Methods of sharing capabilities information between the nodes of telecommunications network

摘要

A method of sharing capabilities information between a plurality of nodes in a telecommunications network. The method begins when a new node is installed in the telecommunications network or the capabilities of a node are modified. The new or modified node sends an Exchange Data Directive (EXDATADIR) Invoke message to one or more cooperating nodes in the network. The EXDATADIR message is an intersystem node capabilities declaration message which includes parameters relating to communications capabilities and service support capabilities of the new or modified node. If the node is a new node, this is followed by sending EXDATADIR Return Result messages from each cooperating node to the new node. The EXDATADIR Return Result message is an intersystem node capabilities declaration message which includes parameters relating to services supported by the cooperating nodes. Upon receipt of a node capabilities declaration message, each node updates its exchange data with the parameters relating to the capabilities of the other nodes in the network.