MESSAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS

摘要

Apparatus, methods, and machine-readable articles of manufacture improve reliability and scalability of a messaging system. In some embodiments, the system's configuration data and subscriber information are stored in a central repository of a core node, and replicated to one or more non-core nodes. Data replication may be performed in real-time or near real-time, periodically, sporadically, or otherwise. Nodes may rely on the replicated data to provide the system's subscribers and outside callers with services that do not involve updating of configuration or subscriber data. In this way, the non-core nodes may continue to process calls when the core node is unavailable. For example, the non-core nodes can route calls to the appropriate subscribers without relying on the core. As another example, the non-core nodes can take messages from callers when the core node is unavailable. The messages may be queued for posting and delivery when the core node becomes available.

主权项

1. A messaging system comprising:
a core node configured to provide central repository services for storing system configuration and subscriber information for subscribers served by the messaging system, and to provide centralized administrative and subscriber access to the system configuration and subscriber information; and a plurality of non-core nodes, the plurality of non-core nodes comprising a first non-core node and a second non-core node, each non-core node of the plurality of non-core nodes being in communication with telephone switching equipment associated with said each non-core node, said each non-core node of the plurality of non-core nodes being configured as a platform running telephony user interface applications for processing telephone calls, at least the first non-core node of the plurality of non-core nodes being configured to provide a platform running voice user interface applications for processing the telephone calls; wherein: the core node and at least two non-core nodes of the plurality of non-core nodes are configured to replicate at least a portion of the system configuration information stored on the core node and at least a portion of the subscriber information stored on the core node to each non-core node of the at least two non-core nodes; the messaging system is configured to receive calls and voice messages from outside callers to the subscribers served by the messaging system, so that the outside callers can call extensions of specific subscribers selected by the outside callers, and so that the outside callers can leave voicemail for the specific subscribers selected by the outside callers; the messaging system is configured to enable the subscribers served by the messaging system to place through the messaging system external calls directed outside the messaging system.