A call processing system (10) and method are disclosed. The connection status between a node (40) and a data communications network (20) is monitored. The node (40) is arranged to receive calls over the data communications network. Monitoring is by the call processing system (10). Rather than only performing a call connection when the called node is identified as being available as in conventional systems, if the call processing system (10) determines that the node (40) has been disconnected from the data communications network for a first predetermined period of time, the call processing system (10) is arranged to wait a second predetermined period of time before indicating non-availability of the node. In this way, unavailability determinations are reduced and call connection requests are processed even in situations in which the node (40) has been disconnected during the first period of time.