DE10118193A1 - System for the transmission of signaling between different networks - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for transmitting signalings in different networks which is characterized in that at least two signaling gateways are interlinked using a point-to-point protocol for symmetric and quasi-associated signaling.

Description

The invention relates to a system for the transmission of Signa Listings between different networks.

As is known, a signaling gateway enables one Transfer of a CCS7 (Common Channel Signaling System 7) signal nalization from a CCS7 network with CCS7 connections in one other network, especially in an IP network. For this about gang is an M3UA (MTP Level 3 User Adaptation) protocol seen.

An exemplary embodiment of a previous network connection is shown in FIG. 3. In this configuration, the signaling gateways 1 — in contrast to the embodiment in FIG. 2 — are connected to one another by means of CCS7 connections 5 . These connections are based on CCS7-specific hardware and, in terms of a security protocol, on CCS7-specific software solution. A CCS7 signaling message of an MTP signaling end point 4 to a further MTP signaling end point 4 or to an M3UA signaling end point 3 via one of the signaling gateways 1 is only possible via a CCS7 connection 5 .

The network systems available today use CCS7- Links for a CCS7 connection between two signaling Gateways. A disadvantage of this signaling is that a Internet connection using an M3UA protocol is not possible because of this only a point-to-point Connection - typically from the signaling gateway to Media gateway controller - is covered. Because the signalisie in this configuration, however, only as signaling acting transfer points is a connection via a  Internet Protocol (IP) using the M3UA protocol not possible.

To establish a connection between at least two signaling To enable gateways, it is known to provide CCS7 links hen. It is also known to use an M2UA connection. However, their specification has not yet progressed so far steps, so that a deployment in the foreseeable future is not possible is. (There is no limitation in scope.)

The invention has for its object a system admit which is a connection of at least two signals sation gateways using standardized protocol le enables.

This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 solved. Accordingly, the task by a system or Ver drive solved with the at least two signaling gates ways using a point-to-point protocol symmetrical and quasi-associated signaling who are connected.

An essential point of the invention is that a M3UA routing information in a routing database of a CCS7 Messagetransferparts is integrated. The principle of MTP Routing database is that all direct links (point-to- Point connections) to a neighboring node to a link set be summarized. With a route description to a Target is always referred to these linksets. A goal must but not always directly behind a referenced link set but can be used for quasi-associated signaling also on a linkset to a signaling transfer point refer. Therefore there is no information about the complete Away from need, just information about the outgoing Linkset.  

According to this principle, a M3UA connection over IP is now in tegriert. In doing so, an M3UA connection becomes a neighbor node simply considered a link set. With a route A CCS7 linkset is then not the only destination to be written used to specify an outgoing route, but also an IP linkset. A linkset is then - very general defined - as a direct connection between two nights to understand bar knots.

For the route description - that is for the description about which node (s) the desired goal is reached - it is from the point of view of the inventors, it is completely irrelevant whether a link set is used as a transport medium with CCS7 links, or else an M3UA connection over the Internet Protocol (IP). On this way it is therefore possible to choose between at least two Signaling gateways to set up and through an IP linkset the general route description of this signaling To use gateways as signaling transfer points.

Since the M3UA protocol is a client-server Architecture, it is necessary that for the two (ei occasionally equal) connected signaling Gateways is determined which signaling gateway as Client and which acts as a server. This can e.g. B. by an attribute of the IP link set happen. The IP linkset will considered active when the M3UA connection closed came about.

Usually a signaling gateway receives M3UA- Messages over an M3UA connection that are for a remote Target point in the CCS7 network are determined. In the event that Messages not intended for the signaling gateway are passed to a routing function, and on top of it forwarded according to their destination. The After are directed from the M3UA message format to a CCS7 MTP message format converted. This function is independent depending on whether the signaling gateway for  the IP linkset involved as an M3UA client or as an M3UA Server is configured.

In a further embodiment of the invention, an Si signaling gateway a CCS7 MTP message from the CCS7 Network, and routes it to an M3UA target point called CCS7- Signaling endpoint continues to work. The message will doing so from the CCS7 MTP message format to the M3UA Message format converted. Through the transparent inte The M3UA connection can now be added to the MTP Messages are forwarded to the IP network for targets as the other endpoint of the M3UA connection are true. This function is independent of it led whether the signaling gateway for the involved IP-Linkset is configured as a client or as a server.

The present invention can therefore CCS7 messages from the CCS7 network via an IP network back into a CCS7 Network are routed using a signaling gateway the boundary between an IP and a CCS7 network final conversion of the messages takes over.

So now the complete CCS7 network requirements - in particular re that of MTP network management - must be met the M3UA protocol of such an "M3UA transfer Signaling gateways "have a certain behavior. It must - even if it is actually on the M3UA server side - has an M3UA client behavior. Furthermore certain message formats must be treated specifically the. The special handling of the message formats can by evaluating each message using the respective integrated MTP / M3UA routing database reached become.

Advantages and advantages of the invention result in others from the subclaims and the following Be  Description of preferred embodiments, based on the Illustrations are explained in more detail. Here show:

Fig. 3 is a previous network connection with signaling gateways, which are interconnected by means CCS7 links;

Fig. 1 is a flow diagram of a message signaling an M3UA protocol in a signaling gateway; and

Fig. 2 is a network connection with signaling gateways, which are interconnected by means of M3UA connections.

In the following description, the same and parts with the same effect use the same reference numbers.

In Fig. 1, a flow chart adapted according to the invention of a message signaling of an M3UA protocol in a signaling gateway 1 is shown. The case distinction 1 corresponds to a previous functionality of a signaling gateway 1 .

The case distinction 2 is rated "yes" if a CCS7 message is received, the destination of which is reached via an outgoing M3UA connection 2 , which does not lead directly to an end point connection. (In a further embodiment of the invention, these routes are already set up with an M3UA transfer signaling gateway identifier.) The case distinction 2 is rated "no" if the destination lies directly behind the M3UA connection 2 .

If CCS7 messages are evaluated with "yes" by the case distinction 2 , they are not converted into the corresponding specific M3UA format, but into the M3UA format "Data", and transferred to a signaling gateway 1 via an M3UA connection 2 , This step is necessary because the M3UA format, with the exception of the "Data" format, contains neither the source nor the destination of the message, and such messages can therefore only be sent via a route that leads directly to the destination of the corresponding M3UA message.

If the case distinction 2 is rated "no", specific CCS7 messages are converted into the M3UA format. CCS7 messages that come from another node and are directed to a directly adjacent signaling gateway 1 are transported in an M3UA format "data" so that the reference to the message source is not lost. The M3UA of a signaling gateway 1 forwards a received message based on the evaluated information to an "MTP-L3 network management". In the event that the target point is an MGC (Media Gateway Controller), all CCS7 network management messages except TFC (Transfer Controlled) messages and UPU (User Part Unavailable) messages are discarded. In a further embodiment of the invention, these messages are also transported in the "data" format if the MGC supports this format for MTP network management messages. If a signaling gateway 1 itself generates network management messages to a further signaling gateway 1 , they are transmitted in the M3UA format. Therefore, only CCS7 messages declared as data messages are sent.

In Fig. 2, one embodiment of a network connection is illustrated in accordance with the invention. The signaling gateways 1 are connected to one another by means of M3UA connections 2 . In this embodiment, the signaling gateways 1 are connected to one another by a mesh connection. In a further embodiment, network connections by means of a star connection or a ring connection are also possible. The M3UA connection 2 preferably uses an Internet protocol (IP) for addressing the message packets via the Internet.

If a CCS7 signaling message is sent from an MTP signaling endpoint 4 to a further MTP signaling endpoint 4 or to an M3UA signaling endpoint 3 , it can be used in the network between the signaling gateways 1 without using spe specific CCS7 connections 5 are transported. CCS7 secondary routes can also be set up as M3UA connections 2 . The two-way choice is made in accordance with CCS7-MTP specific network protocols.

Claims (14)

1. System for the transmission of signaling between un different networks, characterized in that at least two signaling gateways ( 1 ) are connected to one another using a point-to-point protocol for symmetrical and quasi-associated signaling. 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that an IP network is used as the network connection. 3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that as a point-to-point protocol, a standardized protocol, in particular an M3UA protocol is used. 4. System according to claim 1, characterized in that M3UA routing information into a routing database CCS7 message transfer parts is integrated. 5. System according to claim 1, characterized in that an IP linkset is set up between the signaling gateways ( 1 ) and the signaling gateways are used as signaling transfer points (STP) by a general route description. 6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a client-server attribute of the connected signaling gateways ( 1 ) is defined via an attribute of the IP link set. 7. System according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that messages are forwarded via an IP link set in an IP network, which are intended for destinations other than another end point of the M3UA connection ( 2 ). 8. System according to claim 7, characterized in that a route description to a destination uses an M3UA connection ( 2 ). 9. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that supports a CCS7 network management for network transmission becomes. 10. System according to any one of the preceding claims, in particular according to claim 9, characterized in that at least two signaling gateways ( 1 ) are used as CCS7 signaling gateways which are connected to one another via an IP network. 11. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that CCS7 messages from a CCS7 network with CCS7 connections ( 5 ) via an IP network back into another CCS7 network with CCS7 connections ( 5 ) are routed , wherein the signaling gateway ( 1 ) takes over the necessary conversion of the messages. 12. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a received CCS7 message, the destination of which is reached via an outgoing M3UA connection ( 2 ) which does not lead directly to a connection destination, converted into an M3UA format delt is. 13. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a received CCS7 message, the destination of which is not reached via an outgoing M3UA connection ( 2 ), which does not lead directly to a connection end point, in an M3UA format " Data "is converted and transferred to a signaling gateway via M3UA. 14. Signaling gateway to implement the system after one of the preceding claims, marked by a conversion system that works on a transition from one IP network to a CCS7 network a conversion of the messages takes over.