Configuration method for auxiliary resources

Known models of telecommunication systems are usually structured in the manner shown in Fig. 1. The hardware in the system, such as, for example, communication processors, selecting equipment, etc., forms a hardware warehouse 1. An operating system 2, which comprises a core 3 with basic functions for controlling communication, and a shell 4 of other general operating system functions together with hardware storage 1 form a platform 5 on which an application 6, such as POTS (plain old telephony system) executes. The application 6 is written in a high-level language, eg C ++, PLEX, Smalltalk. A number of different interfaces, collectively shown with small circles 7, exist between the operating system 2 and the hardware layer 1. Similarly, there are another number of different interfaces, collectively shown at 8, between the application 6 and the platform 5.

Auxiliary resources, such as echo cancellers, voice-over devices, tone transmitters, conference bridges and voice-answering devices:>: examples of hardware units 1 belonging to the hardware layer i; .. temmodellen. Control and management of hardware auxiliary equipment: ·:>:

intimately related to the platform. This causes a problem · eg existing echo cancellers, which are implemented with one technology, are replaced with new echo cancellers that are implemented with another technology. The new echo cancellers will then use an interface that is different from the one available for the existing echo cancellers. This means that the interface must be redefined and that the code used at the implementation layer 3 needs to be rewritten to suit the new interface. This requires a lot of work.

According to prior art, it is not uncommon for each type of help resource to have its own interface. This means that the above-mentioned disadvantage will occur for each type of help resource.

Even when the platform 5 is changed, for example due to the development of new semiconductor technology, which one wishes to use to imple

508 573 mentor hardware devices in the telecommunications network, the management of the auxiliary resources must be changed. This requires a lot of work associated with redefining the existing interfaces and rewriting the code for the redefined interfaces.

A network operator operates networks. The network operator can, but does not have to, own the network he operates. Operating a network refers to traffic monitoring, traffic control, fault detection, fault repair, billing and many other tasks, all of which aim to provide the network's customers, ie the subscribers, with connections that are set up quickly, that are stable and faultless once they are set up. and which can be released quickly. To help achieve this, the network operator creates network descriptions that give the network operator a management view of the network he operates. The management view can be a graphical representation of the web. The graphical representation shows telephone stations, physical lines between the telephone stations, traffic load on the lines, the condition of the various network elements (telephone stations and physical lines), ie whether it is fully operational or has parts in which there are faults, etc. In addition to the graphical representation, the management view can consist of information stored in a database as well as printouts of information relating to the network and its subscribers. Using an operation and maintenance system, hereinafter referred to as DOU system, which interacts with network descriptions, the network operator from the DOU system can monitor network traffic, perform corrective operations and, in modern DOU systems, set up cross-connected connections: a type of for a long time permanent connections between vior. Via the DOU system, the network operator can handle network elements in a uniform manner provided by different standards, such as the CCITT X.722 standard. The DOU system cannot be used to set up signaled connections.

A signaled connection is set up by a subscriber by dialing an access unit, such as a telephone. The numbers are signaled, over the access network, to a telephone exchange. In response to the receipt of the numbers at the telephone exchange and after the driver η η Γ * 7 7

U Ο □ ί 0 taken numerical analysis, various programs in application 6 begin to interact with the platform 5 in order to set up the requested connection. The platform's shell of operating system functions, called the operating system, should not be confused with a DOU system. When the connection is set up, network resources will be allocated and sometimes auxiliary resources must also be allocated to ensure a stable connection of high quality.

Future trends in the telecommunications area suggest that a network operator must be able to set up special types of signaled connections, such as so-called semi-permanent connections, virtual leased lines and the like. Today's technology means that the network operator must set up such connections manually by connecting physical entities, such as vias, to specific selector ports. The procedure is time consuming, expensive and has a long lead time from the time a subscriber requests this connection and the time when the connection is actually set up.

The CCITT M.3100 standard is a generic information model used to specialize an information model of the transport network, such as an SDH (synchronous digital hierarchy) transport network and the SONET transport network. Compare CCITT G. 774 standards: which is a specialization of the CCITT M.3100 standard. It is also used to establish cross-connections, to terminate transport links and for error handling in a transport network. The transport network is the local network between telephone exchanges and does not include the access network, which is the network between the subscribers and their respective telephone stations.

The CCITT M.3100 standard describes resources in a transport network as handling objects in the transport network. The resources in the transport network are divided into specific fragments. Examples of management objects are selector structures, links, termination point pools (Tp pools). Examples of fragments are cross-linking fragments, termination point fragments.

The CCITT M.3100 standard does not contain any handling objects

508 573 termination point pools (Tp pools). Examples of fragments are cross-linking fragments, termination point fragments.

The CCITT M.3100 standard does not contain any resource management tools. The reason for this is that it is not assumed that auxiliary resources must be managed in the transport network.

Network elements in the transport network are configured, controlled and managed using the standardized Q3 interface. The Q3 interface is also used to configure networks. The Q3 interface can not be used for control and management of help resources.

Another disadvantage associated with the management of help resources relates to the way in which the help resources are described in the information model of the telecommunication system. The exact location of each individual help resource in the telecommunications network must be known for an application. More specifically, in the system platform, the individual locations for each individual help resource are hard-coded. An application that needs to use a help resource. eg an echo canceller, must address the echo canceller in question. Is the addressed echounder t the jumper sorts. coated, the application must search for another echo canceller. From a network point of view, therefore, available echo cancellers are not used effectively. Furthermore, it can take a long time before a vacant echo canceller is found. This in turn means that it can take an unacceptably long time to make the connection in which the echo canceller is needed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a generic information model for configuring, controlling and managing auxiliary resources in a telecommunication network from an operation and maintenance system.

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Yet another object of the invention is to enable a network operator to set up connections, in particular connections that need to use auxiliary resources, from a DOU system using the generic information model, which describes the physical resources of the network in a uniform manner.

Yet another object of the invention is to enable a centralized management of auxiliary resources. All auxiliary resources of one kind are grouped in a pool, independent of the physical locations of the auxiliary resources in the telecommunications network.

Yet another object of the invention is to enable a network operator to manage and describe auxiliary resources in a centralized manner. In particular, it shall be possible to select an individual auxiliary resource of a predetermined type from a central pool of auxiliary resources of the type mentioned without having to know the physical location of the pool in the telecommunication network.

The above-mentioned objectives are achieved through the use of standardized concepts for cross-connections to create a new generic information model for configuration, control and management of auxiliary resources. The new information model is particularly well suited for use in setting up conventional subscriber-initiated signaled connections that need to use an auxiliary resource.

The new information model describes auxiliary resources, management of auxiliary resources and management of auxiliary resources in terms similar to those used in the CCITT M.3100 and CCITT X.722 standards and benefits from the general principles given by these standards. The language that implements the information model is thus familiar to the network operators and they will have no difficulty in providing their existing network descriptions with functions for configuration, control and management of help resources. As far as applicants are aware, this is a new concept.

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An application, which needs a help resource of a certain kind, orders the help resource. In response to the order, information is returned which indicates where in the network is the pool that contains the requested resource. The pool that contains the requested help resource is then analyzed. If there is a free help resource, it is immediately ordered and connected to the connection for which the resource was ordered. An operation or sequence of operations is initiated in the assigned help resource. Finally, the coated help resource is returned to the pool. In this way, available help resources in the pool will be used efficiently and will be occupied without an unauthorized long time delay. In general, the application does not need to know the exact modes of the help resources.

Network operators using the model according to the invention will thus be provided with a tool which considerably shortens the lead times for the introduction of new types of auxiliary resources in their neighborhoods. This is the case because the network operator, who is familiar with and has knowledge of a standardized methodology for creating a customized network description, can use the same methodology to a: * add the new network resources to his existing network description. As far as the applicant is aware, this is a new feature because this work (introducing new types of help resources in a web description) today must be done by the supplier of the system.

Operation and maintenance applications, which support the establishment and release of signaled connections, are built as a shell around an existing general information model1. This makes the information model understandable to the network operator.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a telecom system architecture in accordance with the prior art,

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Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a modern telecom system architecture in which the principles of the present invention are implemented,

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a selector provided with different types of auxiliary devices,

Fig. 4 is an information model of a telecommunication network in accordance with the present invention,

Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a simplified physical telecommunication network and of a logic network modeled in accordance with the principles of the invention so that the logic network reflects the physical network,

Fig. 6 shows tables illustrating the method used to locate, occupy and engage an auxiliary resource in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating initiation of an operation or sequence of operations in a coated auxiliary resource by message transmission;

Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating how message transmission is stopped,

Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing how a coated auxiliary resource is returned to its pool and,

Fig. 10 is a flow chart illustrating the operations shown in Figs. 6-9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 2 shows the architecture of a modern telecom system. The model in accordance with the present invention is based on this architecture which will therefore be described. The telecom system architecture is divided into four main layers, a system component layer 9, a core layer 10, an application platform 11 and an application layer 12.

Examples of applications are POTS, VLL (virtual leased lines), BISDN (broadband ISDN), GSM (global system for mobile communications

508 573 tion), each of which contains a set of services offered to an end user; subscriber. Each application contains application-specific parts such as network access methods, network access equipment, subscriber access methods and subscriber equipment. Examples of network access equipment are select array terminals (ETs), examples of subscriber access equipment are line interface circuits (LICs) for analogue connections and digital line interface circuits (DLICs) for digital connections.

The application layer 11 contains basic functions that can be used by all applications. This architecture reduces the number of functions per application and makes it possible to implement application modularization. It is thus possible to reuse a large part or even all basic functions, both in hardware and software, for ISDN, GSM, POTS and for future applications. Examples of basic functions available in the application platform's warehouse are analysis functions for nurrtm: taking and routing as described in our PCT application WO SE 95/01026, billing functions for taxation, data collection: · storage, connection management functions for ordering a · different types of connections , which are ordered by the various applications, as well as signaling functions, such as system no. for common channel signaling and DTMF signaling (two tones, multiple frequencies)

The system core layer 10 contains the operating system of the communication processors used in the telecom system. The operating system supports various functions for execution, communication, data storage and operation and maintenance (DOU). Furthermore, the layer 10 with the system core consists of a number of control and data transport functions which are reused by different applications. This part of the architecture is assumed to be stable over a long period of time, while processors can be replaced in step with technological development.

The layer 9 with system components consists of the telecom system's hardware such as processors and selector equipment. The different layers 9-12 are separated by fundamental interfaces 13, 14 and 15. A fundamental interface is a collective concept. A fundamental interface consists of a collection of individual interfaces.

In telecommunication systems, a distinction is made between transport networks and switching networks. A transport network is the infrastructure that offers transport capacity for data. Today's transport network does not offer any services. A typical example of a transport network is SDH network (synchronous digital hierarchy).

Recently, some network operators have begun to show interest in a transport network that offers services. If such services are implemented in an existing transport network, it would probably provide handling, such as occupancy and release of auxiliary resources. Such handling would then be operator dependent. It is in this context that the present invention comes in smoothly since an operator is familiar with the model of the invention; the model is namely similar to the standardized model that the operator uses for conventional operation and maintenance of its network. Such conventional operation and maintenance activities include notifying the operator of faults occurring in the selection equipment, configuring logical sub-networks and reconfiguring existing networks in connection with expansion and shrinkage of the existing physical network.

A switched network, also called a service network, is a network that receives connection orders from its subscribers. In a switched network, an application's software sends connection orders to connection management software that occupy and free up the resources needed to make the ordered connection. The model of the present invention is used in a switched network to manage, coat and free up help resources.

As far as applicants are aware, it is a new concept that one and the same model can be used both for switched networks and for transport networks.

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Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a selector 16, two selector terminals (ETs) 17, 18, a central processor 19 and auxiliary devices 20, 21, 22. Each selector terminal is connected to the selector 16 and a respective external line 23 and 24, respectively. By way of example, the auxiliary device 21 is an echo canceller, the auxiliary device 22 a conference equipment and the auxiliary device 23 a voice message equipment. The units shown in Fig. 3 are an example of a typical physical configuration. It should be noted that the auxiliary devices 20, 21 and 22 are shown to be physically connected to the selector.

In order to make the implementation aspects of the auxiliary devices as simple as possible, an abstract model of auxiliary devices is proposed. The abstract model, which is based on management objects a TP-Pool (termination point-pool), CTP (connection termination point), selector structure and management elements which are all described in CCITT M.3100 under generic network information model, is laid out and has the appearance of vir>. Fig. 4.

The abstract model in Fig. 4 is described in terms of object classes using the terminology and the definitions. CCITT X.722 recommends. The model consists of a network object class 25, a management element object class 26, a selector structure object class 27, a help resource analysis object class 28, a help resource pool object class 29 and a help resource CTP object class 30 (CTP being defined in the previous paragraph). An object class is an aggregate of named data elements and a variety of operations so designed that they can manipulate said data. One can imagine an object class as a template which is used to create individual objects. The network object class 25 is an object class representing an abstraction of a telecommunication network. The handling element object class 26 is an abstraction of a physical location where there is a selector in the telecommunication network, for example the location in the network of the one in Figs. 3 showed the voter. Select structure structure object class 27 is an abstraction of a selector, for example selector 16 in Fig. 3. Auxiliary resource analysis C7X The object class 28 is used to support centralized management of auxiliary resources in the telecommunication network. This will be described in more detail below. The Auxiliary Resource Pool object class 29 is an abstract object class used only for inheritance. It contains one or more assistive device CTPs and it represents a specific type of assistive device. The Auxiliary Resource CTP object class 30 is an abstract object class used only for inheritance. It represents auxiliary devices and contains information regarding them. Examples of information are permit information (such as occupied, vacant, busy or non-busy), address information, identity information and information regarding what the help resource is capable of.

The auxiliary resource analysis object class 28 and the auxiliary resource pool object class 29 are independent of the physical platform 5. The auxiliary resource pool object class 29 is independent of the physical realization of the auxiliary devices and consists of the auxiliary device identity and the logical address in a non-memory memory. The Auxiliary Resource CTP object class 30 consists of specific information of an identified auxiliary resource and is used to: operate on identified auxiliary devices.

Fig. 5 shows a physical layer 31 and a logical layer 32. The resources of the physical layer, such as selectors, trunk lines, links, time slots in links, auxiliary devices, are divided between a number of logical networks. Each logical network is operated by one operator. There may be different operators for different logical networks. A logical network is a picture of the parts of the physical network that have been allocated to the individual logical network.

The physical network comprises three selectors 33, 16 and 34 which are connected to each other by physical links 35, 36. The selectors are geographically separated. A number of tone transmitters 21 are connected to the selector 16 and together form a first tone transmitter pool 21 '. Similarly, there is a second tone transmitter pool 37 which consists of tone transmitters which are connected to the selector 34. With A and B

508 573 are designated subscribers who each have a telephone.

The logic network 32 comprises a network object 25, a handling element object 26 which handles selector structures 38, 39, 40. A selector structure is a logical abstraction of a selector; select structure 38 is an image of selector 33, selector structure 39 is an image of selector 16 and select structure 40 is an image of selector 34. Termination point pools 41, 42 (TP pools) are the logical abstraction of link 35 and they connect select structures 38 and 39 with each other. Similarly, TPpools 43, 44, which represent a link 36, connect the select structure 39 with the selector structure 40. Auxiliary resource pool objects 45 (HR pool) are logical abstractions of tone transmitter pools 21 'and 37, respectively. These auxiliary resource pool objects 45, 46 corresponds to the auxiliary resource pool object 29 in Fig. 4. The auxiliary resource CTP objects 47, 48 represent termination points for the tone transmitter pools 21 and 37, respectively. In the physical layer, the termination points of the pools are indicated by filled circles along the edges of the selector symbols. The auxiliary resource CTP object 47 has a relation to its auxiliary resource pool object 45. Similarly, the auxiliary resource CTP object 47 has a relation to its auxiliary resource pool object 46. The pool object 45 has a relation to the voter structure 39 and the pool object 46 has a relation to the voter structure 40. Each selector structure 38, 39 and 40 each has a relation to handling elements 26. Each auxiliary resource CTP object 47 and 48 has a respective relation to each handling object 26. The handling object 26 has a relation to the network object 25. The auxiliary resource analysis object 28 has a relation to the handling element 26.

The logic network 32 is configured by an operator (not shown) which uses an operation and maintenance system 50 (DOU) for this purpose. This operation and maintenance system 50 is used for conventional operation and maintenance and in accordance with the present invention has been extended with a generic information model in accordance with CCITT M.3100 to which auxiliary resource fragments 45, 46, and 48 have been added. As described above, the generic information model CCITT M.3100 is conventionally used for setup

508 573 of fixed connections between selector structures in the transport network. With the present invention, it is now possible for a network operator to configure auxiliary resource objects in the auxiliary resource fragment by entering information about the auxiliary resources in the auxiliary resource objects. An application can then use the auxiliary resource objects in program execution. For example, an application may request that an auxiliary resource be connected to a connection that the application sets up in the transport network. This is in contrast to what happens with today's technology. According to current technology, help resources, which are used by an application, are hard-coded in the application software. If new resource devices, which are for example manufactured with the help of new technology, are to replace the existing auxiliary devices, the application software must be recoded. Such transcoding is very labor intensive and requires detailed knowledge of the system on which the application runs. In addition, the transcoding is very time consuming. With the present invention, today's intimate connection between the application and the auxiliary resources: the application software can be resolved. If existing help resource is to be replaced, this will not turn on the application software. Only the help resource objects need to be changed. Additional advantages of the invention make it possible to install in the transport network new types of, currently unknown, auxiliary resource: devices using the auxiliary resource fragment in accordance with the present invention. Such new types of resources can then be connected to operator-established connections.

An example of setting up a signaled connection between subscribers A and B will be described with reference to Figs. 6, 7 and 8. Assume that subscriber A wishes to talk to subscriber B. Subscriber A picks up the handset. This action is detected in a line interface circuit in dial 33. Subscriber A waits for a ringtone in the handset before dialing B's number. A tone transmitter must now be connected to A's line. There is no tone transmitter in selector 33 and therefore software in the application, in this case POTS, orders the connection of a tone transmitter to A's line. The software that places this order is shown schematically at 51 in Fig. 6. The order together of the identity of the selector

508 573 from which the call originates, the auxiliary resource analysis object 28 is sent. The auxiliary resource analysis object 28 typically comprises a table consisting of a number of input records each corresponding to the individual identities of the selector structures from which the calls originate and in which no tone transmitters are present. Each input record is associated with data that points out, for each possible destination selector, the tone transmitter pool to be used for the destination selector in question. Tone transmitter pools, intended to be used as alternative ones, may also be associated with respective input items. In the example described, the auxiliary resource pool 45 (designated P1 in the table), located in the selector structure 39 (designated F1 in the table), is to be used as the first alternative. If all tone transmitters in this pool P1 are coated then as a second alternative the auxiliary resource pool 37 (designated P2 in the table) in the selector structure 40 (designated F3 in the table) shall be used.

It should be noted that all the tone transmitter pools 21 ', 37 in the logic network have been grouped together in the central auxiliary resource analysis object class 28. This auxiliary resource analysis object class 28 will thus be independent of the physical realization of the telecommunication network.

The auxiliary resource object 28 sends the two alternatives to the application software 51 as marked by the arrow 53. For the sake of clarity, the abbreviations for input and output data indicated in the drawing in the auxiliary resource analysis object 28 refer to corresponding abbreviations used for the objects in the symbols in Fig. 5.

Thus, the software will find out where in the network a tone transmitter can be found. The software will then coat a tone transmitter. To do this, the software sends an occupancy order, represented by the arrow 54, to the auxiliary resource pool object 29, which has a free list of available tone transmitters. The example assumes that there is a free tone transmitter and this will now be occupied by the software 51. When the tone transmitter

508 573 daren has been coated, it will be deleted from the free list with auxiliary resource pool objects 29. In the free list · each tone transmitter in the pool has a device identity with associated termination point. In general, a termination point is a logical address of an auxiliary device. There is a relationship between the logical address and the point in the physical network where the auxiliary device is connected. In the case where the auxiliary device is a tone transmitter, the logical address has a relation to a physical selector port. Once a tone transmitter has been coated, this is reported to the software 51 together with the termination point of the coated tone transmitter. This reporting is symbolically displayed with arrow 55.

Finally, the application software 51 commands the establishment of a connection between the termination point 56 of the subscriber A, which is retrieved from the subscriber data of the subscriber A, and the connection termination point 59 of the coated tone transmitter. the individual identities of the tone transmitters and their associated connection-termination points CTP. The order to set up this connection is symbolized by the arrow 57 and v ». ·» Is placed by separate software 58. A connection has now been established between the termination points 56 and 59 in Fig. 6. This connection is marked with a dashed line. Thereafter, the tone transmitter will send a ringtone to the subscriber A, who is then informed that numbering of the B-number can begin.

Then the application software 51 will set up a connection to the selector 34, i.e. the selector to which B is connected. Subscriber B can either be busy or not answer or have the call forwarding service activated. If B is busy, the application software shall instruct the tone transmitter to send busy tones to subscriber A. If B does not answer the call, the tone transmitter shall send ringtones to A at regular intervals. If B has the call forwarding service activated, the application software shall, for example, request that a voice answering equipment give a message to subscriber A, which message may, for example, be please wait, the call will be diverted. If

508 573 a voice answering equipment is to be connected, the same procedure as described above will be carried out with the difference that it now applies to a pool of voice answering equipment.

Generally, an auxiliary device is operated by sending messages to the auxiliary device. Such messages are generated either by the application software 51 or by specific software.

In Fig. 7, the application software 51 sends a start message to the above-mentioned coated tone transmitter by forwarding this message to the auxiliary resource CTP object 30 for the coated resource. This message is represented by the arrow 60. The tone transmitter confirms the receipt of the message, arrow 61. It should be noted that the auxiliary resource CTP object is independent of the physical implementation of the auxiliary device, in this case the tone transmitter.

When a help resource is to be stopped, the application software does.

in order a stop message and sends this to the auxiliary resource CTP object of the coated resource, in this fa., the tone transmitter. When the tone transmitter has finished its work, a stop message 63 is sent to the application software. This procedure is shown in Fig. 8.

The procedure used to disconnect a coated resource is shown in Fig. 9. In the example described above, it is assumed that subscriber B picks up the handset in response to receiving the ring signals. Subscribers A and B talk to each other and the coated tone transmitter will now be returned to the pool 21 'so that it can be used by other calls. The call between subscribers A and B is still ongoing. The application software 51 sends a disconnect order to the auxiliary resource CTP object 30 and the connection between the termination points 58 and 59 is broken. The disconnection order is displayed at the arrow 64 and a confirmation 65 of the disconnection is sent back to the application software 51. Thereafter, the application software 51 returns the document

508 573 then the tone transmitter to the pool 21 'by sending a corresponding order to the auxiliary resource pool object 29. In response to this order, the coated tone transmitter is re-entered in the free list 29 with available auxiliary resources. A confirmation that the previously coated help resource has been returned is sent to the application software 51, as indicated by the arrow 67.

Fig. 9 is a simplified block diagram showing the software and objects involved in setting up a connection requiring a tone transmitter. For this reason, only those objects that handle tone transmitters have been displayed. For example, if a connection would require the use of a conference equipment, then there is an auxiliary resource analysis object class 28 'that contains all the pools with conference equipment, an auxiliary resource pool object class 29' that contains a free list of conference equipment and an auxiliary resource CTP object class 30 that contains the termination points for conference equipment.

Fig. 10 describes the above-mentioned process steps in the form of a flow chart showing the various objects participating in the formation exchange required to find an auxiliary resource in the field, occupy an individual auxiliary resource, operate it coated help resource and finally return the coated help resource to its pool. Although only one operation has been described, i.e. tone transmission, an auxiliary resource device can perform many different procedures, such as, for example, the delivery of various voice message messages.

TABLE 1 below shows an example of a help resource object class written in the C ++ programming language.

The invention described above can be modified and varied within the scope of the appended claims.

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TABLE 1 {class Aux Analyze attribute 1 ID attribute 2 State

Comment:

/ name of the object class; type of device / condition of for the class (open / locked) list Aux Pool ID / list with the HR pool ID

ID 1 / identifies different pools

ID 2

Method action Aus Pool get Aux Pool set configuration of list of pool IDs create instance delete instance / triggers search of HR-pool t, -does for each attribute, -creates an instance of klo., / Deletes an instance of the class notification}