Media gateway proxy

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6766377
  • Patent Number
    6,766,377
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, August 24, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, July 20, 2004
    20 years ago
Abstract
A Media Gateway proxy receives a message and parses the message. The message contains an attribute, sub-command, and a destination address. The proxy stores the message and the attributes. Each of the attributes corresponds to a selected one of a plurality of Media Gateways. Each of the gateways has an address. The proxy finds in the memory the address of the selected Media Gateway using the destination address and the attribute. The proxy then forms a message using said sub-command, said address, and said attribute and transmits the message to the destination Media Gateway.
Description




COPYRIGHT AUTHORIZATION




A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material, which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




This present invention relates to the interworking of computer networks. Specifically, the invention relates to a proxy that groups Media Gateways.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Internet telephony encompasses a number of technologies for the transport of voice traffic over Internet Protocol (IP) networks. IP telephony can be divided into a media plane, a signaling plane, and call control plane. The media plane provides functionality required for media transport, such as packetization of voice data, packet delivery, and media playout at the destination. The signaling and call control plane provides functionality required to set up, tear down, and manage calls.




One aspect of Internet Telephony is the interworking of the IP network with the existing Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). In the context of PSTN interworking, the media and signaling planes include expanded functionality in order to connect the different network types. Thus, the media plane incorporates components which translate and map the voice data between a circuit switched network and an IP (packet) network, enabling it to act as a gateway between the two different means of media transport. Similarly, the signaling and call control plane incorporates components which translate and map signaling and call control protocols between PSTN and IP networks, in order to set up, tear down, and manage calls which traverse both types of network.




The development of common protocols and architectures for the PSTN interworking function is a major focus of several standards bodies, including the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU). While this is a large task requiring the resolution of many technical issues, one general architecture that has emerged in which the media plane and signaling and call control plane are viewed as distinct elements. The media component is referred to as a Media Gateway (MG). The signaling and call control component is further divided into two elements. A Media Gateway Controller (MGC) both controls the MG remotely, and handles IP-side signaling and call control with peer elements on the IP network. In addition, a Signaling Gateway provides the mapping and translation between the PSTN and IP signaling and call control protocols. One problem is that the general architecture does not necessarily specify the implementation of such components. For example, the Signaling Gateway and the MGC could be implemented as a single, integrated component.




The MGC and MG are configured in a master (MGC)—slave (MG) relationship, and multiple MGs may be under the control of a single MGC. Regardless of the number of MGs under a given MGC, or the actual physical implementation of the MG, the MGC views each MG under its control as a distinct entity with which it communicates via a well-specified software interface. The various protocols that are being developed define standard sets of media processing capabilities, as well as the MGC-MG interface. Current protocols under development within the IETF include the Media Gateway Control (MEGACO) and Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP). Within the ITU, H.248 is the standard for the interface.




Because the MGC's only view of the MG is via the standard interface, it has no visibility into how the actual media resources are configured behind the interface in order to support the capabilities required by the interface. The media resources may be part of an integrated hardware platform (e.g., DSPs, controlling processors, and buses), or alternatively, a collection of distinct platforms, coordinated and managed by software which presents the standard MG interface to the MGC.




Thus, it is desirable to provide a virtual Media Gateway (MG) composed of multiple standalone media gateways. It would also be desirable to allow an outside entity, for example, a Media Gateway Controller (MGC), to transmit messages to a virtual Media Gateway and receive messages from a virtual Media Gateway and allow the outside entity to view the virtual Media Gateway as a single Media Gateway.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The invention relates to a virtual Media Gateway (MG) including multiple standalone media gateways. The virtual Media Gateway is a grouping, which contains multiple individual Media Gateways. Specifically, the invention relates to a Media Gateway proxy that allows an outside entity, for example, a Media Gateway Controller (MGC), to transmit messages to a virtual Media Gateway and receive messages from a virtual Media Gateway. The Media Gateway proxy allows the outside entity to view the virtual Media Gateway as a single Media Gateway.




In one embodiment of the present invention, an external Media Gateway Controller is coupled to a Media Gateway proxy via a standard software interface (e.g., MEGACO). The proxy is coupled to a plurality of Media Gateways. The Media Gateways are organized into groups. Each group is a virtual Media Gateway.




The external MGC transmits messages to the Media Gateway proxy. In one embodiment, the Media Gateway proxy comprises a frontend, middleware, and an internal MGC. The messages contain a plurality of sub-commands, attributes, and a virtual destination address. The virtual destination address is an address of a virtual Media Gateway. Each attribute relates to a particular physical Media Gateway.




The Media Gateway proxy receives the message. In one embodiment, for each sub-command, the Media Gateway proxy extracts the sub-command and the attributes associated with the sub-command. The proxy then determines the destination physical IP address (of the destination MG) for the command. In another aspect of the present invention, the proxy receives replies from the MGs. The proxy maintains a table of activity with respect to the commands it receives. The proxy maintains a record of the messages received from the MGC. When all reply messages (associated with a particular message from the MGC) have been received, the proxy aggregates the responses and sends a reply to the external MGC.




The foregoing and the other features and advantages of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




Preferred embodiments of the present inventions are described with reference to the following drawings, wherein:





FIG. 1

is a block diagram of the overall system according to one embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 2

is a block diagram of the overall system showing the MG proxy according to one embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 3

is a block diagram of the media proxy according to one embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 4

is a flowchart of the operation of the frontend according to one embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 5

is a flowchart of the operation of the middleware according to one embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 6

is a flowchart of the operation of the internal MGC according to one embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 7

is a table showing the relationship between a virtual MG and physical MGs according to one embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 8

is a table showing the states of the system according to one embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 9

is a call flow diagram illustrating the flow of messages between the MG and the MGC according to principles of the present invention;





FIG. 10

is an example of the mapping table according to one embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 11

is an example of a state table according to one embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 12

is an example of a MEGACO-like message according to one embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 13

is an example of a MEGACO-like message according to one embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 14

is an example of a MEGACO-like message according to one embodiment of the present invention; and





FIG. 15

is an example of a MEGACO-like reply message according to one embodiment of the present invention.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Referring now to

FIG. 1

, an overall system of the present invention is described. In

FIG. 1

, solid lines represent physical connections and dashed lines represent logical connections. For example, MGC


110


has a logical connection to MG


104


, which makes use of a physical connection via the IP network


112


. In general, logical connections represent communications between entities, while physical connections represent the actual physical path for logical connections.




The configuration of

FIG. 1

also shows a single IP network. However, the configuration with a single IP network is exemplary, and multiple IP networks can be used to provide the physical connectivity between entities. Also, the configuration of logical and physical connections shown in

FIG. 1

is exemplary. Other configurations are possible. For example, a logical connection between entities could be provided by a direct physical connection between them instead of the IP network as shown in FIG.


1


.




A Signaling System 7 (SS7) gateway


100


is logically coupled to a Media Gateway Controller (MGC)


110


. The MGC


110


is coupled to a proxy


115


. The proxy


115


, MGC


110


and a SS7 gateway


100


are connected to an IP network


112


. A first Media Gateway (MG)


104


, second MG


106


, third MG


108


, fourth MG


116


, fifth MG


118


, and sixth MG


120


are also coupled to the IP network


112


. A PSTN switch


102


is coupled to the SS7 gateway


100


and the first MG


104


, the second MG


106


, and the third MG


108


.




The proxy


115


is also coupled to a second MGC


114


, which is coupled to a second SS7 gateway


122


. The MGC


110


is also coupled to the first MG


104


, the second MG


106


, and the third MG


108


. The MGC


114


is also coupled to the fourth MG


116


, the fifth MG


118


, and the sixth MG


120


. The second SS7 gateway


122


is coupled to a second PSTN switch


124


, which is coupled to the fourth MG


116


, the fifth MG


118


, and the sixth MG


120


. The proxy


115


is connected to the gateways


104


,


106


,


108


,


16


,


118


, and


120


. However, more than one proxy may be used.




The MG proxy groups several standalone MGs, and each group of MGs is presented as a distinct virtual MG to the outside world, for example, to the MGC


110


or


114


. The media resources used in each virtual MG belong to multiple standalone MGs; there is no parent MG to the complete set of media resources represented by all of the standalone MGs. The MG proxy coordinates and manages communications between the MGC and the standalone MGs.




The events that may cause the MGC to issue commands to the MGs include signals from the PSTN, e.g., via the SS7 network, or signals from a peer MGC, via the IP network. Once the MGC determines the action required by the external event, it issues an appropriate command to one or more of the MGs under its control.




A MG proxy could be used to configure any standalone MGs that are under the control of a MGC, and to which it can communicate. The MGC could be external to several independent MGs, or could be part of a larger system of MGs in which the MG proxy is integral to the system configuration. A MG proxy could be placed anywhere in the path between a MGC and a MG. For example, the MG proxy could be placed between an external MGC and one or more standalone MGs. But it could also be placed as a secondary MG proxy between a MGC and a primary MG proxy that is used to build virtual MGs out of standalone MGs control of the primary. That is, MG proxies could be configured hierarchically.




Referring now to

FIG. 2

, a system that uses a MG proxy is described. A first MGC


200


is coupled to a proxy


202


. A second MGC


204


is also coupled to the proxy


202


. The proxy


202


comprises a first virtual MG


206


, a second virtual MG


208


, and a third virtual MG


210


. The proxy


202


is coupled to a first virtual MG grouping


212


, a second virtual MG grouping


214


, and a third virtual MG grouping


216


. The first virtual MG grouping includes a MG


1




218


, MG


2




220


, and MG


5




222


. The second virtual MG grouping


214


includes MG


4




224


and MG


7




226


. The third virtual MG grouping includes MG


3




228


and MG


6




230


. The groupings are exemplary and could be different, for example, including a greater or fewer number of MGs.




Referring now to

FIG. 3

, the MG proxy is illustrated. For purposes of illustration, the MG proxy


300


comprises a MG frontend


302


, a MG proxy middleware


304


, and an internal MGC


306


. However, the implementation shown is not the only possible one that could be used to achieve a MG Proxy. This implementation should not be seen to limit the scope of possible implementations.




The MG frontend


302


presents the standard MG interface to the external MGC (such as H.248), and implements functionality that translates commands issued by the MGC into actions on the actual MG.




The MG proxy middleware


304


translates control and management functionality passed to it by the MG frontend into appropriate requests to the internal MGC.




The MG frontend is not programmed to determine how the middleware actually accomplishes the partitioning and management of the media resources when virtual MGs are created. In one preferred embodiment of the MG proxy, the proxy middleware may accomplish this by calling on the internal MGC to help.




The internal MGC


306


, in turn, issues standard commands to one or more of the MGs under its control. In analogy with the events that trigger actions by the MGCs in

FIG. 1

, the proxy middleware provides the events that cause the internal MGC to determine an action and issue commands to one of the MGs under its control.




Referring now to

FIG. 4

, a flowchart illustrating one possible embodiment of the operation of the frontend is described. At step


402


, the frontend receives a message. At step


404


, it is determined if a received message is from an external source or from the middleware. If the source is external, then execution continues at step


406


. If the source of the message is the middleware, then execution continues at step


410


.




At step


406


, the frontend examines the received command and determines the ultimate destination (e.g., a particular IP address). The ultimate destination may be an address that represents a grouping of gateways or an address representing a physical gateway. At step


408


, the frontend passes the IP address and the received command to the middleware. Execution then ends.




As mentioned previously, if the source of the message is from the middleware, then at step


410


, the frontend receives address, attribute, and sub-command information from the middleware. Next, at step


412


, the frontend assembles the attribute, sub-command, and address information. That is, the frontend takes the address, sub-command, and attribute information received and places it together in the form of a single message. At step


414


, the frontend transmits the message to the external MGC. Execution then ends. The algorithm described in reference to

FIG. 4

is exemplary only; other flows are possible.




Referring now to

FIG. 5

, a flowchart illustrating one possible embodiment of a method of operation of the middleware is illustrated. At step


502


, the middleware receives a message, either from the frontend or the internal MGC. The message may include a plurality of sub-commands and an associated attribute for each sub-command. In addition, the command may contain a destination address that represents a virtual MG. At step


504


, the middleware determines whether it is a message received from the frontend or a message received from the internal MGC. If the middleware determines that the message is from the frontend, then execution continues at step


506


. If the middleware determines that the source of the message is from the internal MGC, then execution continues at step


513


.




At step


506


, the middleware parses the message and determines that it is a plurality of sub-commands and an attribute associated with the sub-command. This parsing step separates the single message into these sub-commands and attributes, and the destination address of the virtual MG.




At step


508


, the middleware searches an address table to verify the destination address is that of a virtual MG rather than that of a standalone MG. In one preferred embodiment, the address table has a first column containing the addresses of virtual MGs and a second column containing the virtual group number. This group number is used as an index by the middleware to locate a mapping table corresponding to the virtual group. In other words, the mapping tables have an associated number, the number corresponds to a virtual group number. If the address is not found in the table, then this signifies that the address is not that of a virtual MG (there is not more than one physical MG associated with the address). However, it is possible for a virtual MG to consist of a single, standalone MG.




In one preferred embodiment, each mapping table contains a first column containing a MG number, a second column with the. IP address for the MG, and a third column with a corresponding attribute. At step


510


, the middleware searches the mapping table for each attribute in the sub-command. After the attribute is located in the mapping table, the middleware obtains the IP address associated with the attribute. At step


511


, the middleware creates a state table. This indicates to the middleware that there are outstanding transactions to the internal MGC. Each entry in the state table may have a transaction ID. At step


512


, the middleware passes the attribute, IP address, and sub-command to the internal MGC. Execution then ends.




If the source of the command is from the internal MGC, then execution continues at step


513


. At step


513


, the middleware receives the attribute information, sub-command, and the IP addresses from the internal MGC. This information was from a reply message received from a MG. Additional information, for example, a transaction ID is possible.




At step


514


, the middleware retrieves a state table. At step


516


, the middleware accesses the table, since the state table indicates whether this information (from a reply message) is part of a multiple command set. That is, the middleware determines if the information is in response to a message from an external MGC, where this message contained multiple sub-commands. If this is the case, the proxy must wait until all replies have been received until a reply message is sent to the external MGC.




If the reply corresponds to a command that was part of the multiple command set, execution continues at step


518


where it is determined whether all replies to commands in the set have been received. If all replies to commands have been received, then execution continues at step


520


where the virtual MG IP address is obtained. At step


522


, the middleware takes the command information (sub-command and attributes), which is already stored in the state table, along with the IP address and sends this information to the frontend. Execution then ends.




If the answer at step


516


is negative, then the middleware transmits the internal MGC information to the frontend at step


522


. If the answer at step


518


is negative, then execution continues at step


524


where the table is marked to indicate that one of the replies has been received. Thus, execution ends.




Referring now to

FIG. 6

, a flowchart illustrating one preferred embodiment of the method of operation of the internal MGC is illustrated. At step


602


, the internal MGC receives command information (attributes and IP address). Next, at step


604


, the internal MGC determines the source of the command information. If the determination is that the source of the information is from the middleware then execution continues at step


606


. If the determination is that the command information is from a MG, then the execution continues at step


610


.




At step


606


, the internal MGC takes the command information from the middleware and puts it into a correct message format with the correct destination addresses. That is, the internal MGC takes an attribute and a destination address and concatenates them. At step


608


, the internal MGC transmits the commands to the appropriate MG. Execution then ends.




If the internal MGC determines that the source of the received command is an external MG under its control, then execution continues at step


610


. At step


610


, the internal MGC parses the command received from the MG. The internal MGC extracts the IP address and the other attribute information from the command. Next, at step


612


, the internal MGC passes this information to the middleware. Execution then ends.




It should be understood the functionality mentioned in relation to the frontend, middleware and internal MGC, could be situated as needed. That is, the invention is not limited to a particular functionality being placed within a certain functional entity. To the contrary, any of the functionality mentioned above with respect to a particular entity can be moved to any of the other entities.




Referring now to

FIG. 7

, one preferred embodiment of the mapping table used by the MG Proxy is described. The table is associated with a nth virtual group entry


702


. The table comprises three columns: a MG number column


704


, an address column


706


, and an attribute information column


708


. However, the table could contain additional or different columns, as well. The MG number column


704


contains the number of the MG. The address information column


706


contains the IP address associated with the MG in the MG column. This address could be globally routable or locally routable. The attribute information column


708


specifies additional information, for example a termination identification.




The first address entry contains a MG number MGX


710


. The number may or may not be the numeral “one.” An address entry ADDI


712


contains the IP address associated with the entry. An attribute entry


714


contains any additional attribute information for this entry. Similarly, a MG entry


716


, address entry


718


, and attribute entry


720


is associated with the mth entry in the table.




Referring now to

FIG. 8

, one preferred embodiment of the state table used by the MG proxy is described. A message entry


802


contains the address of a virtual MG. This message comprises a plurality of sub-commands. The address of each virtual MG has associated with it a plurality of standalone MGs. The standalone MGs each have an associated IP address.




A sub-command column


804


indicates a sub-command that has been issued to the MG. An address column


806


indicates an IP address associated with the sub-command. The IP address is the ultimate destination address for the command. A received column


810


indicates whether the reply command (associated with the sub-command) has been received from the MG. An attribute column


824


indicates the attribute associated with the command, for example, a particular termination.




An entry


812


is for the first sub-command. For example, the sub-command may be “ADD” or “DELETE.” An IP address


1


entry


814


is associated with this first entry. A received entry


816


indicates whether the reply message has been received from the MG. An attribute entry


826


is associated with the first sub-command. There are n sub-commands in the table. Sub-command nth entry


818


, associated IP address


820


, received entry


822


, and attributes entry


828


are associated with the nth entry. Each entry in the table could also have a column for transaction ID.




The following example illustrates one of many possible examples of the message flow between an external MGC, MG proxy, and virtual MG. This example uses some of the naming conventions from the MEGACO ABNF specification. However, it should be understood that other specifications can be used and the invention is not limited to the MEGACO specification. The external MGC is not aware that the virtual MG is composed of different, standalone MGs. The MGC only knows that the attributes belong to virtual MG.




Referring now collectively to

FIGS. 9

,


10


, and


11


, an external MGC


902


sends a message


912


to a virtual MG


905


. Of course, the message may include any number of sub-commands. The sub-commands specify an action that the MGC


902


wants the virtual MG


905


to take. For example, each sub-command specifies different terminations (T1, T2, and T3), corresponding to attributes, that are implemented in the virtual MG


905


and whether it is desired that a particular termination be added, subtracted or modified.




The virtual MG


905


contains standalone MG


906


, standalone MG


908


, and standalone MG


910


. In this example, a termination T1 is contained in the standalone MG


906


. A termination T2 is contained in the standalone MG


908


. Finally, a termination T3 is contained in the standalone MG


910


.




Each of the entities illustrated in

FIG. 9

has an associated IP address. For example, the external MGC


902


has an IP address of “123.123.123.1.” The MG Proxy


904


has an IP address of “123.123.123.2.” The standalone MG


906


has an IP address of “123.123.123.3.” The standalone MG


908


has an IP address of “123.123.123.4.” Finally, the MG


910


has an IP address of “123.123.123.5.” All entities may use the same port address, although this is not required. That is, all entities associated with the Media Gateway (the MGC


902


the MG Proxy


904


, MG


906


, MG


908


, and MG


910


). In this case, the port address is “55555.”




As stated above, the external MGC


902


sends a MEGACO message


912


to the MG Proxy


904


with a single transaction request containing three commands. The message is stored in a memory in the media gateway proxy for later use.




The frontend of the proxy determines the source of the message (the external MGC


902


) analyzes the destination address (“123.123.123.2”) and passes the destination address (“123.123.123.2”) and the message to middleware of the proxy.




The middleware takes the destination address (“123.123.123.2”) and applies it to an address table. The address table has an entry for the destination address (virtual MG


1


). The middleware now knows that the destination address is a virtual address and locates a mapping table using MG


1


as an index.




The middleware also parses the MEGACO messages into separate sub-commands and extracts the termination identifier (e.g., T1, T2, and T3) for each sub-command. The middleware then searches the mapping table


1002


for each termination identifier. In this case, the middleware finds entries relating to T1, T2, and T3. The middleware then obtains the IP addresses for each of the entries. For example, the middleware finds T1 in entry


1006


and the address associated with T1 in entry


1004


(“123.123.123.3”). The middleware performs the same operation with respect to T2 and T3.




The middleware creates a new state table with an entry for each command and marks each command as outstanding. The middleware passes the information (IP addresses, termination identifier, and command) in three separate requests to the internal MGC. The internal MGC translates these requests into MEGACO transactions


914


,


916


, and


918


and transmits the transactions


914


,


916


, and


918


to MG


906


, MG


908


, and MG


910


.




Each of the MGs


906


,


908


, and


910


processes the transaction and replies to the MG proxy


904


. The MG


906


sends a reply


920


. The MG


908


sends a reply


922


. The MG


910


sends a reply


924


.




The proxy


904


receives the replies, specifically the internal MGC portion of the Proxy. The internal MGC parses the replies and extracts the addresses (“122.123.123.3”, “123.123.123.4”, and “123.123.123.5”), the commands (Add, Mod, Sub), and the termination identifiers (T1, T2, and T3) and transaction IDs, if used. The internal MGC passes the addresses, commands, and termination identifiers to the MG Proxy middleware.




The MG Proxy middleware examines each reply as that reply is received. The middleware determines that the reply was part of a multiple command message. The middleware determines the exact reply received and goes to the state table


1100


that contains the corresponding command that is associated with that reply. The middleware determines whether this is the last reply to sub-command received (to complete the transaction). For example, the middleware examines the state table


1100


and determines whether all replies have been received. Since entries


1102


,


1104


have been marked, the received command is the last, and the last entry will be marked and will complete the transaction, then the middleware retrieves the virtual address (in this case “123.123.123.2”). If this had not been the final reply to a sub-command, then the middleware would mark the entry in the table corresponding to the sub-command and the transaction would not be complete. When all replies to sub-commands have been received, the middleware then passes the address of the virtual MG, the termination identifiers, and the sub-commands to the frontend.




The frontend receives the address of the virtual MG, termination identifiers and replies to sub-commands, and forms a MEGACO transaction reply message. The frontend then transmits the message to the MGC.




It should be understood that the programs, processes, methods and systems described herein are not related or limited to any particular type of computer or network system (hardware or software), unless indicated otherwise. Various types of general purpose or specialized computer systems may be used with or perform operations in accordance with the teachings described herein.




In view of the wide variety of embodiments to which the principles of the present invention can be applied, it should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention. For example, the steps of the flow diagrams may be taken in sequences other than those described, and more or fewer elements may be used in the block diagrams. While various elements of the preferred embodiments have been described as being implemented in software, in other embodiments in hardware or firmware implementations may alternatively be used, and vice-versa.




It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that methods involved in the present invention may be embodied in a computer program product that includes a computer usable medium. For example, such a computer usable medium can include a readable memory device, such as, a hard drive device, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a computer diskette, having computer readable program code segments stored thereon. The computer readable medium can also include a communications or transmission medium, such as, a bus or a communications link, either optical, wired, or wireless having program code segments carried thereon as digital or analog data signals.




The claims should not be read as limited to the described order or elements unless stated to that effect. Therefore, all embodiments that come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto are claimed as the invention.



Claims
  • 1. A Media Gateway proxy logically positioned between a Media Gateway Controller (MGC) and a plurality of Media Gateways comprising:a frontend for receiving a message from said MGC and parsing said message, said message containing an attribute, sub-command, and a destination address; a memory, coupled to said frontend, for storing said message and said attributes, each of said attributes corresponding to a selected one of said plurality of Media Gateways, each of said gateways having an address; middleware, coupled to said frontend, for finding in said memory said address of a said selected Media Gateway using said destination address and said attribute; and an internal MGC, coupled to said middleware, for receiving the address of said gateway, said subcommand, and said attribute, and forming a plurality of other messages using said sub-command, said address, and said attribute.
  • 2. The Media Gateway proxy of claim 1:wherein said internal MGC receives replies from said plurality of MGs, each of said replies containing the transaction completion associated with a selected sub-command; and wherein said middleware determines if said replies include all of said transaction completions and wherein said frontend transmits a message when all replies have been received.
  • 3. The Media Gateway proxy of claim 2 wherein said messages include transactions conforming to a media gateway protocol.
  • 4. The Media Gateway proxy of claim 3 wherein said protocol is MEGACO.
  • 5. The Media Gateway proxy of claim 1 wherein said plurality of Media Gateways comprise a virtual grouping.
  • 6. The Media Gateway proxy of claim 5 wherein said destination address is associated with said virtual grouping.
  • 7. A method of transmitting and processing messages, comprising the steps of:receiving a message and parsing said message, said message including an attribute, sub-command, and a destination address; storing in memory said message and said attributes, each of said attributes corresponding to a selected one of said plurality of Media Gateways, each of said gateways having an address; finding in said memory said address of a selected one of said Media Gateways using said destination address and said attribute; and receiving the address of said gateway, said subcommand, and said attribute and forming a unique message for each of said sub-commands, said addresses, and said attributes.
  • 8. The method of claim 7 comprising the further steps of:receiving replies from said plurality of MGs, each of said replies including the transaction completion of selected one of said sub-commands; determining if said replies include all of said transaction completions; and transmitting a message when all replies have been received.
  • 9. The method of claim 8 wherein said messages conform to a Media Gateway protocol.
  • 10. The method of claim 9 wherein said protocol is MEGACO.
  • 11. The method of claim 8 wherein said destination address is the address of a virtual Media Gateway.
  • 12. A computer readable medium having stored therein instructions for causing a processing unit to execute the following method:receiving a message and parsing said message, said message including an attribute, sub-command, and a destination address; storing said message and said attributes, each of said attributes corresponding to a selected one of said plurality of Media Gateways, each of said gateways having an address; finding in said memory said address of a selected one of said Media Gateways using said destination address and said attribute; and receiving the address of said gateway, said subcommand, and said attribute and forming a unique message for each of said sub-commands, said addresses, and said attributes.
  • 13. A device for transmitting and processing messages comprising:a first receiver that receives a message and parses said message, said message containing an attribute, sub-command, and a destination address; a memory, coupled to said first receiver, that stores said message and said attributes, each of said attributes corresponding to a selected one of said plurality of Media Gateways, each of said gateways having an address; a locator, coupled to said memory, that finds in said memory said address of a said selected Media Gateway using said destination address and said attribute; and a second receiver, coupled to said locator, that receives the address of said gateway, said subcommand, and said attribute and forms messages using said sub-command, said address, and said attribute.
  • 14. The device of claim 13 further comprising:a third receiver for receiving replies from said plurality of MGs, each reply containing transaction completions for a sub-command; a determiner for determining if all of said sub-commands have been received; and a transmitter for transmitting a message when all transaction completions of said sub-commands have been received.
  • 15. A network comprising:a Media Gateway Controller (MGC); a Media Gateway proxy, said proxy coupled to said MGC and comprising: a first receiver that receives a message and parses said message, said message containing an attribute, sub-command, and a destination address; a memory, coupled to said first receiver, that stores said message and said attributes, each of said attributes corresponding to a selected one of said plurality of Media Gateways, each of said gateways having an address; a locator, coupled to said memory, that finds in said memory said address of a said selected Media Gateway using said destination address and said attribute; and a second receiver, coupled to said locator, that receives the address of said gateway, said subcommand, and said attribute and forms messages using said sub-command, said address, and said attribute; and a plurality of Media Gateways coupled to said Media Gateway proxy.
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