Message monitoring in a network element

Details Message monitoring in a network element Message monitoring in a network element

2001-02-28

2003-06-03

Kizou, Hassan (Department: 2662)

Multiplex communications

Communication techniques for information carried in plural...

Adaptive

C370S253000, C709S230000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06574241

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Generally, the present invention relates to monitoring data messages in a communications network. One preferred application environment for the invention is a network element in an intelligent network, such as a SCP network element, but the solution in accordance with the invention can be used in any network elements where messages of a given protocol level are to be monitored in order, for example, to verify their validity. In the following, the invention will be described using an intelligent network as an example because the invention was created largely in response to the problems associated with intelligent networks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With the rapid advancement of the telecommunications field, operators are now in a position to offer users a wide range of services. A network architecture providing advanced services is known as an Intelligent Network, commonly referred to as IN.
The functional architecture of the intelligent network is illustrated in
FIG. 1
where the functional entities of the networks are shown as ovals. A brief description of this architecture is given below because the invention is later explained with reference to the intelligent network environment.
Access of the end-user (subscriber) to the network is controlled by the CCAF function (Call Control Agent Function). Access to IN services is provided by making additions to the existing digital exchanges. This is achieved by making use of the Basic Call State Model BCSM that describe,s the existing functionality used for processing a call between users. BCSM is a high-level state automation model for the CCF call control functions required for setting up and maintaining the connection path between the users. Functionality is added to this state model by using the Service Switching Function SSF (cf. the partial overlapping of the functional entities CCF and SSF in
FIG. 1
) to make it possible to decide when intelligent network services (IN services) should be invoked. Once these IN services have been invoked, the Service Control Function SCF that incorporates the service logic for the intelligent network handles service-dependent processing (of the call attempt). Thus, the Service Switching Function SSF links the Call Control Function CCF to the Service Control Function SCF and allows the SCF function to control the Call Control Function CCF. For example, SCF may request SSF/CCF to perform certain call or set-up functions, such as billing or routing operations. SCF may also send requests to the Service Data Function SDF that controls access to intelligent network service-dependent information and network data. For example, SCF may ask SDF to retrieve data related to a certain service or to update such data.
The functions described above are further complemented by the specialized resources function SRF which provides the special functions required for implementing some of the services provided by the intelligent network. Examples of such services are protocol conversions, speech recognition, voice mail, etc. For example, SCF may request the SSF/CCF functions first to set up a connection between the end-users and SRF and then ask SRF to play announcements to end-users.
Other functional entities in an intelligent network are the various control-related functions such as the Service Creation Environment Function SCEF, the Service Management Function SMF, and the Service Management Access Function SMAF. SMF includes, among other things, service control, while SMAF offers an interface to SMF and SCEF makes it possible to define, develop, test and feed the IN services to SCF through SMF. Because these functions are solely related to the network operator functions, they are not shown in FIG.
1
.
The role of the functional entities shown in
FIG. 1
with regard to IN services is briefly explained below. CCAF receives the service request from the calling party that typically consist of lifting the receiver and/or a specific series of digits dialed by the calling party. CCAF forwards the service request to CCF/SSF for further processing. The Call Control Function CCF has no service data but it is programmed to recognize the need for a service request. CCF momentarily suspends the call set-up process to indicate the state of the call to the Service Switching Function SSF. SSF's tasks is, then, using a set of predefined criteria, to interpret the service request and so determine whether it relates to services provided by the intelligent network. If so, SSF will generate a standardized IN service request and send it, together with the information on the state of the service request, to SCF. SCF receives the request and decodes it. After this, it will cooperate with SSF/CCF, SRF, and SDF to provide the requested service to the end-user.
The physical-level architecture of an intelligent network indicates how the functional entities described above are distributed among the physical entities of the network. The physical architecture of an intelligent network is illustrated in
FIG. 2
where the physical entities are shown as rectangles or circles and the functional entities as ovals. Signaling connections are represented by dashed lines and the actual transport, such as speech, by solid lines. Optional functional entities are denoted by dashed lines. The signaling network shown in the figure is a SS7 network (SS7, Signaling System Number 7, is a known signaling system that is described in CCITT's (currently ITU-T) blue book Specifications of Signaling System No. 7, Melbourne 1988).
Subscriber Equipment SE which can include, for example, a telephone, computer or fax machine, are connected either directly to the Service Switching Point SSP or to the Network Access Point NAP.
The Service Switching Point SSP offers the user access to the network and carries out all the necessary selection functions. SSP is also capable of recognizing requests for intelligent network services. Functionally, SSP includes the call control and service selection functions.
The Network Access Point NAP is a conventional telephone exchange, such as the applicant's DX
220
exchange, that includes the call control function CCF and is capable of distinguishing between conventional calls and calls requesting IN services and routing the IN service calls to the appropriate SSP.
The Service Control Point SCP includes the Service Logic Programs SLP used for generating intelligent network services. For the sake of brevity, SLPs may below also be referred to as service programs.
The Service Data Point is a database that contains information on customers and the network that SCP's service programs use to generate personalized services. SCP may use SDP's services directly through the signaling or data network.
An Intelligent Peripheral offers special functions such as announcements and voice and multiple choice recognition.
The Service Switching and Control Point SSCP consists of SCP and SSP housed in a single network element (meaning that if the SSP network element shown in the figure includes both the SCF and SSF entities, the unit involved is a SSCP).
The tasks of the Service Management System SMP is to manage the Service Data Point SDP, control and test the network and to collect network data. SMP can connect to any other physical entity.
The Service Creation Environment Point SCEP is used for defining, developing and testing the intelligent network services and entering the services into SMP.
The Adjunct AD corresponds to the Service Control Point SCP in terms of function, but it is directly connected to the SSP using a fast data connection (such as the ISDN 30B+D connection) instead of being connected via the common channel signaling network SS No.7.
The Service Node SN is designed to control IN services and perform data transfers with users. It communicates directly with one or more SSPs.
The Service Management Access Point SMAP is a physical entity that offers access to SMP for certain users.
The SCP network element may also be accompanied by a separate assisting SCP. This type of assi

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