To achieve, when a common-channel signal of a public switched telephone network is connected to an IP network, the automation of the operation of allocating logical links for accommodating the common-channel signal, and thus increase the efficiency of the operation of a continuity test and the like. A link management device with a special function is connected to the IP network, and the link management device controls a process of establishing a link between an IP converter device and a signal transfer point (IP-STP). The IP converter device transmits a request including a point code to the link management device, and the link management device determines the IP address and the like of the signal transfer point as a connection destination from the received point code. The link management device transmits information for identifying the signal transfer point to the IP converter device, and also transmits information for identifying the IP converter device to the signal transfer point as the connection destination. The port number of the IP converter device is determined by the link management device or the IP converter device. The port number of the signal transfer point is determined by the link management device or the signal transfer point.

A link management device with a special function is connected to the IP network, and the link management device controls a process of establishing a link between an IP converter device and a signal transfer point. The IP converter device transmits a request including a point code to the link management device, and the link management device determines the IP address and the like of the signal transfer point as a connection destination from the received point code. The link management device transmits information for identifying the signal transfer point to the IP converter device, and also transmits information for identifying the IP converter device to the signal transfer point as the connection destination. The port number of the IP converter device is determined by the link management device. The port number of the signal transfer point is determined by the link management device.

Methods and apparatus to provide messages to consumer electronics devices are disclosed. An example method includes determining an identifier associated with a consumer electronics device from which a request has been received. The method also includes querying a database to determine first and second account identifiers associated with the identifier of the consumer electronics device. When the request is for messaging information stored with a first message provider, a first command is sent to cause the first message provider to forward the messaging information. When the request is for messaging information stored with a second message provider, a second command is sent to cause the second message provider to forward the messaging information. The messaging information received from at least one of the first message provider and the second message provider is sent to the consumer electronics device.

Methods and apparatus to provide messages to consumer electronics devices are disclosed. An example method includes determining an identifier associated with a consumer electronics device from which a request has been received. The method also includes querying a database to determine first and second account identifiers associated with the identifier of the consumer electronics device. When the request is for messaging information stored with a first message provider, a first command is sent to cause the first message provider to forward the messaging information. When the request is for messaging information stored with a second message provider, a second command is sent to cause the second message provider to forward the messaging information. The messaging information received from at least one of the first message provider and the second message provider is sent to the consumer electronics device.

Methods and apparatus to provide messages to consumer electronics devices are disclosed. In response to a request from a consumer electronics device for messaging information stored with at least one of a first message provider or a second message provider, determining, with a processor of a mediation system, an identifier associated with the consumer electronics device. Querying, with the processor, a database at the mediation system to determine first and second account identifiers associated with the identifier of the consumer electronics device. When the request is for the messaging information stored with the first message provider, sending, with the processor, a first command to cause the first message provider to forward the messaging information associated with the first message account identifier to the mediation system. When the request is for the messaging information stored with the second message provider, sending, with the processor, a second command to cause the second message provider to forward the messaging information associated with the second message account identifier to the mediation system. Sending, with the processor, the messaging information received from at least one of the first message provider or the second message provider to the consumer electronics device.