Method of filtering responses to gatekeeper discovery multicast request message

摘要

A method and apparatus for filtering responses to a gatekeeper discovery request message that is multicast from a mobile terminal to a plurality of gatekeepers in a communications network so that an optimum gatekeeper can be selected. When using the H.323 protocol, an enhanced Gatekeeper Request (GRQ) message includes criteria for an optimum gatekeeper for the mobile terminal. Each gatekeeper, upon receiving the enhanced GRQ message, determines whether it meets the criteria in the request message. If so, a confirmation message is sent to the mobile terminal from each gatekeeper that meets the criteria. In an alternative embodiment, gatekeepers that receive the enhanced GRQ message send a response indicating their capabilities to meet each of the criteria. The mobile terminal then determines the optimum gatekeeper by comparing the reported gatekeeper capabilities to the optimum gatekeeper criteria.