FI108978B - Method for managing channels in the bearer - Google Patents

Description

108978 METHOD OF MANAGING CHANNELS CONTAINING TRANSFER TECHNOLOGY

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 for allocating a transmission capacity with a plurality of communication channels among subscribers in a system wherein each transmission capacity subscriber is guaranteed a predetermined number of guaranteed communication channels. The invention also relates to a method for providing channels for data transmission to a local loop.

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The technical field of application of the method of the invention is the allocation of data transmission capacity 10 in a transmission path for transmission of data in digital form, which comprises channels that can be switched for parallel data transmission. Such a bearer may be based, for example, on ISDN, GSM or UMTS technology or also on SVC-based ATM (Switched Virtual Circuits, Asyncronous Transfer Mode). One particular field of application of the invention is the sharing among subscribers of the communication channels used in the call messaging servers.

I ·; ; PRIOR ART 2 108978

Systems are also known in which, in addition to the guaranteed channels reserved by the subscriber, some free channels can be opened. However, such a system has such a very bad problem that the so-called. opening additional channels (i.e., channels to be opened in addition to the guaranteed channels) to the subscriber may result in the congestion being filled so that one of the subscribers is not able to connect at all. In a less hazardous situation, the subscriber may have less access to other channels than is guaranteed by the contract. In order to gain more efficient use of the bearer and to provide better service to subscribers using connection services, some new channel control method is needed which does not present the above problems.

Description of the Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a method by which channels of a data path | can be allocated among subscribers in an advanced way so that transmission capacity can be used efficiently, and yet each subscriber can always be allocated the promised transfer capacity. It is also an object of the invention to provide a computer program for implementing such a method.

The invention is based on opening guaranteed channels for each subscriber based on channel opening requests up to a predetermined maximum number of guaranteed channels, ·, ·. In this case, a guaranteed channel is a communication channel that can: be disconnected only on the basis of a disconnection request 20 sent by the user. In this case, the user of the connection can be, for example, the original subscriber of the connection or · /: the party who answered the connection. In addition, if a subscriber already has a predetermined maximum number of guaranteed v · channels, one or more additional programmable channels can be opened to the subscriber based on the channel opening request.

Ml v 'according to the terms. In this case, the additional channel means the communication channel that can be. * · 25 in the event of a load on the bearer, disconnect the bearer without * 1; * * · That the user of the connection closes the connection himself.

* ». Specifically, the method of the invention for allocating the capacity of a multipath data bearer is characterized in what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 1.

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The method according to the invention for providing channels for data transmission to a local loop is in turn characterized by what is set forth in claim 7.

The invention provides considerable advantages. Namely, the invention makes it possible to utilize more efficiently the transmission capacity and thereby provide a better service to the users of the connection service. More efficient use of transmission capacity will be made possible because our invention allows channels that are guaranteed to a subscriber to be opened to other subscribers in a situation where the subscriber himself does not need all of his guaranteed channels. On the other hand, a better level of service is achieved, since it is always possible to provide each subscriber with a guaranteed transmission capacity of 10 plus, in most cases, some additional capacity in the form of additional channels. With a low channel utilization, one subscriber may thus gain access to very high transmission capacity without the other subscribers being affected.

The invention also has many inexpensive embodiments which can provide significant additional advantages.

For example, the invention has embodiments that enable intelligent pre-authentication to be performed prior to establishing the actual connection between the client device and the dial set # '·, · or other similar connection service.

// In an embodiment utilizing the ISDN network of the invention by means of the invention ';' ; 20 can provide low-cost, yet effective, connectivity to ringtone customers.

::: In a further advantageous application of the invention, it is possible to implement a communication network similar to that of a v · ISDN network that can be implemented with a completely different type of arrangement in fixed data networks such as FrameRelay and ATM ** networks. In these networks, the customer is guaranteed a certain amount of data transmission capacity under all 25 conditions, but customers are also able to operate faster than this if: •:: there is free capacity on the network.

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By applying the invention in a suitable manner, it is also possible to implement an advanced centralized dialing solution, in which connections from different long distance areas are assembled into an easily manageable entity.

From the point of view of the operator providing the connections, the invention also enables, for example, maximizing the number of users of the call interrogator equipment, while guaranteeing the possibility for all users to establish connections with at least a guaranteed number of channels.

Presentation of the figures

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates, by way of example, a system 10 using one of the methods of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates an arrangement according to one embodiment of the invention utilizing Radius queries

Figure 3 illustrates in more detail the handling of Radius queries in the embodiment of Figure 2. Figure 4 shows some of the procedures for starting a software according to the invention. ·: Related actions! . ·. : j * · · I :. Figure 5 illustrates connection authentication according to one embodiment of the invention '· *: The following examples illustrate the application of the invention to connections implemented by ISDN * * *' · '. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description of '' '' 20 how the method of the invention may be applied to other transmission paths, e.g., based on ATM, GSM, or UMTS technology ';' 'Transmission lines.

'·' · Definitions. ·, The following terminology is used throughout this document: *: 25 DBHJ: A method or system capable of dynamic bandwidth allocation.

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Calling Kit. Hardware between a public switched telephone network (YPV) and a data network capable of connecting users entering a fixed telephone network to a fixed data network.

Channel B: In ISDN connections, connections are based on B channels.

5 Each B channel can transmit uncompressed digital data at 64kbps. Several of these B channels can be opened simultaneously between the client device and the call delay, resulting in a n * 64kbps connection (n = 1, 2,3,4, ...).

BRI. ISDN interface with 2 B channels and one D channel. The interface name is called Basic Rate Interface.

10 El ·. ISDN interface with 30 B channels for connections and one D channel for signaling. The interface is also called PRI (Primary Rate Interface).

Radius'. The Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) is a service originally intended for authentication of users and devices using dial-up connections. It can also be used for other authentication tasks.

15 Authentication: User authentication in a dial sequence.

Autorisointv. The user is given the addresses and other variables that belong to him or her.

* * · • <·: \ j Accounting. Keeping track (or log) of ringtone events, including user authentication and authorization.

AAA: Refers to software or hardware performing Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting 20.

SNMP: Simple Network Management Protocol standard for managing · hardware connected to a data network. The protocol can either retrieve status information from the managed: hardware or change it.

: ··· Detailed explanation% ·:. Figure 1 illustrates, by way of example, the system in which the DBHJ is installed.

The system of Figure 1 illustrates a call alert server 1 and a DBHJ-6 108978 server 2 connected thereto to provide the call set and its connections with the features of the invention. Further, the figure illustrates a corporate network 3, which may be e.g.

! ATM / FR network. Companies 1 and Company 2 are connected to the corporate network through their star rating. The star point 4 of Company 2 is connected via, for example, an ATM connection and the star point 5 of Company 2 is connected via FR. The figure also shows the Company 1 branch 6 connected to the dialing set 1 via the telephone network 7 and the Company 1 branch office 8 connected to the dialing set 1 via the telephone network 9. The figure further shows the branch 2 of Company 2, which is connected to the dialing set 1 via a telephone network 11.

10 As the system operates, branch offices of each company can connect to their own fixed corporate networks through the ISDN network. In the example, Company 2 branch office 11 is guaranteed to have a data connection of 128kbps, but if necessary, it can take up to 512kbps if there is free capacity on those lines in Ring Series 1.

For example, a telecommunication area that becomes two E1 interfaces to a dialer server 1 is capable of providing connection to fifty-nine (59) clients from that telecommunication area, provided that one B channel is guaranteed to all customers. One time slot is reserved for signaling because if all 60 time slots are in use, '·' the local ISDN call center will be busy for the client device and ringtone 1 will not see '·' 20 call attempts at all.

; * · _ J In general, the example method (DBHJ) can be used with separate software running on the same server as the AAA software of the call messaging server. The method can be used in particular with any AAA software that supports the Radius protocol. In this case, the DBHJ operates in a so-called. ::: 25 As a proxy, as a mediator, between the roster and AAA software. It passes through all the v · Radius queries and answers which ringtone sends and receives to AAA-.;: Software. Such an arrangement is illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 3 again illustrates the handling of Radius queries in more detail. While the DBHJ- software runs through all the Radius queries and answers in the ring series and AAA ·. *: Between 30 software, the DBHJ responds in the example embodiment to only three 7,108,978 different types of messages. One of these messages is the so-called. the pre-authentication request and the other two messages are accounting messages. All other messages are forwarded as such.

Again, the dial set must meet the following requirements to work with the DBHJ of Example 5: - The dial set must use the Radius protocol for AAA operations.

- The ringtone should send the so called. a pre-authentication request for AAA software, i.e., a calling number verification request.

- The dial set should support some method of dropping down to 10 individual B channels. The B-channel can be dropped, for example, with an SNMP command or a command via a telnet connection.

In traditional connection set-up, the connection set-up process starts with the client terminal detecting that it needs to establish a connection to the dialer. The client terminal sends a connection request via the ISDN network, the so-called. 15 SETUP message. At this point, nothing other than the dialing number (the so-called A-subscriber number) and the dialing time through which the E-subscriber wants to establish the connection are known about the dialer. The dialer can send the dialing number to AAA-: software, which can recognize the number and allow the call to continue. Alternatively: AAA software may reject the call and send a DISCONNECT message, ·. : For 20 client terminals.

t · · '·' If there are free B channels in the dialing sequence, it will accept the connection request by answering CONNECT according to the ISDN protocol. At this point, the ISDN network will begin charging billing pulses to the calling party (client terminal). The client terminal then sends its own username and password to the ringing set, which authenticates them from the AAA software. If the credentials are correct, the data connection will be established to the dialing set '' and communication may begin. If the IDs are incorrect, the connection will be terminated.

. \ When DBHJ functions are added to the traditional operating model as in the example! way, the actual operation of the DBHJ takes place in the so-called. pre-authentication phase. In this case, the 8 108978 i client terminal initiates the connection by sending a SETUP message to the ringer. The dialer sends the dialing number to the AAA software.

The DBHJ then receives this pre-authentication request and examines: - whether the connection request can be answered.

5 - Does an older connection have to be disconnected from the ringing set to accommodate this new connection.

If the connection request cannot be answered, a DISCONNECT message is sent to the client terminal according to the ISDN protocol, thereby disconnecting the connection and not incurring telephone charges to the client. Otherwise, a 10 CONNECT message is sent according to the ISDN protocol and the user authentication continues as usual. If necessary, the DBHJ is able to deactivate a user channel (one B channel) using a bandwidth higher than the guaranteed capacity from the ringing station.

Other Authentication and Authorization messages are provided as such to the AAA Software used throughout. DBHJ monitors Accounting messages for Radius messages and examines when connections start (START) and end (STOP). Based on these, it maintains information about each user's channels and the status of each E1 subscription group: *,:.

, '.' The dripping of the channels is illustrated by the following example, for clarity! only ten (10) channels are used. Normally, however, there are 20 thirty (30) channels in the E1 interface. Of course, the number of channels in any other * ♦ »'.. system may differ significantly from these examples.

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Initially:, ·: ·. - User 1 has two guaranteed channels and one additional channel.

: · ·: - User 2 has two guaranteed channels and one additional channel.

. 25 - User 3 has one guaranteed channel and two additional channels.

, ',: The channel allocation status is as follows: 9 108978 IT IT 2T 1L 2T 3T 3L 2L 3L Free

In the table, each box represents one channel, and the user of the channel is marked with a number, and the type of operation is marked with a letter, with "T" for a guaranteed channel and "L" for an additional channel. The "1T" in the first screen means 5 means that the channel is reserved for 1 guaranteed channel of the user.

| When, in the above situation, the user 4 wants to establish a connection, it must be checked whether the user 4 connection is allowed. The situation is as follows: IT IT 2T IL 2T 3T 3L 2L 3L 4T?

If the connection desired by user 4 is allowed, one of the old connections should drop 10. The system then drops one channel away from the user with the most additional channels. If more users have the same number of additional channels, the oldest, ie the longest used additional channel is dropped, for example | off. In the example, user 3 has the most additional channels, so he / she will be dropped! »· · '* * · One additional channel disabled. This leads to the following situation: * ·

:::: IT IT 2T IL 2T 3T Free 2L 3L 4T

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Now you can wait for a new contact.

t I (V: Therefore, suitable software is required to perform the functions described above, v · The software startup is illustrated in Figure 4. When the software starts, it retrieves ·; ··· the data from each E1 access group from the database. In this example, the area code is "09".

: Each group contains a certain number of E1 subscriptions and a ":" number of B channels that can be used to establish a connection. For example, with three 10 108978 i i j (3) E1 connections, eighty-nine (89) i i connections can be made. The last available channel should be retained for signaling. If all channels were enabled, new connection requests would not see the required j SETUP messages.

5 After group information is read into the system, a status table is created for each subscription group, showing:

El-Channel User Name Calling Connectivity Guaranteed / Add-on Telephone Time Channel (interface) number You can then activate the call timer functions themselves.

Connection authentication, in turn, is illustrated in more detail in Figure 5.

10 When the client terminal (usually an ISDN router) detects that it should open either the first data connection or additional channels to the dialer, it sends an ISDN message through the local telephone network to the dialer. This message shall contain the following information:. , - What number was called.

• · .: 15 - What number is dialing.

»·! Now the ringer sends the so called. a pre-authentication request to the AAA server. In the example solution, this request passes through the DBHJ software, which detects it as a pre-I »» authentication request and can start its own process based on it. This pre-authentication request contains, for example, the following information: .1: 20 - Dialed number

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• »$ I». - Dialing number 1 ♦ »· · - Receiving interface in El interface: - UsedB channel - Clock time 108978 n - And other manufacturer specific information

Upon receipt of the pre-authentication request, the DBHJ checks the status information of the different users from its memory and looks for the same ringing telephone number to identify the user. This information is created every time the user makes their first 5 connections to the ringing set. If the user information (ringing telephone number) is found, then use is identified and one can proceed to investigate the status of the E1 group.

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Further, as shown in Figure 5, if that telephone number is not found in the user status information, a search is made into the AAA software database, which contains information for all users. It will look for a matching number as it appears in these 10 new calls. When a matching phone number is found, relevant user information for that user is retrieved to the new user status variable in the DBHJ software. The status information includes eg: - Username: eg toimistol@firmal.fi - All calling numbers: eg 03-123456 and 03-4567890 15 - Guaranteed B channels for this user: eg 3 - Maximum number of B channels allowed for this user for the user: eg 4 • * ·. '. : - Channels in use: Updating according to the user's connection status • «I I • · · ·; ' ; The user's status information is then checked to see if he / she already has the maximum number of B channels specified for him / her. If this is the case, the connection request is denied and FAIL (rejected) response is sent to the> * »20 ring sets and the event t 4> * 4 * is logged in the DBHJ log file. The dialer replies to the ISDN SETUP message with DISCONNECT and disconnects without charging beats.

'I · V! If, on the other hand, the user does not yet have the maximum number of channels allowed, the E1 group is checked. In this case, the pre-: ·; 25 authentication information is used to determine to which E1 subscriber group the call in question: \ has come. Then check the status table for that group to see if all »». : Possible channels already in use. For example, if two E1 connections are defined in a group, the maximum number of connections is fifty-nine (59). If this group of 12 108978 is not yet full, the connection request may be allowed, regardless of whether it is a guaranteed or an additional channel. The DBHJ responds to the call authentication request PASS (accepted) and the call responds respectively to the ISDN SETUP message CONNECT sent by the client terminal, whereupon the actual authentication begins.

Referring still to FIG. 5, if the called group is already full, it should be checked whether the client device that sent the connection request is entitled to a guaranteed channel. Let us consider, by way of example, a situation where the called E1 access group is full. In this case, it must be determined whether this connection request needs to be made available to the access group. In this case, the status table of that user is checked to see if the user already has at least | 10 guaranteed number of channels. If so, the connection request is rejected and a response FAIL (rejected) to the pre-authentication request it sends is sent to the caller. Record the event in the DBHJ log file. The dialer responds to the ISDN SETUP message with DISCONNECT and disconnects without charging beats.

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If, on the other hand, the user has the right to enable the other guaranteed B-channels, one of the 15 E1 subscriber groups in question must drop one other B-channel connection from another user.

The selection and dropping of the extra channel can be accomplished, for example, by dropping the oldest one, that is, the one that has been in use the longest. The drop can also be accomplished by checking the status table for all '· *: users in that E1 subscriber group, and dropping the additional connection from the 20 users with the highest number of additional connections. If more • * · ·; · The user has the same number of additional channels in use, dropping the oldest additional connection • · ·; ' · Off.

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Additional drops can be done, for example, by sending to the dialer, depending on the hardware, either: • · · ... 25 - SNMP command to drop this oldest B-channel connection from a specified E1 interface, * · •: · · · - or The SNMP command is not possible, take a terminal connection: call the batch and command the B channel in question with the command line command. . : to be cut.

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There is now room in the ringing set to allow the connection to be authenticated to open a new B-channel connection | between the ringtone and the client device. In this case, the DBHJ answers the call authentication request PASS (accepted) and the call set responds to the ISDN SETUP message CONNECT sent by the client terminal, whereby the actual authentication can begin.

The transmission of authentication requests was already discussed above. Radius Authorization Requests from the Ring Series, DBHJ, forwards everything as such to the actual AAA software.

Accounting information, in turn, can be handled by sending a series of 10 AAA software account information according to the Radius protocol whenever there is any connection to the client, for example authentication. DBHJ keeps track of START and STOP messages from Account information. These are: - Acct-Status-Type = Start - Acct-Status-Type = Stop 15 In the case of an Account START message, the dialer sends an Account message via the DBHJ to the AAA software. The message indicates that a new.: Connection has been established to the ringing set. For example, the Radius Account-Start message may look like the following: • ·:. i Wed May 8 10:51:12 1996 ··. ' . * Acct-Session-Id = "2400020E" '· ”20 User-Name =" patrick0firmal.fi ": NAS-IP-Address = 172.16.1.21' · * * 'NAS-Port = 2:12 NAS-Port- Type = ISDN Acct-Status-Type = Start

\ * 25 Acct-Authentic = RADIUS

Called-Station-Id = "101022" Calling-Station-Id = "0311223344"::: Service-Type = Framed-User

Framed-Protocol = PPP

30 Framed-Address = 172.16.93.1 i 14 108978

Acct-Delay-Time = 0 Timestamp = 838763356

Em. Based on the start message, it is possible to update: 5 - User status information - New B channel has been introduced - E1 subscription status information - Subscriber, channel, user, dialing number, time and whether the B channel is a guaranteed or auxiliary channel. Guaranteed / additional channel information is checked from the user's status information.

In the case of an Account STOP message, the dialer also sends an Account message via DBHJ 10 to the AAA software. This message indicates that the dialer or client device has terminated the connection between the dialer and the client device. For example, a Radius Account-Stop message might look like this:

Wed May 8 12:50:49 1996

Acct-Session-Id * "2400020E" 15 User-Name = "patikkalQfirmal.fi" NAS-IP-Address = 172.16.1.21 NAS-Port = 2: 12 NAS-Port-Type = ISDN Acct-Status-Type = Stop: 20 Acct-Session-Time = 7177

': Acct-Authentic = RADIUS

• · · V * Acct-Input-Octets = 14994 • «· '·' 'Acct-Input-Octets = 90862

Called-Station-Id = "101022" • t ·: ·: 25 Calling-Station-Id = "0311223344" # · · · * 'Service-Type = Framed-User

Framed-Protocol = PPP Framed-Address = 172.16.93.1 • Acct-Delay-Time = 0

* * »I

30 Timestamp = 838763378 j 15 108978

Em. The Stop message can be used to update: - User status information - Channel B disabled - Status E1 subscriber status - Subscriber, channel, user, dialing number, time and whether the B channel is a Guaranteed or auxiliary channel 5 disabled.

If the user disables the last B-channel, the status information of that user will also be deleted from the internal variables of the DBHJ software. This ensures that any changes to the user database are quickly implemented without the need to restart the software.

Solutions other than those described above may also be contemplated within the scope of the invention. It is also possible to perform the functions of the dynamic call timer, for example, without the "radius-proxy" function. In this case, the ringtone used should be able to send log events so called. syslog-file. Third party software could monitor in real time the events of the syslog file and deduce from them when it is necessary to drop a B channel in order to have another user access to a guaranteed B channel ringtone. However, this application has the disadvantage that it responds to the events of the ringer when they have already occurred. In this case • ·

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users will incur unnecessary phone charges if the ringing set has to be dropped • · • on a newly established connection. Similarly, implementation always requires full customization

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l · '· * 20 for the used ringtone, because the information to be sent to syslog files is * · * · ·: device specific, compared to Radius protocol based implementation.

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The functions described above can also be implemented with intelligent AAA software. In this case, the software should be able to assemble the individual E1 interfaces into logical:: groups, for which the maximum number of channels would be defined. The software should also be able to: 25, if necessary, command the hardware of each call manufacturer to drip additional channels from a designated E1 access group during pre-authentication. Often, each ·: ··; the AAA software that comes with the ringtone is specifically tailored to the hardware of that particular ringtone manufacturer. In standalone AAA software i> ·. ·. : lose all of the inexpensive features that the hardware manufacturer has implemented for its own 30 software.

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The functions described in the previous examples could also still be implemented on a fully SNMP-based system, provided that the call set hardware supports that management system. In this case, the dialer would send all event information to a system that would interpret the event information for each user's connection numbers and usage status of E1 access groups. Similarly, the system would issue SNMP commands that instruct certain channels to drop connections. The system to be implemented should be fully customized for a specific ringtone, as SNMP status information is ringtone specific.

In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that our invention can be widely applied to control communication links associated with ringing sets. It will also be clear to one skilled in the art that our invention is by no means limited to call time, but that our invention also has numerous applications in other applications requiring high or high data throughput that share data channels across multiple users or processes.

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Claims (7)

A method of distributing capacity in a transmission path with multiple information transmission channels between the subscribers of a system, wherein for each transmission capacity subscriber a predetermined number of guaranteed information transmission channels, characterized by - on the basis of request for channel opening, is guaranteed. each subscriber is guaranteed channels up to a predetermined number, on the basis of the channel opening request, an additional channel or additional channels is opened for the subscriber, unless the subscriber already uses | the predetermined number of guaranteed channels, and to release an information transmission channel for opening a guaranteed channel, if necessary, any subscriber's additional channel which is in use is closed. 15 A method according to claim 1, wherein the number of previously agreed upon · · · ·: guaranteed information transmission channels is subscriber specific. • · • | • · * * · The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein before the opening of an additional channel * * · for the subscriber * - · it is checked how many additional channels the subscriber already has in use, and, the number of additional channels. in use is compared with the maximum number of additional channels determined for the subscriber, * * I * »and an additional channel is opened only when the number of additional channels in use is less than ♦» ·; The maximum number of additional channels determined for the subscriber. • I t '»t 108978 The method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the auxiliary channel that has been longest in use is selected as the auxiliary channel to be closed to release an information transfer channel. The method of any of claims 1-3, wherein an additional channel of such subscriber having the largest number of open additional channels in use is selected as the additional channel to be closed to release an information transmission channel. 6. A method according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that it is used for distributing the transmission line capacity between a ring series and the subscribers connected to the ring series. 10 7. A method for providing information transmission channels has a subscriber connection, the capacity of which is specified as a predetermined number of guaranteed channels and, in addition, conditional on at least one additional channel, in which method - the channel received for the subscriber on the basis of a subscriber received from the subscriber. · '.' •• opening request opens a guaranteed channel, the connection of which is interrupted only on the basis of a connection interrupted by the user sent in * I · '· *: request, unless the subscriber has in use less than the predetermined! the number of channels guaranteed, and ·. - unless the subscriber already has the predetermined number of guaranteed channels in use, for the subscriber on the basis of a received from the subscriber, an additional channel is opened, whose connection can be interrupted by the operator providing the transmission path, where: 1st : the transmission path is loaded. = l 25