JP4354357B2 - Packet processing module - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a packet subscriber processor (PPM: Packet) installed in a station of a PDC (Personal Domain Cellular) network together with a mobile communication subscriber line signaling device (hereinafter referred to as MLE). The present invention relates to an operation management technology of a processing module (hereinafter referred to as a packet processing module).

FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of a conventional packet processing module.
In FIG. 6, a packet processing module (PPM) 410 includes a packet gateway (Packet GateWay, indicated by PGW in the figure) 401 and a mobile communication subscriber switch (Mobile Local Switch, indicated by MLS in the figure) 420. It is located in between, and mainly fulfills the function of relaying packet transmission / reception between the plurality of MLEs 421 provided in the mobile communication subscriber exchange 420 and the packet gateway 401.

The packet gateway 401 shown in FIG. 6 is connected to another packet gateway (not shown) via a PDC packet network (shown as a PDC-P network in the figure), and is connected to this PDC packet network. The packet server 402 has a function of connecting each packet gateway connected to the PDC packet network to the Internet.
In the packet processing module 410 shown in FIG. 6, a highway switch (indicated by symbol HWSW in the figure) 411 accommodates up to 96 2 MB highways from the mobile communication subscriber switch 420, and up to 8 8 MB Convert to highway. The MLE interface 412 provided in the highway switch 411 exchanges packet data with the plurality of MLEs 421 described above.

  In the PDC mobile communication service, the packet communication function has been developed as an additional function of the voice call function. For this reason, in the PDC system, data for packet communication is exchanged using the wireless communication function of the mobile communication modem (MDE) 403 for voice calls. For this reason, packet switching in the PDC packet communication service is realized by using technology that is highly compatible with circuit switching technology for voice call services and also using part of the capabilities of voice call service facilities. Has been. As a result, systems have been configured on the premise that an MLE for circuit switching and a packet processing module are provided in the same station.

For these reasons, LAPB (Link Access Procedure-Balanced) is adopted as a transmission protocol for a path connecting the MLE and the packet processing module.
The LAPB signal related to the packet data exchanged through the MLE interface 412 is terminated by the relay function unit 413 of the packet processing module 410 shown in FIG. 6, and is relayed to the PDC packet network as a packet according to the UDP / IP protocol. The

On the other hand, when a packet communication module 410 receives an incoming voice call to a user in packet communication, the packet processing module 410 notifies the calling subscriber that the destination subscriber is in packet communication by voice. It is also responsible for the function. The UDP / IP packet including the information for notification as described above reaching the packet processing module 410 via the PDC packet network shown in FIG. 6 is switched by the relay function unit 413 by the switch hub (indicated by the symbol SW in the figure). -It is passed to a packet line processing unit (Packet Line Unit, hereinafter abbreviated as PLU) 415 connected via 414. This UDP / IP packet is converted into a LAPB signal in this PLU 415 and transferred to a voice processing device (Speech Processing Equipment, indicated by SPE in the figure) 423 of the mobile communication subscriber switch 420 via the highway switch 411. The
Kazutomo Saito, “Trends in the rapidly expanding 3G mobile phone base station market” (1), Chapter 2 “Configuration and types of radio base station equipment”, [online], Vagabond, Inc. [2004.6.21], Internet <URL: shop.ns-reseach.jp/shijoh.pdf> Hiroyuki Morikawa, “Mobile Internet”, [online], [2004.6.21], Internet <URL: www.soi.wide.ad.jp/class/2000002/slides/08-5k>

  The relay function unit 413 of the packet processing module 410 shown in FIG. 6 includes a duplicated hard disk in order to perform such a very complicated function. However, even if it is duplicated, there is no possibility that the relay function unit 413 may stop functioning due to a hard disk failure, and the function of the relay function unit 413 stops due to other causes. Is also possible. If the relay function unit 413 of the packet processing module 410 stops functioning, the mobile communication subscriber switch 420 connected to the packet processing module 410 has no obstacles. The entire node including both the mobile communication subscriber switch 420 and the packet processing module 410 goes down, and the packet service is completely interrupted.

As a countermeasure for preventing such interruption of the packet service, it is conceivable to duplicate the packet processing module and operate the standby packet processing module in place of the packet processing module in which the failure has occurred.
However, since the cost required for duplicating the packet processing module in each node is too large, such a countermeasure is not practical.

  On the other hand, for example, if a spare packet processing module is to be shared between a plurality of physically separated nodes, there is a problem in that the interface between the MLE and the packet processing module has a cable length limitation. Become. That is, since the LAPB is adopted as a transmission protocol between the MLE and the packet processing module, the physical distance between the mobile communication subscriber exchange equipped with the MLE and the packet processing module is set to the LAPB line. It is a problem that it cannot extend beyond the length limit (400 m).

  On the other hand, there is a question about the necessity of installing a facility for voice communication and a facility for packet communication in all the stations. Because in regions where a sufficient number of subscribers cannot be expected, the performance achieved by installing packet communication equipment for each voice communication equipment does not match the cost of the equipment. It is clear.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a packet processing module that can be installed regardless of a physical distance from a mobile communication subscriber switch.

A first packet processing module according to the present invention includes an interface device including a conversion unit, and a relay control device including a relay function unit and an inverse conversion unit.
The principle of the first packet processing module according to the present invention is as follows.
A packet processing module for relaying a signal for packet communication service between a mobile communication subscriber line signaling device and a packet gateway, between a transmission protocol between the mobile communication subscriber line signaling device and a packet gateway In a packet processing module having a relay function unit that collectively performs call processing and relay processing related to packet transmission services and conversion to a transmission protocol, an interface device communicates with a mobile communication subscriber line signal device according to the LAPB protocol. Communicate. In the packet processing module, the relay control device has a relay function unit, and relays packets to / from the interface device via the network to the packet gateway. In the interface device, the converting means converts the signal conforming to the LAPB protocol received from the mobile communication subscriber line signal device into a packet conforming to the TCP / IP protocol, sends the packet to the network, and conforms to the TCP / IP protocol received via the network. The packet is converted into a signal conforming to the LAPB protocol and sent to the mobile communication subscriber line signal device. In the relay control device, the reverse conversion means converts a packet conforming to the TCP / IP protocol received via the network into a signal conforming to the LAPB protocol, sends the signal to the relay functional unit, and transmits a signal conforming to the LAPB protocol received from the relay functional unit. It is converted into a packet conforming to the TCP / IP protocol and sent to the network.

The operation of the first packet processing module configured as described above is as follows.
The LAPB packet from the mobile communication subscriber line signal device is converted into a TCP / IP packet by the conversion means of the interface device, and passed to the relay control device via the network. This TCP / IP packet is converted into a LAPB packet by an inverse conversion means provided in the relay control device, and is input to the relay function unit as a LAPB packet from the mobile communication subscriber line signal device. On the other hand, the LAPB packet sent from the relay function unit to the mobile communication subscriber line signal device is converted into a TCP / IP packet by the reverse conversion means provided in the relay control device, and passed to the interface device via the network. . This TCP / IP packet is converted into a LAPB packet by conversion means provided in the interface device, and passed to the mobile communication subscriber line signal device as a LAPB packet from the relay function unit.

  In this manner, means for mutually converting the LAPB packet and the TCP / IP packet are arranged on the mobile communication subscriber line signal device side and the relay function unit side, respectively, and serve as an interface with the mobile communication subscriber line signal device. By connecting the interface device and the relay control device including the relay function unit via a network, the interface device and the relay control device constituting the packet processing module can be physically separated from each other.

A second packet processing module according to the present invention includes an interface device including a conversion unit, a relay control device including a relay function unit, an inverse conversion unit, a management information storage unit, and an operation information management unit, and a path setting device It consists of.
The principle of the second packet processing module according to the present invention is as follows.
A packet processing module for relaying a signal for packet communication service between a mobile communication subscriber line signaling device and a packet gateway, between a transmission protocol between the mobile communication subscriber line signaling device and a packet gateway In a packet processing module having a relay function unit that collectively performs call processing and relay processing for conversion to a transmission protocol and packet communication service, at least one interface device communicates with a mobile communication subscriber line signaling device. Perform signal communication according to the protocol. In the packet processing module, at least one relay control device has a relay function unit, and relays a packet exchanged with a corresponding interface device via a network to the packet gateway. In the packet processing module, the route setting device associates each at least one interface device with any one of at least one relay control device, and sets a transmission route through the network. In at least one interface device, the converting means converts the signal conforming to the LAPB protocol received from the mobile communication subscriber line signal device into a packet conforming to the TCP / IP protocol, sends the packet to the network, and receives the TCP / IP received via the network. A packet conforming to the IP protocol is converted into a signal conforming to the LAPB protocol and transmitted to the mobile communication subscriber line signal device. In at least one relay control device, the reverse conversion means converts a packet conforming to the TCP / IP protocol received via the network into a signal conforming to the LAPB protocol, sends the signal to the relay functional unit, and receives the LAPB protocol received from the relay functional unit. Is converted into a packet conforming to the TCP / IP protocol and transmitted to the network. Similarly, the management information storage means stores management information necessary for packet relay processing corresponding to each of at least one interface device. Similarly, the operation information management means selectively inputs the management information stored in the management information storage means corresponding to the interface device associated with the transmission path set by the path setting device to the relay function unit and relays it. Used for function operation processing.

The operation of the second packet processing module configured as described above is as follows.
Similar to the first packet processing module described above, each interface device and each relay control device are provided with means for mutually converting a LAPB packet and a TCP / IP packet. Further, along with the setting of the transmission path by the path setting device, the management information corresponding to the interface device connected by the transmission path on the network is read from the management information storage unit by the operation information management unit, and each relay control device Is input to the relay function unit. Therefore, for example, n interface devices and n relay control devices can be freely installed, and a transmission path for connecting each of the n interface devices to each of the n relay control devices by the path setting device on the network. By setting, it is possible to operate as n packet processing modules regardless of the physical position of each interface device and each relay control device.

Also, if the transmission path connecting each of the interface devices installed at a plurality of physically separated locations and one relay control device is set by the route setting device, one relay control device can be connected by these interface devices. A shared configuration can be realized.
A third packet processing module according to the present invention includes the above-described route setting device including route control means, monitoring means, and setting instruction means.

The principle of the third packet processing module according to the present invention is as follows.
In the route setting device provided in the second packet processing module described above, the route control means sets a transmission route on the network connecting at least one interface device and the active relay control device associated therewith. The monitoring means monitors the operation of the current relay control device. When the monitoring unit detects any failure of the active relay control device, the setting instruction unit includes a standby relay control device that is not associated with at least one interface device and a relay control device that has detected the failure. It instructs the route control means to set a transmission route on the network connecting the corresponding interface device.

The operation of the third packet processing module configured as described above is as follows.
For example, when a transmission path is set between n interface devices and n relay control devices by the path control means, and these are operating as n packet processing modules, The provided monitoring means monitors the operation of these active relay control devices. Then, when a failure occurs in one of the active relay control devices, the setting instruction means determines whether the interface that has been opposed to the standby relay control device and the standby relay control device according to the monitoring result indicating that. Instructs the route control means to set a transmission route to and from the device. As a result, instead of the relay control device in which the failure is detected, the standby relay control device can be operated as the current one, and the function of the original relay control device can be assumed. In other words, in such a packet processing device, by preparing n + 1 relay control devices for n interface devices, by providing one standby relay control device, physically separated stations It is possible to back up the n active relay control devices arranged in the network.

  In the first packet processing module described above, the relay function unit in the packet processing module can be freely installed regardless of the physical distance from the mobile communication subscriber line signaling device. A relay function unit, which is the main body of the packet processing module, can be installed independently of the mobile communication subscriber switch equipped with the subscriber line signal device. As a result, for example, all mobile communication subscriber line signaling devices provided in the mobile communication subscriber exchanges respectively set in a plurality of stations physically separated from each other are moved to one of these stations. The packet processing module can be accommodated in a packet processing module that is provided alongside the communication subscriber switch, and this packet processing module can be responsible for packet communication processing related to subscribers in an area corresponding to the above-described plurality of mobile communication subscriber switches.

  In the second packet processing module, at least one mobile communication subscriber line signal device and at least one packet processing module can be operated in any combination according to variations in route setting on the network. Thereby, for example, the processing capability of the packet processing module can be effectively distributed in response to a bias in packet communication traffic in the region and a change in the bias.

In this way, the facility for mobile communication is obtained by the degree of freedom of arrangement obtained by removing the restrictions on the arrangement place of the mobile communication subscriber line signal device and the arrangement place of the relay function unit which is the main body of the packet processing module. Can be used more effectively.
On the other hand, in the third packet processing module, for example, one relay function unit is positioned as an alternative to n relay function units operating as active, and regardless of the physical position of the relay function unit in which the failure has occurred. The active relay function unit can be backed up by this alternative relay function unit. Thereby, the reliability of the packet communication service can be further improved.

  In the packet processing module according to the present invention, neither the relay function unit nor the mobile communication subscriber line signal device needs to be aware of the mutual connection via the network. It is one of the important advantages of the present invention that can be used as it is.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a first packet processing module according to the present invention.
1 that are the same as those shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 6 and description thereof is omitted.
The packet processing module shown in FIG. 1 includes an interface device 210 directly connected to a mobile communication subscriber line signaling device (MLE) and a relay control device 220 having a relay function unit 413 which is the heart of the packet processing module. Connected via a network.

  In the interface device 210 shown in FIG. 1, the LAPB termination unit 211 converts the LAPB signal received from the MLE interface 412 into an IP packet, sends it to the IP network via the router 212, and receives it via the router 212. The IP packet is converted into a LAPB signal and sent to the mobile communication subscriber line signal device via the MLE interface 412.

  On the other hand, in the relay control device 220 shown in FIG. 1, the packet termination unit 222 converts the IP packet received from the router 221 into a LAPB signal and inputs the LAPB signal to the relay function unit 413 and receives it from the relay function unit 413. The LAPB signal is converted into an IP packet destined for the above-described LAPB termination unit 211 and sent to the IP network via the router 221.

In the packet processing module configured as described above, the LAPB signal input from the MLE provided in the mobile communication subscriber exchange (not shown) to the highway switch 411 is input to the LAPB termination unit 211 via the MLE interface 412. Then, it is converted into an IP packet destined for the packet termination unit 222 provided in the relay control device 220.
This IP packet is sent out to the IP network by the router 212 and passed to the packet termination unit 222 by the router 221 provided in the relay control device 220. Then, the packet termination unit 222 performs inverse conversion into a LAPB signal, and passes it to the relay function unit 413 as a LAPB signal equivalent to that directly passed from the MLE interface 412.

On the other hand, the LAPB signal including information that the relay function unit 413 transmits to the mobile communication subscriber line signaling device via the MLE interface 412 is transmitted to the IP addressed to the LAPB termination unit 211 of the interface device 210 by the packet termination unit 222. It is converted into a packet and sent to the IP network via the router 221.
When the IP packet reaches the router 212 of the interface device 210, the router 212 extracts the IP packet and passes it to the LAPB termination unit 211. Then, the LAPB termination unit 211 converts it back to a LAPB signal, and passes it to the MLE interface 412 as a LAPB signal equivalent to that directly passed from the relay function unit 413.

Similarly, exchange of UDP / IP packets between the relay function unit 413 and the PLU 415 is performed via the router 212 provided in the interface device 210, the IP network, and the router 221 provided in the relay control device 220. It has been realized.
As described above, in the first packet processing module shown in FIG. 1, the interface device 210 responsible for the direct interface function with the MLE, and the relay function responsible for the substantial relay function in the PDC packet network A relay control device 220 having a unit is provided with a LAPB termination unit 211 and a packet termination unit 222 each having a function of mutually converting a LAPB signal and an IP packet. As a result, the interface device 210 and the relay control device 220 can be connected via the IP network, so that the interface device 210 and the relay control device 220 can be installed regardless of the cable length restriction defined by the LAPB protocol. That is, the relay control device 220 including the relay function unit 413 that performs substantial processing of the packet processing module can be installed regardless of the installation location of the mobile communication subscriber switch to which the accommodated MLE belongs.

Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of mobile communication subscriber line signal devices installed in different stations (shown as station 1 to station n in FIG. 2) are connected to these stations. It can also be accommodated in one packet processing module installed in either.
In the example shown in FIG. 2, the above-described interface device 210 is installed corresponding to the mobile communication subscriber switch (MLS) 420 installed in each station, and one of these stations (the station in FIG. 2). n), a relay control device 220 is installed, and the interface device 210 and the relay control device 220 are connected via an IP network, thereby comprising a plurality of interface devices 210 and one relay control device 220. A packet processing module is configured.

Next, a method for changing the correspondence between the mobile communication subscriber line signal device and the packet processing module will be described.
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a second packet processing module according to the present invention.
3 that are the same as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 1 and description thereof is omitted.

The packet processing module shown in FIG. 3 includes n interface devices 210 _{1 to} 210 _n installed in different stations, and m relay control devices 220 _{1 to} 220 installed in different stations. (in FIG. 3, an ellipse) IP networks and _m is constituted by connecting through.
3 controls the route setting operation by the router 212 provided in each of the interface devices 210 _{1 to} 210 _n and the router 221 provided in each of the relay control devices 220 _{1 to} 220 _m. Thus, a transmission path on the IP network that connects them to each other is formed.

On the other hand, the station data management unit 232 shown in FIG. 3 receives information on the transmission path formed on the IP network from the path management unit 231, and based on this information, each interface stored in the station data storage unit 233. Appropriate information is selected from the information regarding the devices 210 _{1 to} 210 _n and set in the relay function units 413 provided in the relay control devices 220 _{1 to} 220 _m .

The station data storage unit 233 includes, for example, information necessary for the relay function unit 413 to perform a relay function, such as information related to the lines accommodated by the interface devices 210 corresponding to the interface devices 210 _{1 to} 210 _n. Information is accumulated.
Next, operations of the route management unit 231 and the station data management unit 232 illustrated in FIG. 3 will be specifically described.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the second packet processing module according to the present invention.
In the example shown in FIG. 4A, interface devices 210 ₁ , 210 ₂ , and 210 ₃ are respectively installed at _three stations (shown as stations A, B, and C in FIG. 4). In A and B, relay control devices 220 ₁ and 220 ₂ are installed, respectively.
Address indicating the route management unit 231 shown in FIG. 4, the router 221 provided in by relay control unit 220 ₁ installed in the same station building A to a router 212 provided in the interface device 210 ₁ as the destination of the IP packet And an address indicating the above-described router 212 is set as a transfer destination of the IP packet in the router 221 to form a transmission path that connects them (indicated by a thick double arrow in FIG. 4). Based on the information indicating that the interface device 210 ₁ and the relay control device 220 ₁ are associated with each other by the transmission path formed in this way, the station data management unit 232 corresponds to the interface device 210 _1. by setting the station data stored in the Te station data storage unit 233 to the relay function unit 413 of the relay control unit 220 _1, the relay function unit 413, a packet relay to a mobile communication network contained in the interface unit 210 ₁ Processing can be executed.

Similarly, the route management unit 231 establishes transmission routes respectively connecting the interface devices 210 ₂ and 210 ₃ installed in different stations and the relay control device 220 ₂ set in the station B on the IP network. Can be formed. Further, based on such information on the transmission path, the station data management unit 232 relays the station data stored in the station data storage unit 233 corresponding to the interface devices 210 ₂ and 210 ₃ to the relay controller 220 ₂ . By setting the function unit 413, it is possible to cause the relay function unit 413 to execute both the packet relay processing relating to the mobile communication lines accommodated in the interface devices 210 ₂ and 210 ₃ respectively.

In the packet processing module configured as described above, the router 212 provided in the interface devices 210 ₁ , 210 ₂ , and 210 ₃ and the router 212 provided in the relay control devices 220 ₁ and 220 ₂ via the route management unit 231. 4 changes the address of the destination to which the IP packet is transferred, so that the interface devices 210 ₁ , 210 ₂ , 210 ₃ and the relay control devices 220 ₁ , 220 ₂ are associated with each other as shown in FIG. Can be changed.

  By changing the association in this way, it is possible to match the actual traffic in the actual network. For example, the change from the association shown in FIG. 4 (a) to the association shown in FIG. 4 (b) is caused by the traffic related to packet communication accommodated in the mobile communication subscriber switch in the station B. This is effective when there is a tendency to become larger than the traffic related to the packet communication corresponding to the station A.

Further, in addition to the existing relay control device 220, only a relay control device (not shown) is newly installed, and this new relay control device is an interface device corresponding to a mobile communication subscriber exchange whose traffic is increasing. By setting the station data related to the mobile communication subscriber exchange, it is possible to carry out the relay processing related to the packet communication accommodated in the mobile communication subscriber exchange.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, instead of intensively arranging the station data storage unit 233, a similar station data storage unit 233 is arranged in each relay control device 220, and the station data management unit 232 The station data to be set in the relay function unit 413 of each relay control device 220 can be specified based on the information received from the route management unit 231.

Next, a method for backing up n relay control devices by one relay control device will be described.
FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a third packet processing module according to the present invention.
5 that are equivalent to the components shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and the description thereof is omitted.

In the IP network indicated by an ellipse in FIG. 5, as indicated by a thick double arrow, a transmission path connecting the interface device 210 ₁ and the relay control device 220 ₁ , the interface devices 210 ₂ and 210 _3, and the relay control device. 220 ₂ is formed, and these relay control devices 220 ₁ and 220 ₂ operate as the active relay control devices. Further, in FIG. 5, the relay control unit 220 ₃ installed in the station C are arranged as an alternative to the working system of the relay control unit.

The backup management unit 234 illustrated in FIG. 5 determines the relay control devices 220 ₁ and 220 ₂ that are operating as the active system based on the information regarding the transmission path received from the path management unit 231, and these relay control devices 220. monitors _1, 220 ₂ of the operation for detecting the occurrence of a failure.
For example, the backup management unit 234 exchanges fill-in signals with the active relay control devices 220 ₁ and 220 ₂ periodically (for example, at intervals of 1 minute), and fill-in signals from the other party are determined in advance. If it is not returned beyond the predetermined period, it is determined that a failure has occurred in the relay control device.

When this way to detect the occurrence of a failure, the backup management unit 234, as described below, by replacing the alternative to the relay control unit 220 _3, maintaining the packet processing function.
For example, determination when fill signal from the relay control unit 220 ₁ which is installed in the station A is interrupted for more than 3 minutes, the backup management unit 234 fails this relay control unit 220 ₁ and, the path management unit 231 instructs to switch the interface device 210 ₁ of the connection destination to the relay control unit 220 ₃ from the relay control unit 220 _1.

In response to this instruction, the path management unit 231, and sets the address of the relay control unit 220 ₃ router 221 to the interface device 210 _first router 212 as a transfer destination of the IP packet, the router 221 of the relay control unit 220 ₃ as a transfer destination of the IP packet to the address of the interface apparatus 210 _first router 212.
Information Further, in this way, after forming the transmission path on the IP network connecting the interface device 220 ₁ and the relay control unit 220 ₃ (shown by a dotted line in FIG. 5), the path management unit 231 relates the transmission path the pass to station data management unit 232 requests the setting of the appropriate station data to the relay control unit 220 _3.

Based on information on the transmission path, station data management unit 232 reads the station data corresponding to the station data storage unit 233 interface apparatus 210 ₁ destination is changed from, provided the relay control unit 220 ₃ Set in the relay function unit 413.
Thus, instead of the relay control unit 220 ₁ of a failure, by using the relay control unit 220 ₃ which has been provided as an alternative, a packet communication process relating to the mobile communication network contained in the interface unit 210 ₁ Can continue.

Of course, if a failure occurs in the relay control unit 220 ₂ also, similarly, can be backed up packet communication processing function by the relay control unit 220 _3.

  As described above, in the packet processing module according to the present invention, the relay function unit, which is a main component of the packet processing module, can be arranged regardless of the distance from the mobile communication subscriber switch. Thus, since the packet processing module can be installed with a high degree of freedom, for example, it becomes possible to have one relay function unit perform the packet communication relay function related to the lines of a plurality of mobile communication subscriber exchanges. In such a configuration, the cost for the equipment for packet communication corresponding to each mobile communication subscriber exchange can be greatly reduced as compared with the conventional one, and particularly in an area where many users cannot expect. It is extremely effective in the development of mobile communications business.

  Further, in the packet processing module of the present invention, the correspondence between the interface device that is responsible for the interface with the mobile communication subscriber exchange and the relay function unit that performs the substantial processing of the packet relay processing can be flexibly changed. Measures such as changing the correspondence between the interface part and the relay function unit or adding only the relay control device including the relay function unit when there is a change in the traffic distribution related to packet communication in the region Can be hit quickly. Thereby, the serviceability in the mobile packet communication service business can be improved.

  On the other hand, in the packet processing module of the present invention, a plurality of active relay control devices can be backed up by, for example, one alternative relay control device. It is possible to prevent a node from being down due to a failure of a hard disk provided in the relay function unit and maintain a packet communication service. Thereby, the improvement of the reliability of a packet communication service and the reduction of the cost concerning an installation can be made compatible.

It is a figure which shows embodiment of the 1st packet processing module concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows another embodiment of the 1st packet processing module concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows embodiment of the 2nd packet processing module concerning this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of a 2nd packet processing module. It is a figure which shows embodiment of the 3rd packet processing module concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the conventional packet processing module (PPM).

Explanation of symbols

210 Interface device 211 LAPB termination unit 212, 221 Router 220 Relay control device 221 Router 222 Packet termination unit 231 Path management unit 232 Station data management unit 233 Station data storage unit 234 Backup management unit 401 Packet gateway (PGW)
402 packet server 403 mobile communication modem (MDE)
410 Packet processing module (PPM)
411 Highway switch (HWSW)
412 MLE interface 413 Relay function unit 414 Switch hub (SW-Hub)
415 Line processing unit (PLU)
420 Mobile Communications Switching (MLS)
421 Subscriber line signaling equipment for mobile communications (MLE)
423 Speech processing equipment (SPE)

Claims (3)

A packet processing module for relaying a signal for a packet communication service between a mobile communication subscriber line signaling device and a packet gateway, the transmission protocol between the mobile communication subscriber line signaling device and the packet gateway; In a packet processing module having a relay function unit that collectively performs call processing and relay processing related to conversion between transmission protocols and packet communication services,
An interface device for performing signal communication according to the LAPB protocol with the mobile communication subscriber line signaling device;
Having the relay function unit, and comprising a relay control device that relays the interface device and a packet exchanged via the network to the packet gateway;
The interface device converts a signal conforming to the LAPB protocol received from the mobile communication line signal device into a packet conforming to the TCP / IP protocol, sends the packet to the network, and conforms to the TCP / IP protocol received via the network. Conversion means for converting a packet into a signal in accordance with the LAPB protocol and sending the signal to the mobile communication line signal device;
The relay control device converts a packet conforming to the TCP / IP protocol received via the network into a signal conforming to the LAPB protocol and sends the signal to the relay functional unit, and transmits a signal conforming to the LAPB protocol received from the relay functional unit to the TCP. A packet processing module comprising: a reverse conversion means for converting the packet into a packet conforming to the IP protocol and sending the packet to the network. A packet processing module for relaying a signal for a packet communication service between a mobile communication subscriber line signaling device and a packet gateway, the transmission protocol between the mobile communication subscriber line signaling device and the packet gateway; In a packet processing module having a relay function unit that collectively performs call processing and relay processing related to conversion between transmission protocols and packet communication services,
At least one interface device for performing signal communication with the mobile communication subscriber line signaling device according to the LAPB protocol;
Having at least one relay function unit, and at least one relay control device that relays a packet exchanged with the corresponding interface device via a network to the packet gateway;
Each of the at least one interface device is associated with any one of the at least one relay control device, and is configured from a route setting device that sets a transmission route via the network,
The at least one interface device converts a signal conforming to the LAPB protocol received from the mobile communication subscriber line signaling device into a packet conforming to the TCP / IP protocol, sends the packet to the network, and transmits the TCP / IP received via the network. Conversion means for converting a packet conforming to the IP protocol into a signal conforming to the LAPB protocol, and transmitting the signal to the mobile communication subscriber line signaling device;
The at least one relay control device includes:
A packet conforming to the TCP / IP protocol received via the network is converted into a signal conforming to the LAPB protocol and transmitted to the relay function unit, and a signal conforming to the LAPB protocol received from the relay function unit is converted into a packet conforming to the TCP / IP protocol. Inverse conversion means for converting and sending to the network;
Management information storage means for storing management information necessary for packet relay processing corresponding to each of the at least one interface device;
Relay function operation processing by selectively inputting management information stored in the management information storage means corresponding to the interface device associated with the transmission path set by the path setting device to the relay function unit And a packet processing module characterized by comprising operational information management means for use. The packet processing module according to claim 2,
The route setting device includes:
Route control means for setting a transmission route on a network connecting the at least one interface device and the currently used relay control device associated therewith;
Monitoring means for monitoring the operation of the active relay control device;
When the monitoring unit detects any failure of the active relay control device, it corresponds to a standby relay control device that is not associated with the at least one interface device and the relay control device that has detected the failure. A packet processing module comprising: setting instruction means for instructing the route control means to set a transmission path on a network connecting to the interface device.

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