JPH07307794A - Method and device for testing interface identifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify and facilitate confirmation of an interface identifier by repeatedly testing a test signal while using an interface for recognizing the application of the interface identifier. CONSTITUTION:When information contained in an incoming number information request inside a message is matched with information held by an ISDN subscriber device 10 that receives a test start instruction message, the ISDN subscriber device 10 sets a repeat bus concerning a B channel on the designated interface and returns a response message, for which only the message class in the received message is changed, to an exchange 18 for station. Before a test start response timer is time-out, the exchange 18 which receives the test start response message transmits the test signal to the B channel on the designated interface, and that signal is repeated at the ISDN subscriber device 10 and returned to the exchange 18 for station. When this repeated signal is normal, a test end instruction message is transmitted to the ISDN subscriber device 10 and a test end response waiting timer is started.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an interface including a circuit-switched signal transfer channel and at least one interface not including the channel for each of a station-side device and a subscriber-side device that are mutually connected. An interface identifier test method and apparatus for confirming that the interface identifiers given to the interfaces match each other, particularly a primary group (PRI) interface (23B + D) composed of a D channel and a plurality of B channels in ISDN Interface or 30B + D interface) and multiple B
The interface identifiers assigned to each of the central office switch and the ISDN subscriber device (particularly, private branch exchange: PBX) mutually connected by a plurality of primary group interfaces (24B interface or 31B interface) configured by only channels , And an interface identifier test method and apparatus for confirming mutual agreement.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A PRI interface has a plurality of (2
3 or 30) consisting of a user information transfer channel (B channel) and one circuit-switched signal transfer channel (D channel) (referred to as 23B + D interface or 30B + D interface), and a plurality (24 or 31). There are two types, that is, a channel configured only with a user information transfer channel (referred to as a 24B interface or a 31B interface). The latter is used as a supplement to the former transmission capacity when the former alone cannot satisfy the transmission capacity required by one subscriber.

In this way, when the central office switch and one ISDN subscriber unit (for example, PBX) are connected by a plurality of PRI interfaces, the interface group consists of one interface including the D channel and only the B channel. It consists of a number of interfaces. All call control for the B channel on this interface group is performed by exchanging layer 3 messages using one D channel on the interface group. Therefore, in the layer 3 call control processing in this case, an interface identifier (Int. ID.) Is assigned to each interface in one interface group in order to recognize which B channel of the interface group is used for the call. While the B channels on each interface are numbered sequentially from 1. The former interface identifier is assigned to each of the central office switch and the ISDN subscriber unit when constructing the PRI interface group.

Therefore, if it is assumed that the central office switch and the ISD
If the interface identifiers do not match those of the N subscriber unit, the call control processing itself by layer 3 is apparently performed normally, but the central office switch and the ISDN subscriber unit have the same number on different interfaces. Since the B channel is hunted, there is a problem that the B channel path is not connected, user information such as a voice signal cannot be correctly exchanged, and a call cannot be made.

In order to avoid such a problem, as a method of confirming the coincidence of the interface identifiers, a call is actually set for all the interfaces after the construction of the PRI interface group and before the operation is started, and normal communication is performed. We are testing whether it is possible.

[0006]

An exchange for an office and an ISDN
Since the function of connecting to the subscriber device with a plurality of PRI interfaces is a recently developed function,
In order to confirm whether the PRI interface identifier required for the call control matches between the central office switch and the ISDN subscriber unit, a call is actually set up using the B channel on the interface to be confirmed. The only way is to process the call.

In addition, as a B channel hunt system, 1
After all the B channels on the interface are used up, the B channels on the next interface are hunted in order. Therefore, for example, Int. ID. = 1 of 2
3B + D interface and Int. ID. Assume that an interface group consisting of n-1 24B interfaces of = b to z is assembled. At this time, Int.
ID. = B interface, call Int.
ID. Must make at least 24 calls in order to verify that there is a match between the central office switch and the ISDN subscriber unit. Int. ID. = Z, in addition to making 23 + 24 × (n−2) +1 calls, I
nt. ID. There is no method to check whether or not the two match, which is very troublesome.

In addition, when an interface is added to an ISDN subscriber unit that is already in operation, performing the above-mentioned operation to confirm the interface may affect the operation of the existing interface. is there.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an interface identifier test method and apparatus which can confirm the interface identifier by a simple operation. Further, another object of the present invention is to provide an interface identifier test method and device capable of confirming an identifier of a specific added interface without affecting the operation of the existing interface when adding the interface. To provide.

[0010]

According to the present invention, a station-side device mutually connected by an interface including a circuit-switched signal transfer channel and at least one interface not including a circuit-switched signal transfer channel. An interface identifier test method for confirming that the interface identifier assigned to each interface in each of the device on the subscriber side and the device on the subscriber side matches between the device on the station side and the device on the subscriber side,
A test start message including an interface identifier for instructing the start of a test is sent from one of the station side device and the subscriber side device to the other via the circuit switching signal transfer channel, and after the test start message is sent. At
An interface identifier test method including a step of performing a loopback test of a test signal between the station side device and the subscriber side device by using an interface which is recognized as having an interface identifier included in the test start message. Will be provided.

Further, according to the present invention, a station side device and a subscriber side device are mutually connected by an interface including a circuit switching signal transfer channel and at least one interface not including a circuit switching signal transfer channel. In each of the above, an interface identifier test device for confirming that the interface identifier assigned to each interface matches between the station side device and the subscriber side device, A test start message instructing the start,
A test start signal sending section for sending out via the circuit switching signal transfer channel, and a test signal on the interface which, after sending the test start message, recognizes that the interface identifier included in the test start message is given. There is also provided an interface identifier test apparatus including a test signal transmitting section for transmitting and a test signal receiving section for confirming reception of a test signal that is returned through the interface and then returned.

Further, according to the present invention, a station side device and a subscriber side device interconnected by an interface including a circuit switched signal transfer channel and at least one interface not including a circuit switched signal transfer channel. An interface identifier test device for confirming that the interface identifiers assigned to the respective interfaces in each of the above-mentioned devices match between the station-side device and the subscriber-side device. A test start message
A test start signal receiving unit which receives via the circuit switching signal transfer channel, and a test signal which is received after receiving the test start message and for an interface which is recognized as having an interface identifier included in the test start message. There is also provided an interface identifier testing apparatus including an interface folding unit that performs folding of the interface identifier.

[0013]

1 is a diagram showing an ISDN subscriber unit connected to a central office by a plurality of PRI interfaces to which the present invention is applied. The ISDN subscriber device 10, for example a private branch exchange (PBX), has one 23B + D interface 12 and n-1 24B interfaces 14.
P consisting of n interfaces composed of
The RI interface group 16 connects to the central office exchange 18.

ISDN subscriber unit 10 and central office switch 1.
8, Int.
ID. = A to z are attached. As described above, even if the two do not match, the D channels are surely connected. Therefore, even if the call control processing can be normally performed normally, the B channel actually used for the call is not normally connected.

FIG. 2 shows Int. ID. For the purpose of confirming the matching of the above, the format of the layer 3 message newly defined by the present invention is represented. The message shown in FIG. 2 is CCI.
TT Recommendation Q. 931 according to protocol identifier 2
0, the length of the call number is expressed in octets, and the call number length is 2
2, call number value 24, message type 26, and three information elements: B channel designation information element, test designation information element,
And a called number information element.

As the protocol identifier 20, "00001000" representing a user network call control message is used. The global call code “0” is used as the call code value 24.
0 ... 0 "is used. For the message type 26, two undefined values in Table 4-2 / Q.931 are used for the instruction message and the response message thereto.

The B channel designation information element is shown in FIG.
Q. 931 has a format according to 931, and the interface identifier 34 of the interface to be tested and B
The channel number 36 of the channel is included.

The test designation information element is an information element newly introduced by the present invention, and has a general format (FIG. 4-7c) / Q. 931). Information element identifier 38 indicating that the information element is for designating a test
Table 4-3 / Q. Undefined values are used at 931. As the information 40 indicating whether it is the test start message or the test end message, for example, “0” is used for the test start message and “1” is used for the test end message. As the test type 42, "0" is used for the interface identifier test of the present invention, and other values are used for other tests defined in the future.

The called party number information element is shown in FIG. 931 and is used in the central office exchange 18 when testing an interface identifier with a specific ISDN subscriber unit 10. When the interface identifier test is performed in the ISDN subscriber unit 10, instead of the called number information element, the number shown in FIG. 93
A calling party number information element of 1 is used.

FIG. 3 shows a sequence when the interface identifier test is performed from the side of the central office switch and is normally completed. When a command instructing an interface identifier test is input to the central office exchange 18,
A test start instruction message of the type described with reference to FIG. 2 is sent to the ISDN subscriber unit 10 via the D channel of the 23B + D interface 12 (FIG. 1) (step 102) and the test start response wait timer is started. (Step 104). Upon receiving the test start instruction message, the ISDN subscriber device 10 determines whether the information contained in the called number information element in the message matches the information held by the ISDN subscriber device 10 (step 106). Set the loopback path for the B channel on the interface specified in the message (step 1
08), the message type 26 in the received message
The response message in which only this is changed is returned to the central office exchange 18 via the D channel (step 110).

The central office switch 18 which has received the test start response message before the test start response timer times out.
Sends a test signal to the B channel on the specified interface (step 112), which is returned at the ISDN subscriber unit 10 and returned to the central office switch 18 (step 114). If the returned signal is normal (step 116), a test termination instruction message of the type described with reference to FIG.
The test end response waiting timer is started together with sending to the subscriber unit 10 (step 118) (step 12).
6).

IS receiving the test termination instruction message
The DN subscriber device 10 releases the setting of the return path of the B channel on the specified interface (step 1
20) and returns a test end response message to the central office switch 18 (step 122). Upon receiving the test end response message, the central office switch 18 outputs a display indicating that the test is normally completed (step 124).

FIG. 4 shows a sequence when the interface identifiers of the central office switch 18 and the ISDN subscriber unit 10 do not match. The process proceeds up to step 112 as in the case of FIG. 3, but the interface and ISD to which the central office exchange 18 sends the test signal in step 112.
Since the N subscriber unit 10 is different from the interface in which the loopback path is set, the test signal is not looped back,
The result of the loopback test is "No" (step 11).
6). Therefore, after sending a test termination instruction message to release the loopback path (steps 118 to 122), a display indicating the mismatch of the interface identifiers is output (step 124). In this case, instead of sending the test end instruction message to release the loopback path, Q. The interface of the ISDN subscriber unit 10 may be initialized by sending an initialization request message (RESTART) according to 931.

FIG. 5 shows a sequence when the test start response waiting timer times out while waiting for the response after sending the test start instruction message. In this case, an interface initialization request message is sent to initialize the interface of the ISDN subscriber device 10.

FIG. 6 shows the response to the test start instruction message.
The sequence when the status display message (STATUS) including the reason display information element (CAUSE) is returned is shown. In this case, the content of the sent reason display information element is output and displayed.

FIG. 7 shows a sequence for testing the interface identifier from the ISDN subscriber device 10 side. In this case as well, the operations of the ISDN subscriber unit 10 and the central office exchange 18 are simply switched, and the sequence is the same as that described with reference to FIG. The message includes a calling party number information element instead of the called party number information element.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an embodiment (1) of the interface identifier testing apparatus of the present invention. Reference numeral 10 in the drawing denotes an ISDN subscriber device 10 including a network (shown as NW in the drawing) 10A, a central control device (shown as CC in the drawing) 10B, and a main storage device 10C. Exchange interface data 10C1 and call status management data 10C2 are provided. 18 is a network 18A, a central controller 18B, a main memory 18C
The main memory 18C is provided with subscriber service management data 18C1 and call status management data 18C2.

Reference numeral 200 indicates an interface identifier test apparatus according to the present invention, and 210 indicates a test start signal transmitting section, 2
Reference numeral 20 is a test signal transmitting section, and 230 is a test signal receiving section for confirming the reception of the test signal returned by returning.

In the configuration shown in the figure, the test start signal sending section 210 of the interface identifier testing apparatus 200 designates the interface to be used, sends a test start message, and receives the test signal returned by the received signal receiving section 130. By confirming the normal reception, it is possible to confirm the matching of the interface identifiers.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the data structure of the embodiment of the present invention. (A) shows the structure of the subscriber service management data 18C1 in the central office switch 18, and shows the data for one subscriber. This data includes, for each subscriber, data for managing services provided to the subscriber and a correspondence table of interface numbers and interface identifiers.

(B) is the call state management data 18C2, the B channel number is information on the B channel and interface identifier used by the call, and the NW path information is the path in the network to which the call is connected. And the call state indicates a state used in ISDN layer 3 call processing, such as idle, talking, ringing, and receiving numbers. In the present invention, "under test" is added as a call state. Other conventional call processing information is information relating to timer settings and the like when performing timer control. In addition, ISDN
The call state management data 10C2 of the subscriber device 10 has the same configuration.

(C) shows the central office switch interface data 10C1 in the ISDN subscriber unit, which is provided with a correspondence table of subscriber telephone numbers, interface numbers and interface identifiers.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an embodiment (2) of the interface identifier testing apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 10, a B channel designating section 211 for designating a B channel to be used and a designated time after the test start message is transmitted to the test start signal transmitting section 210 of the interface identifier testing apparatus 200 described in FIG. A configuration is provided in which a timer unit 240 for confirming that there is a response is provided.

Further, the test start signal receiving section 250 for the interface identifier test apparatus 100 to be used on the receiving side, and the interface returning section 26 for returning the interface designated by the received test signal.
0, and B in the interface loopback section 260.
A B channel folding section 261 for designating a channel and folding back is provided.

By adopting such a configuration, the interface identifier testing apparatus 100 having the same configuration is ISD
The interface identifier can be tested from either side by connecting to the N subscriber device 10 and the central office switch 18.

Then, the test start message includes data of the subscriber unit number, and the subscriber unit number confirmation unit (shown as a unit number confirmation unit in the figure) 270 adds the data to the test start message. After confirming that the included subscriber unit number matches the own subscriber unit number, the designated interface and the information transfer channel can be set.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a path connection state of the user information transfer channel test according to the embodiment of the present invention. Since the figure shows the connection state of the paths, the ISDN subscriber unit 10 and the central office switch 18 are represented only by the networks 10A and 18A. The operation will be described below in the order of circled numbers in the figure.

Interface identifier test apparatus 20
When a command for instructing an interface identifier test is input from 0, a test start message is sent to the ISDN subscriber device 10 via the D channel, and a path between the test signal sending unit 220 and the test signal receiving unit 230 is sent. Stretch c1-e and d1-f.

ISD that received the test start message
The N subscriber device 10 judges whether or not the information element included in the called number information element in the message matches with its own information. If they match, the N subscriber device 10 on the interface specified in the message. A return path (a return path between a1 and b1) is set for the B channel of (1), and a response message in which only the message type in the received message is changed is returned to the central office exchange 18 via the D channel.

The central office switch 18 that receives the test start response message before the timekeeping section 240 times out
Sends a test signal from the test signal sending unit 220. The sent test signal is returned by the ISDN subscriber unit 10 and returned to the central office exchange 18. Test signal transmitter / receiver 2
30 compares the transmitted test signal with the test signal received after being returned, thereby calculating the bit error rate and measuring the transmission quality. When the test signal returned by the ISDN subscriber unit 10 is received and the test is completed, a test end message is sent out via the D channel and the paths c1-e, d are sent.
Release 1-f.

I received the test end instruction message
The SDN subscriber device 10 releases the loopback path of the B channel (loopback path between a1 and b1) on the specified interface.

Upon receiving the test end response message, the central office switch 18 outputs a display indicating that the test has ended normally. As described above, by using the interface identifier testing device 200, the interface identifier can be easily tested. Further, the ISDN subscriber device 10 and the central office switch 18 are usually provided with a maintenance console 300 as shown in FIG. The maintenance console 300 is provided with the interface identifier testing device 20.
It is also possible to combine the functions of 0 and configure it as one device.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following results are obtained. The interface identifier can be easily confirmed.

When constructing the PRI interface group, the load on the exchange can be reduced because the interface identifier can be confirmed without making a large number of calls using the telephone terminal.

When adding an interface to an already operating ISDN subscriber, it is possible to check the connection in a non-charged state without affecting the existing interface.

If a similar test request is made in the future, the test can be performed by changing the designation of the test type in the test designation information element. It is possible to realize an interface identifier testing device having the functions of.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a format of a layer 3 message newly defined for an interface identifier confirmation test.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a sequence in an interface identifier test from a central office switch.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a sequence when there is a mismatch in interface identifiers.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a sequence when there is no response to the test start instruction message.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a sequence when a status display message is returned in response to a test start instruction message.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a sequence when a test is performed from an ISDN subscriber device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an embodiment (1) of the interface identifier testing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a data structure of an example of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an embodiment (2) of the interface identifier testing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a path connection state of a user information transfer channel test according to the embodiment of this invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ISDN subscriber device 10A, 18A network 10B, 18B central control device 10C, 18C main storage device 10C1 central office switch INF data 10C2, 18C2 call state management data 18C1 subscriber service management data 12 23B + D interface 14 24B interface 16 PRI interface group 18 Switchboard for office 200 Interface identifier test device 210 Test start signal sending part 211 B channel designating part 220 Test signal sending part 230 Test signal receiving part 240 Timing part 250 Test start signal receiving part 260 Interface returning part 261 B channel returning part 270 Join Device number confirmation section 300 Maintenance console DT Digital terminal 11

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location H04Q 11/04

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A station-side device and a subscriber-side device that are mutually connected by an interface including a circuit-switched signal transfer channel and at least one interface that does not include a circuit-switched signal transfer channel, respectively. An interface identifier test method for confirming that the interface identifier assigned to each interface matches between the station side device and the subscriber side device, including the interface identifier and instructing the start of the test. A test start message is sent from one of the station side device and the subscriber side device to the other through the circuit switching signal transfer channel, and after sending the test start message, the interface included in the test start message. Using an interface that recognizes that an identifier is assigned, Interface identifier testing method characterized by comprising the step of performing a loopback test of the test signals between the side device and the subscriber unit. 2. The interface including the circuit-switched signal transfer channel and the interface not including the circuit-switched signal transfer channel each include a plurality of user information transfer channels, and the test start message is included therein. The specified interface identifier includes designation of one user information transfer channel included in the given interface, and the loopback test is performed using the user information transfer channel designated in the test start message. The method according to claim 1, wherein 3. The method further comprises the step of confirming whether or not there is a response to the test start message within a predetermined time after the transmission of the test start message, wherein the loopback test is performed after confirmation of the response. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized. 4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of sending a test end message instructing the end of the test via the circuit switching signal transfer channel after the end of the loopback test. the method of. 5. The test start message includes data of the number of the subscriber side device, and the method further comprises the step of confirming that the numbers of the subscriber side devices included in the received test start message match. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized. 6. An interface including a circuit-switched signal transfer channel and at least one interface that does not include a circuit-switched signal transfer channel, each of which is connected to the station-side device and the subscriber-side device, respectively. It is an interface identifier test device for confirming that the interface identifier given to the device matches the device on the station side and the device on the subscriber side, and the test start including the interface identifier and instructing the start of the test. On the test start signal sending unit that sends a message through the circuit switching signal transfer channel, and on the interface that recognizes that the interface identifier included in the test start message is given after sending the test start message. A test signal transmitting section for transmitting a test signal, And a test signal receiving section for confirming reception of a test signal which is returned through the interface and returned. 7. The interface identifier test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interface including the circuit-switched signal transfer channel and the interface not including the circuit-switched signal transfer channel each include a plurality of user information transfer channels. 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the test start signal transmitting section is provided with an information channel designating section for designating one user information transfer channel included in the interface designated by the interface identifier. 8. The interface identifier test apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a time measuring unit for measuring an elapsed time after transmitting the test start message from the test start signal transmitting unit, the time measuring unit specifying a time specified by the time measuring unit. 8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a test signal is sent from the test signal sending unit when a response to the test start message is received before timing of. 9. An interface including a circuit-switched signal transfer channel and at least one interface that does not include a circuit-switched signal transfer channel, each of which is connected to the station-side device and the subscriber-side device, respectively. It is an interface identifier test device for confirming that the interface identifier given to the device matches the device on the station side and the device on the subscriber side, and the test start including the interface identifier and instructing the start of the test. A test start signal receiving unit that receives a message via the circuit switching signal transfer channel, and an interface that recognizes that the interface identifier included in the test start message after receiving the test start message is received. The test signal is turned back on. Interface identifier test apparatus characterized by comprising a chromatography face folded-back portion. 10. The interface including the circuit-switched signal transfer channel and the interface not including the circuit-switched signal transfer channel each include a plurality of user information transmission channels, and the test start message is included therein. The information that includes the designation of one user information transfer channel included in the given interface whose interface identifier is to be returned, and the return portion of the test signal is information for returning the user information transfer channel designated in the test start message. 10. The channel folding part is provided, and
The described device. 11. The test start message includes data of the number of the subscriber side device, and a subscriber device number confirmation unit for confirming that the number of the subscriber side device included in the received test start message is confirmed. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: