JP2003069704A - Method and device for managing a plurality of interfaces for facility operation - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device for managing a plurality of interfaces for facility operation, with which software regarding only partial services as target can be updated and the difference of functions for each service controller can be grasped on a facility managing device even when containing a plurality of service controllers of mutually different services in one facility managing device. SOLUTION: An interface between a service controller 30 and a facility managing device 20 is previously separated into a common platform 32 and a service execution environment 31, a plurality of version information of files related to respective interfaces are managed on the facility managing device 20 and corresponding to input information, the version information of each of interfaces is acquired. Then, command information and message information corresponding to that version information are acquired and while using such information, communication is performed between the facility managing device 20 and each of service controllers 30.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for managing a plurality of interfaces for facility operations, and is used in a communication service control network for controlling exchanges.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the case of transmitting a signal including voice, video or data between a plurality of communication terminal devices using, for example, a telephone line, at least one transmission is performed to connect a communication path between the communication terminal devices. An exchange is used. The transfer exchange is a general exchange and performs routing setting and route setting.

In advanced intelligent networks, a telecommunications service control network is formed to control the transport exchanges. In this communication service control network, a plurality of service control units (SC
P: service control point) and an equipment management device that collectively manages them. The service control device holds subscriber information, and responds to an inquiry from the transfer exchange with information necessary for connection operation and gives an operation instruction.

As an example, it is assumed that the terminal (B) is a transfer telephone when the terminal (A) makes a call and the terminal (B) receives the call. When terminal (A) makes a call, terminal (B)
The transfer switch identifies which service control device is being managed based on the number information of 1 and makes an inquiry to the service control device. In this case, the service control device manages the presence / absence of the transfer destination setting of the number of the terminal (B) and the transfer destination number information, and therefore notifies the transfer exchange of the information.
As a result, the transfer exchange can connect to the transfer destination of the terminal (B).

In addition to the subscriber information, the service control device also holds service control execution data called data necessary for executing a predetermined service. The service control execution data includes the following information as typical information. (1) Local exchange information: SCP installation building name, unit name (2) Exchange address information: Address information for common line signal processing (3) Information about common line signal processing: Common line signal processing Address information, accommodation information, routing information (4) Hardware configuration information: package mounting position information, allocation information for hard disks, etc. (5) Maintenance system device information: commands and messages for communication with facility management devices The equipment management device provided in the connection information communication service control network when performing file transfer collectively manages a plurality of service control devices. The management contents of the equipment management device include monitoring and repair of hardware and software of each service control device and updating of programs. Further, the equipment management device receives a message periodically notified from each service control device and grasps whether the service control device is operating normally or has a failure.

In the advanced intelligent network, software for realizing basic functions such as a database engine, a communication function, and a command interpreting function is installed on the service control unit so that various services can be flexibly supported. It is configured as a common platform that does not depend on the contents of hardware or services.

Software (programs and data) mounted on the equipment management device and each service control device is updated as needed. For example, when new hardware is added to the service control device or a new service is added, the software file must be updated. Generally, the file before update and the file after update are distinguished by the difference in version number.

The facility management apparatus accommodates a plurality of service control apparatuses. In the conventional advanced intelligent network, all the service control apparatuses manage the files related to the platform and the execution environment with a common file version number. is doing. Therefore, when the file is updated, only two of the file version number before the update and the file version number after the update are managed between the equipment management device and each service control device. By grasping the file version number, the equipment management device can identify whether or not the software on each service control device has been correctly updated.

[0009]

However, it is often the case that one equipment management device must accommodate a plurality of service control devices that perform different services. When adding or improving the function only for a specific service, it is not necessary to add or improve the function for the service control device that does not implement the target service.

However, in the conventional system, the software of all the service control devices connected under the facility management device is managed by a common file version, so that the interface between the facility management device and the service control device is controlled. Care must be taken so that file version numbers do not conflict with each other.

Therefore, in order to unify the file version numbers,
When adding or improving functions for some services, also for software on the service control device that performs other services that do not require addition or improvement of functions,
You must update and change the file version.
In addition, when the service content differs for each service control device, the function that can be operated from the facility management device side also naturally differs for each service control device. However, since a common platform is used for all service control units and they are managed with a common file version number, operators operating the equipment management unit must ensure that all service control units have the same functions. I can see it.

That is, the operator who operates the service control device via the equipment management device cannot identify the difference between the plurality of service control devices on the equipment management device. Therefore, the operator cannot properly operate the service control device unless he / she is aware of the difference in the functions performed by the respective service control devices. The present invention makes it possible to update software for only a part of services even when one equipment management device accommodates a plurality of service control devices having different types of services, and the service control device An object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for managing a plurality of interfaces of facility operation, which enables the facility management device to grasp the difference in function for each.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a service control device for providing an operation instruction to a plurality of transfer exchanges for connecting a transfer path of a signal including at least one of voice, video and data between communication terminal devices. A method for managing multiple interfaces of facility operations used in a communication service control network, comprising: a facility management device that collectively performs facility management such as collection and analysis of facility operating conditions and failure conditions of a plurality of service control devices. , A common platform that provides an interface between the service control device and the equipment management device, and a service execution that is applied when the service control device executes a service scenario necessary for realizing a service Separated from the environment in advance, each of the common platform and the service execution environment Regarding, regarding the version number information of the related file, a plurality of version number information is managed on the equipment management device, and according to the information input to the equipment management device, version information of the common platform and version information of the service execution environment The facility management apparatus acquires the command information and message information associated with the acquired version number information, and the facility management apparatus acquires the command information and message information, and the facility management apparatus and each service using the acquired command information and message information. A feature is that communication is performed with the control device.

According to the first aspect, since a plurality of version number information is managed for each of the common platform and the service execution environment, the common platforms of the plurality of service control devices that provide different services are different from each other. Can be managed by number. Also, the service execution environments of a plurality of service control devices can be managed with different versions.

The common platform is software that provides basic functions such as a database engine, a communication function, and a command interpretation function. The service execution environment is information representing conditions applied when the service control device executes a service scenario required to realize a service. Therefore, even when a plurality of service control devices that provide different services are accommodated in a single equipment management device, when a service is modified or added, a common target service is shared. It suffices to update the relevant file and the version number for each platform or for each service execution environment of the target specific service.

That is, since it is not necessary to unify the version numbers of all the files and only the files related to the function requiring modification or addition can be updated, the cost associated with the system update can be reduced.

Further, since the equipment management device itself can recognize the difference in the functions of the plurality of service control devices as the difference in the version numbers of the files, the operator who operates the service control device through the equipment management device can control each service control device. It is easy to understand the difference in the functions that the device can execute. In addition, since the functions of the service control devices that provide various services can be managed collectively, one equipment management device can accommodate a large number of service control devices that provide various services.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a service control device for giving an operation instruction to a plurality of transmission exchanges connecting a transmission path of a signal including at least one of voice, video and data between communication terminal devices, and a plurality of service controls. A multiple interface management device for facility operation used in a communication service control network, comprising: a facility management device that collectively performs facility management such as collection and analysis of facility operation status and failure status of the equipment, In the case where each service control device has an interface separated in advance from a common platform that provides basic functions and a service execution environment that is applied when the service control device executes a service scenario required to realize a service. ,
Node management means for holding, for each node corresponding to each of the service control devices, version number information of a file related to the common platform and version number information of a file related to the service execution environment; the facility management device and the service control device; Information to be input to the facility management device, and interface management means for holding at least command and message information used for communication between the respective devices for each version number of the common platform and each version number of the service execution environment. According to the above, the version number information of the file is acquired from the node managing means, at least the command and message information is acquired from the interface managing means according to the version number information, and the acquired command information and message information are used. The equipment management device and each service control device Characterized in that a communication control unit that communicates with.

By using the apparatus according to the second aspect, it is possible to implement the method for managing a plurality of interfaces for facility operation according to the first aspect.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION One embodiment of a method and apparatus for managing a plurality of interfaces for facility operation according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This form corresponds to all the claims.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a system of this form. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the contents of the node management DB (abbreviation of database, the same applies hereinafter). FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the contents of the interface management DB. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the interface-related operation of the facility management apparatus of this embodiment. In this mode, the service control device, the equipment management device, the node management means, the interface management means, and the communication control means of claim 2 are the service control device 30, the equipment management device 20, the node management DB 22, and the interface management D, respectively.
This corresponds to B23 and the interface control unit 21.

In this embodiment, a system having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is assumed. The system of FIG. 1 is a communication service control network, and includes a facility management terminal 10 and a facility management device 20.
And a plurality of service control devices 30 (1), 30 (2), 30
(3), ... are provided. When transmitting a signal including voice, video or data between a plurality of communication terminal devices using a telephone line or the like, at least one transfer switch is used to connect a transfer path between the communication terminal devices. The transmission exchange is a general exchange and performs routing setting and route setting.

The service control device 30 holds subscriber information, and responds to an inquiry from the transfer exchange with information necessary for connection operation and gives an operation instruction. The equipment management device 20 collectively manages the plurality of service control devices 30 (1), 30 (2), 30 (3), ... As the management contents of the equipment management device 20,
There are monitoring and repair of hardware and software of each service control device 30 and updating of programs.

Further, the equipment management device 20 receives the message periodically notified from each service control device 30, and grasps whether they are operating normally or having a failure. An operator who intends to operate each service control device 30 to maintain the system is
Information is input from the equipment management terminal 10, and the equipment management device 2
The service control device 30 is controlled via 0.

An interface control unit 21 is built in the equipment management device 20. Further, the facility management device 20 includes a node management DB 22 and an interface management DB 23.
Are connected. Each service control device 30 managed by the facility management device 20 is provided with two independent communication interfaces (software) as a service execution environment 31 and a common PF (platform) 32.

The common platform is software related to basic processing commonly used by various services, and realizes various functions such as a database engine, a communication function, and command interpretation. Each service control device 30 executes a special program called a service scenario (which describes the logic for realizing the service) by a built-in computer so that a required service (for example, free dial,
Dial Q2 etc.).

When each service control device 30 executes the service scenario, it is desirable to provide a virtual environment that does not depend on the difference in hardware. The information related to this virtual environment is the service execution environment.

The service execution environment 31 performs information processing regarding the service execution environment when communicating between the service control device 30 and the equipment management device 20. Common PF32
Performs information processing regarding the common platform when communicating between the service control device 30 and the facility management device 20. Node management DB connected to the equipment management device 20
As shown in FIG. 2, the reference numeral 22 holds information about the node name, the common PF file version number, and the execution environment file version number, which are distinguished for each node. Each node is a service control device 30
Corresponding to.

That is, which version number of software is used by each service control device 30 as a common platform, and each service control device 3
Which version of software 0 is used as the service execution environment is managed by the node management DB 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the interface management DB 23 connected to the equipment management apparatus 20 holds data of a command information group and a message information group separately for each file version number. In addition, the data regarding the common platform and the data regarding the service execution environment are managed independently.

When information such as a command is input from the equipment management terminal 10, the interface control unit 21 provided in the equipment management device 20 performs data processing based on the information registered in the node management DB 22 and the interface management DB 23. Then, the result is used to communicate with the designated service control device 30. The specific operation is as shown in FIG.

When the operator of the facility management terminal 10 operates the service control device 30, it represents the node name (SCP name: identification information of the service control device) for specifying the service control device 30 to be operated and the content of the operation. Enter the command and. In step S11 of FIG. 4, the interface control unit 21 receives the node name (SCP name) and the command name input from the equipment management terminal 10.

In step S12, the file version number information is acquired from the node management DB 22 for each interface based on the SCP name input in step S11. For example, when the node management DB 22 has the content shown in FIG. 2, when the operator inputs “SCP2” as the node name, the common PF file version and the execution environment file version are “VP (1)” and “VP (1)”, respectively. The interface control unit 21 acquires “VE (2)” from the node management DB 22.

In step S13, it is identified according to a predetermined classification whether the type of the command input from the facility management terminal 10 in step S11 corresponds to the service execution environment or the common platform. In step S14, the information required for communication between the service control device 30 to be operated and the facility management device 20 is acquired from the interface management DB 23. Specifically, of the two file version numbers acquired in step S12, one file version number corresponding to the identification result in step S13 is selected, and the command information group and message information associated with the file version number are selected. Interface management DB
Get from 23.

For example, when operating the service control device 30 having the node name "SCP2" with a certain command associated with the service execution environment, the file version number of "VE (2)" is selected in step S14. Therefore, assuming that the interface management DB 23 has the contents shown in FIG. 3, the interface control unit 21 sends “CM (B)” and “MS (B)” respectively as the command information group and the message information group from the interface management DB 23. get.

In step S15, using the information acquired in step S14, command transmission and message reception are performed with the service control device (SCP) 30 designated by the input in step S11.

The interface control unit 21 sends a command associated with the service execution environment to the service control device 30.
When the command is transmitted to the service execution environment 31, the command is transmitted to the service execution environment 31 on the service control device 30 and is received by the service execution environment 31. Further, the interface control unit 21 sends a message returned by the service execution environment 31.
When the message is received, the interface control unit 21 performs the receiving process using the message information acquired in step S14.

When the interface control unit 21 sends a command associated with the common platform to the service control device 30, the command is sent to the common PF 32 on the service control device 30 and is received by the common PF 32. To be done. Further, when the interface control unit 21 receives the message returned by the common PF 32, the interface control unit 21 performs the receiving process by using the message information acquired in step S14.

A specific example of the above-mentioned "service execution environment" will be described below. The "service execution environment" means an environment that provides the components necessary to execute the service scenario and the database access processing function. In the service scenario assumed here, the service scenario can be described using simple instructions so that even a person with little knowledge of the program can create a service program. Therefore, the "service execution environment" provides the functions necessary for realizing the service in the form of parts.

For example, when describing a toll-free service, it is necessary to manage a database that associates a logical number of each toll-free number with a physical number (telephone number) and a customer. The "service execution environment" provides the database function for managing numbers and customers. In addition, the timer function for changing the transfer destination telephone number depending on the time, the function for switching the transfer destination of the telephone, the parts for controlling the voice storage device used for sending guidance, the usage status of the service, etc. We also provide parts for counting.

Since different parts are required for different services, parts corresponding to each service are provided. For example, in a PHS (Personal Handy Phone System) service, a service scenario is provided with a function for accessing a memory area for managing position registration information in order to manage the position registration information of the PHS at a service control node.

The service scenario is also translated by the compiler before it is downloaded to the service environment.
In the "service execution environment", the virtual computer function prevents the service control system from being affected by differences in the CPU (central processing unit) and hardware environments.

[0042]

According to the present invention, even when a plurality of service control devices having different service contents are accommodated in one equipment management device, an interface between the equipment management device and each service control device is provided. There is no need to unify, and it is not necessary to unify the file versions of the software on the facility management device that provides the interface function and the software on the service control device.

Therefore, when adding or modifying a function, the work for unifying the file version number and the interface is not necessary, and the software should be developed only for the function that actually needs the addition or modification. Good. Also,
Since it is not necessary to unify the file version number and the interface, a service control device that provides a new service can be easily added to the existing facility management device. Furthermore, it becomes possible to accommodate a service control device that provides various services that are different from each other in a single facility management device. By increasing the number of service control devices accommodated in one equipment management device,
The equipment cost of the entire system can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of contents of a node management DB.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of contents of an interface management DB.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an interface-related operation of the equipment management device of the exemplary embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Equipment management terminal 20 Equipment management device 21 Interface control unit 22 node management DB 23 Interface Management DB 30 Service control device 31 Service execution environment 32 common PF

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5B042 GC18 GC20 JJ03 JJ05                 5B082 EA07                 5B085 AA01 AA03 AA08 CC17                 5K026 AA09 AA23 BB01 GG27                 5K051 AA09 CC01 EE01 FF01 HH17                       KK05

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A service control device for giving an operation instruction to a plurality of transmission exchanges connecting a transmission path of a signal containing at least one of voice, video and data between communication terminal devices, and equipment of a plurality of service control devices. A multiple interface management method for facility operations used in a communication service control network, comprising: a facility management device that collectively performs facility management such as collection and analysis of operating conditions and failure conditions. And an interface between a common platform that provides basic functions and a service execution environment that is applied when the service control device executes a service scenario necessary to realize a service, For each of the common platform and the service execution environment, Managing a plurality of version number information on the equipment management device, the equipment management device according to the information input to the equipment management device version information of the common platform and version information of the service execution environment The equipment management device acquires the command information and the message information associated with the acquired version number information, and uses the acquired command information and message information between the equipment management device and each service control device. A method for managing multiple interfaces of equipment operation, characterized by performing communication with a device. 2. A service control device for giving an operation instruction to a plurality of transfer exchanges for connecting a transmission path of a signal containing at least one of voice, video and data between communication terminal devices, and equipment of a plurality of service control devices. A multiple interface management device for facility operations used in a communication service control network, which includes a facility management device that collectively performs facility management such as collection and analysis of operating conditions and failure conditions, and a basic function of the service control device. In the case where each service control device has an interface that is separated in advance from a common platform to be provided and a service execution environment that is applied when the service control device executes a service scenario required to realize a service, For each node corresponding to each control device, That the node management means for holding the version number information and the version number information of the file related to the service execution environment file, the information of at least commands and messages utilized in communication between the equipment managing device and the service control device,
Interface management means for holding each version number of the common platform and each version number of the service execution environment, and version number information of the file is acquired from the node management means according to the information input to the equipment management device. Along with
Communication control for acquiring at least command and message information from the interface management unit according to version number information, and performing communication between the facility management apparatus and each service control apparatus using the acquired command information and message information And a plurality of interface management devices for facility operations.