EP1759514A1

EP1759514A1 - Connection setup for the exchange of data of an ip-based service

Info

Publication number: EP1759514A1
Application number: EP05760693A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Martin Gugerell; Heinrich Huber; Erwin Postmann; Ulrich Weiss
Original assignee: Siemens AG; Nokia Siemens Networks GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2004-06-23
Filing date: 2005-06-20
Publication date: 2007-03-07
Also published as: DE102004030290A1; US20080247342A1; WO2006000545A1; CN1998215A

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for setting up a connection between a terminal (MS) in a communication network and a network element (AS, IPU) in an IP network for exchanging data of an IP-based service. The invention is characterized by setting up a connection between at least one network unit (OSUS-Proxy) of the communication network and the terminal (MS) of the communication network for exchanging data of an IP-based service comprising at least one signaling message. The at least one network unit (OSUS-Proxy) of the communication network, in accordance with the content of the at least one signaling message by the terminal (MS), sets up a connection for exchanging data of an IP-based service with the network element (AS, IPU) of the IP network with at least one recipient-specific signaling. Once both connections are set up, the at least one network unit (OSUS-Proxy) of the communication network forwards received data of an IP-based service from the network element (AS, IPU) to the terminal (MS) and from the terminal (MS) to the network element (AS, IPU).

Description

description

Establishing a connection for the exchange of data of an IP-based service

The invention relates to a method and a device for establishing a connection between a terminal in a communication network and a network element in an IP network for exchanging data of an IP-based service.

The Internet or an IP network has fundamentally changed the way information and information are handled. The mobile technology or a cellular mobile radio network has significantly influenced the type of communication. In order to integrate the potential of the internet into mobile communication, the so-called IP multimedia subsystem has been introduced. This is defined in the specification 3GPP TS 23.228. The IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) introduces new technology for connecting different networks and enables new concepts for mobile services, such as data, text, voice and / or video services. For communication, the so-called session initiation protocol (SIP) is usually used. The Session Initiation Protocol (connecting Initiation Protocol) SIP is a text-based alert signaled lisierungsprotokoll for Internet conferencing, telephony, Ü bermittlung presence information of a user, Ereignis¬, instant messaging ^{'(intelligence} services) and many other applications. It is with the ITU protocol H.323 one of the two standards for the signaling and control of Internet telephony (Voice over Internet Protocol - VoIP). The development of SIP is led by IESG, the Internet Engineering Steering Group within IETF. SIP is of central importance in the IP Multimedia Subsystem. It is used wherever users of a terminal need to be located and sessions (connections) in the system must be established, controlled, modified and terminated. It works closely with the Session Description Protocol. binding description protocol) SDP, which serves to describe the multimedia connections. It was first introduced in RFC 2543 in 1999 and has undergone a renewed, current specification in RFC 3261 in 2002. Accompanying the protocol, many RFCs with SIP-related aspects and extensions have been published since 1999 by the IETF dealing with issues such as Quality of Service (QoS), media authorization, privacy, DHCP, etc.

The object of the invention is to propose a cost-effective and efficient possibility for the connection with IP-based services.

The object is achieved in each case by the subject of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

A core of the invention is to be seen in that a terminal of a communication network establishes a connection with at least one network unit of the communication network using at least one signaling message. An end device can be a mobile radio terminal, a mobile computer, a mobile organizer, a landline terminal, etc. of a communications network, such as a cellular mobile network, a landline network (PSTN, ISDN, Enterprise), a packet-oriented communications network (xDSL, GPRS, WLAN, WiMax etc.) etc. The at least one network unit of the communication network behaves like a proxy server. A proxy server is generally acting on behalf of another. In connection with the Internet, this refers to a server which is commissioned by the browser (client or terminal) to retrieve data of a service from a server in an IP network (Internet). The proxy server then transmits the data of the service to the client as if it were the actual web server. The proxy server decides, on the basis of the requests from the client, on which server the If desired data is to be found, picks it up from the latter and transfers it to the client. Ideally, a connection with SIP signaling is established between the terminal and the at least one network unit. For this purpose, the terminal must have a so-called SIP user agent or an IMS client, so that the support of SIP and the access to the IP multimedia subsystem is possible. Of course, signaling, such as the H.323, an MNO (Mobile Network Operator = mobile operator or communication network operator) specific or another Signali¬ tion for the inventive method conceivable. According to the content of the at least one signaling message from the terminal, the at least one network unit establishes a connection to the network element in the IP network with at least one receiver-specific signaling, which provides the IP-based service desired by the terminal. As receiver-specific signaling signaling is used, which supports the network element for the exchange of data of an IP-based service. Such an IP-based application signaling protocol (receiver-specific signaling) can be, for example, a http (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), an FTP (File Transfer Protocol), an SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), etc. Of course, receiver-specific signaling, such as the SIP signaling, the H.323, an MNO (Mobile Network Operator = mobile operator or communication network operator) specific or other signaling for the inventive method are conceivable. The network element can be, for example, an application server (AS) on which the IP-based service desired by the terminal can be called up, an IP telephone (IPU), a computer or any other network element of the IP network. which offers an IP-based service. For example, a content of the signaling message could be the IP address of the network element providing the IP-based service. Another alternative according to the invention could be that after the end device successfully establishes a connection with the at least one Network unit of the communication network has built, the End¬ device of at least one network unit a Verbindungsauf¬ construction request with the receiver-specific signaling to establish a connection between the at least one network unit and the network element of the IP network sends. Of course, here too the terminal device must have a corresponding functionality in order to be able to process or process receiver-specific signaling. If both connections are established, the at least one network unit forwards data of an IP-based service from the network element to the terminal and from the terminal to the network element.

An advantage of the invention is that a uniform method for all IP-based services (non-native IMS and native IMS services) is made possible via the IMS.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in a figure. Show

FIG. 1 shows the establishment of a connection with a network element for exchanging data of an IP-based service, if the network element supports signaling with SIP, FIG. 2 shows the connection establishment with a network element for exchanging data of an IP-based service, if the network element contains the signals 3 does not support the flow of information for the example according to FIG. 1, FIG. 4 shows the information flow for the example according to FIG. 2, FIG. 5 shows a device according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a simplified network architecture for the establishment of a connection between a terminal MS in a communication network and a network element AS, IPU in an IP network for exchanging data of an IP-based service. using at least one SIP signaling message. In this case, signaling messages between terminal MS and network element AS, IUP via the access network UTRAN, serving GPRS support nodes (SGSN Serving GPRS support node, gateway GPRS support nodes (Gateway GPRS Support Node) GGSN, via the IP Multimedia Subsystem IMS with a proxy connection state control function P-CSCF and an operator connection status control function S-CSCF (Serving Call Stile Control Function), a network unit OSUS proxy of the communication network and exchanged over a SIP proxy SIP-P. The network unit OSUS Proxy (Operator Specific User Service) behaves like a proxy server. In this case, the network unit OSUS proxy supports the functionalities of the SIP user agent (SIP user agent) so that a connection can be set up by means of SIP signaling between the terminal MS and the network unit OSUS proxy. If the connection is established with the aid of SIP signaling, the signaling with a receiver-specific signaling, such as http, ftp, etc., can take place for the exchange of the data of the IP-based service requested by the terminal MS. If both connections are established, the network unit OSUS proxy transmits data of an IP-based service from the terminal MS to the network element AS, IUP and from the network element AS, IUP to the terminal MS.

FIG. 2 shows, in a simplified network architecture, the establishment of a connection between a terminal MS in a communication network and a network element AS, IPU in an IP network for exchanging data of an IP-based service in the case that the network element AS, IUP does not support SIP signaling. In this case, SIP signaling messages are transmitted between a terminal MS and a network unit OSUS proxy via the access network UTRAN, serving GPRS support nodes SGSN, gateway GPRS support nodes (gateway GPRS support node). GGSN via the IP Multimedia Subsystem IMS with a Proxy Call State Control Function P-CSCF and an operator connection status control function S-CSCF (Serving Call State Control Function) and thus one Connection established. For the sake of simplicity, in this example only one network unit OSUS proxy is used to carry out the method according to the invention. Of course, several network units OSUS proxy could also carry out the method according to the invention. The network unit OSUS Proxy then uses a receiver-specific signaling to set up a connection to the network element in the IP network for exchanging data of an IP-based service. In general, the network unit OSUS proxy can be a separate network unit OSUS proxy of the communication network or integrated in a further network unit of the communication network.

FIG. 3 shows the flow of information for the example according to FIG. 1. First, the user of a terminal MS starts an IP-based application or a user software, such as an Internet browser, an FTP client, P2P service etc. on his terminal MS , After that, the terminal MS establishes a SIP connection to the network unit OSUS proxy. The SIP request contains the receiver-specific signaling request (http, ftp etc.) for the provision of an IP-based service on a network element AS, IPU with the SDP part (Session Description Protocol) of the SIP Invitation message (SIP INVITE). This connection setup request is sent via the IP multimedia subsystem IMS with the two network nodes P-CSCF (Proxy Call State Control Function) and S-CSCF (Serving Call State Control Function) to the network unit OSUS proxy. Based on the analysis of the SDP content of the SIP invitation message, the network unit OSUS decides whether the connection setup request can be forwarded to the network element AS, IPU in the IP network. In the case that the network element AS, IPU supports SIP signaling, but not the 3GPP SIP Profile, the network unit OSUS Proxy can act as a so-called B2B (Back to Back User Agent). This user agent (B2BÜA) is defined in the specification 3GPP TR 29.962 "Signaling interworking between the 3GPP profile of the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and non-3GPP SIP usage". If the network element AS, IPU has a SIP user agent (SIP user agent), the SIP connection setup request is forwarded to the network element AS, IPU. Both SIP user agents, in the terminal MS and in the network element AS, IPU, establish a connection for the exchange of data of the IP-based service, as defined in the SDP part of the SIP invitation message. The establishment of this connection between these two end points (terminal MS and network element AS, IPU) thus takes place through the connection setup process as defined for the IP multimedia subsystem. If the connection is established, the receiver-specific signaling request is sent to the network element AS, IPU. If the IP-based service is a client-to-client service, the same connection setup process can be used. Alternatively, the network element AS, IPU can also start communication directly with the receiver-specific signaling. In this case, the network unit OSUS proxy acts as a proxy server, ie, it (OSUS proxy) forwards the received data of an IP service from the network element AS, IPU to the terminal MS and from the terminal MS to the network element AS, IPU.

FIG. 4 shows the flow of information for the example according to FIG. 2. In this case, the network element AS, IPU of the IP network has no SIP user agent, the network element can therefore not support the SIP signaling. The network unit OSUS proxy treats the SIP invitation path from the terminal MS and acts as the end point of this connection. The SIP connection (SIP session) between network unit OSUS proxy and terminal MS is by means of the SIP invitation message (SIP Invite) from the terminal MS, the SIP 200 OK - message (response to the SIP Invite) of Netzein¬ OSUS and the SIP acknowledgment message (SIP ACK) from Terminal MS set up. In the individual SIP messages, a description which is defined by SDP {Session Description Protocol) in the SIP signaling, the connection or the IP-based service desired by the terminal is transported. The IP multimedia subsystem ^" IMS with its network nodes P-CSCF, S-CSCF mentioned in FIG. 2 forwards the SIP messages from the terminal MS to the network unit OSUS proxy and vice versa, thereby assuming connection control (session control) The network unit OSUS proxy thus receives all the necessary information to establish a connection between the terminal MS and the network unit OSUS proxy This could be done, for example, by means of a second (secondary) PDP context due to internal data not described in detail in this application. the network unit decides that the SIP connection setup request can not be forwarded by the terminal MS to the receiver network element AS, IPU The network unit generates for this a corresponding request with a receiver-specific signaling, based on the content of the received SIP messages from the terminal MS and sends this request to the network element AS, IPU The network unit OSUS proxy analyzes the content of the SIP messages from the terminal MS, for example the contained request of the application or user software for establishing a connection with the network element AS, IPU for exchanging data of the desired IP-based service and uses the receiver-specific signaling, ie the signaling that can support the network element AS, IPU, such as http, ftp, etc. for establishing a connection with the network element AS, IPU. The response from the network element AS, IPU is forwarded to the terminal MS. For further communication or for the exchange of data of an IP service, the network unit OSUS proxy acts as a proxy server. The network unit OSUS proxy thus forwards the received data of an IP service from the network element AS, IPU to the terminal MS and from the terminal MS to the network element AS, IPU. Alternatively, the corresponding request can be provided with receiver-specific signaling for the connection establishment. construction are also generated by the terminal MS and transmitted via the network unit OSUS proxy to the network element AS, IPU. Again, the network device acts like a proxy server.

FIG. 5 shows an apparatus for carrying out the method according to the invention, as has been described in FIG. In this case, the device uses a transmitting unit S and a receiving unit E of the network unit OSUS proxy for mobile communication with the terminal MS and the network element AS, IPU of the IP network, a processing unit V for establishing a connection between a network unit OSUS proxy Kommuni¬ cation network and the terminal MS of the communication network for exchanging data of an IP-based service with at least one signaling message, for establishing a connection for exchanging data of an IP-based Diens¬ tes between the network unit OSUS proxy the communication network and the network element AS, IPU of the IP network according to the content of the at least one signaling message from the terminal MS with at least one receiver-specific signaling and for forwarding received data of an IP-based service from the network element AS, IPU and the Endge¬ advises MS and from the terminal MS to the network element AS, IPU after establishing both Verbindunge n.

Claims

cLAIMS

1. A method for establishing a connection of a terminal (MS) in a communication network with a network element (AS, IPU) in an IP network for exchanging data of an IP-based service, characterized in that between at least one network unit (OSUS proxy ) of the communication network and the terminal (MS) of the communication network, a connection is established for exchanging data of an IP-based service with at least one signaling message that the at least one network unit (OSDS proxy) of the communication network according to the content the at least one signaling message from the terminal (MS) establishes a connection for the exchange of data of an IP-based service with the network element (AS, IPU) of the IP network with at least one receiver-specific signaling and that after establishing both connections the at least one network unit (OSÜS proxy) of the communication network received data of an IP-based service from Netzele ment (AS, IPU) to the terminal (MS) and from the terminal (MS) to the network element (AS, IPU) forwards.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that after establishing both connections between the terminal (MS) and the at least one network unit (OSUS proxy) and between the at least one network unit (OSUS proxy) and the network element (AS, IPU) a receiver-specific protocol for the exchange of data of the IP service between the terminal (MS) and network element (AS, IPU) is used.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the terminal (MS) of the communication network after Auf¬ construction of the connection with the at least one network unit (OSüS proxy) a connection request for the establishment of ei¬ ner connection with the network element (AS, IPÜ) of the IP network with at least one receiver-specific signaling to the network unit (OSUS proxy) provides.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as a signaling message a SIP signaling message, an H.323 signaling message and / or a communication network operator-specific (MNO) signaling message between the terminal (MS) and the at least a network unit (OSUS proxy) in the communication network verwen¬ det.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one network unit (OSÜS proxy) of the communication nikationsnetzes is a proxy server.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication network is a cellular mobile network, a packet-oriented communication network and / or a fixed network.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the terminal (MS) is a mobile station, a landline terminal, a mobile computer and / or a mobile organizer.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one network element (OSUS proxy) in the IP network is an IP telephone terminal, a computer and / or a Applikati¬ ons server.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiver-specific signaling is an IP-based application signaling protocol.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as a receiver-specific signaling an HTTP protocol, an FTP protocol, an SMTP protocol, an H.323 signaling, a SIP signaling and / or a communication network operator- specific signaling is used.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the network unit of the communication network to verwen¬ dende receiver-specific signaling for signaling tion of the connection to the network element (AS, IPU) of the IP network based on the SDP content of the SIP Invitation.

12. Device for establishing a connection of a terminal device (MS) in a communication network with a network element (AS, IPU) in an IP network for exchanging data of an IP-based service, with a transmitting unit (S) and a receiving unit ( E) of the at least one network unit (OSUS proxy) for mobile communication with the terminal (MS) and the network element (AS, IPU) of the IP network, - with a processing unit (V) for establishing a connection between at least one network unit (OSUS proxy) of the communication network and the terminal (MS) of the communication network for exchanging data of an IP-based service with at least one signaling message, - with a processing unit (V) for establishing a connection for exchanging data of an IP -based service between the at least one network unit (OSUS proxy) the communication network and the network element (AS, IPU) of the IP network according to the content of the at least one signaling message from the terminal (MS) with at least one receiver-specific signaling - with a processing unit (V) for forwarding received data of an IP-based service from Netzele¬ element (AS, IPU) and the terminal (MS) and the terminal (MS) to the network element (AS, IPU) after establishing both Verbindun¬ gene.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the at least one network unit (OSUS proxy) of the communication network is a proxy server.

14. Device according to claims 12 and 13, characterized in that the terminal (MS) is a mobile radio terminal, a landline terminal, a mobile computer and / or a mobile organizer.

15. Device according to claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the network element (AS, IPU) in the IP network is an IP telephone terminal, a computer and / or an application server.