A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

摘要

A status information system for use in a communications network. The status information system comprises information management means through which a first entity operable in the network can request to receive status information about one or more specified other entities of the network and which means is arranged to obtain the said status information. The system further comprises delivery means through which the first entity can receive status information about other entities of the network. The delivery means is arranged : (i) to receive status information about entities of the network including to receive from the information management means the said status information about the specified one or more entities, and (ii) to authenticate the received status information. The delivery means is further arranged, on the basis of the authentication, (a) to send received status information to the first entity when the status information is authenticated as being about the specified one or more entities, and (b) to not send received status information to the first entity when the status information is not authenticated as being about the specified one or more entities.