| 摘要 |
To support a changing volume of voice-grade traffic in an access network having a local exchange with a limited capacity, there are proposed the following method. First, there are provided access networks each having its subscribers and its associated local exchange. Each of the access networks is capable of dividing traffic, outgoing from its subscribers, into voice-grade and data traffic portions, and capable of directing the data traffic portion to a packet network while directing the voice-grade traffic portion to a PSTN network via the associated local exchange. An overload condition is defined when traffic transmitted through a local exchange is equal or exceeds a predetermined threshold, while a normal load condition of the local exchange occurs when traffic is below the predetermined threshold. Upon detecting an overload condition in a local exchange (LE1), a search for another (LE2) local exchange that is in a normal load condition is conducted. Once found, the voice-grade traffic intended for local exchange LE1 is partially diverted and transmitted to its destination via the packet network and the local exchange LE2, thereby reducing volume of the voice-grade traffic transmitted via LE1. |
