DE102004021698B4 - Control method for loading post office protocol points links multiple subscriber systems to a packet-switching network - Google Patents

Abstract

Connections are set between a subscriber system (1) and an allocated post office protocol point (8) and/or retained despite an abnormal termination command. Such dismantling, set-up and/or retention of a connection is transparent for the user of a subscriber system. - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a telecommunications system for carrying out the method of the present invention.

Description

The The invention relates to methods for controlling the utilization of Einwählpunkten (POP), about each having a plurality of end systems with a packet switched network are connected, according to the preamble of claim 1 and according to the preamble of claim 8 and a telecommunication arrangement for carrying out the Method according to claim 1 or 8.

background the invention

It There are increasingly techniques in use that provide a broadband connection an end system, such as a personal computer (PC) enable the internet. In particular, under the keyword "DSL" (digital subscriber line) technologies for the high-speed digital transmission of data over telephone lines made of two-wire copper cables, which provides high-speed access an end system to the Internet.

The common Form of DSL is ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line). It lies an asymmetric design of receive and transmit channel before. With DSL technology is transfer rates possible in the megabit range. The usual Telephone line can parallel with a DSL transmission for the normal Telephone traffic can be used. A splitter arranged at the end system makes sure that the DSL data from be disconnected from the telephone signals. The DSL data is in one Node of the telephone network fed into the copper cable and bridge that way the last Mile to the customer. Conversely, the DSL data provided by the end system is transmitted by the telephone network by means of a so-called DSLAM (digital subscriber line access multiplexer) into a concentrator network and at speeds in the megabit range to Einwählpunkten forwarded to the internet.

Such Einwählpunkte are usually by Gateway systems realized that an interface and a transfer point between the concentrator network and the Internet. Become a dial-up points in the Internet also referred to as POP (Point of Presence).

DSL providers increasingly offer so-called flat rates to users, i. a settlement takes place without time and volume limit. This causes the behavior the user changes to that, that they are increasingly "online" all the time without interruption, ie permanently on an entry point logged into the internet. This can cause that in peak times, about late Afternoon and early Evening, the telecommunications infrastructures deployed one particularly high utilization, while at other times one only low utilization exists. In the interest of network operators lies against it, one possible uniform utilization not to have alone for the peak times additional TK infrastructure in particular at the dial-in points to have to provide.

It there is accordingly a need for methods and telecommunication arrangements, a control of the utilization of Einwählpunkten in a packet-switched network to enable that that possible slight fluctuations in the utilization of Einwählpunkte occur.

One Need for such procedures and telecommunication arrangements is also given insofar as the cable used in DSL connections in many countries, et al in the Federal Republic of Germany, nor the network of the former Monopolists, in the Federal Republic of Germany the German Telekom AG belongs. Other providers of telecommunication services must comply with the former service providers conclude service contracts in which, inter alia, set is what cost to the former monopolist for use whose infrastructure is to be paid. The billing is done according to a given formula with certain parameters. By An appropriate control of the utilization of the Einwählpunkte can one or more of these Paramenter changed accordingly be that an overall more cost-effective billing occurs.

In US 2003/0103506 A1 discloses a method and a telecommunications arrangement for the improved use of resources between telecommunication networks and IP networks described. In each case a single connection between a participant and the Internet or Internet Service Provider considered. The connection between a RAMSES client and a router of the Internet service provider will be reduced if no data is transmitted become.

The WO 00/67428 A1 describes a system and a method of Internet access and the load management, in particular for communication between a PSTN network and the Internet.

In WO 98/54868 A1 describes a method for operating a data access transport system, a variety of network access servers and a network controller, which is connected to the network access servers.

In the document SIEGMUND, Gerd: Technik der Netze. 5th, completely new edited and extended edition, Heidelberg, Hüthig Verlag, 2002, pp. 570-575, chapter 5.8 Internet access. ISBN 3-7785-3954-X different ways of Internet access, inter alia, according to the dial-on-demand procedure and the always-on method.

Task of invention

Of the Invention is based on the object, methods and a telecommunications arrangement for Controlling the utilization of dial-in points in a packet-switched network to provide the one as possible uniform utilization enable the existing telecommunications infrastructure and / or streams provide too low to pay to a network operator Costs lead.

Summary the invention

These The object is achieved by a Method with the features of claim 1, by a method with the features of claim 8 and a telecommunication arrangement with the features of claim 14 solved. Preferred and advantageous Embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

• a) Überwachen des zu den Endsystemen übertragenen Datenvolumens,
• b) Feststellen mindestens eines Peak-Zeitintervalls, in dem das an alle Endsysteme übertragene Gesamtdatenvolumen höher ist als außerhalb der Peak-Zeitintervalls, und
• c) Reduzieren der Anzahl gleichzeitig existierender Verbindungen jeweils zwischen einer Mehrzahl von Endsystemen und dem zugehörigen Einwählpunkt während des Peak-Zeitintervalls, wobei
• d) ein automatischer Verbindungsabbau zwischen solchen Endsystemen und dem zugehörigen Einwählpunkt erfolgt, bei denen über die bestehende Verbindung vor ihrem Abbau keine aktuelle Datenübertragung erfolgte,
• e) ein erneuter Verbindungsaufbau zum Einwählknoten erfolgt, sobald eine Datenübertragung zwischen einem Endsystem und dem zugeordneten Einwählpunkt erfolgen soll.

Thereafter, the present invention is characterized according to claim 1, characterized in that compounds are each degraded and constructed between an end system and the associated Einwählpunkt, wherein such dismantling and establishing a connection for the user of the end system is transparent. In the method according to claim 1 according to the invention the following steps are provided:

• a) monitoring the data volume transmitted to the end systems,
• b) determining at least one peak time interval in which the total data volume transmitted to all end systems is higher than outside the peak time interval, and
• c) reducing the number of simultaneously existing connections between a plurality of end systems and the associated polling point during the peak time interval, respectively
• d) automatic disconnection takes place between such end systems and the associated dial-in point, in which no current data transmission took place via the existing connection prior to their dismantling,
• e) a renewed connection to the Einwählknoten takes place as soon as a data transmission between an end system and the associated Einwählpunkt should take place.

By the for the user transparent manipulation of the connections between terminal and Einwählpunkt can the utilization of Einwählpunkte in cheaper Be controlled manner. There is also the possibility of the total between all devices and all dial-in points a service provider Data volume to influence, which in particular from billing points of view in service contracts of the service provider with the former monopolist can.

The inventive solution draws Thus, by the thought that - triggered by the end system and / or the dial-in node or through control signals received from a management system - connections between the end system and the associated dial-in point for the user the end system transparently degraded, built and / or be retained despite an abort command. By disconnecting will be the total number of simultaneously existing Internet connections reduces the Einwählpunkte and the further telecommunication infrastructure between the Einwählpunkten and to manage the end system.

Under a connection between a terminal and a dial-in node, which is dismantled and built, it is a connection in the sense of the OSI reference model. A disconnect to Einwählpunkt includes all involved layers according to the OSI reference model. In particular, between the terminal and the Einwählknoten a TCP / IP or a UDP / IP connection degraded and established. The associated application (Level 7 connection in the sense of the OSI reference model), which is also degraded, exists between the terminal and a Computer in the packet-switched network. Unless currently no application to a computer in the packet-switched network is running and the terminal only at the dial-in node logged in, just this login makes the logical application the level 7 layer.

at the method according to the invention according to claim 1 is during Peak times reduces the number of simultaneously existing connections. Provided it is the packet-switched network to the Internet, what the preferred case is, this means that the number of parallel Internet sessions or Internet sessions is reduced, which the dial-in node to manage.

In method step d), only those compounds which are separated before separation (eg within a period of X minutes) are separated. did not involve a data flow or a data transfer. For example, a user had logged in to a WWW page with daily news and read all messages of interest to him, but then not logged out. It should be noted that disconnecting the connection to the dial-in node usually also means terminating the level 7 application to the application server on which, for example, said WWW page can be called.

It is preferably provided that the end system, whose connection to the corresponding dial-in point was automatically dismantled for the Einwählpunkt for the purpose of further data transmission by assigning a specific address is still available. Unless a new data transmission can be done in this way very quickly a reconnection being constructed. This will be a TCP / UDP connection to the dial-in node built and over the dial-in node one logical level-7 connection established to the application that executed or should be followed up.

Prefers becomes the end system, its connection to the associated Einwählpunkt automatically was dismantled, assigned a fixed IP address. In a renewed Data transfer between the end system and the Einwählpunkt becomes re-established a connection, the fixed IP address by a dynamic IP address is exchanged.

It It is preferably provided that determining when peak time intervals exist, through a management system and an end system with the management system regarding the establishment and dismantling of connections to the Einwählpunkt communicated. For this purpose, for example, it is provided that the end system at regular intervals at the Management system asks if there is a peak time interval, and For this Case a connection to the associated Einwählpunkt separates. It can also be provided that the management system is individual Endsystemen tells at what peak time intervals a connection to the Einwählpunkt is to be separated, provided that there is no current data transmission.

A second variant of the invention according to claim 8 does not concern the reduction of parallel sessions between terminals and a Einwählpunkt, but providing additional Applications at the end system. It is envisaged that the connection is maintained between an end system and the associated polling point, though a control command has been triggered at the end system, that the connection to Einwählpunkt is to be separated. The user enters the command to log out and the connection to the dial-in node remains anyway. For this purpose, appropriate software is implemented in the terminal. This variant of the invention enables additional services at the end system provide and additional streams between end system and dial-in node realize.

In In a preferred embodiment, the retained one after the separation command Connection between the end system and the associated dial-in point for transmission Data used in low-volume applications is not triggered by the user of the end system. This is it For example, so-called live messages, i. Message packets for some reason, for example, to prevent automatic disconnection of the connection on the part of the dial-in node become.

In Further applications become the maintained connection to Internet telephony or used to automatically receive emails.

The Data is transmitted from and to the end system preferably by means of ADSL technology.

The inventive telecommunications arrangement according to claim 14 preferably has a management system that at least detects a peak time interval in which this is transmitted to all end systems Data volume higher is considered outside the peak time interval. Here are the end systems and / or at Einwählpunkt Provided funds that are not triggered by the user of the respective End system and in for this transparent way a degradation, a structure and / or a Maintaining a connection between the end system and the associated one Einwählpunkt cause. The funds are provided by a software included in the end system realized.

These Funds build preferentially during a peak time interval automatically the connection between such an end system and the associated Einwählpunkt automatically from where over the existing connection before its dismantling no current data transmission took place. Here is the end system whose connection to the associated Einwählpunkt was dismantled for the polling point in order another data transfer still accessible by assigning a fixed address.

In In another embodiment, the funds also keep to input a control command by the user of an end system, the connection to the associated Einwählpunkt to disconnect the connection.

description an embodiment

The Invention will be described below with reference to the figure of the drawing based on an embodiment explained in more detail. The single figure shows a telecommunications infrastructure for implementing the method according to the invention.

The only figure shows an ADSL connection, over which a TK-Endsystem 1 to a packet-switched network 9 connected.

The TK end system is, for example, a PC. The end system 1 is via a DSL modem 2 and a splinter 3 connected to a telephone line (TAL). The splinter 3 Ensures that DSL data is separated from phone signals. Telephone signals are supplied to a user-side telephone not shown in the figure.

The telephone connection instructions are implemented in DSL technology as copper cable. A main distributor associated with another DSL modem 4 separates again the DSL signals and the telephone signals. The latter become a usual switching center 5 supplied to a telephone network and from there continue to transmit via ISDN / POTS lines. POTS stands for "Plain Old Telephony System", the traditional telephone network that stands for "Integrated Services Digital Network", the standardized services integrating digital network.

The DSL data is a DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer) 6 fed and from this to a Konzentratornetz 7 directed. At the concentrator network 7 it is a broadband network, for example an ATM broadband network.

The broadband network 7 is via multiple access points 8th with the packet-switched network 9 connected, wherein in the figure, only one access point 8th is shown. Individual access points can be provided by different telecommunication network providers. An access point is also called a POP (Point of Presence). A POP 8th is usually provided by a gateway system that provides a gateway between the concentrator network 7 and the packet-switched network 9 provides.

In the packet switching network 9 , which is preferably the Internet, are a variety of routers 10 arranged between which packet-packed data in IP packets are transmitted packet-switched in a conventional manner. For this example, the known protocols TCP / IP or UDP / IP are used. Over the internet 9 in particular, data from an application server 11 who with the internet 9 connected to the terminal 1 be downloaded. A user browses using a standard, on his device 1 installed browser between individual application servers 11 of the internet.

There are now a variety of TK end systems 1 and a plurality of POP dial-in points 8th available. In the following, two methods will be described, which provide as uniform as possible utilization of the dial-in nodes 8th and influencing the data stream between the terminals 1 and the dial-in node 8th realize.

In the first method is a schematically illustrated in the figure DSL management system 12 intended. The DSL management 12 monitor this to the TK end systems 1 transmitted data volume and it is this, for example, in contact with the individual POP's 8th , the concentrator network 7 and possibly also the POTS / ISDN network 13 , In particular, the DSL management system 12 via the POTS / ISDN network 13 the TK end systems 1 Send information or can the latter via the POTS / ISDN network 13 Inquiries to the DSL management system 12 put.

It should be noted that the DSL management 12 Typically, this software will be designed either centrally on a particular server or remotely on a variety of servers, or even in individual POPs 8th can be implemented.

The DSL management 12 This indicates that this is due to the TK end systems 1 transmitted total data volume within a considered period of time is as constant as possible and the bandwidth of the transmission has the least possible fluctuations. This is the DSL management 12 in particular, whether certain peak times exist in which this is true of all end systems 1 transferred total data volume is greater than outside the peak times. Such peak times usually exist, especially in the late afternoon and early evening.

A peak or a peak time interval is associated with a large number of end systems 1 at the same time in a POP 8th dialed in / logged in. However, many such connections, also referred to as sessions or sessions, are not used for a current data transfer at any given time. This is the case in particular for fee models in which the TK end system is connected to the Internet for a flat rate. With such Flatraten there is no reason for the user of the TK-Endsystems 1 , look for a Her Downloading data back from the POP 8th to deregister or log out.

The DSL management 12 Now check for certain links between TK end systems and their associated POPs 8th at all are charged with a traffic. If this is not the case, these connections - preferably without asking the user of the TK-end system 1 and transparent to it, especially during a peak time interval. The TK end systems in question 1 are thus automatically from the associated POP 8th logged out. The number of parallel sessions that the POP 8th must be managed, thereby reduced. The utilization of POPs 8th during a peak time interval is reduced and the loadings of the POPs are more balanced overall.

At the same time it ensures that the TK end system 1 for a data transfer continues to be available at short notice. For this purpose, the TC end system is preferably assigned a fixed IP address when logging out. As soon as another data transmission is to take place, the TK end system is used based on this permanently assigned IP address 1 identified. For a data transfer then the fixed IP address is exchanged for a commonly used dynamic IP address and there is a connection to the POP 8th ,

The DSL management communicates with the automatic termination of a connection 12 preferably with the corresponding end system 1 , For example, the end system asks 1 regularly with the DSL management 12 whether a peak time is present, and is triggered in this case, a logout, if there is no current data transmission or within a certain past period, for example, the last 5 minutes, existed. It can also be provided that the DSL management 12 the end system 1 announces certain peak time intervals to which the end system should log out, if there is no current data transmission or until recently. Furthermore, provision can also be made for disconnection by the POP 8th depending on control commands of the management system 12 is triggered. The same applies to a new connection.

The present method thus allows the number of parallel sessions that a POP 8th without any practical disadvantages for the TK end systems connected to the respective POP. In particular, the total data volume in the reduction of the parallel sessions is not changed, since the aborted connections are those in which no data transmission took place anyway.

In a second alternative of the invention, provision is made for the data stream or the bandwidth between the terminals 1 and the dial-in node 8th especially outside the peak time intervals to increase influence. On the one hand, this makes it possible to realize the most homogeneous possible utilization of the TK infrastructure components involved with regard to the transmitted data volume. On the other hand, additional applications for the user can be provided via an additional data stream.

It is envisaged that the TK end systems 1 thereby an increased data volume traffic with the associated POP 8th provide that even with a control command of the user of a TK-end system 1 to that effect, the TK end system 1 from the associated POP 8th log out the connection between the TK end system and the POP 8th persists. In particular, the TCP / IP connection of level 3/4 of the OSI reference model as well as the connections of underlying levels remain. Thus, a longer login or session time is generated and in this additional time, additional data is transmitted between the terminal and the POP.

To There is a command of the user to log out via the logical connection then, however, preferred only to such logical applications transfer data, that were not initialized directly by the user. For example So-called live messages are transmitted.

It is also possible that the maintained connection is used to send incoming e-mail without a user download command to the TK end system 1 transferred to. Another possible application is that over the maintained connection to the POP 8th an internet telephony one also to the DSL modem 2 Connected phone (not shown) takes place. The use of this connection for Internet telephony can be transparent to the user of the telephone, ie, in the presence of a maintained connection to the POP 8th The data of a telephone conversation are automatically transmitted via IP telephony. Usual bandwidths for Internet telephony are 64 kbps without data compression and 8 kbps with data compression.

Claims (17)

Method for controlling the utilization of dial-in points (POP), via each of which a plurality of end systems ( 1 ) are connected to a packet-switched network, whereby connections between each one end system ( 1 ) and the assigned dial-in point ( 8th ) degraded and built and disconnecting and establishing a connection for the user of the end system ( 1 ) is transparent, comprising the steps of: a) monitoring the end systems ( 1 b) determining at least one peak time interval in which this is transmitted to all end systems ( 1 ) total data volume is higher than outside the peak time intervals, c) reducing the number of simultaneously existing connections in each case between a plurality of end systems ( 1 ) and the associated dial-in point ( 8th ) during the peak time interval, where d) automatic disconnection between such end systems ( 1 ) and the associated dial-in point ( 8th ), in which no current data transmission took place via the existing connection before it was disconnected, e) a renewed connection to the dial-in node (FIG. 8th ) takes place as soon as a data transmission between an end system ( 1 ) and the assigned dial-in point ( 8th ) should. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the end system ( 1 ), its connection to the corresponding dial-in point ( 8th ) was automatically cleared, for the Einwählpunkt ( 8th ) for the purpose of further data transmission by assignment of a specific address continues to be reached. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the end system ( 1 ), its connection to the corresponding dial-in point ( 8th ) was automatically dismantled, a fixed IP address is assigned. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that in a renewed data transmission between the end system ( 1 ) and the dial-in point ( 5 ) a connection is established again, the fixed IP address being exchanged by a dynamic IP address. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the determination of when peak time intervals are present, by a management system ( 12 ) and an end system ( 1 ) with the management system ( 12 ) with regard to the establishment and dismantling of connections to the Einwählpunkt ( 8th ) communicates. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the end system ( 1 ) at regular intervals in the management system ( 12 ) inquires whether a peak time interval exists and in this case a connection to the associated Einwählpunkt ( 8th ) separates. Method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the management system ( 12 ) individual end systems ( 1 ) to which peak time intervals a connection to the dial-in point ( 8th ), if there is no current data transmission. Method for controlling the utilization of point-of-arrival points (POP), via which in each case a plurality of end systems are connected to a packet-switched network, the connection between an end system ( 1 ) and the associated dial-in point ( 8th ) is maintained although a control command to the end system ( 1 ), that the connection to the dial-in point ( 8th ) and maintaining such a connection for the user of the end system ( 1 ) is transparent. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that after the disconnect command the retained connection between the end system ( 1 ) and the associated dial-in point ( 8th ) is used for the transmission of data in low-volume applications, not by the user of the end system ( 1 ) are triggered. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that that the low-volume application includes the transmission of live messages. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized that the retained connection used for internet telephony becomes. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized that the maintained connection for the automatic receipt of e-mails is used. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data from and to the end system ( 1 ) are transmitted via ADSL technology. Telecommunication arrangement for carrying out the method according to Claim 1 or 8, comprising: a plurality of end systems ( 1 ), - at least one communication network ( 7 ) to which the end systems are connected, - a packet-switched network ( 9 ), - at least one polling point ( 8th ) of the at least one communication network ( 7 ) into the packet-switched network ( 9 ), - a management system ( 12 ), which is the key to the end systems ( 1 monitored), - whereby at the end systems ( 1 ) Means are provided which are not triggered by the user of the respective end system ( 1 ) and in this transparent way a dismantling, a construction and / or an example keep a connection between the end system ( 1 ) and the assigned dial-in point ( 8th ) - and allocate the funds through an end-system ( 8th ) Software are realized. Telecommunication arrangement according to claim 14, characterized in that the management system ( 12 ) determines at least one peak time interval in which this is done to all end systems ( 1 ) transmitted data volume is higher than outside the peak time interval. Telecommunication arrangement according to claim 15, characterized in that the means automatically during a peak time interval the connection between such an end system ( 1 ) and the associated dial-in point ( 8th ), in which no actual data transmission took place over the existing connection before its dismantling, whereby the end system ( 1 ), its connection to the corresponding dial-in point ( 8th ) has been dismantled, for the Einwählpunkt ( 8th ) for the purpose of further data transmission by assigning a fixed address is still available. Telecommunications arrangement according to at least one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the means also after input of a control command by the user of an end system ( 1 ), the connection to the corresponding dial-in point ( 8th ), keep the connection.