Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer network managing
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-23
2001-07-24
Harrell, Robert B. (Department: 2152)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer network managing
C709S224000, C709S226000, C709S241000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266695
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to the field of telecommunications switching systems. More particularly, the present invention is related to a Telecommunications Switch Management System for use with telecommunications switching systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional telecommunications switching systems employ centralized switching facilities which result in undesirable lengthy switching paths. Therefore, it is desirable to implement distributed telecommunications switching systems which do not require centralized switching facilities. However, elaborate management systems normally are required in order to provide users and operators with the ability to control, configure and monitor the various switches and other components which make up a typical distributed telecommunications switching system For example, an operator or user must be able to control, configure and monitor a distributed switching system's individual application cards, as well as the communication busses which interconnect those application cards
Conventional distributed telecommunications switching systems use dedicated Operational Support Systems (“OSSs”) and relatively complex and cryptic command-driven user interface systems in order to provide users with the ability to control, configure and monitor distributed switching systems. These dedicated OSSs are cumbersome to develop, maintain, upgrade and expand upon. Additionally, the command-driven user interfaces are relatively cryptic, cumbersome, non-intuitive and difficult for users to learn and use.
The dedicated OSSs which provide management and support functions for telecommunications switching systems are relatively inflexible and difficult to develop, maintain, upgrade and expand because they normally use dedicated architectures, rather than more desirable and flexible open architectures Additionally, the architectures for these dedicated OSSs normally are unsuitable for interfacing with standardized communications links such as intranets or the internet. Therefore, a need has arisen for a telecommunications switch management and support system which will provide increased flexibility, upgradability, expandability, and ease of development and maintenance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a telecommunications switch management system is provided which substantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with prior management systems for distributed telecommunications switching systems
The telecommunications switch management system of the present invention is flexible and relatively easy to develop, maintain, upgrade and expand. Additionally, the telecommunications switch management system can interface with standardized communications links such as the Internet. The telecommunications switch management system of the present invention enables one or more users to remotely access the telecommunications switching system for any desired purpose, such as to monitor, control or reconfigure the telecommunications switching system.
The telecommunications switch management system of the present invention contains a system manager building block in communication with a remote computer. The system manager building block is also in communication with a system management interface building block, which contains a command interpreter building block and a system command interface building block. The command interpreter building block is in communication with the system manager building block and the system command interface building block. The system command interface building block contains at least one client building block. The client building blocks located in the system command interface building block are each in communication with a corresponding server building block, each of which in turn is in communication with the telecommunications switching system. The system manager building block provides communication between the remote computer and the system management interface building block. The system management interface building block provides communication between the system manager building block and the one or more servers which are in communication with the telecommunications switching system.
In another aspect of the invention, the client building blocks and server building blocks can include a system security manager client building block in communication with a system security manager server building block for providing the telecommunications switching system with various security functions. In still another aspect of the invention, the client building blocks and server building blocks can include a bearer manager client building block in communication with a bearer manager server building block for providing users with the ability to perform various management and monitoring functions on the telecommunications switching system. In yet another aspect of the invention, the client building blocks and server building blocks can include a fault manager client building block in communication with a fault manager server building block for providing users with the ability to review various types of faults which have occurred in the telecommunications switching system. In another aspect of the invention, the client building blocks and server building blocks can include a test manager client building block in communication with a test manager server building block for providing users with the ability to perform various tests on the telecommunications switching system. In still another aspect of the invention, the client building blocks and server building blocks can include a performance manager client building block in communication with a performance manager server building block for providing users with the ability to review the performance of the telecommunications switching system. In yet another aspect of the invention, the client building blocks and server building blocks can include a configuration management client building block in communication with a configuration management server building block for providing users with the ability to configure the various attributes of the telecommunications switching system.
In another aspect of the invention, the remote computer communicates with the system manager building block using the Internet inter-ORB (Object Request Broker) protocol (“IIOP”) or the Hypertext Transport Protocol (“HTTP”). In still another aspect of the invention, the various building blocks of the telecommunications switch management system can communicate with one another by sending and receiving messages In yet another aspect of the invention, the various building blocks of the telecommunications switch management system can be designed using the well-known Common Object Request Broker Architecture (“CORBA”), and can communicate with one another using the CORBA communications protocol.
A technical advantage of the telecommunications switch management system of the present invention is its ability to provide multiple users remote access to telecommunications switching systems, for all of the same purposes as would be available using a dedicated terminal located proximate to the telecommunications switching system. Another technical advantage of the telecommunications switch management system of the present invention is its design flexibility and the relative ease with which it can be developed, maintained, upgraded and expanded. Still another technical advantage of the telecommunications switch management system of the present invention is its ability to interface with standardized communications links such as the Internet, and to use standardized CORBA architectures and communications protocols.
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patent:
Doss Dwight W.
Huang Peter Sung-An
Alcatel USA Sourcing L.P.
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Harrell Robert B.
Vaughn, Jr. William C.
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