JP7017984B2 - Signal relay system and switching method - Google Patents

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act December 19, 2017 Published at NTT Communications Group Kaizen Presentation

The present invention relates to a signal relay device for relaying a signal, and particularly to a technique for renewing the signal relay device.

The control signal for connecting and disconnecting the telephone, or the control signal for controlling various services provided by the telephone network, is a network of a common line signal system (eg, Signaling System No. 7, SS7). It is transmitted by the common line signal network.

The common line signal network is provided with an STP (Signaling Transfer Point), which is a node for relaying signals. For example, a signal transmitted from SEP (Signaling End Point), which is a node of a telephone network, is received by an STP in a common line signal network, the STP transfers a signal to another STP, and the other STP transfers the signal to the other STP. To another network node.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 09-102820

In a telephone network that spans multiple countries, such as an international telephone network, the common line signal network also spans multiple countries. For example, a telecommunications carrier in one country operates STP-A, a telecommunications carrier in another country operates STP-B, and STP-A and STP-B send and receive signals to and from the international telephone network. Telephone connection etc. is realized.

Generally, when the equipment becomes old, the equipment (old equipment) is discarded and new equipment is introduced. This is referred to as the renewal of old equipment. In addition, "renewal" may be paraphrased as "update". The same applies to STP, and if it becomes obsolete, it will be renewed.

However, when multiple STPs are operated across multiple countries as described above, in order to renew the STPs of one country, it is necessary to change the STP settings of other countries that communicate with the STPs. However, there was a problem that it took a lot of time for adjustment and the like.

The above-mentioned problem is not limited to the case where a plurality of STPs are operated over a plurality of countries, but is a problem that may occur when a plurality of STPs are operated in the same country. Further, the above-mentioned problem is not limited to STP, but is a problem that can occur in all devices that relay signals.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of promptly updating a signal relay device.

According to the disclosed technology, it is a signal relay system for relaying signals.
Signal switching device and
A signal relay device connected to the signal switching device is provided.
The signal switching device is provided with a signal relay system characterized by receiving a signal transmitted from another signal relay device to the signal relay device and transmitting the signal to the signal relay device.

According to the disclosed technology, there is provided a technology that enables the signal relay device to be updated quickly.

It is a figure for demonstrating the outline of a common line signal network. It is a figure which shows an example of the table held by STP. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the renewal of STP. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the renewal of STP. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the renewal of STP. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the renewal of STP. It is a figure for demonstrating the renewal of STP in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the renewal of STP in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the renewal of STP in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the renewal of STP in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the renewal of STP in embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the signal relay device 200. It is a figure which shows the hardware configuration example of the signal relay apparatus 100.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, the international signal network, which is a common line signal network corresponding to the international telephone network, will be described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to a signal network closed in one country.

Further, in the example described below, a common line signal system such as SS7 will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the common line signal system and can be applied to all systems for relaying signals.

(About the overall configuration)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a network including a common line signal network, which is a target in the present embodiment.

The common line signal network is a network for transmitting and receiving control signals for providing various services such as connection / disconnection of telephones and transfer of location information of roaming services, in addition to communication paths such as telephone voice. As shown in FIG. 1, a common line signal network 1 and a telephone network 2 are shown. In the example shown in FIG. 1, only one telephone network 2 is shown as an example, but in general, a plurality of telephone networks are connected to the common line signal network 1. Further, the telephone network 2 may be a fixed telephone network or a mobile telephone network.

It is assumed that the common line signal network 1 in the present embodiment is an international common line signal network that spans a plurality of countries. For example, a country with STP3 (B) and STP3 (D) (eg Japan) is prepared and operated by a carrier in that country, and STP3 (A) and STP3 (C) are in different countries (eg US). ) Will be operated by a telecommunications carrier in the other country concerned.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the common line signal network 1 is a synchronous digital transmission network in which a line (channel) is identified by a time slot, but this is an example, and the common line signal network 1 is It may be a packet network such as an IP network.

The common line signal network 1 is generally provided with a plurality of STPs (Signaling Transfer Points) 3. STP3 is an example of a signal relay device.

The STP3 is a device that relays signals transmitted and received in the common line signal network 1. For example, a node such as an exchange or a gateway provided in the telephone network 2 becomes an SEP (Signaling End Point), the STP3 receives a signal transmitted from the SEP, and the STP3 transfers the signal to another STP.

An address called a signaling point code is assigned to the STP3. A plurality of signaling point codes may be assigned to one STP. When a plurality of signaling point codes are assigned to one STP, the signaling point code may be assigned to each line to which the STP is connected.

The SS7 common line signal system, signaling point code, etc. are described in, for example, ITU-T Q. 701-Q. 707 (MTP), Q. 708 (Signaling Point code), Q. It is specified in 711 to 714 (SCCP). It is assumed that the transmission / reception of signals in the present embodiment complies with these provisions. However, it is not essential that the transmission / reception of the signal in the present embodiment complies with these regulations, and an operation not defined in these regulations may be performed.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the signaling point code will be referred to as a point code.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the STP3 stores a table associated with a destination number, a destination point code, and a line (a "line" may be called a link). For example, when the STP3 receives a signal from a node of the telephone network 2 in which "1" is specified as a destination number (example: country code), the STP3 receives a destination corresponding to "1" based on the information shown in FIG. As the point code of, "Z-ZZ" is grasped, and the line A is grasped as a line for transferring a signal to STP3 whose point code is Z-ZZ.

Then, the STP3 transmits a signal including its own point code as a source point code and Z-ZZ as a transmission destination point code using the line A. In the STP of the transmission destination that receives the signal, for example, it is checked whether or not the destination point code is its own point code, and it is checked whether or not the signal has arrived correctly.

(About STP renewal: 1st renewal method)
If the STP3 becomes obsolete, it will be replaced with new equipment. As an example of the renewal method, the first renewal method will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. As shown in FIG. 3, in this example, a telecommunications carrier A, a telecommunications carrier B, and a telecommunications carrier C are shown. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the telecommunications carrier A is a US carrier and the telecommunications carriers B and C are Japanese carriers. Carrier A and carrier B each operate STP. Further, it is assumed that the telecommunications carrier C is a mobile phone telecommunications carrier, and FIG. 3 shows STP6 in the telecommunications carrier C.

In this embodiment, the operation is mainly described from the viewpoint of the telecommunications carrier B. As shown in FIG. 2, in a certain station building of the telecommunications carrier B, the current STP3 that is about to be discarded and the new STP4 that is the STP of the renewal destination are provided. Further, STP5 is provided in a certain station building of the telecommunications carrier A. The current STP3 has a redundant configuration. For example, a redundant current STP3 is installed in a station building in a different area (example: Osaka) from the station building where the current STP3 is installed (example: Tokyo). Will be installed.

At the stage before the renewal, the current STP3 and STP5 are connected by a TDM line (here, an E1 line as an example), and signals are transmitted and received via the E1 line. Further, X-XX is assigned as a point code to the current STP3, and Y-YY is assigned to the new STP.

From the viewpoint of the telecommunications carrier B, FIG. 3 shows one telecommunications carrier A on the relay side, but this is for convenience of illustration, and in reality, a plurality of telecommunications carriers A are shown on the relay side. The carrier is connected. The same applies to the telecommunications carrier C. For example, FIG. 3 shows that about 30 operators are connected to the relay side.

As shown in FIG. 3, in S1 which is the first step, prior to the renewal to the new STP4, a request is made to the partner carrier (telecommunications carrier A) between the new STP4 and the STP5 of the telecommunications carrier A. Build a new E1 line.

As shown in FIG. 4, after the E1 line is constructed, in S2, a signal from the carrier C (from Japan) to the carrier A is transmitted via the new STP (Y-YY).

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5, the telecommunications carrier B requests the telecommunications carrier A to send the signal from the telecommunications carrier A to the telecommunications carrier C to the new STP (Y-YY). .. That is, in the communication carrier A, in S3, the setting of STP5 is changed so that the signal destined for Japan is transmitted to Y-YY as a destination. Such setting changes are also carried out by other carriers (about 30 carriers) connected to the telecommunications carrier B.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the switching of all carriers is completed, in S4, the communication carrier C is asked to switch the setting so that the signal transmitted from the STP 6 passes through the new STP 4.

It is possible to carry out the renewal by the above procedure. However, in the first renewal method described above, the telecommunications carrier B carries out line construction work and point code change work for the new STP4 to be migrated in cooperation with the telecommunications carrier A, which is overseas for the telecommunications carrier B. There is a need to. Therefore, the telecommunications carrier B needs to negotiate with the overseas telecommunications carrier A in advance about the connection conditions and the migration method, and adjust the switching schedule, which causes a problem that it takes a long time to complete the switching to the new STP4. be. However, even with the first renewal method, if it is possible to carry out close cooperation, switching can be performed in a short time, so the first renewal method may be used. ..

Hereinafter, the second renewal method will be described as a technique capable of solving the above-mentioned problems and completing the renewal promptly.

(Second renewal method)
The second renewal method will be described with reference to the drawings. Similar to the example used in the first renewal method, in the second renewal method, as shown in FIG. 7, a telecommunications carrier A, a telecommunications carrier B, and a telecommunications carrier C are shown. As an example, carrier A is a US carrier and carrier B is a Japanese carrier. Carrier A and carrier B each operate STP. Further, it is assumed that the telecommunications carrier C is a mobile phone carrier, and FIG. 7 shows STP6 in the telecommunications carrier C.

As shown in FIG. 7, in a certain station building of the telecommunications carrier B, the current STP100 that is about to be discarded and the new STP200 that is the STP of the renewal destination are provided. Further, STP5 is provided in a certain station building of the telecommunications carrier A. The current STP100 has a redundant configuration. For example, a redundant current STP100 is installed in a station building in an area (example: Osaka) different from the station building in which the current STP100 is installed (example: Tokyo). Will be installed.

Seen from the telecommunications carrier B, FIG. 7 shows one telecommunications carrier A on the relay side, but this is for convenience of illustration, and in reality, there are a plurality of telecommunications carriers on the relay side. Is connected. The same applies to the telecommunications carrier C. For example, FIG. 7 shows that about 30 operators are connected to the relay side.

In the second renewal method, the telecommunications carrier B that carries out the renewal of the current STP 100 is provided with the cross-connect device 300. The cross-connect device 300 is a device that switches signals.

In the example of digital transmission, the cross-connect device 300 receives a signal placed in a certain time slot (corresponding to a line (which may be referred to as a channel)) and transfers the signal to another time slot (another line). ) To switch the signal.

The cross-connect device 300 is connected to the STP 5 of the communication carrier A by a line, and is also connected to each of the current STP 100 and the new STP 200 by a line. Further, the current STP100 and the new STP200 are connected by a line.

The cross-connect device 300 described in this embodiment is an example of a signal switching device. Depending on the type of network applied to the signal network (digital network, IP network, Ethernet (registered trademark) network, etc.), the signal switching device may be an exchange, a switch, or a router. It may be a device other than these.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the second renewal method, X-XX is assigned as a point code for communication with STP 5 in the current STP 100. It should be noted that the fact that a point code is given in a certain STP may be paraphrased as setting a point code in the STP.

Further, also in the new STP200, X-XX is given as a point code for communication with STP5. That is, the same point code is given to the current STP100 and the new STP200. The point code is, for example, ITU-T Q. 708 Signal Format MTP Q. 702 Network Indicator: International.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, in the second renewal method, V-VV is given to the current STP100 as a point code for communication between the current STP100 and the new STP200, and W- is given to the new STP200. WW is given. Each of V-VV and W-WW is not limited to a specific point code, but in the present embodiment, a point code (Network Indicator: International Spare) that is not assigned in each country is used as these point codes. is doing. This point code may be referred to as a private point code or a private address.

By using a point code that is not assigned in each country, it is possible to use a signal area that is not distributed in commercial traffic for communication between the current STP100 and the new STP200. That is, by logically separating the area between the current STP 100 and the new STP 200 from the area of commercial traffic, unintended signal inflow is prevented.

Hereinafter, an example of the renewal procedure in the second renewal method will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. In the following procedure, each device may automatically perform operations such as link blockage and setting change in each device based on a program or the like, or the operator may manually perform operations from an operator terminal or the like. May be.

As shown in FIG. 8, in S101, the existing link in the current STP100 (the line between the current STP100 and the cross-connect device 300 for communication with the STP5) is blocked, and the arrival / departure traffic in the current STP100 is made redundant. Detour via the current STP170. Bypassing the signal via the current redundant STP is an existing technology. A point code different from that of V-VV and X-XX is assigned to the redundant current STP 170.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, in S102, the connection between the STP 5 and the current STP 100 (eg, the path of DS0: 64 Kbps) is established between the STP 5 and the new STP 200 by changing the setting in the cross-connect device 300. Switch to connection.

By this switching, the signal transmitted from the STP 5 to the cross-connect device 300 before the switching and transmitted from the cross-connect device 300 to the current STP 100 is transmitted from the STP 5 to the cross-connect device 300 after the switching, and is transmitted from the cross-connect device 300. It will be sent to the new STP200. Further, the signal arriving at the new STP200 is transferred to STP6 of the communication carrier C. That is, the traffic to Japan will be via the new STP200.

Subsequently, in S103 of FIG. 10, a signal (signal originating in Japan) transmitted from the carrier C's STP6 to the carrier A is transmitted from the current STP100 (source point code is V-VV) to the new STP200. (The point code of the destination is W-WW) is transmitted by GT (Global Title) routing. The setting for this may be performed at the time of S103, or may be performed before S103. The GT routing is a routing based on a number described with reference to FIG. Further, as the routing here, a routing method other than GT routing may be used.

The signal arriving at the new STP 200 is transmitted to the STP 5 via the cross-connect device 300. As described above, (V-VV) and (W-WW) are point codes of an area (Network Indicator = International Spare) that cannot be seen by other telecommunications carriers (telecommunications carriers other than telecommunications carrier B).

As shown in FIG. 11, when the switching of all carriers is completed, in S104, the communication carrier C is asked to switch the setting so that the signal transmitted from the STP 6 passes through the new STP 200.

(Device configuration example)
FIG. 12 shows a configuration example of the signal relay device 110 described as STP in the present embodiment. The signal relay device 110 may be the current STP100 described in the second renewal method or the new STP200. FIG. 12 also shows a cross-connect device 300 connected to the signal relay device 110. As shown in FIG. 12, the signal relay device for renewal may not be provided before the renewal (before aging). Further, the cross-connect device 300 may not be provided before the renewal (before aging). A system having a signal relay device 110 and a cross-connect device 300 may be referred to as a signal relay system.

As shown in FIG. 12, the signal relay device 110 includes a communication unit 111 and a control unit 112. The communication unit 111 is a functional unit for transmitting and receiving signals, and is provided with one or a plurality of interfaces for connecting to one or a plurality of lines.

The control unit 112 holds, for example, the table shown in FIG. 2, and performs routing control based on numbers and point codes. For example, the control unit 112 checks the destination number in the signal received by the line connected to a certain interface, and based on the table of FIG. 2, determines the destination point code corresponding to the destination number and the line used for transmission. It grasps and instructs the communication unit 111 to transmit the signal on the line.

Further, the control unit 112 checks the point code of the transmission destination of the signal received from a certain line, checks whether the point code matches the point code corresponding to the line in the signal relay device 110, and matches. Then, the operation of determining that the signal is correct may be performed.

The signal relay device 110 can be realized by dedicated hardware, or can be realized by causing a general-purpose computer to execute a program describing the processing contents of the signal relay device 110.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the computer. The computer of FIG. 13 has a drive device 150, an auxiliary storage device 152, a memory device 153, a CPU 154, an interface device 155, a display device 156, an input device 157, and the like, which are connected to each other by a bus B, respectively.

The program that realizes the processing in the computer is provided by, for example, a recording medium 151 such as a CD-ROM or a memory card. When the recording medium 151 in which the program is stored is set in the drive device 150, the program is installed in the auxiliary storage device 152 from the recording medium 151 via the drive device 150. However, the program does not necessarily have to be installed from the recording medium 151, and may be downloaded from another computer via the network. The auxiliary storage device 152 stores the installed program and also stores necessary files, data, and the like.

The memory device 153 reads and stores the program from the auxiliary storage device 152 when the program is instructed to start. The CPU 154 realizes the function related to the device according to the program stored in the memory device 153. The interface device 155 is used as an interface for connecting to a network. The display device 156 displays a programmatic GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like. The input device 157 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, buttons, a touch panel, or the like, and is used for inputting various operation instructions.

(About the effect of the embodiment)
The second renewal method described above has at least the following three features. However, all three are not required.

(1) The same point code is assigned to the current STP100 and the new STP200 in order to make the signal destination the same for the connecting carrier (overseas communication carrier, etc.).

(2) A new point code that can be used only internally is assigned to each for internal signal communication between the current STP100 and the new STP200, and the signal area (Network Indicator: International Space) of SS7 that is not used in normal operation is used. By doing so, it is possible to logically isolate it from commercial communication and carry out the transition so as not to affect commercial communication.

(3) Regarding the physical switching from the current STP100 to the new STP200, for example, a device (cross-connect device) that enables cross-connect in units of DS0 (64 Kbps) between devices connected by a TDM (2ME1) interface. ) To switch. As a result, switching can be realized without changing the physical connection on the other side.

The second renewal method eliminates the need for switching work and settings of the other carrier (overseas telecommunications carrier, etc.), and makes it possible to renew the STP only by own work, and as a result, quickly switch to the new STP. You will be able to complete it.

(Summary of embodiments)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the signal relay system for relaying signals includes a signal switching device and a signal relay device connected to the signal switching device. The signal switching device is provided with a signal relay system characterized by receiving a signal transmitted from another signal relay device to the signal relay device and transmitting the signal to the signal relay device.

The signal relay system further includes an update signal relay device for updating the signal relay device, and the signal switching device receives a signal transmitted from the other signal relay device to the signal relay device. , The signal is transmitted to the update signal relay device.

The signal relay device and the update signal relay device may be assigned the same address as an address for communication with the other signal relay device.

As an address for communication between the signal relay device and the update signal relay device, a private address may be assigned to each of the signal relay device and the update signal relay device.

For example, the signal relay device and the other signal relay device are both devices that execute signal relay in the common line signal system.

Further, according to the present embodiment, it is a switching method in a signal relay system including a signal switching device, a signal relay device, and an update signal relay device, and in the signal switching device, the signal relay device is described as described above. The first setting of receiving the signal transmitted to the signal relay device and transmitting the signal to the signal relay device is received, and the signal transmitted from the other signal relay device to the signal relay device is received. Provided is a switching method comprising a step of switching to a second setting for transmitting the signal to the update signal relay device.

In the switching method, the signal relay device transmits a signal received from a node device connected to the signal relay device to the update signal relay device, and the update signal relay device transmits the signal to the signal. Further, a step of transmitting to the other relay signal device via the switching device may be provided.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such a specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. It is possible.

1 Common line signal network 2 Telephone network 3-6 STP
100, 170, 200 STP
300 Cross-connect device 110 Signal relay device 111 Communication unit 112 Control unit 150 Drive device 151 Recording medium 152 Auxiliary storage device 153 Memory device 154 CPU
155 Interface device 156 Display device 157 Input device

Claims (7)

It is a signal relay system for relaying signals.
Signal switching device and
A signal relay device connected to the signal switching device is provided.
The signal switching device is a signal relay system characterized in that it receives a signal transmitted from another signal relay device to the signal relay device and transmits the signal to the signal relay device. Further provided with an update signal relay device for updating the signal relay device,
The first aspect of claim 1, wherein the signal switching device receives a signal transmitted from the other signal relay device to the signal relay device, and transmits the signal to the update signal relay device. Signal relay system. The signal relay system according to claim 2, wherein the signal relay device and the update signal relay device are assigned the same address as an address for communication with the other signal relay device. A claim characterized in that a private address is assigned to each of the signal relay device and the update signal relay device as an address for communication between the signal relay device and the update signal relay device. Item 2. The signal relay system according to Item 2 or 3. The signal relay according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the signal relay device and the other signal relay device are both devices that execute signal relay in a common line signal system. system. It is a switching method in a signal relay system including a signal switching device, a signal relay device, and a signal relay device for updating.
In the signal switching device, the first setting of receiving a signal transmitted from another signal relay device to the signal relay device and transmitting the signal to the signal relay device is set from the other signal relay device. A switching method comprising a step of receiving a signal transmitted to a signal relay device and switching the signal to a second setting of transmitting the signal to the update signal relay device. The signal relay device transmits a signal received from a node device connected to the signal relay device to the update signal relay device, and the update signal relay device transmits the signal via the signal switching device. The switching method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of transmitting to the other signal relay device.

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