FR2779299A1 - Method of controlling service flow quality for virtual circuit telecommunications - Google Patents

Abstract

The method of controlling the service flow quality of a virtual telecommunications circuit involves measuring (1001) the input level at one end and the output level (1002) at the other and sending the values to a monitoring center for correction of the uncertainty of the measurement introduced by the temporal dephasing and the transit time between the ends of the circuit. The method of controlling the service flow quality of a virtual telecommunications circuit involves measuring the input level at one end and the output level at the other and sending the values to a monitoring center. The values are classified in groups. It involves calculating, for each group, an indicator for the duration of the flow in the group and one for the transmission rate. This allows the statistical correction of the uncertainty of the measurement introduced by the temporal dephasing and the transit time between the ends of the circuit. A control circuit and measuring probe are included in the claims.

Description

CONTROL METHOD AND SYSTEM

  QUALITY OF SERVICE FOR THROUGHPUT

  FOR TRANSMITTING A VIRTUAL CIRCUIT

  The present invention relates to a method and a system for controlling the quality of service for the

  transmission rate of a virtual circuit.

  With the advent of digital signal transmission techniques, the technical characteristics of transmission networks were subjected to strong

  evolution, under the ever increasing impulse of the de-

  request for the most varied data transmission, with a view to implementing any kind of application in real time.

  For this reason, the characteristics of the re-

  current transmission buckets have evolved to increase

  not only lie about the transmission rate but

  also the flexibility of use, with the aim of self-

  riser the transmission of data of any type, in particular

  video, for multimedia applications.

  As such, the potential flow levels of pro-

  transmission tokens such as the X25 protocol, can reach up to 2 Mb / s while the relay protocol

  of frames (frame relay in Anglo-Saxon language) has been developed

  loped to ensure the transfer, so much type data

  text data than video data as part of apps

  multimedia client-server cations, with frame relay network access rates of up to

8 Mb / s.

  A determining factor relating to the quality of the transmission service for the user on the networks

  of current transmission, both with regard to the proto-

  cole X25 as the frame relay protocol, consists of the quality of the bit rate level and the maintenance of this level

of debt.

  In this transmission mode, the data is transferred between an origin point O and a remote point D each connected to the network proper by a link, a two-way virtual circuit being established between the origin point and the distant point . As shown in FIG. 1a, a link includes at least one virtual circuit CV1 but can include a plurality of circuits

CV1 to CV3.

  Generally, it is indicated that each cir-

  virtual baking can be permanent, that is to say always established between two defined points, or on the contrary switched, that is to say established on demand between two points. Remember that a virtual circuit is formed by the association

  bidirectional of two network addresses.

  In any event, in the case of the two modes

  above, for which the constancy e-

  effective flow cannot be guaranteed in order to satisfy

  to a commitment to quality of service, operators re-

  buckets, organizations providing service for the transmission operation, were required to control the effective transmission rate of each virtual circuit enabling this operation to be carried out. The effective flow of

  transmission can then be compared to a reference value

  rence, subject to a contractual commitment on the part of the

  service provider, this benchmark allows

  as long as, by comparison of the effective transmission rate, to qualify the service relating to the transmission operation.

  However, such a qualification does not appear to be significant.

  tive that insofar as the control operation of

  bit is performed substantially in real time and in

  permanence, in order for the service provider to

  see proof of its services vis-à-vis its commitments-

  contractual terms. In particular, such a control must allow the establishment of a complete report for the benefit

  of the client, proof of the provider, while the pres-

  The guardian must be able, from such a report, to monitor any variation in transmission rate or

  customer traffic volume, in order, if necessary, to

  see take any necessary action, such as adaptation

  of the bandwidth allocated to the virtual circuit concerned.

  For this purpose, a solution has been proposed, which consists for example, on a virtual circuit CV constituted

  by several successive TOC switches, as well as re-

  shown in Figure lb, to be performed at the level of the

  end mutators COT1 and COT2 a control of the data frames transmitted over a given time, which makes it possible to carry out a measurement of the flow rate of the virtual circuit, this measurement being then able to be conveyed by means of a ticket

  for example, at the supervisory center.

  Such a procedure can only be envisaged in the case of certain types of switches sold by

  NORTEL (Northern Telecom) for example thanks to the implementation

  tion of specific software developed by X-CEL Communi-

  cations Limited, 1 Minster Court, Tuscam Way, Camberley,

Surrey, GU15 3YY, UK.

  However, such an operating method presents

several disadvantages.

  Firstly, this operating mode necessarily depends on the operation of each input-output switch COT1, COT2 of the virtual circuit, and therefore on certain parameters.

very networks of these.

  Secondly, the implementation of such a process at the level of the input-output switches, COT1, COT2, or at the level of the network itself, in no way allows the risk of distortion to be taken into account, in the measure of

  flow, of devices intervening upstream, in the bidirec-

  tional, of these input switches COT1, COT2, devices such as for example a concentrator COC1, COC2, this type of device being capable, inherently of its operating mode for example, of discarding frames in the event

saturation.

  The present invention therefore relates to the implementation of a method and a system for controlling the quality of service for the transmission rate of a virtual circuit in which the drawbacks or limitations of the methods and systems of the prior art

  are substantially eliminated or reduced.

  Another object of the present invention is in particular the implementation of a method and a system for controlling the quality of service for the transmission rate of a virtual circuit, which are made substantially independent of the parameters intrinsic to this network and in particular virtual circuit parameters

subject to this control.

  Another object of the present invention is also

  the implementation of a method and a system of con-

  quality of service check for transmission rate

  sion of a virtual circuit allowing, by the operator

  bucket, remote management by customer of all

  virtual circuits allocated to each of the customers of this operation

  network designer. The quality of service control method for the transmission rate of an established virtual circuit

  on a telecommunications network by a supervised center

  seur, object of the present invention, this virtual circuit being established bidirectionally between a first and a second end of the latter, each of these ends being on a first respectively a second link provided with a flow measurement probe of the

  virtual and load circuit of each link, by exchange

  continuous tillonnage synchronized over a measurement period, the temporal coincidence of the synchronized measurement of

  each measurement probe being the seat of a time offset

  rel of determined synchronization, is remarkable in that it consists, for at least one direction of transmission of this bidirectional transmission, to be measured by means of the measurement probe placed at the first end, on the

  first link, the flow entering at this first end

  mity of the virtual circuit and to measure, by means of the measurement probe placed at the second end, on the second link, the flow leaving this second end of the

  virtual circuit and the load of this second link.

  The measured values of flow entering and leaving the circuit

  virtual and charge of this second link are transmitted to the supervisor center. For each measurement period, the method according to the invention then consists in classifying the measured values of flow entering and leaving the virtual circuit and of load of this second link into groups of measured values as a function of the value of the

  flow leaving the virtual circuit and to be calculated, for each

  that group of values, over at least one time value range, of flow quality indicators, these indicators comprising at least one indicator of duration of flow maintenance in this group and one transmission rate indicator. The classification of the measured values and the calculation of the flow quality indicators allow

  statistically correct the measurement uncertainty

  pick by the timing offset and by

  transit time between the first and second ex-

  extremity. The quality of service control system for the information transmission rate of a virtual circuit established on a telecommunications network by a supervisor center, object of the present invention,

  virtual circuit being established bidirectionally between-

  be a first and a second end of the latter,

  each end being on a respective first-

  ment a second connection of the virtual circuit, is noted

  quable in that it comprises at least one probe for measuring the flow rate of the virtual circuit and the load of each link placed on the first respectively the second link,

  the measurement of the virtual circuit flow and the load of each

  that linkage is made by continuous sampling

  synchronized over a measurement period, each measurement probe

  source delivering measured flow and charge values, and, at the supervisor center, a management module

centralized.

  The centralized management module includes at least one

  synchronization module connected to each measurement probe and delivering a synchronization message from these measurement probes, a network database module making it possible to identify the virtual circuit by a customer reference

  and a measurement database module associated with a mo-

  dule server allowing the transformation of the measured flow and load values into measurement data and the management of these measurement data by customer reference. The

  control system further comprises a plurality of mo-

  off-site processing modules interconnected to the module

  centralized management system, each processing module

  putting the classification of measurement data into groups of measured data according to the flow leaving the circuit

  and the calculation for each group of measured values

  rees, over at least one time value range, of indi-

  flow quality scanners comprising at least one indicator for the duration of the flow maintenance in this group and one transmission rate indicator, the classification and

  the indicators obtained from this classification allow

  both statistically correct the measurement uncertainty introduced by the timing offset and

  transit time between the first and second ex-

  extremity. The method and the system for controlling the quality of service for the information transmission rate of a virtual circuit, objects of the present invention, find application in the management and quality control of the transmission service of all types. virtual circuit, permanent or switched, established on transmission networks implementing the frame relay protocol.

  They will be better understood by reading the

  description and observation of the appended drawings in which, in addition to FIGS. 1a and 1b relating to technical elements of transmission networks known from the prior art,

  - Figure 2a shows, illustra-

  tive, a synoptic diagram of the essential elements allows

  both the implementation of the quality control process

  service for the transmission rate of a vir-

tuel, object of the invention;

  - Figure 2b shows, taking into account the

  mentioned above in Figure 2a, a general flowchart representative of the steps for implementing the method, object of the present invention; - Figure 3a shows a flowchart relating to a specific step of implementing the object method

  of the present invention, this specific step corresponds to

  corresponding to the implementation of a classification of the values of

  flow of the virtual circuit measured with respect to a pre-

  best flow threshold value according to a first embodiment; - Figure 3b shows a flowchart relating to a specific step in implementing the method, object

  of the present invention, this specific step corresponds to

  laying down on the implementation of a classification of the flow values of the virtual circuit measured according to a second embodiment; - Figure 3c shows a flowchart relating to a specific step of implementing the object method

  of the present invention, this specific step corresponds to

  pondering on the implementation of a classification of the values of

  debit of the virtual circuit according to a third embodiment

  station, corresponding substantially to a combination of the operating modes of the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b; - Figure 3d shows a flowchart relating to a specific stage of implementation of the object process

  of the present invention, this specific step corresponds to

  corresponding to the implementation of a classification of the flow values of the virtual circuit measured according to the third embodiment represented in FIG. 3c, this classification being furthermore carried out with respect to a second flow threshold value, greater than the first threshold value; - Figure 4a shows a general flowchart of implementation of the method object of the present invention

  in which, prior to the measurement operations of the

  bit entering and leaving the virtual circuit, a step of

  specific synchronization of the measurement probes is intro-

  pick; FIG. 4b represents a time diagram illustrating a protocol for exchanging messages between each measurement probe and the supervisor center, in order to ensure satisfactory synchronization of the measurement operations carried out by each of the measurement probes, in accordance with the method object of the present invention;

  - Figure 5a shows a block diagram il-

  illustrative of a service quality control system

  vice for the transmission rate of a virtual circuit, in accordance with the object of the present invention; - Figure 5b shows a block diagram of the essential elements constituting a measurement probe allowing in particular the implementation of a process

  synchronization as illustrated in Figure 4b.

  s Before the actual description of the

  quality of service control method for the information transmission rate of a virtual circuit, object

  of the present invention, certain indications and definitions

  in the first place will be given in conjunction with the

Figure 2a.

  In the above-mentioned figure, in order to ensure a better understanding of the whole, the

  essential elements of a telecommunications network, no-

  NETWORK tee, allowing interconnection between an origin point, noted O, interconnected to this network, and a distant point, noted D, via a virtual circuit.

  Of course, the network as such is cons-

  incorporated by any type of component such as hub, switch or the like, and allows the establishment of a plurality of virtual circuits, denoted CV1, CVi to CVN, in order to allow the interconnection of a plurality of points

origin and distant points.

  In FIG. 2a, it is indicated that the point of ori-

  gine considered, noted O, and the distant point, noted D, are connected via the virtual circuit CV1. In general, it is indicated that the interconnection of the point

  origin O to the network is performed by a link, pre-

  first link denoted L1, which can conventionally include several virtual circuits, the remote point D being interconnected to the network by a second link, It

  denoted L2, which, for the sake of simplification, is

  presented as having a single virtual circuit, the CV1 circuit, subject to quality of service control

  for debit, in accordance with the process which is the subject of the invention

  tion. In addition, it is indicated that each virtual circuit is established bidirectionally between a first and a second end of this virtual circuit, that is to say between the origin point O and the distant point D. Each end is provided with a measurement probe,

  each probe being denoted S1 and S2 respectively. The sound-

  the aforementioned measurement devices make it possible to ensure, in a conventional manner, a measurement of the flow rate of the virtual circuit considered and of load of the link, first link or second

bond respectively.

  In a conventional manner, it is recalled that the flow measurements of the virtual circuit and the load of each link

  L1, L2, are carried out by continuous syn-

  chronized information transmitted on the vir-

tuel, respectively the connection.

  In addition, conventionally, a center supervised

  sor, denoted SV, is interconnected via a third link L3 and via, for example, virtual circuits, denoted CVA1 respectively CVA2, to the measurement probes placed at the first and at the second

end, S1 and S2.

  In general, it is indicated that the intercon-

  connection between the SV supervisor center and each probe

  Slou S2 measurement can, without limitation, be carried out

  read by a virtual circuit on the L1A and L1B links.

  Any specific type of bond can be considered because of

  sound of the fact, as will be described later in

  the description, that the messages exchanged between each

  measuring probe and the SV supervisor center do not in principle require the use of very high speed transmission means.

  Regarding the synchronization of the sample

  continuous tillonnage carrying out the measurement operations by

  each of the probes S1 or S2, it is indicated that such a syn-

  chronization can be performed from the G.P.S system,

  each probe can be adapted in such a case

  lesson in receiving messages delivered by the above system

  you. In any event, and whatever the synchronization mode of the probes to measure the flow values by continuous sampling, it is indicated

  that the temporal coincidence of such a synchro-

  of each measurement probe Si and S2 is the site of a determined synchronization time offset, which is linked to the vagaries of information transmission between the

  origin point O and the distant point D. We understand in ef-

  but only in the event that a synchronization system such as the G.P.S. is used, this system being deemed to allow an almost perfect synchronization of

  synchronized sampling instants of the measurement probes

  on S1 and S2, the values actually measured by the sensors S1 and S2 do not, however, make it possible to restore a true picture of the quality of service for the transmission rate due in particular to the existence of the information transit time, variable according to the transmission conditions on the aforementioned CV1 virtual circuit. Given the existence of the elements described above in connection with FIG. 2a, the method of

  quality of service control for trans-

  information mission of a virtual circuit, object of the present invention, consists, as shown in FIG. 2b, for at least one direction of transmission of the bidirectional transmission carried out by means of this virtual circuit CV1, at measure, by means of the measurement probe placed at the first end on the first connection L1, the probe S1, the flow entering at this first end of the virtual circuit CV1 and to be measured, by means of the measurement probe S2, placed at the second end on the second link L2, the flow leaving this second end of the virtual circuit as well as the load of this second link. In FIG. 2b, the aforementioned measurement steps are noted 1001 for the measurement step carried out by the probe S1 and 1002 for the measurement step carried out

  by the S2 probe. These stages are represented as reali-

  in parallel due to the fact that these stages of me-

  sure are effectively conducted substantially simultaneously with the synchronization time offset of determined value close, as mentioned previously

  in the description. In addition, the own measurement step-

  said, carried out by the first S1 and the second S2

  of measurement probes, is carried out independently

  dante, if not the existence of temporary synchronization

aforementioned porelle.

  Generally speaking, the incoming flow value

  measured is denoted DElkm, the outflow measurement is no-

  DS2k, and the measured load value of the second

link is noted C2km.

  In the corresponding notation, it is indicated that

  * index 1 or 2 relates to the end or to the link

  its considered, * the index k relates to a rank of measurement carried out by sampling, the measurements being able to be carried out in a continuous sampled fashion every two minutes for example, and * the index m relates to a given measurement period, denoted Tm. A measurement period is a fraction of a

time value range.

  The measured values of incoming flow DE1m and outgoing flow DS2km as well as of load of the second link C2km are stored locally and transmitted in step 1003 to the supervisor center SV, at the latter's request, for example daily. The supervision center stores all the readings from the various probes and transmits the values to processing modules

relocated to step 1003a.

  As it further appears from the observation of FIG. 2b, the method which is the subject of the present invention is then implemented at the level of each of the delocalized processing modules and consists in performing a step

  1004 classification for each period of measurement of the

  their flow measurements entering and leaving the vir-

  tuel, i.e. measured values DEkm, DS2km and C2km in groups of measured values according to the value of the

  flow leaving the virtual circuit, i.e. the value

  their measured DS2km. For this reason, as shown

  in Figure 2b, the different groups of values obtained

  naked by the implementation of classification step 1004,

  are denoted Gdc, the index d designating a reference to the

  their flow rates thus classified, these flow values being however maintained in connection with the load value of the corresponding second link, as will be

  described in more detail in the description,

  the index c of the groups indicating the reference to these va-

their charge.

  The classification step 1004 is then followed by a step 1005 consisting in calculating, for each group of measured values, the aforementioned groups Gdó, on at least

  a time value range, this time range

  porelle can consist of a time slot, multi-

  hourly or daily, even monthly, flow quality indicators. These flow quality indicators include at least one indicator for the duration of the flow maintenance in the group considered as well as a transmission rate indicator. The flow indicators are denoted respectively IdDC designating the flow maintenance duration indicator, the indices d and c making reference

  to groups of the same index and index D indicating the

  duration dice, and the transmission rate indicator being designated by Idrc in which the same indices d and c refer to the same indices of groups d and c and

  the r index refers to the transmission rate index-

  sion, which is defined as a ratio, as it will be

  described later in the description.

  The implementation of the steps of classification by groups 1004 and then of calculation of the indicators IdDc and Idrc makes it possible to statistically correct the measurement uncertainty introduced by the synchronization time offset and

  transit time between the first and second ex-

  end of the information transmitted.

  Indeed, we do not know how to correlate exactly the incoming flow and the outgoing flow on the circuit

* virtual for the reasons previously indicated, i.e.

  say due to the lack of synchronization and the substantially variable transit time of the information between the point of origin O and the point distant D. However, the calculation of the aforementioned indicators on

  the time value range allows statistically correct

  only the synchronization time difference and the

  transit time for the transmission of information

  corresponding training. The correction introduced is statistical due to the fact that the samples coded digital values, support of the information transmitted,

  are actually independent of each other, this cor-

  statistical correction which can be analyzed in a correction

  global tion on the average of the sets of samples corresponding overall to a global correction on the time average of the events constituted by the

successive samples.

  A more detailed description of a first mode

  of the classification operation 1004 will be

  now given in connection with FIG. 3a.

  With reference to the above-mentioned figure, it is indicated that the step of classifying the measured values into groups of measured values as a function of the flow value leaving the virtual circuit consists at least in selecting from

  a first group of values, denoted Gdl, the values of

  outgoing bit DS2k less than or equal to a first value

  their threshold, denoted Threshold 1, this threshold value corresponding to a reference flow value, for which the load values of the second link L2 are less than or equal to a reference load threshold value. The reference load threshold value is noted Scr, this selection step being referenced 1004a in FIG. 3a. In the relation noted in step 1004a of FIG. 3a, the relation ET designates the logical operation performed on the outgoing bit rate values DS2k whose value is less than the threshold value, Threshold 1, and the charge values of the second link L2 less than or equal to the reference load threshold value Scr. The selection of the corresponding outflow values is then carried out by memorizing these values satisfying the aforementioned logical condition in

  a directory corresponding to the first group Gdl.

  In the same way, as shown in figure

  3a, the classification step shown in the above figure

  Tee also consists in selecting from a second group, denoted Gd2, the flow rate values leaving the virtual circuit DS2km greater than the first threshold value, denoted Threshold 1, for which the load values of the second link L2 are less than or equal to the aforementioned reference load threshold value, Scr. Step 1004b represented in FIG. 3a is carried out in a similar manner to that carried out in step 1004a, the criteria

  selection only being modified accordingly. The va-

  their DS2km outgoing debit are then memorized for

constitute the Gd2 group.

  Finally, classification step 1004 also consists of

  ment to be selected from a third group, denoted Gd3,

  all other flow values leaving the vir-

  tuel for which the load values of the second L2 link are greater than the load threshold value

  of reference Scr. In the corresponding step 1004c, the value

  their load of the second C2k link is compared by comparison criterion of superiority to the threshold value

  reference load Scr. When this criterion is satisfied

  done, all the corresponding outflow values

  DS2k are then memorized to constitute the group Gd3.

  It is thus understood that in order to carry out the step of classifying the measured values, the method which is the subject of the present invention can be implemented using sorting software by which the values of outgoing bit rate DS2k and of charge of the second bond C2 ^ measured at

  same sampling instant by probe S2 are associated

  ciées by pairs of values, the criteria being applied in accordance with the tests represented in steps 1004a, 1004b

and 1004c respectively.

  The classification stage can also be carried out

  according to a second classification criterion, which will be determined

  written in more detail in a second mode of

  embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3b.

  In the aforementioned embodiment, the step

  helping to classify the measured values into groups of values

  their measured according to the value of outgoing flow

  of the virtual circuit, for example consists of at least

  criminate the values of the outgoing flow DS2k of this virtual circuit compared to the incoming flow DE ^^ of the same virtual circuit.

  In such a case, as shown in the figure

  gure above, the pairs of values corresponding to the same sampling instant represented by the index k and of course belonging to the same measurement period represented by the index m, for the outgoing rates DS2k and incoming DElk are then discriminated by a criterion for comparing the inferiority of the outgoing flow DS2km with the corresponding incoming flow DElk in step 1004d. On response

  positive in the above-mentioned step 1004d, the corresponding values

  DS2km outgoing flow dantes and the load values of the second link which are associated with it are then memorized to constitute the group G'0 represented

in Figure 3b.

  On negative response to the test in step 1004d pre-

  quoted, the same DS2k outgoing flow values subjected for example to a comparison test of superiority or equality with respect to the corresponding incoming flow DElkm of the same measurement period and the same sample rank

  are stored in a corresponding group of values G "o.

  In general, it is indicated that the outgoing flow is not greater than the incoming flow, except for the measurement uncertainties linked on the one hand to the synchronization offset of the probes and on the other hand

  the data transit delay in the network.

  The implementation of the classification as represented

  in the second embodiment of Figure 3b per-

  puts to check in a substantially continuous way in time the continuity of the transmission and the conditions

of realization thereof.

  Other classification methods in accordance with the object of the method according to the invention can of course be

implemented.

  In particular, it is possible to carry out a classification corresponding to a combination of the classifications

  according to the embodiment of FIG. 3a and of FIG.

  gure 3b in a third embodiment of classification, which will be explained in more detail in connection

with Figure 3c.

  To implement the above classification mode

  tee, it is indicated that this can be carried out thanks to the implementation of a first classification according to the second embodiment as shown in FIG. 3b, by comparison of the values of outgoing bit rate DS2k with the values of incoming bit rate DS2k, DS2km outgoing flow values

  and the load values of the second C2km link asso-

  listed to the latter then being classified in accordance with the groups G'o and G "o previously mentioned in the

description.

  From the values classified according to the aforementioned groups G'o and G "o, it is then possible, from the corresponding outgoing flow values, noted for this reason in correspondence with the aforementioned groups G'o and G" o D ' S2km for outgoing flow values and C'2km for load values of the second link in group G'0 respectively D "S2km for outgoing flow values and load values of the associated link C" 2km corresponding for the group G "0, to perform for example a test on the load values of the second link C'2km and C" 2km of comparison of inferiority or equality with the reference load threshold value Scr in test 1004f of Figure 3c. On positive response to the aforementioned test 1004f, a test of comparison of the values of outgoing flow D'S2km and D "S2km by comparison of inferiority or equality with the threshold value, first threshold value, Threshold 1, is carried out at step 1004g. On positive response to the aforementioned test 1004g, the flow rate values D "S2k and D'S2k and the corresponding load values are

  then stored in groups of values G'dl and G "dl.

  Of course, on a negative response to the 1004g test, the flow rate values D "S2km and D'S2k, and the load values of the corresponding second link L2 are metered

  moralized to constitute the groups G'd2 and G "d2.

  On negative response to test 1004f, the data

  corresponding flow rates D'S2km and D "S2k as well as the

  their corresponding load measurements of the second link

  dante C'2km and C "2km are directly classified in the

  groups G'd3 and G "d3 represented in FIG. 3c.

  It is thus understood that the groups G'dl, G "dl, G'd2, G" d2 and G'd3, G "d3 correspond substantially to the implementation

  work of a classification operation consisting of a class-

  according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3b for example, followed by a corresponding classification

  in the embodiment according to the first embodiment

  tion of Figure 3a, or vice versa. The notations of the groups obtained correspond to the groups in Figure 3a

  assigned for this reason the notation 'or ".

  The aforementioned classification operation can also

  to be carried out, not only vis-à-vis a first va-

  their flow threshold, Threshold 1, but also vis-à-vis a second flow threshold value, Threshold 2, which is greater than the first threshold value. Such a fashion

  operating is shown in Figure 3d.

  From the DS2km outgoing flow values and

  load values of the second link which are associated

  ciées à ces thereof C2k, in the embodiment described in connection with Figure 3d, steps 1004a, 1004b, 1004c shown in Figure 3a can first

  be implemented. Under such conditions, groups

  pes constituted are the groups Gdl, Gd2 and Gd3 of the same

Figure 3a.

  On a positive response to test 1004a, the sets of outgoing flow value DS2kml, noted for this reason 1 because belonging to group 1, are then kept as such with the link load values which are

  associated with these because all outgoing flows, lower

  laughs at the first threshold value, Threshold 1, are needed

  obviously lower than the second threshold value,

Threshold 2.

  The DS2km2 outgoing flow values of the Gd2 group and the load values of the second link associated with it, obtained on positive response to test 1004b,

  are then subjected to a new test, noted 1004i, consisting of

  both to compare the corresponding flow rate values DS2k2 by criterion of inferiority to the threshold value, second threshold value, Threshold 2. On positive response to test 1004i, the corresponding values of outgoing flow DS2km21 are memorized to form the group Gd21 then that on

  negative response to this same test 1004i, the values of

  outgoing bit DS2km2 are memorized to form the group

Gd22. -

  From the DS2km3 outgoing flow values from the Gd3 group obtained on positive response to the 1004c test, and

  similar to the 1004i test, a 1004j test is ef-

  performed by comparison of inferiority of the values of the group Gd3, DS2k3 compared to the second threshold value,

  Threshold 2. The positive response to the 1004j test allows the memo-

  creation of the corresponding DS2km31 outgoing flow values to constitute the Gd3l group, while the response

  negative at the same test 1004j allows to memorize the values

  their outgoing DS2k32 correspondents and of course

  stretched the load values of the second link for

constitute the Gd32 group.

  The implementation of the classification process, object of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3b, thus makes it possible to obtain five groups as well as previously

  described. Of course, the implementation of the classification process

  ment as shown in Figure 3d can also, if necessary, be carried out not from the values of the groups Gdl, Gd2 or Gd3 as shown in the aforementioned Figure 3d, but also from the groups G'dl, G " dl, G'd2, G "d2 and G'd3, G" d3 as shown in Figure 3c without departing from the scope of the process, object of the present

invention.

  Following the implementation of step 1004 of class-

  sement by groups represented in FIG. 2b, according to one or other of the embodiments represented in connection with FIGS. 3a to 3d, the step of calculation for each group of measured values of the indicators of duration of flow maintenance in each IdDc group and rate of

  Idrc transmission can then be conducted.

  IdDc flow hold time indicator

  can then be defined as the ratio of the number of va-

  their measured from the group considered to the total number of

  their measured in the measurement period Tm.

  The transmission rate indicator is itself defined as the ratio of the sum of the bit rate values leaving the virtual circuit to the sum of the bit rate entering

  of this same virtual circuit in the tempo value range

  real. The two calculated indicators then verify the relationships: nb of measurements of the _ group nb total of measurements dr - output flow Idrc input flow In general, we indicate that the first

  threshold value, Threshold 1, can correspond to a ga-

  rant of transmission of information, more commonly de-

  signed in Anglo-Saxon language such as the Committed Information Rate or CIR, the fact that the actual data transmission rate used by the client is not exceeded

  vis-à-vis this guaranteed rate of information transmission

  to ensure total transmission of

  all of the above information.

  Similarly, it is indicated that the second va-

  their threshold, Threshold 2, can correspond to a su-

  less than the first threshold value, this second threshold value, Threshold 2, which can then be defined as an acceptable throughput value at 90% of the customer's connection time, this second threshold value then being more

  commonly referred to in Anglo-Saxon language by Sustenta-

ble Information Rate or SIR.

  Given these elements, it is indicated that for the measurement of compliance with the first threshold value,

  Threshold 1, the calculation of the transmission rate is significant

  tif, at 100% of the transmitted data corresponding to a lossless data transmission for 100% of the time

of connection.

  With regard to the second threshold value under the aforementioned conditions, it is however indicated that the effective transmission of 90% of the data transmitted does not correspond to the totality of the data transmitted without

  loss for 90% of the connection time.

  Given these elements, the flow quality indicators can then be classified by groups with respect to the first and second reference flow threshold value, Threshold 1 and Threshold 2, this classification method corresponding overall in the operating mode

represented in figure 3d.

  An example of classification of the aforementioned indicators

  is given in the table below for a specific customer

  born, the indicators being thus distributed relative to the two threshold values, Threshold 1 and Threshold 2, corresponding

to CIR and SIR respectively.

DASHBOARD

  CUSTOMER NAME: LAMBADA Debit ≤ CIR CIR <debit ≤SIR Debit> SIR Remote loaded Zone Site Mnemonic IdDc Idrc IdDc Idrc IdDc Idrc Duration (%) FRANCE LILLE Headquarters 97% 100.0% 3% 96.0% 0% 0, 0% 0% BELGIUM LIEGE Atalante 90% 100.0% 4% 95.0% 3% 84.0% 3% FRANCE LILLE Headquarters 95% 97.0% 5% 96, 0% 0% 0.0% 0% SPAIN MADRID Casa 88% 100.0% 4% 95.0% 5% 84.0% 3% FRANCE LILLE Headquarters 95% 100.0% 5% 96.0% 0% 0.0% 0% SPAIN MADRID Casa 80 % 100.0% 4% 95.0% 3% 84.0% 3% FRANCE LILLE Headquarters 95% 100.0% 5% 96.0% 0% 0.0% 0% SPAIN VALENCIA Beach 85% 100.0 % 4% 95.0% 8% 84.0% 3% FRANCE LILLE Headquarters 95% 100.0% 6% 96.0% 0% 0.0% 0% SPAIN VALENCIA Beach 90% 100.0% 4% 95 , 0% 3% 84.0% 3% Observation of the above table thus allows

  present a corresponding dashboard to the client concerned

  to illustrate the quality of service for the

  transmission rate of different virtual circuits as-

  providing a cross-border flow of data between France, Belgium and Spain, each of these countries constituting an area, each area comprising one or more sites

  in corresponding cities and countries.

  While the method of controlling the quality of service for the information transmission rate of a virtual circuit, object of the present invention, can be carried out by means of the synchronization of the measurement probes at the using the GPS system for example, it is however indicated that such a system involves the use of a GPS receiver system at the level of each probe. Such a receiver system is however expensive and has the drawback of requiring the use of corresponding equipment.

  In order to remedy the above-mentioned drawback, the pro-

  assigned, object of the present invention, can also be

  implemented through the use of a syn-

  chronization of specific probes, avoiding the introduction of

  tion of expensive additional equipment.

  However, each measurement probe Si or S2 is normally provided with a local clock and circuits for adjusting this local clock, as will be described

  later in the description.

  In a corresponding embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4a, the method which is the subject of the present invention can then consist, prior to the steps

  flow measurement respectively entering and leaving the circuit

  baked virtual and charge of the second link L2, at ef-

  perform, as shown in the above figure, a

  specific synchronization step of each measurement probe

  safe. In FIG. 4a, the aforementioned step of synchronization

  The specific item has the reference 1000. Each measurement probe Si and S2 can then, as part of a procedure

  called polling in Anglo-Saxon language, send independent

  regularly and periodically to the supervisory center SV a

  synchronization request message, and the super center

  SV sight emitting in response to the corresponding measurement probe

  corresponding a synchronization message from a time server. The measurement probe concerned then performs a reset of the local clock from the message

  synchronization and the aforementioned adjustment circuits.

  The time diagram for the exchange of messages from

  MRS sync request and sync messages

  nization MS between each probe S1, S2 and the supervisor SV

  with a time server is shown in Figure 4b.

  Conventionally, each synchronization message

  sation includes, as shown in the figure above

  header, a recipient probe address field, the S1 probe or

  the S2 probe, as well as a subdivision synchronization field

  for example in different fields relating to the year Y,

  in month M, on day D, at hour H, at minutes M, at week-

  condes S and to hundredths of a second C. In general, it is indicated that the transmission of each MRS synchronization request message may be periodic, the period of transmission of such messages

  being defined as a function of the stability of the clock

  dull of each measurement probe and being able for example to correspond to a duration of several hours, even a day. Finally, it is indicated that the load of the second link L2 can be defined as the ratio of the actual bit rate of this link to a threshold value determined by

  the maximum throughput capacity of this link. Information

  corresponding information can be displayed in the dashboard communicated to the client, this information can consist of a duration in% of exceeding this threshold value, this information then corresponding to the duration

  expressed in% in the Remote loaded column. -

  Thus, the measurement of the load of the link makes it possible to take account of the flow constraint on the circuit

  virtual with respect to the maximum bit rate on the link considered

  dream. Such a measure makes it possible to guarantee the speed on the virtual circuit considered, provided that the link has not reached the aforementioned maximum load. This may be the case, for example, when several virtual circuits are established on this link. When this flow rate is greater than the Threshold 1 value, CIR, for a relative duration, in% corresponding to the IdDc duration indicator greater than P%, with P = 10 for example, it is possible to adapt the

  subscription and customer interconnection conditions.

  A more detailed description of a

  quality of service control for trans-

  information mission of a virtual circuit, allowing the implementation of this control in accordance with the object process

  of the present invention previously described in the description

  cription, will now be given in conjunction with the fig-

res 5a and 5b.

  As shown in the aforementioned figure, the service quality control system for the information transmission rate of a virtual circuit, according to the invention, comprises a centralized management system, denoted GC, which can be implemented in the super center

  SV sight previously mentioned in the description and

  off-site processing modules, denoted DM, located

in customer support centers.

  The centralized management system GC comprises at least one synchronization module connected to each probe Si

  or S2 of measurement. In FIG. 5a, the de-synchronization module

  sation is deemed to be constituted by a central calibration unit

  cul, denoted CPU, and I / O input / output links making it possible to interconnect the aforementioned central unit to the probes S1 and S2 via the virtual circuit for example CVA1 and CVA2 represented in FIG. 2a. We understand of course that the synchronization module thus formed

  allows you to receive synchronization request messages

  MRS and send MS synchronization messages

  as previously described in the description below

tion with Figure 4b.

  The GC centralized management system includes

  in addition to a network database module, denoted BD1, the-

  which allows, through the central processing unit CPU, to identify the virtual circuit, the circuit CV1, by a customer reference for example, the customer reference such

  that the name of the customer indicated on the intro dashboard

  duit in the present description. The basic module of

  BD1 data is of course managed by the central unit CPU and allows the management of the network addresses of the probes S1, S2, the references of the virtual circuit, DLCI references,

  for Data Link Connection Identifier, the relative data

  See the two threshold values, Threshold 1 and Threshold 2, and the maximum link speed, the information relating to

  geographic areas and sites of each client.

  In addition, the centralized management system GC also includes a measurement database module BD2 and a server statistics module allowing the transformation of the measured flow and load values.

  in measurement data and the management of these measurement data

  sure by customer reference. In FIG. 5a, the database module BD2 is deemed to be managed by a central unit

  specific to the statistics server but may well

  also be managed by the central processing unit CPU

  the BD1 network database module.

  Finally, the quality control system of

  service also includes the processing modules

  interlocked interconnected to the centralized management system GC via inputs-outputs and the network, a single delocalized processing module DM being represented in FIG. 5a. Each delocalized processing module DM allows the classification of the measurement data into groups of measured value as a function of the flow leaving the virtual circuit and the calculation for each group of measured value over at least one range of time value of indicators

  flow quality, these indicators including the indi-

  IdDc and Idrc creators previously mentioned in the

  cription relating to the duration of flow maintenance and

  transmission rate for each client considered.

  It is understood in particular that each module of

  delocalized DM treatment can consist of a computer

  nater equipped with its peripheral elements such as a disc

* HDD hard, this hard disk including class programs

  values measured according to class processes-

  ment shown in Figures 3a to 3d and calculation of

  aforementioned indicators, these programs being loaded with

  central moire for conventional execution. Displaying and editing the dashboard as shown

  in the table introduced in this description

  can then be done using display and editing systems AE or edited using a WEB server or on

  paper support for transmission to each client

  re. Each delocalized DM module is then located in a customer support center, a delocalized DM module can of course ensure the management of a plurality of clients

  managed by this customer support center.

  A synchronization and control process of the measurement probes allowing effective synchronization

  sampling instants, and therefore of measuring the

  their incoming, outgoing and charge flow previously

  mentioned in the description, will now be described in

  link with FIG. 5b, by way of illustrative example.

  In general, each measurement probe

  includes a central unit, denoted CPU, and a clock

  dull, denoted CLK, delivering clock pulses, no-

  CLKS tees. The central processing unit CPU is coupled to a working memory RAM, which makes it possible, from a given operating system, to calculate a system date, noted

  DS. This program also allows, from each measure

  wise to synchronize, calculate a time variable, denoted VHR. The central processing unit CPU is interconnected by a

  BUS connection to the active part of the probe, not shown

  felt in FIG. 5b, this active part being known as such and for this reason not described in the

  present description. The synchronization process and

  clock reset can then be as follows, as described with reference to Figure 5b: - in the presence of CLKS clock pulses in step 2000 and the corresponding system date DS in step 2001, a calculation drift error compared to the last received VHS time variable available at

  step 2002 is carried out in step 2003. A test of

  comparison of the inferiority drift error to a value

  of threshold S is carried out at a step 2004. On response po-

  positive for the 2004 test, the drift error being less than the threshold value S, the system date DS is taken into account.

  account to perform the exchange order operation

  continuous tillonnage of the considered probe with a period

determined sampling.

  - on negative response to the aforementioned 2004 test, on the system date DS is allocated a corrected value, in step 2006, from the hourly value VHR increased by

  K value representative of the number of sample periods

  successive tillonnage elapsed since the last update of the hourly variable VHR. The 2005 and 2006 stages

  are followed by a 2007 step of control of sampling by the probe and the 2006 step is itself followed by a step of

  system date update return

  2001. The threshold value S can be taken equal to which

than hundreds of milliseconds.

  We have thus described a method and a system for

  quality of service check for transmission rate

  sion of a particularly efficient virtual circuit in

  the measurement o the classification of the measured data and the

  ass of the indicators defined previously in the description

  tion allow to establish a dashboard in time

  which can be submitted to each of the clients concerned

  born. Besides the application of the method and the system, objects of the present invention, to virtual circuits

  permanent, it is indicated that these apply equally

  also to switched virtual circuits. In such an ap-

  However, when the switched virtual circuit is established, the parameters relating to the establishment of this switched virtual circuit must however be retrieved at the level

  switches, or centralizers, terminals

  of this switched virtual circuit, while the parameters

  very relating to a permanent virtual circuit for which the method and the system, objects of the present invention,

  can be implemented, are simply entered at

  calf from the central management system database

se.

Claims (10)

  1. Method for controlling the quality of service for the information transmission rate of a virtual circuit established on a telecommunications network, by a supervisor center, this circuit being established bidirectionally between a first and a second end of the latter, each of these ends being on a first, respectively a second link provided with a flow measurement probe of the virtual circuit and of   load of each link, by continuous syn-   chronized over a measurement period, the tempo coincidence   of synchronized measurement of each measurement probe being the seat of a determined synchronization time offset, characterized in that this method consists, for   at least one direction of transmission of this bi-   directional: - to measure, by means of the measurement probe placed at the first end on the first link, the flow entering at this first end of the virtual circuit; - to measure, by means of the measurement probe placed at the second end on the second link, the flow leaving this second end of the virtual circuit and the load of this second link;   - to transmit the measured flow values in -   trant and leaving the virtual circuit and charge of this second link to the supervisor center, and - to classify, for each measurement period, the measured values of flow entering and leaving the virtual circuit and charge of this second link in groups   of measured values as a function of the value of the output flow so much of the virtual circuit;   - to calculate for each group of measured values   rees, over at least one time value range,   flow quality indicators, these indicators comprising at least: * an indicator for the duration of the maintenance of the flow in this group, and * an indicator for the transmission rate, which makes it possible to statistically correct the uncertainty of   measurement introduced by the synchronization time offset   tion and the transit time between the first and the second end.   2. Method according to claim 1, characterized   in that the step of classifying the measured values   in groups of values measured as a function of the   their flow leaving the virtual circuit and the load of the link consists of at least:   - to select, in a first group, the values   their flow out of the virtual circuit lower or   equal to a first reference flow threshold value   for which the load values of this second link are less than or equal to a reference load threshold value;   - to select, in a second group, the values   their outflow from the virtual circuit greater than the   first reference flow threshold value for   that the load values of this second link are less than or equal to this reference load threshold value; - to select, in a third group, all the other flow values leaving the virtual circuit for which the load values of this second link are greater than this load threshold value reference.   3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, character-   The fact that the step of classifying the measured values into groups of measured values as a function of the flow value leaving the virtual circuit consists in   less to discriminate the values of the flow leaving the circuit   virtual cooked with respect to the incoming flow of the vir- tuel.   4. Method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, ca-   characterized in that, for each group of values: - the flow hold duration indicator is defined as the ratio of the number of measured values in the group to the total number of values measured in the measurement period, and - the indicator transmission rate is defined as the ratio of the sum of the outgoing bitrate values   of the virtual circuit to the sum of the incoming flows of the circuit   cooked virtual, in the time value range.   5. Method according to one of claims 1, 2, 3   or 4, characterized in that the step of classifying the measured values into groups of measured values as a function of the value of the outgoing transmission rate   consists of carrying out the selection steps in the first   mier, second and third groups based on a second higher reference flow threshold value   at the first reference flow threshold value (CIR).   6. Method according to claims 2, 3 and 5, ca-   characterized in that said quality indicators of   bit are classified by groups opposite the first,   respectively the second flow rate threshold value ference.   7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6,   characterized in that prior to the steps of measuring the flow entering and leaving the virtual circuit respectively   and charge of the second link, each measurement probe   sure being provided with a local clock and means of   setting of this local clock, it also includes a specific synchronization step for each   each of said measurement probes emitting inde-   pending and periodically to said supervisor center   a synchronization request message and the center   pervisor transmitting to said measurement probe a synchronization message from a time server, said   measurement probe operating a readjustment of said clock lo-   stalls from said synchronization message and said adjustment means.   8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7,   characterized in that the load of the second link is defined as the ratio of the actual bit rate of this link to a threshold value determined by the bit rate capacity maximum of this link.   9. Quality of service control system for the information transmission rate of a virtual circuit established on a telecommunications network, by a   supervisor center, this virtual circuit being established in a   bidirectional lesson between a first and a second end of the latter, each end being on   a first respectively a second circuit connection   virtual baking, characterized in that said system comprises at least: - centralized management means comprising at least: * synchronization means connected to each measurement probe and delivering a synchronization message of these measurement probes; To network database means enabling said virtual circuit to be identified by a customer reference; * measurement database means and server means allowing the transformation of the measured flow and load values into measurement data and the management of these measurement data by customer reference, said system further comprising:   - inter-localized processing means   connected to the centralized management means and allowing the   classification of said measurement data into groups of values   their measured as a function of the flow leaving the circuit   and the calculation for each group of measured values   rees, over at least one time value range, of indi-   throughput quality scanners comprising at least: * an indicator for the duration of the throughput maintenance in this group, and * an indicator for transmission rate, which allows   statistically correct the measurement uncertainty   pick by the timing offset and the   transit time between the first and second ex-   extremity. 10. Probe for measuring the load values of a link and the transmission rate of a virtual circuit established on a telecommunications network, for the implementation of the quality of service control method for the transmission rate of information of this virtual circuit according to claim 1, said probe comprising   a central computing unit and an internal clock   putting to generate a system date (DS) and entry / exit doors (I / O) making it possible to receive synchronization messages (MS), said central unit making it possible to calculate, from these synchronization messages,   a time variable (VHR), characterized in that it comprises also carries:   - a module for calculating a drift error (Er-   reur) of the system date in relation to the variable ho-   to laugh; - an inferiority comparison module for this   drift error with respect to a determined threshold value   mined; means for assigning to said system date either the hourly value (VHR) or the system date (DS) on a respectively positive negative response to said comparison;   - means for updating the internal clock dull.