WO2008040257A1

WO2008040257A1 - Method, device and system for end to end tracking

Info

Publication number: WO2008040257A1
Application number: PCT/CN2007/070818
Authority: WO
Inventors: Liye Feng; Xinglin Wu; Minghua Su
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-09-28
Filing date: 2007-09-28
Publication date: 2008-04-10
Also published as: CN1921414A; CN100466552C

Abstract

A method, a device and a system for end to end tracking are provided. The device including: a tracking platform, a network unit device. The system including: a tracking platform, a soft switch and a network unit device. The method mainly including: creating an end to end tracking task, sending said created tracking task to the soft switch, making said soft switch send said tracking task to the network unit device connected to it for tracking. The tracking task may be created uniformly for other devices on a single device (the tracking platform), and other devices can accept the task and make a tracking of the whole flow for a certain call or a certain user, and a tracking result can display simultaneously on these other devices and the tracking platform.

Description

Method, device and system for end-to-end tracking

[I] Technical field

[2] The present invention relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a method, apparatus and system for end-to-end tracking.

[3] Background Art

[4] NGN (Next Generation

Network, Next Generation Network) is a business-driven network. In IP (internet)

Protocol, Internet Protocol) In the NGN system where the network is the core bearer network, the integrated, open, and converged network architecture is completely separated from the call control, and the call control and the bearer are completely separated, thereby achieving a relatively independent service system. The business is independent of the network.

[5] There are many NGN network element devices and their distribution is relatively scattered. One call involves multiple network element devices to participate. Currently, each device in the NGN network creates a message tracking task based on its own commands or operation menus, and displays it in its own unique way to provide developer analysis. This enables the signaling tracking method developed by each network element device to track only the signaling and receiving status of the device, and cannot provide the user with intuitive signaling tracking methods for the entire network, plus the signaling tracking developed by these network element devices. The information provided by the means is often not reasonably organized, so users cannot easily locate errors at the signaling level.

[6] In the process of implementing the present invention, the inventors have found that, in particular, at least the following problems exist in the tracking methods of the prior art of NGN:

[7] 1) The tracking methods developed by each device can only track their own signaling and internal messages, and cannot provide users with unified tracking methods and intuitive network-wide tracking results.

[8] 2) After creating the tracking task, the operator has higher knowledge requirements. It must be familiar with the maintenance characteristics of each product. It is not convenient for unified operation. It cannot use the existing IP network. It is especially inconvenient for tracking off-site products. as well as

[9] 3) The tracking results of each product are independent, there is no uniform normative, and it is difficult to understand and locate.

[10] Summary of the invention

[II] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method, apparatus, and system for end-to-end tracking to address the above In the related art, it is impossible to provide users with a unified tracking method and an intuitive tracking result of the entire network.

[12] The embodiment of the present invention is implemented by the following technical solutions:

[13] A tracking station for end-to-end tracking, including:

[14] The tracking task creation and delivery module is configured to create an end-to-end tracking task, and send the created tracking task to the softswitch, so that the softswitch sends the tracking task to the network element connected thereto. Device to track.

[15] A network element device for end-to-end tracking, comprising:

[16] The tracking task receiving module is configured to receive a tracking task sent by the softswitch, and create a corresponding task instance according to the task parameter carried in the received tracking task;

[17] a tracking module, configured to track, by using the task instance created by the task receiving module, a corresponding message flow of the network element device;

[18] The tracking result reporting module is configured to report the tracking result obtained by the tracking module.

[19] A system for end-to-end tracking, including:

[20] a tracking station, configured to create an end-to-end tracking task, and send the created tracking task to the softswitch; [21] a softswitch, configured to receive the tracking task sent by the tracking station, and to perform the tracking task Is sent to the network element device connected to it;

[22] The network element device is configured to receive the tracking task sent by the softswitch, and create a corresponding task instance according to the received task parameter in the tracking task, and track the corresponding device of the network element device by using the task instance. The message flow, the obtained tracking result is reported.

[23] A method for end-to-end tracking, including:

[24] An end-to-end tracking task is created, and the created tracking task is sent to the softswitch, so that the softswitch sends the tracking task to the network element device connected to it for tracking.

[25] Through the foregoing technical solutions, the embodiment of the present invention can complete the process tracking of all devices on a single device, which greatly facilitates the routine maintenance work of the maintenance personnel, and helps the operator to reduce the maintenance cost. Embodiment of the present invention

Since the tracking module is built in the NGN device, no external equipment is required, the cost is low, and the use is convenient and the tracking is simple and quick.

Other features and other advantages of embodiments of the invention may be made by the description, claims, which are subsequently written And the structures specifically indicated in the drawings are realized and obtained. Or it can be understood by implementing the embodiments of the present invention.

[27] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the embodiments of the invention The improper definition of the example. In the drawing:

1 shows an end-to-end tracking device for NGN in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

2 shows an end-to-end tracking device for NGN in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an NGN system for end-to-end tracking of NGNs according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

4 shows a flow chart of an end-to-end tracking method for NGN according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a specific service implementation of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows another specific service implementation flowchart of an embodiment of the present invention.

[35] Specific implementation

[36] An embodiment of the present invention provides a method, apparatus, and system for end-to-end tracking. The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[37] The embodiment of the present invention proposes that an end-to-end tracking task is initiated by a unified tracking station, and the tracking station sends the tracking task to a core network element of the network--softswitch, and then the tracking task is sent by the softswitch to the softswitch. The network element device connected to it, the network element device is all or part of the device of the softswitch connection, and is a device to be tracked. The network element device reports the tracking result to the tracking station or the address specified by the tracking station. The address specified by the tracking station is not necessarily on the tracking station, but may also be on other devices. The NE device reports the tracking result without passing the softswitch. The tracking station completes the matching and rendering of the tracking results.

FIG. 1 shows an end-to-end tracking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device is a tracking station, and specifically includes the following modules:

[39] The tracking task creation and delivery module is used to uniformly create an end-to-end tracking task, and the created tracking task is sent to the softswitch, and the softswitch receives the tracking task and sends it to the network element device connected to it. The above tracking tasks include: tracking task ID, message type to be tracked, and reporting task parameters such as the address of the tracking result. The above tracking task ID and the address parameter for reporting the tracking result are to be carried. When all message types are tracked or not tracked by default, you may not need to carry the above message types that need to be tracked. Parameter; When you need to specify to track one or more message types of many message types, you need to carry the above message type parameters that need to be tracked.

Optionally, the method further includes a tracking result receiving module, configured to receive a tracking result reported by the network element device by using a network protocol such as ftp (File Transfer Protocol).

[41] Optionally, the tracking result display module is further configured to perform message matching on the tracking result reported by the network element device, and display the matching result.

[42] Optionally, the method further includes: a tracking task deletion sending module, configured to send a tracking task deletion message to the softswitch after the tracking is completed, and the softswitch sends the tracking task deletion message to the network connected thereto Metadevice

[43] Optionally, the tracking result display module displays the matching results in tabular form and/or flowchart form.

[44] Optionally, the tracking task creation and delivery module create multiple tracking tasks.

FIG. 2 shows another end-to-end tracking device for NGN according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device is a network element device, and specifically includes the following modules:

[46] The task receiving module is configured to receive a tracking task sent by the tracking station through the softswitch, and create a corresponding task instance according to the task parameters included in the received tracking task.

[47] The tracking module is configured to track the corresponding message flow of the network element device by using the task instance created by the task receiving module.

[48] The tracking result reporting module is configured to report the tracking result obtained by the tracking module to the tracking station through a network protocol (such as the FTP protocol).

[49] Optionally, the method further includes: a tracking result display module, configured to match the tracking result obtained by the tracking module to the message, and display the matching result.

[50] Optionally, the method further includes: a tracking task deletion module, configured to delete the corresponding tracking task instance after receiving the tracking task deletion message sent by the tracking station through the softswitch.

[51] Optionally, the tracking result reporting module sends the creation information of the task instance to the softswitch, and the softswitch reports the creation information to the tracking station.

3 shows an end-to-end tracking system for NGN proposed by an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a plurality of network element devices, softswitches, and tracking stations interconnected by a gateway protocol.

[53] The tracking station includes the above-mentioned tracking task creation and delivery module, the tracking result receiving module, and the tracking result display The module and tracking task delete the delivery module.

[54] The network element device includes the foregoing task receiving module, the tracking module, the tracking result reporting module, and the tracking task deleting module.

[55] The softswitch is mainly used to send the tracking task sent by the tracking station to the network element device to be tracked. To implement the above-mentioned tracking task, the existing interface protocol between the softswitch and the network element device is required. Expanded, the interface protocol includes but is not limited to H248/MGCP (Media Gateway Control

[56] Optionally, the softswitch also creates a corresponding task instance according to the task parameters included in the received tracking task, and uses the task instance to track the corresponding message flow of the softswitch.

[57] Optionally, the softswitch receives the creation information of the task instance reported by the network element device, and reports the information to the tracking station.

As can be seen from the above, the embodiment of the present invention can conveniently and quickly create a tracking task for other devices on the tracking station, and other devices can accept the task and can perform a full process for a certain call or a certain user. Tracking, tracking results can be displayed on both the NE device and the tracking station.

4 shows a flow chart of an end-to-end tracking method for NGN, including the following steps, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention:

[60] Step S402: The tracking station uniformly creates a tracking task for the network element device, and the tracking task includes: tracking the task ID, the type of the message to be tracked, and reporting the task parameter such as the address of the tracking result. The message flow tracking result of each network element device is collected on the tracking station. The above tracking task ID and the address parameter of the reported tracking result are to be carried. When all the message types are tracked or not tracked by default, the message type parameters that need to be tracked may not be carried. When it is required to specify one or more message types of many message types, the above-mentioned need to be tracked is required. Message type parameter.

[61] Step S404: The tracking station sends the above-mentioned tracking task to the softswitch, and the softswitch sends the tracking task to the network element device connected to it through the gateway protocol. The gateway protocols between the softswitch and the network element device include: an extended protocol such as H248/MGCP/SIP/H323.

[62] Step S406: The network element device receives the tracking task sent by the tracking station through the softswitch, and creates a corresponding task instance according to the task parameters included in the received tracking task. Track the corresponding message flow of the NE device through the created task instance. [63] Step S408: The network element device uses a network protocol such as FTP to report the tracking result to the tracking station. The NE device can also report the tracking result to the address specified by the tracking station. The address specified by the tracking station is not necessarily on the tracking station, but also on other devices. The NE device reports the tracking result without passing the softswitch.

[64] Optionally, the network element device performs message matching on the tracking result obtained by the network element device, and displays the matching result in the form of a tabular form and/or a flowchart form.

[65] Optionally, multiple tracking tasks are created on the same channel and sent to the corresponding NE device through the softswitch.

[66] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a specific service implementation of the embodiment of the present invention. The specific processing procedure is as follows: [67] The network management is used as a tracking station to track the phone number and country code according to the user input. The NE device creates a tracking task in a unified manner. The tracking task includes: tracking the task ID, the type of the message to be tracked, and the task parameters such as the FTP address of the tracking result. The NMS delivers the above tracking tasks through the MML (Man-Machine Language) protocol, and the above phone number and country code to softswitch.

[68] In the process of call processing, the softswitch matches the above phone number and country code. When the match is successful, the softswitch controls the media gateway to create a corresponding port. Then, the softswitch delivers the above tracking task and port number to the AG through the MGCP/H248 extension protocol.

Gateway, Access Gateway) or UMG (Universal Media

Gateway, Universal Media Gateway). The port number is the port number that the AG and UMG need to track.

[69] The softswitch, AG, and UMG create their own message tracking task instances according to the task parameters included in the above tracking task. The AG and UMG use the MGCP/H248 extension protocol to report the result to the softswitch feedback task instance. The softswitch collects the AG and UMG. The task instance of the device creates the result and feeds it back to the NMS through the MML protocol.

[70] The softswitch, AG, and UMG track the corresponding message flows of the softswitch, AG, and UMG from the above ports through the created task instance. After that, the softswitch, AG, and UMG report the tracking result to the NMS through the FTP protocol for the NMS to display and analyze. The network management system can match the tracking result to the message and display the matching result in the form of a table form and/or a flowchart form.

[71] After the tracking is complete, the NMS sends the delete task message through the MML protocol. The softswitch deletes the tracking task instance and sends the delete task message to the AG and UMG through the MGCP/H248 extension protocol. [72] The AGs delete the self-tracking task instance and return the deletion result to the softswitch through the MGCP/H248 extension protocol. The softswitch reports the deletion result to the NMS through the MML protocol, and the task deletion result is displayed on the NMS.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another specific service implementation of the embodiment of the present invention. The main difference between the embodiment and the service implementation process shown in FIG. 5 is that a tracking station is built in the softswitch. The specific processing procedure is as follows: [74] The tracking station built into the softswitch creates a tracking task for each network element device. The tracking task includes

: Track task IDs, message types that need to be tracked, and task parameters that report the FTP address of the trace results.

[75] The softswitch generates the corresponding port number according to the phone number and country code that the user needs to track. The softswitch sends the above tracking task and port number to the media gateway through the MGCP/H248 extension protocol.

[76] After receiving the above information, the media gateway device extracts the corresponding task parameter to create a tracking task instance, and returns the task instance creation result to the softswitch through the MGCP/H248 extension protocol.

[77] The media gateway device tracks the corresponding message flow of the media gateway device from the above port through the created task instance.

[78] The media gateway reports the tracking result to the softswitch through the FTP protocol according to the task parameters for soft exchange analysis and use. The softswitch can match the tracking results to the message and display the matching result.

[79] After the tracking is completed, the softswitch sends a stop message through the MGCP/H248 extension protocol. The media gateway deletes the tracking task instance and returns the task instance deletion result to the softswitch.

It should be understood from the above description that the tracking scheme proposed by the embodiment of the present invention can conveniently and quickly implement various devices in the NGN network (such as network management, softswitch, AG, IAD (integrated access).

Device, Integrated Access Device, SG (Signal Gateway, Signaling Gateway), SHLR (Smart Home Location Register), UMG, MRS (Media Resource Server), TMG (Trunk Media)

Process tracking of Gateway, relay media gateway, etc., to create a process on a single device (such as the network management system) through protocols such as MML, FTP, MGCP, H248, and its extended protocol without adding external tracking devices. The tracking task arrives at the device to be tracked in the NGN network, and displays the tracking result of the entire process of the call on the created device.

The embodiment of the present invention can support the following protocol tracking: H248, MGCP, SIP, H323 (protocol family), ISU Part, ISDN User Part), TUP (Telephone User)

Part, Phone User Part), PRA (Primary Rate)

Access, primary rate access), BRA (Basic Rate)

Access, Basic Rate Access), R2, V5, SCTP (Stream Control Transmission Protocol), M3UA (SS7 MTP3-User Adaptation)

Layer, MTP3 User Adaptation Layer), M2UA (SS7 MTP2-User Adaptation)

Layer, MTP2 User Adaptation Layer), IUA (ISDN User Adaptation)

Layer, ISDN User Adaptation Layer), V5UA (V5 User Adaptation)

Layer, V5 user adaptation layer), SCCP (Signaling Connection and Control)

Part, signaling connection control part), TCAP (Transaction Capabilities Application Part, transaction processing application part), MAP (Mobile Application

Part, mobile application part), Diameter, etc.

In addition, the final product of the embodiment of the present invention can be represented as a network-wide signaling tracking tool, which can be run independently or integrated with the device management tool.

In summary, in the embodiment of the present invention, a tracking task is uniformly created in the tracking station, and the signaling in the entire network is tracked and matched through the message cooperation between the devices, and the signaling in the call process is performed in the form of a table and a flowchart. The cooperation relationship is displayed to the user, so that the user can locate the error at the signaling level.

The embodiment of the invention realizes that the tracking module is built in the NGN device and expands on the basis of the existing protocol, so that no external device is needed, the cost is low, the use is convenient, and the tracking is simple and fast. In the embodiment of the present invention, the process tracking of all devices can be completed on a single device, which greatly facilitates the daily maintenance work of the maintenance personnel, and helps the operator to reduce the maintenance cost.

The embodiment of the invention adopts the NGN general standard architecture and conforms to the NGN operation management concept, and can solve the network failure faster and more conveniently with the support of the standard NGN communication protocol.

Obviously, those skilled in the art should understand that the above modules or steps of the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by a general computing device, which can be concentrated on a single computing device or distributed in multiple computing devices. Alternatively, they may be implemented by program code executable by the computing device, such that they may be stored in the storage device by the computing device, or they may be separately fabricated into individual integrated circuit modules, or Multiple modules or steps in them are made into a single The integrated circuit module is implemented. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software. It is to be understood that changes in these specific embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention. Alternatives are intended to be covered by the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claim

[1] 1. A tracking station for end-to-end tracking, comprising:

The tracking task creation and delivery module is configured to create an end-to-end tracking task, and send the created tracking task to the softswitch, so that the softswitch sends the tracking task to the network element device connected thereto, Tracking.

[2] 2. The tracking station according to claim 1, further comprising:

The tracking result receiving module is configured to receive the tracking result reported by the network element device.

[3] The tracking station according to claim 2, further comprising:

The tracking result display module is configured to match the tracking result received by the tracking result receiving module to the message, and display the matching result.

[4] 4. The tracking station according to claim 1, further comprising:

The tracking task deletes the sending module, and is configured to send a tracking task to the softswitch to delete the message, so that the softswitch sends the tracking task deletion message to the network element device connected to the tracking device.

[5] The tracking station according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, wherein the tracking task creation and delivery module simultaneously create a plurality of tracking tasks, and the plurality of tracking tasks are Issued to the softswitch.

[6] 6. A network element device for end-to-end tracking, comprising:

The tracking task receiving module is configured to receive a tracking task sent by the softswitch, and create a corresponding task instance according to the task parameter carried in the received tracking task;

a tracking module, configured to track, by using the task instance created by the task receiving module, a corresponding message flow of the network element device;

The tracking result reporting module is configured to report the tracking result obtained by the tracking module.

[7] The network element device of claim 6, further comprising:

a tracking result display module, configured to perform message matching on the tracking result obtained by the tracking module

, and display the matching result.

[8] The network element device of claim 6, further comprising:

The tracking task deletion module is configured to delete the corresponding tracking task instance after receiving the tracking task deletion message sent by the softswitch.

[9] 9. The network element device according to claim 6 or 7 or 8, wherein:

The tracking result reporting module is further configured to send the creation information of the task instance to the softswitch, and the softswitch reports the creation information to the tracking station.

[10] 10. A system for end-to-end tracking, comprising:

The tracking station is configured to create an end-to-end tracking task, and send the created tracking task to the softswitch softswitch, and receive the tracking task sent by the tracking station, and send the tracking task to the network connected thereto. Metadevice

The network element device is configured to receive the tracking task sent by the softswitch, and create a corresponding task instance according to the received task parameter in the tracking task, and track the corresponding message flow of the network element device by using the task instance. , report the obtained tracking results.

[11] 11. The end-to-end tracking system of claim 10, wherein:

The tracking station is further configured to receive the tracking result reported by the network element device, match the tracking result reported by the network element device, and display the matching result.

[12] 12. The end-to-end tracking system of claim 10, wherein:

The softswitch is further configured to create a corresponding task instance according to the task parameters included in the received tracking task, and track the corresponding message flow of the softswitch by using the task instance, and report the obtained tracking result.

[13] 13. The end-to-end tracking system of claim 10, wherein:

The softswitch is also used to receive the creation information of the task instance reported by the network element device, and report the created message to the tracking station.

[14] 14. The end-to-end tracking system according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that: the softswitch passes the extended H248, the media gateway control protocol MGCP, the initial session protocol SIP, At least one of the H323s is in communication with the network element device.

[15] 15. A method for end-to-end tracking, comprising:

An end-to-end tracking task is created, and the created tracking task is sent to the softswitch, so that the softswitch sends the tracking task to the network element device connected to it for tracking.

[16] 16. The method of end-to-end tracking according to claim 15, wherein the method further Includes:

Receiving the tracking result reported by the network element device, matching the tracking result to the message, and displaying the matching result;

The tracking result is obtained by the network element device according to the task parameter carried in the received tracking task, and the task instance is used to track the corresponding message flow of the network element device.

[17] The method of claim 15, wherein the task parameters carried in the tracking task include: a tracking task ID, a message type to be tracked, and an address reporting the tracking result.

[18] The method of the end-to-end tracking according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises:

A plurality of tracking tasks are created in the same manner, and the multiple tracking tasks are sent to the softswitch, and the softswitch sends the multiple tasks to the network element device connected to the network device.

[19] The method of the end-to-end tracking according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the method further comprises:

And sending a tracking task deletion message to the softswitch, where the softswitch sends the tracking task deletion message to the network element device connected thereto;

After receiving the tracking task deletion message, the network element device deletes the corresponding tracking task instance.