Method and apparatus for monitoring and the prevention of call storms in a communications network

Abstract

The present invention allows monitoring and the prevention of call storms in a communications network, e.g., a VoIP network. More specifically, the present invention enables a VoIP network to monitor the calling pattern, e.g., the number of calls within a period of time that occurs between the same endpoints. If the number of calls exceed a certain threshold, then these calls with the same endpoints will be terminated and an alarm notification will be sent, e.g., to a network operator.

1 . A method for monitoring call setup messages in a communications network, comprising:
 receiving a call setup message for setting up a call connection between a first endpoint and a second endpoint;   calculating a call set up rate between said first endpoint and said second endpoint;   determining whether said call setup rate between said first endpoint and said second endpoint has exceeded a discard threshold for a monitoring time interval; and   discarding said call setup message if said call setup rate between said first endpoint and said second endpoint has exceeded said discard threshold.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said communications network is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said call setup message is received by a Call Control Element (CCE). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said call setup message is a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Invite message. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said call setup rate is derived from a count of a number of call setup messages between said first endpoint and said second endpoint within a time duration of said monitoring time interval. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said monitoring time interval is selectively adjusted. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said discard threshold is selectively adjusted. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 sending an alarm to a network operator if said call setup message is discarded.   
     
     
         9 . A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform steps of a method for monitoring call setup messages in a communications network, comprising:
 receiving a call setup message for setting up a call connection between a first endpoint and a second endpoint;   calculating a call set up rate between said first endpoint and said second endpoint;   determining whether said call setup rate between said first endpoint and said second endpoint has exceeded a discard threshold for a monitoring time interval; and   discarding said call setup message if said call setup rate between said first endpoint and said second endpoint has exceeded said discard threshold.   
     
     
         10 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein said communications network is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network. 
     
     
         11 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein said call setup message is received by a Call Control Element (CCE). 
     
     
         12 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 11 , wherein said call setup message is a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Invite message. 
     
     
         13 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein said call setup rate is derived from a count of a number of call setup messages between said first endpoint and said second endpoint within a time duration of said monitoring time interval. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein said monitoring time interval or said discard threshold is selectively adjusted. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein said discard threshold is selectively adjusted in response to a detected problem. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for monitoring call setup messages in a communications network, comprising:
 means for receiving a call setup message for setting up a call connection between a first endpoint and a second endpoint;   means for calculating a call set up rate between said first endpoint and said second endpoint;   means for determining whether said call setup rate between said first endpoint and said second endpoint has exceeded a discard threshold for a monitoring time interval; and   means for discarding said call setup message if said call setup rate between said first endpoint and said second endpoint has exceeded said discard threshold.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said communications network is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said call setup message is a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Invite message. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said call setup rate is derived from a count of a number of call setup messages between said first endpoint and said second endpoint within a time duration of said monitoring time interval. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 means for sending an alarm to a network operator if said call setup message is discarded.