System for routing incoming connection-less messages to processes which are already handling messages from same source node

Claim 2

A message handling apparatus for controlling messages originating from nodes in a communication system, the message handling apparatus comprising: a central distributing unit for routing incoming connectionless messages, means for forming a variable local data structure for maintaining information on originating nodes, which nodes can or are allowed to send messages, a database for providing the data structure with information on said originating nodes, said information including information on existing or accepted nodes means for updating the data structure, a message processing arrangement, means for determining from which node a message originates, means for examining if a process is running in response to a message from an originating node, wherein for an incoming message the originating node is determined and if any process is running in response to a message originating from the same node, the message is routed to the running process for processing, and if there is no process running for any message from the same originating node, a new process is started for processing the message, and means for sending notification messages to processes about particular changes in database records.

Claim 3

The message handling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the messages are management messages.

Claim 4

The message handling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the database includes a separate database record for every originating node in a given network or distribution area.

Claim 5

The message handling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the updating means comprises means for informing the distributing unit of changes in database records.

Claim 6

The message handling apparatus of claim 4, wherein the database is updated in runtime with information on originating nodes in order to update the data structure.

Claim 7

The message handling apparatus of claim 4, wherein the database has support to send notification messages to the distribution unit regarding changes in particular database records.

Claim 8

The message handling apparatus of claim 4, wherein the updating means comprises scanning means for periodically scanning the database.

Claim 9

The message handling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data structure comprises three fields per originating node or data object.

Claim 10

The message handling apparatus of claim 8, wherein a first field comprises Originating Point Code information for providing identification of an originating node.

Claim 11

The message handling apparatus of claim 9, wherein upon reception of an incoming message, the Originating Point Code thereof is compared to data objects in the data structure and if no corresponding data object is found, the message is ignored.

Claim 12

The message handling apparatus of claim 8, wherein a second field comprises information on a sequential order of messages from a given node for which a process is running.

Claim 13

The message handling apparatus of claim 8, wherein a third field comprises information on an identity of a communication link that is used between an originating node and a distributing arrangement.

Claim 14

The message handling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the messages are Signalling Connection Control Part-Connection-Less messages.

Claim 15

The message handling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central distributing unit contains information on all nodes having the ability to send messages.

Claim 16

The message handling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the message processing arrangement comprises a Common Pool Processor.

Claim 17

The message handling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central distributing unit is allocated to a Fault Tolerant Processor.

Claim 18

The message handling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central distributing unit is allocated to one or more message processing arrangements in such a way that only one central distributing unit is active at a time.

Claim 19

The message handling apparatus of claim 1, wherein said particular changes in the database records include creation of database records or deletion of database records.

Claim 20

A message handling apparatus for controlling messages originating from nodes in a communication system, the apparatus comprising: a central distributing unit for routing incoming connectionless messages, wherein the central distributing unit comprises a variable local data structure having information on originating nodes which are allowed to send messages, said information including information on existing or accepted nodes; and the variable local data structure comprises a first field containing Origination Point Code-information providing information on an originating node, a second field containing information on a sequential order of messages from a given node for which a process is running, and a third field containing information on communication links between originating nodes used for the message handling apparatus; a database for providing the data structure with information on the originating nodes; means for updating the data structure; means for identifying the originating node of an incoming message, a message processing arrangement, means for examining if, when a message is received from an originating node, any process is running processing in response to any message originating from the same originating node in which case the message is routed to the running process for processing, and if there is no process running for any message from the same originating node, a new process is started for processing the message, and means for sending notification messages to processes about particular changes in database records.

Claim 21

A message handling apparatus for controlling messages originating from nodes in a communication system, the apparatus comprising: a central distributing unit for routing incoming connectionless messages, wherein the central distributing unit comprises a variable local data structure having information on originating nodes which are allowed to send messages, said information including information on existing or accepted nodes; and the variable local data structure comprises a first field containing Origination Point Code-information providing information on an originating node, a second field containing information on a sequential order of messages from a given node for which a process is running, and a third field containing information on communication links between originating nodes used for the message handling apparatus; a database for providing the data structure with information on the originating nodes; means for updating the data structure; means for identifying the originating node of an incoming message, a message processing arrangement, means for examining if, when a message is received from an originating node, any process is running processing in response to any message originating from the same originating node in which case the message is routed to the running process for processing, and if there is no process running for any message from the same originating node, a new process is started for processing the message, and means for sending notification messages to processes about particular changes in database records.

Claim 22

The message handling apparatus of claim 19, wherein the messages are Signalling Connection Control Part-Connection-Less messages (SCCP-CL).

Claim 23

The message handling apparatus of claim 19, wherein a message is ignored if no data object corresponding to its originating node is found in the data structure.

Claim 24

The message handling apparatus of claim 19, wherein the message processing arrangement comprises a Common Pool Processor.

Claim 25

The message handling apparatus of claim 20, wherein the central distributing unit is allocated to a Fault Tolerant Processor.

Claim 26

The message handling apparatus of claim 19, wherein said particular changes in the database records include creation of database records or deletion of database records.

Claim 27

A communication system having a plurality of nodes, comprising: a message distribution arrangement for distributing messages, wherein messages originating from nodes are received in a central message distribution unit for routing of the messages, and the message distribution arrangement is provided with information on nodes of at least a given part or category or similar aspect of the network, said information including information on existing or accepted nodes; means for collecting information about the origination of the messages; means for processing messages by which a process for processing messages is initiated if there is no process running in response to any message from the same originating node as an incoming message, and by which the message is processed by an ongoing process processing messages from that node if the message is not the only message from the same originating node; and means for sending notification messages to processes about particular changes in database records.

Claim 28

A communication system having a plurality of nodes, comprising: a message distribution arrangement for distributing messages, wherein messages originating from nodes are received in a central message distribution unit for routing of the messages, and the message distribution arrangement is provided with information on nodes of at least a given part or category or similar aspect of the network, said information including information on existing or accepted nodes; means for collecting information about the origination of the messages; means for processing messages by which a process for processing messages is initiated if there is no process running in response to any message from the same originating node as an incoming message, and by which the message is processed by an ongoing process processing messages from that node if the message is not the only message from the same originating node; and means for sending notification messages to processes about particular changes in database records.

Claim 29

The communication system of claim 25, wherein the messages are management messages.

Claim 30

The communication system of claim 25, wherein said particular changes in the database records include creation of database records or deletion of database records.

Claim 33

The method of claim 28, wherein the messages are management messages.

Claim 34

The method of claim 28, wherein said particular changes in the database records include creation of database records or deletion of database records.