Method, system, and computer program product for route quality checking and management

Abstract

A method, system and computer program product for route checking and management is described herein. In a voice over internet protocol environment, the invention allows for the testing of routes among various gateways. In an embodiment, a method for selecting a route for a voice over IP call within a communications network is provided. The method includes receiving a VoIP call request from a user, identifying potential candidate routes, assessing the quality and cost of routes and determining a route based on cost, quality and/or user preferences.

1 . A method for selecting a route for a voice over IP (VoIP) call within a communications network, comprising: 
 (a) receiving a VoIP call request from a user;    (b) identifying a plurality of candidate routes to establish the VoIP call;    (c) assessing each of said candidate routes using quality measurement packets, wherein said quality measurement packets can be used to determine at least one route quality metric; and    (d) selecting a candidate route from said plurality of candidate routes.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising establishing a voice over IP (VoIP) call over the candidate route selected in step (d).  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said communication network comprises an Internet.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said communication network comprises a packet switched network and a public switched telephone network.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein selecting a candidate route uses as a factor locations of local exchanges within a public switched telephone network.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein selecting a candidate route uses as a factor whether a candidate route requires the use of a toll call within the public switched telephone network.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said communication network comprises a frame relay network, an ATM network, an IP protocol-based network, a circuit-switched network or a combination of more than one of a frame relay network, an ATM network, an IP protocol-based network, a circuit-switched network.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said the candidate route is selected on a per-call basis.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein selecting a candidate route uses as a factor the at least one route quality metric.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein selecting a candidate routes uses as a factor route cost and the at least one route quality metric.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving user preferences related to call quality and cost factors.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein selecting a candidate route uses as a factor user preferences related to call quality and cost and costs and quality of candidate routes.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one route quality metric includes latency, time jitter or lost packet information.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising ordering the candidate routes, wherein said ordering is based on one or more of network addresses, route costs, general user preferences, route quality of service and whether a route is static, wherein a static route is one that is unchanging.