METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COLLAPSING SIGNAL TRANSFER POINT (STP) INFRASTRUCTURE IN A SIGNALING NETWORK

摘要

A multiple point code routing node (270) is configured to recognize multiple point codes as true point codes. The multiple point code routing node (270) originates, terminates, and processes messages having any of its any of its true point codes. As a result, the multiple point code routing node (270) can replace two or more signal transfer points in a conventional telecommunications network without requiring reconfiguration of other nodes (118-124) in the telecommunications network. The multiple point code routing node (270) may also recognize multiple adjacent point codes or secondary adjacent point codes of a mated multiple point code routing node (280). Because the multiple point code routing node (270) can associate multiple point codes with its mate (280), the number of logical or physical signaling links between adjacent multiple point code routing nodes (270, 280) can be increased.