Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
  • H04B7/14—Relay systems
  • H04B7/15—Active relay systems
  • H04B7/185—Space-based or airborne stations; Stations for satellite systems
  • H04B7/18578—Satellite systems for providing broadband data service to individual earth stations
  • H04B7/18597—Arrangements for system physical machines management, i.e. for construction, operations control, administration, maintenance
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L43/00—Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
  • H04L43/02—Capturing of monitoring data
  • H04L43/026—Capturing of monitoring data using flow identification
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L43/00—Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
  • H04L43/04—Processing captured monitoring data, e.g. for logfile generation
  • H04L43/045—Processing captured monitoring data, e.g. for logfile generation for graphical visualisation of monitoring data

Definitions

• the invention relates to telecommunications and in particular the transmission of data to an isolated geographical area or the transmission of data from the isolated geographical area, known as the isolated area or isolated site.
• a growing number of users are opting for a broadband xDSL connection via the telephone network.
• Access providers offer such connection offers mainly in urban areas, where connection equipment can be made profitable. Certain more isolated areas, for example in rural areas, do not have a sufficient number of users for operators to be able to amortize the equipment for these types of connection.
• Another example of the geographic area served and isolated relates to densely connected urban areas with regular population:
• wireless telecommunications networks for example, GSM and / or UMTS type telephone networks,
• wired telecommunications networks for example, fixed telephone networks, cable telecommunications networks,
• connection projects broadband these areas, for example, via satellites have been launched.
• a communication module for example, by satellite, then provides a broadband connection to a local network of users.
• a communication module for example, by satellite, then provides a broadband connection to a local network of users.
• the intervention of a technician to carry out measurements at the local user network is problematic, even impossible, the technician only performing '' Episodically measurements and being able to have only limited means of analysis.
• the technician is forced to carry out studies concerning the details of the data exchanged between the local user network and the remote network, using as little as possible the communication module, the capacities of which can be allocated as a priority, for example, to a transfer of privileged content, whatever the type
• wireless links used by the communication module to connect, for example, selectively according to an infrastructure availability rate, the local user network in the isolated area and the remote network.
• the invention aims to solve these drawbacks.
• the invention thus relates to an information transmission system, comprising at least one local network connected by means of a communication module to a network remote from the local network, the remote network comprising an analysis device formed by at least one module for statistical analysis of information originating from the local network, characterized in that the information transmission system comprises at least one station autonomous capture system connected to the local network formed by at least:
• a programming module autonomously controlling the capture of frame headers by the capture module and the transmission of the frame headers captured by the transmit module, according to predefined conditions
• the information originating from the local network intended for the statistical analysis module includes the frame headers transmitted by the transmission module.
• the statistical analysis of information coming from the local network making it possible to identify a specific local demand, for example, in terms of a volume of images to be transmitted between the local network in the isolated area and the global network for predetermined purposes (video conference to allow a remote surgeon to assist a firefighter present in the isolated area to provide emergency surgery; advertising), without soliciting the communication module several times for the same specific request.
• the capture station being autonomous, its operation does not require any instruction from the outside, nor a priori knowledge of the remote network and can therefore be operated independently without any intervention from the remote technician.
• the system according to the invention can be used completely independently of the telecommunications network operators (satellite, wired, wireless).
• capturing frame headers operated by the autonomous capture station in a transparent manner for users of the local network advantageously makes it possible to free the users of the local network (for example, the firefighters present on site in the area isolated following the earthquake responsible for saving human lives) from tasks which are foreign to them (these tasks being specific to the expert technician in the dimensioning of telecommunications equipment).
• the module for capturing frame headers comprises at least one sub-module for reading the frame headers exchanged between the local network and the remote network via the communication module.
• This characteristic advantageously makes it possible to capture the headers of frames without memorizing them, simply by reading them.
• the read-only function being less energy-intensive than the read function accompanied by writing the corresponding data to a storage memory, this characteristic promotes energy saving and makes the capture station more autonomous.
• the module for capturing frame headers comprises at least one sub-module for storing the frame headers exchanged between the local network and the remote network via the communication module.
• This characteristic makes it possible to store frame headers in the storage sub-module. Thus, it becomes possible to transmit them thereafter by the transmission module to the remote network not only “one by one” but in packets while requesting the communication module as little as possible.
• the sub-module for storing frame headers is formed by at least one flash memory.
• the frame headers are therefore stored in the memory having a cellular, semiconductor, non-volatile and rewritable structure, that is to say, in the memory having the characteristics of a random access memory but the data of which does not disappear. not when the autonomous capture station is switched off (mass memory). This makes the autonomous capture station more reliable, for example, in the event of a possible breakdown of a regular supply of electrical energy to the isolated area.
• the programming module comprises at least one data storage means and at least one first application layer for controlling at least a partial erasure of the frame headers stored by the storage sub-module according to at least one first rule predetermined.
• This characteristic makes it possible to optimize a volume of the storage sub-module, so as to allow its autonomous operation extended over time without oversizing the memory.
• the programming module comprises at least a second layer application for controlling the storage of frame headers by the storage sub-module according to at least a second predetermined rule.
• the programming module comprises at least a third application layer for controlling a transmission by the transmission module of the header of frames captured by the capture module according to at least a third predetermined rule.
• the data storage means is programmed beforehand to store at least one or more rules among the following rules: (a) the first predetermined rule; (b) the second predetermined rule; (c) the third predetermined rule.
• At least the programming module can be addressed by appropriate means of the remote network using a location identifier specific to the programming module.
• This characteristic allows configuration and / or updating of the autonomous capture station from, for example, the remote analysis device.
• the system according to the invention comprises at least a second transmission module remote from the autonomous capture station and connected with the communication module.
• This characteristic makes it possible to adapt the system according to the invention to the case, for example, of a single communication module ensuring a link between a plurality of local networks and the global network.
• the communication module comprises one or more of the following communication means: (a) satellite communication means; (b) wireless communication means; (c) means of wired communication.
• This characteristic embodies a selective nature of the communication module which can use one or more gateways (satellite, wired network, wireless network) to ensure communication between the local network and the remote network.
• the statistical analysis module is programmed to perform a statistical analysis automatically according to predefined criteria.
• the statistical analysis module is able to determine a peak flow for a predetermined duration, an average flow for a predetermined duration, a quantity of information exchanged during a predetermined duration, a temporal flow profile, an amount information exchanged according to different protocols for a predetermined duration or a time profile of protocol use.
• the local network is a backbone network comprising switching equipment of an access provider to which the header capture, programming and transmission modules are connected.
• the local network comprises a radio frequency connection terminal for local users, connected to the switching equipment of the access provider.
• the statistical analysis module is able to generate a spreadsheet file including the result of a statistical analysis carried out.
• the statistical analysis module comprises an interface making it possible to identify among a plurality of local networks connected to the remote network at least one local network of which frame headers must undergo statistical analysis.
• the statistical analysis module includes an interface making it possible to select a time range to which the frame headers belonging to undergo statistical analysis belong.
• the local network is formed by at least one multimedia station.
• the multimedia station and the autonomous capture station are combined.
• This characteristic advantageously makes it possible to integrate the autonomous capture station in the mobile or fixed multimedia station such as, for example, a personal computer, a mobile telephone, a personal assistant (in English Personal Digital
• FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system implementing the invention
• FIG. 2 illustrates various elements implemented at the local network level and at the level of the operator of the satellite terminal
• FIG. 3 illustrates a capture module implemented as part of a backbone network (backbone in English);
• FIG. 4 illustrates a capture module implemented in the context of an isolated local network;
• FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an integrated module connected between a satellite terminal and a switch
• FIG. 6 illustrates a first example of a report generated following a statistical analysis
• FIG. 7 illustrates a second example of a report generated following a statistical analysis
• FIG. 8 illustrates a third example of a report generated following a statistical analysis
• FIG. 9 represents an operating diagram of a variant of the system according to the invention.
• the invention proposes to capture frame headers according to predefined conditions, to transmit the captured headers via the satellite connection and to perform a statistical analysis of these headers in a remote analysis device.
• a statistical analysis of the traffic of a local network is therefore carried out without requiring the intervention of a technician at the level of the local network.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a system implementing the invention.
• a local network 1 not provided with xDSL services is connected via communication equipment 2 of an access provider to a satellite terminal 3.
• the satellite terminal 3 communicates via a satellite 4 with a another satellite terminal 10 connected to a network 9 such as the Internet.
• the local network 1 can thus communicate with stations or servers 8 accessible via the Internet.
• a station 5 captures the headers of the IP frames transmitted via the satellite terminal 3 according to predefined conditions, for example programmed beforehand.
• the station 5 transmits the headers captured via the satellite terminal 3.
• a satellite link makes it possible both to ensure the communication of the local network 1 and the transmission of the captured headers.
• the captured headers are received by a collection server 7, for example an FTP server.
• a device 6 analyzes the captured frame headers and extracts information integrated into a database. This information is for example relative to the uplink and downlink rates, the volumes of traffic exchanged, the protocols used and the volumes of the frames of the satellite communications of the local network 1. The analysis device 6 then performs a statistical analysis on the information of the database according to predefined criteria.
• FIG. 2 details in detail the structure of the capture station 5 and of the analysis device 6.
• the station 5 presents a module 53 for capturing the headers of the frames exchanged by the network 1 via the satellite terminal 3.
• the module 53 stores the headers of these frames.
• the captures by the module 53 are controlled by a programming module 51 according to predefined conditions and are transparent to users of the local network 1.
• the frames captured by the module 53 are supplied to a transmission module 52.
• the transmission module programming 51 controls the transmission of the captured headers 54 via the module 52 according to predefined conditions.
• the captured headers 54 are for example transmitted to the FTP protocol and formatted in an adequate file format in the module 52.
• the capture module 53 can be implemented using software such as Winpcap, distributed by the Polytechnic Institute of Turin.
• the modules 51 and 52 can be implemented by programs executed on the same station 5.
• the analysis device 6 receives the captured headers 54.
• the captured headers are used to create or enrich one or more databases.
• the device 6 comprises for example a processing module 61 extracting bit rate and volume information from the headers and a processing module 62 extracting protocol information from the headers.
• a processing module 63 formats the information extracted to enrich a database 64.
• the processing module 63 can in particular implement software sold under the reference Ethereal by the company Ethereal.
• the database 64 can contain information relating to one or more local networks.
• the database 64 comprises for example information identifying a local network, defining its speed and / or the volume of data exchanged on a given date and at a given time, the protocols used at a given date and a given time or the identification of the incoming and outgoing debits at a given time.
• An analysis module 65 has a user interface for defining the types of statistical analyzes required.
• the user interface can in particular allow the definition of periods for which a statistical study must be carried out, the identification of one or more local networks having to be the subject of the same statistical study, the type of information contained in a statistical analysis report or its format.
• the analysis module 65 can be programmed to perform statistical analyzes under predefined conditions. One can in particular provide that the module 65 is programmed to perform a statistical analysis at regular intervals or when particular communication conditions of a local network arise.
• the analysis module 65 can generate reports 66 of statistical analysis results in files intended to be read by a spreadsheet and which can present graphical representations of the analyzes carried out.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a graphical representation of flow rates present in an example of analysis results report. The graph illustrates the downward and rising peak flow rates day by day and compares them to reference values. It can be expected that a file will be generated for each type of statistical analysis performed.
• FIG. 7 illustrates a graphical representation of debits and of descending and ascending volumes for different timetables, presented in another example of analysis results report.
• FIG. 8 illustrates a graphic representation of the proportion of use of different protocols during a given period, and appearing in another example of analysis results report.
• Analysis reports 66 can for example provide the following information:
• FIG. 3 illustrates an example of implementation of a capture station 5, in the case where the satellite terminal 3 serves a backbone network, that is to say comprising routing 21 and switching equipment 22 of an access provider, intended to serve one or more local networks 11.
• a WiFi access point 24 serves the local network 11 of the users including the stations 12 and 13.
• the capture station 5 can advantageously be connected to switch 22 of an operator of the satellite terminal 3.
• FIG. 4 illustrates an example of implementation of a capture station 5, in the case where the satellite terminal 3 serves an isolated site, such as a small business or individual which cannot be served by the WiFi access point 24 of the core network.
• the isolated site illustrated has isolated satellite access via the satellite terminal 3, typically having more modest performance than the satellite terminal of the backbone network illustrated in FIG. 3.
• the capture station 5 can advantageously be connected to a ethernet port of a hub 23 connecting the terminal 3 to the local network 14 comprising the stations 15 and 16.
• the station 5 illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 5 is an autonomous integrated module.
• the station 5 is connected between the satellite terminal 3 and the switching equipment 22 of an access provider.
• Station 5 can integrate a motherboard such as the model marketed under the reference Net4801-50 by the company Soekris Engineering, a 2.5 inch hard drive storing the operating system, and temporarily the capture files before their transmission to the collection server 7.
• the station 5 also comprises a box with an electrical power adapter. Tests have notably been carried out by the applicant with a station 5 having the following characteristics:
• BIOS memory -4 MB of BIOS memory.
• station 5 It is also possible to provide the station 5 with a control module not shown, in order to allow configuration or updating of this station from the remote analysis device. It is also possible to envisage providing the station 5 with a programmable download module, downloading an update of the module or capture conditions under predetermined conditions.
• the transmission module 52, the capture module 53 of the headers 54 of frames can have a cellular architecture, for example, in several layers comprising hardware components (in English hardware) and / or application components (in English software ).
• the capture module 53 can include at least one reading sub-module (not shown in FIG. 2) of the headers 54 of frames exchanged between the local network 1 and the remote network 9 via the communication module 3, 4, 10.
• the capture module 53 of the headers 54 of frames can also include at least one storage sub-module (not shown in FIG. 2) of the headers 54 of frames exchanged between the local network 1 and the remote network 9 via the communication module 3, 4, 10.
• the sub-module for storing the headers 54 of frames is formed, for example, by at least one flash memory.
• the programming module 51 can also have a cellular architecture, for example, in several layers comprising hardware components
• the programming module 51 can have
• At least a first application layer for controlling at least a partial erasure of the headers 54 of frames stored by the storage sub-module according to at least a first predetermined rule, and / or
• At least a second application layer for controlling a storage of the headers 54 of frames by the storage sub-module according to at least a second predetermined rule, and / or
• a corresponding operation (respectively erasure, storage, transmission) being executed, for example, at least once per hour, per day, per week, per month etc., and / or
• o traffic traffic nil representative of a window of inactivity, traffic below a predefined threshold
• UDP User Datagram Protocol in English
• TCP Transmission Control Protocol in English
• IP Internet Protocol in English
• system according to the invention comprising the programming module 51 comprising the first application layer for controlling a total erasure of the headers 54 of frames stored by the storage sub-module according to at least the first predetermined rule.
• the programming module 51 can also include at least one data storage means formed, for example, by at least one other flash memory.
• system according to the invention comprises the programming module 51 addressable by appropriate means of the remote network 9, for example, by the analysis device 6, using an identifier of specific slot for programming module 51.
• modules forming the autonomous capture station 5 for example, the capture module 53 and / or the send module 52, can be addressable by appropriate means of the remote network 9, by 'example, by the analysis device 6, using the respective location identifiers specific to these modules.
• Each module 51, 52, 53 forming the autonomous capture station 5 may have a specific application layer integrated into a hardware component, for example, a so-called application layer
• Firmware to store and / or implement data representative of predetermined rules, predefined capture conditions, updates sent by the appropriate means of the remote network 9 to one or more modules 51, 52, 53 forming the autonomous capture station 5.
• the communication module 3, 4, 10 comprises one or more of the following communication means: (a) satellite communication means; (b) wireless communication means; (c) means of wired communication.
• the communication module 3, 4, 10 can be programmed beforehand to selectively use such or such means of communication according to the various predetermined criteria, for example:
• system according to the invention comprises at least one second transmission module remote from the autonomous capture station 5 and connected with the communication module 3, 4, 10.
• system according to the invention can comprise a plurality of autonomous capture stations 5 communicating or not communicating with each other, each of these stations 5 being adapted, for example, to a specific task, to a local network 1 specific.
• At least the transmission module 52 comprises at least one coding sub-module (not shown in FIG. 2) for coding, for example, in bit streams, the headers 54 of frames captured by the capture module 53 and transmitted from the capture module 53 to the transmission module 52.
• the transmission module 52 can also include at least one selective transmission sub-module (not shown in FIG. 2).
• the headers 54 of coded frames can be sent selectively, for example, in packets or in continuous bit streams, to the communication module 3, 4, 10 and the collection server 7 in addition to the normal traffic between the local network 1 and the remote network 9.
• the headers 54 of coded frames can be sent to the remote network 9 in deferred fashion, for example, during the night hours in the isolated area.
• FIGS. 9, 1 and 2 The operation of a variant of the information transmission system according to the invention described above is illustrated using FIGS. 9, 1 and 2.
• Step 1 consists in activating automatically and fully autonomously at a predetermined time, for example following an activation order emanating from the programming module 51, the autonomous capture station 5 located in the isolated area.
• Step 2 consists in reading, following a corresponding command from the programming module 51, by the reading sub-module of the capture module 53 of the headers 54 of frames of real traffic between the local network 1 and the remote network 9 by via the satellite communication module 3, 4, 10.
• Step 3 consists in storing, following a corresponding command from the programming module 51, by the storing sub-module (not shown in FIG. 2) of the capture module 53 of the headers 54 of frames of real traffic between the network local 1 and the remote network 9 via the satellite communication module 3, 4, 10.
• Step 4 consists in transferring, following a corresponding command from the programming module 51, the headers 54 of frames captured from the storage sub-module to the coding sub-module of the transmission module 52.
• Step 5 consists of coding, following a corresponding command from the programming module 51, by the coding sub-module the headers 54 of frames captured in bit stream.
• Step 6 consists in transmitting, following a corresponding command from the programming module 51, by the selective transmission submodule in continuous binary streams the headers 54 of frames captured towards the collection server 7 of the remote network 9 via the satellite communication module 3, 4, 10, for example, using a file transfer protocol called FTP
• Step 7 consists of an automatic activation of the analysis device 6 connected to the collection server 7, for example, upon reception of the captured headers 54 transmitted by the selective transmission sub-module.
• Step 8 consists in extracting, using the processing module 61, called the first processing module 61 from the analysis device 6, information on the flow rate and volume of the captured headers 54.
• step 8 may include a sub-step 8a for decoding the continuous bit streams with the headers 54 of captured frames, using, for example, a first decoding sub-module (not shown in FIG. 2) of the first processing module 61 .
• Step 9 consists in extracting, using the processing module 62, called the second processing module 62 from the analysis device 6, information from header protocols.
• step 9 can include a sub-step 9a for decoding the continuous bit streams with the headers 54 of captured frames, using, for example, a second decoding sub-module (not shown in the figure). 2) of the second processing module 62.
• first decoding sub-module of the first processing module 61 and the second decoding sub-module of the second processing module 62 are combined.
• Step 10 consists in formatting the information extracted by the first and second processing modules 61, 62, in order to enrich the database 64 of the analysis device 6.
• Step 11 consists in selecting by the analysis module 65 of the analysis device 6 parameters for generating analysis report 66 (choice of isolated sites, choice of a time range, choice of statistics).
• Step 12 consists in automatically generating, by the analysis module 65, statistics and graph files forming the analysis report 66.

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• 2005
  • 2005-12-08 FR FR0512494A patent/FR2894741B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2006
  • 2006-12-08 US US12/096,775 patent/US20090225756A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2006-12-08 WO PCT/FR2006/002690 patent/WO2007066016A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2006-12-08 EP EP06841895A patent/EP1958353A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2006-12-08 CA CA002632312A patent/CA2632312A1/fr not_active Abandoned

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