摘要 |
A method and apparatus for reducing overload conditions of a node of communication system is disclosed. One or more pairs of predefined upper and lower overload threshold values are stored. A rejection proportion value is stored in association with each of the pairs of overload threshold values. Messages arrive at the node and are processed by it. The current processing load or saturation level of the node is continuously measured in real time. The current saturation level is associated with one of the predefined pairs of overload threshold values. The node rejects a number of messages equal to the rejection proportion value that is associated with the overload threshold values that correspond to the current saturation level. Preferably, only call initialization messages, such as call setup messages or initial address messages, are rejected. Accordingly, the node rejects those messages which, if acknowledged, would lead to the creation and transmission of numerous other messages and would worsen the overload condition. The node may be a call processor in a telecommunication network, such as a universal protocol converter.
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