resides between a Data Link Layer and a Network Layer of the standard OSI-7 Layer Protocol Stack for controlling necessary switching between different network access technologies. Since all network applications are controlled by layers residing on or above the Network Layer, all applications using network services provided by the Network Layer will continue their active network sessions or applications without disruption, as the NAA switches between different network access technologies.

US Patent:

6611533, Aug 26, 2003

Filed:

Jun 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/334964

Inventors:

Monling Liao - Raleigh NC
Emad Qaddoura - Plano TX
Russ Coffin - Plano TX
Donald Wurch - Rockwall TX
Liem Le - Richardson TX

Assignee:

Nortel Networks Limited - St. Laurent

International Classification:

H04J 322

US Classification:

370467, 709230, 709232, 709236

Abstract:

An apparatus, system, and method are provided for interworking the public telephone network and the IP network. The public telephone network transports a TCAP message in a first format, and the IP network transports an encapsulated TCAP message in a second format. A first interface communicates with the public telephone network, and exchanges TCAP messages therewith. A second interface communicates with the IP network, and exchanges encapsulated TCAP messages therewith. A processor operably connected to at least one of said first interface and said second interface translates TCAP messages in the first format to/from the encapsulated TCAP message in the second format. The processor is further adapted for forwarding TCAP messages in both formats to the respective network. The first format can be an SS7 protocol format, while the second format can be an IP protocol format as used in the IP network. Various message structures and encapsulation techniques are provided.