A protocol independent and platform independent message format is provided
for the transmission of messages between network elements. Service
providers are providing multimedia services over broadband networks to
customers, and a generic message format is provided to accommodate
communication between network elements facilitating the multimedia
services. The generic message format includes at least one 32-bit media
identifier (MID) identifying a type of media file associated with a
message using the generic message format. A message having the generic
message format may include up to 32 MIDs, each having two sections. The
first section of an MID preferably includes 8 bits and has a media file
descriptor (MFD). The MFD may be mapped for accommodating multiple types
of media. The second section preferably includes twenty-four bits and has
a media file identification (MFI). The MFD contains information that
describes the use of the MFI, such as a type of media file or a type of
announcement in the media file identified by the MID.
