KR100358352B1 - System and method of accounting management for multi-service access integrated network using web technology - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for billing management of an integrated access network for calculating reasonable and accurate billing using real-time monitoring and measurement functions on an integrated access node and efficiently managing billing using web technology. The present invention provides a billing management system comprising a web client management unit, a billing management server unit, a CMIP manager server, and an agent system, and a first step of authenticating an access permission of an integrated access network user and analyzing a user's request; A second step of performing performance and statistical information retrieval, charging element definition to be collected, charging record retrieval, and user and provider management according to the analysis result of the first step; And a third step of notifying the user of the result of performing the second step, and transitioning the user's service request to the standby and real-time monitoring state of the service. Since the present invention uses a web environment, the existing communication network can be used as it is, and no additional software is required, and operation management and user convenience are simultaneously provided through a friendly and convenient user interface. In addition, access management can be performed through any system that can be connected to the Internet, regardless of the type of operation management system, thereby maximizing flexibility in network operation management, and collecting and storing billing information periodically or in real time. The agent can view and manage the billing information.

Description

System and method of accounting management for multi-service access integrated network using web technology}

The present invention relates to a method for efficiently managing reasonable billing of an integrated access network using web technologies familiar to users.

In the case of packet networks for data communication at home and abroad, the conventional billing management is mostly a simple pay-as-you-go system that charges a fee based on the amount of time that a flat rate is paid for a unit period or is used. In the case of the telephone network, a pay-as-you-go system is charged based on the time and time zone used.

However, it has been pointed out that the charging is not accurate because the charging of the packet network is made using the characteristics of the telephone network, and it has been recognized as unreasonable for many users. In addition, the billing information reading for the user was actually possible only through a very complicated procedure.

On the other hand, the integrated access network is a network in which telephone service, ISDN service, and B-ISDN service are provided to service subscribers in an integrated manner. Combining two or more approaches complicates management.

Therefore, it is difficult for operators or service providers who operate these technical difficulties to understand the network. In addition, providing a complex management interface to the operators of such networks puts additional burdens on them.

An object of the present invention for solving the above problems, by providing a user interface using a user-friendly web technology, the user can easily manage the operation status and billing by accessing the network anywhere the user has a web browser To provide a means.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a billing management method in which billing imposed on a user can be charged based on the amount of data actually transmitted / received from a simple pay-as-you-go method based on a service usage time only.

1 is a block diagram of an integrated access network to which the present invention is applied

2 is a structural diagram of a web-based billing management system according to the present invention

3 is a structural diagram of the web client unit of FIG.

4 is a structural diagram of the billing management server of FIG.

5A through 5C are flow charts of an integrated access network charging management according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

201: system user 202: Web client management unit

203: billing management server unit 204: CMIP manager server

205: agent system 301: performance management unit

302: billing management unit 303: user management unit

304: help management unit 305: TCP / IP client communication unit

401: Web server 402: Web client management control

403: TCP / IP server communication unit 404: performance management control unit

405: billing management control unit 406: user management control unit

407: help control unit 408: request processing unit

409: Database

Billing management system of the integrated access network of the present invention for achieving the above object

In an integrated access network consisting of one access node and a plurality of optical fiber termination devices and service nodes connected via optical paths to the access node, provide a graphical user interface for system users and wish to be connected for use of services. A web client manager configured to perform a management on a client to provide a connection setup and authentication function through a web server and a connection maintenance function for maintaining a continuous connection; It manages the operator's access to classify the operator's class and requires only the corresponding control, and creates the billing record based on the performance information and configuration information generated during system operation, and the billing information or performance according to the system user's request. A billing management server unit for providing information and the like; A CMIP manager server responsible for communication between the billing management server unit and an agent system; And an agent system for providing network management information on network configuration, network connection, network performance, and the like, to the billing management server unit.

The integrated access network charging management method may further include a first step of the system billing management server authenticating an access permission of the integrated access network, waiting for a service request or an event notification of a user, and analyzing a received user request; A second step of performing performance and statistical information retrieval, charging element definition to be collected, charging record retrieval, and user and provider management according to the analysis result of the first step; And a third step of notifying the user of the result of performing the second step, and transitioning to a service request waiting state and a real-time monitoring state of the service.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an integrated access network to which the present invention is applied and shows an internal configuration and a connection configuration of the integrated access network 102.

The multi-service access integrated network (MAIN) 102 is composed of one access node 103 and up to thirty-two optical network units (ONUs) 104. At this time, the access node 103 and the optical fiber termination device 104 are connected through the optical line 108 of the synchronous transfer mode (STM) level-4, and the access node 103 and the service node 101. It is connected by using the optical line 107 of the synchronous transmission mode (STM) -1 class. The web-based real-time billing management system 106 is connected to the access node 103 to perform the billing management function of the users of the integrated access network.

2 is a configuration diagram of a real-time billing management system function of an integrated access network, which includes a web client manager 202, a billing management server 203, a common management information protocol (CMIP) manager server 204, and an agent system 205. It is composed.

The web client management unit 202 provides a graphical user interface and manages a client who wishes to access the service. The web client manager 202 manages the connection and authentication through a web server and maintains a connection for continuous connection. To provide.

The billing management server unit 203 divides the operator's rating into two categories, manages the operator's connection so that only the corresponding control is required, and creates a billing record based on performance information and configuration information generated during system operation. . In addition, billing information and performance information are provided according to a user's request. The performance information is managed for each node, per port, and for Virtual Path / Virtual Channel (VP / VC), and the billing record is used for initial service provisioning ( The rate is differentially applied according to the information set in the provisioning step and the state of the access network.

The above functions are requested to the agent system 205 through the CMIP manager server 204 to receive the corresponding results, or to obtain necessary information through notification from the agent system 205 to the CMIP manager server 204 during network operation.

The CIMP manager server 204 is responsible for the communication between the billing management server unit 203 and the agent system 205, and the CIMP message for requesting network configuration, network connection, and network performance information of the billing management server unit 203. It generates and transmits to the agent system 205, and generates information such as network configuration, network connection, network performance delivered by the agent system 205 in a CIMP message and delivers it to the billing management server unit 203.

3 is a structural diagram of the web client manager of FIG. 2 and is located in a system operator or a subscriber terminal.

The web client manager 202 of the present invention includes a performance manager 301, a charge manager 302, a user manager 303, a help manager 304, and a Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP) client communication unit 305. It is configured, receives the request from the system user 201 and transfers it to the billing management server unit 203, and displays the result of the execution on the user terminal. In other words, it serves as a man-machine interface between the user and the management system.

The performance management unit 301 shows the performance information of the access node 103 to the user in units of system, board, port, and VP / VC. If necessary, the performance management unit 301 processes and displays the accumulated performance history information in graph form. The billing management unit 302 is responsible for displaying the billing information of the access network users by time and user for the billing management setting such as initial billing element and collection cycle setting, and a simple user other than the operator reads only his billing details. can do.

The user management unit 303 is a function of collecting and processing the requirements of a service subscriber or a service provider for a service provided through a network. The user management unit 303 displays information of users related to the system and registers, modifies, and deletes service users and providers. Function and service information viewing function to know detailed information of provided service. The help manager 304 provides a system user with a configuration and usage of a web page through a web browser currently being used without a separate support tool.

The TCP / IP client communication unit 305 is in charge of the communication function between the charging management server unit 203 and the web client unit 202, and transfers a user's request to the charging management server unit 203, and also charges the account. The management server unit 203 receives the request result and transfers it to the upper interface unit.

4 is a structural diagram of the billing management server unit 203, which is responsible for the function of actually processing the user request transmitted from the web client manager 202. FIG.

As shown in the figure, a web client management control unit 402 for managing a request of a system user who has undergone an authentication process according to a user's operation level; A TCP / IP server communication unit 403 in charge of a communication function between the billing management server unit 203 and the web client unit 202 through the web client management control unit 402; The request of the system user 201 transmitted through the TCP / IP server communication unit 403 is analyzed and transmitted to the request processing unit 408, and the processing result is received from the request processing unit 404. The TCP / IP server communication unit 403 A performance management control unit 404, a billing management control unit 405, and a user management control unit 406 to transmit to); A help control unit 407 which provides a system user with configuration and usage of a web page through a web browser currently being used without a separate support tool; Whether to retrieve information from the database 409 according to a user's request transmitted through the performance management control unit 404, the charging management control unit 405, and the user management control unit 406, by using the CMIP manager server 206. Determine whether to make a request to the agent system 205, forward the processed result to the requesting party, and log the event to the database 409 for event notifications sent from the agent system 205. A request processing unit 408 for storing information; A database 409 that stores information on performance management, billing management, user management, events, and the like; And a web server 401 that establishes a connection between the web client management control unit 402 and the web client management unit 202.

In such a configuration, the web client managing unit 202 establishes a connection with the charging managing server unit 203 through the web server 401. At this time, the web client management control unit 402 is a module for system user management, and all users can access the system through an authentication process. It is responsible for controlling so that it can be done. The TCP / IP server communication unit 403 is responsible for the communication function between the billing management server unit 203 and the web client unit 202 similarly to the TCP / IP client communication unit 305 of the web client unit 202.

In addition, the performance management control unit 404, the charging management control unit 405, and the user management control unit 406 are function units that control the request of the system user 201, and analyze the request and transmit it to the request processing unit 408. It is responsible for the function of receiving the processing result from the request processing unit 404 and delivering it to the web client management unit 202. The help control unit 407 is a function for providing a system user with the configuration and use of a web page through a web browser currently being used without a support tool.

The request processing unit 408 may retrieve information from the database 409 according to a user's request transmitted through the performance management control unit 404, the charging management control unit 405, and the user management control unit 406. 206 is used to determine whether to make a request to the agent system 205, and delivers the result to the user via the web client unit 202. In addition, for the event notification transmitted from the agent, the request processing unit 408 stores log information about the event in the database 409. The system user 201 may view the log information through the web client manager 202.

5A through 5C are flowcharts illustrating integrated access network charging management according to the present invention.

First, the system user 201 is granted access to the integrated access network billing management system through the user authentication process (S501). If normal authentication is made, the web client is waited (S502) and after the web client is connected, the user receives a request or waits for an event notification (S503).

If a user request or an event notification occurs, it is analyzed (S504), and then it is determined whether it is a performance management request, a charging management request, or a user management request (S505).

If the result of the determination in step S505 is a performance management request (S506), it is determined again which performance management among the nodes, ports, and VP / VC, and divided according to the performance management request (S507).

It is determined whether the performance management required for the performance management request determined by the node S508, the port S509, the VP S510, or the VC S511 is the current performance information or the historical performance information (S512).

In the case of the historical performance information, the database is searched (S513) and the result is displayed to the user (S515). In the case of the current performance information, the request is converted into a CMIP message (S538), and then the CMIP manager server 204 is executed. After passing to the agent system 205 (S539) and receiving the result of the processing by the agent system 205 (S540), storing it in a database (S541) and notifying the user by displaying the result of the processing (S542). Return to the user's request or wait for an event notification.

As a result of the determination in step S505, in the case of charging management request (S516), it is determined whether it is a setting request for charging management and a charging information retrieval request (S517).

If the setting request (S518) for the billing management to check whether there is a change in the setting in the database (409) for the collection period setting (S520) and collection item settings (S521) (S522). As a result of the check, if there is no change, only the processing result is displayed (S523). However, if there is a change, the process is converted to a CMIP message by performing steps S538 to S542 similarly to the performance management request, and then the CMIP manager server 204 is changed. Through the agent system 205, the processing result is received by the agent system, stored in the database, and the processing result is displayed to the user. Thereafter, the process returns to step S503 to receive a user request or wait for an event notification.

Collection period setting (S520) is a part for setting the billing information collection time period and collection period, the initial value is defined, for example, every 15 minutes period and provides a real-time collection function according to the user's request. Collection item setting S521 is a part for setting a charging element to be collected and is basically divided into a common element that cannot be changed and an individual element that can be changed. Common factors include the connection identifier containing the end-to-end address of the service, the type of connection, the type of service, the time the service was used, the number of ATM cells per connection, and the individual elements include the negotiated quality of service and the actual quality of service used. There is a charge-off rate based on rating, daily statistical information and current network performance.

On the other hand, if the charging information request (S519) again determines whether the user's billing information request or billing information request for each period (S524), and for the user-by-user search (S525) or period-by-period search (S526) similar to the performance management request step S538 to After performing the S542 to convert the request into a CMIP message, and delivers the result to the agent system 205 through the CMIP manager server 204, and receives the result of the processing to the agent system and stores it in the database and displays the result of the processing to the user Inform. Thereafter, the process returns to step S503 to receive a user request or wait for an event notification.

As a result of the determination in step S505, if it is the user management request (S527), it is determined whether the type of request is for a service user or a provider (S528).

As a result of the determination in step S528, if it is determined that the request is for the user, the request is again classified into user registration, user information change, or user deletion request (S529), and each corresponding function is performed (S531 to S533). If there is no change later, the result is sent to the user screen (S543).

However, if there is a change performed in steps S531 to S533, as in the performance management request, it is delivered to the agent system 205 through the CMIP manager server 204, the processing result is received by the agent system, stored in the database, and the processing result is displayed. Inform the user. Thereafter, the process returns to step S503 to receive a user request or wait for an event notification.

The request S530 for the service provider is processed in the same manner as the request S529 of the service user described above.

Finally, the help request S544 is always provided to the user through the help providing function S545 regardless of the situation.

When the present invention as described above is applied to the billing management field of the integrated access network operation management, since the web environment is used, not only the existing communication network is used as it is but additional software is not required, and the operation management is performed through a friendly and convenient user interface. Convenience is provided and the user can use it regardless of his geographical location.

In addition, access management can be performed through any system that can be connected to the Internet, regardless of the type of operation management system, thereby maximizing flexibility in network operation management, and collecting and storing billing information periodically or in real time. The agent can view and manage the billing information.

Therefore, the network operator can manage users and services in a convenient way, and all users are charged with billing based on the actual amount of data transmitted and received, instead of the simple pay-as-you-go method, which is based only on the service usage time. It is accurate and reasonable billing for.

The technical spirit of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but this is by way of example only and not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, it is obvious that any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and imitations without departing from the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

Claims (12)

In the charging management system of the integrated access network consisting of one access node and a plurality of service nodes and optical fiber termination devices connected to the access node via a fiber path, It provides a graphical user interface for system users, manages the clients who wish to access the service to use the service, provides the performance information of the access node and the accumulated performance history information, and establishes the connection through the web server. A web client management unit providing an authentication function and a connection maintaining function for maintaining a continuous connection, and providing charging management settings and charging information of users in various forms; It manages the operator's access to classify the operator's level and demands the corresponding control, analyzes the user's needs and delivers the processing result accordingly, and charges based on the performance and configuration information generated during system operation. A billing management server unit which creates a record and provides billing information, performance information, etc. in accordance with a request of a system user; A CMIP manager server responsible for communication between the billing management server unit and an agent system; And An agent system for providing network management information on network configuration, network connection, network performance, etc. to the billing management server; The billing management system of the integrated access network using a web technology, characterized in that connected to the access node performs a charge management function of users of the integrated access network. The method of claim 1, The web client management unit, A performance management unit displaying performance information of the access node to a user in units of system, board, port, and VP / VC, and processing and displaying performance history information accumulated in the past in a graph form if necessary; A billing management unit that displays billing information of the access network users by time and user for a part for billing management setting such as initial billing element and collection cycle setting; Information about the users related to the system that collects and processes the requirements of service subscribers or service providers for services provided through the network, and the functions of registering, modifying and deleting service users and providers, and detailed information on services provided. A user management unit providing a service information viewing function that can be known; And A TCP / IP client in charge of a communication function between the billing management server unit and the web client unit, which transmits a user's request to the billing management server unit, receives a request result from the billing management server unit, and delivers the request result to the upper interface unit. Billing management system of the integrated access network using a web technology comprising a communication unit. The method of claim 2, Billing management system of the integrated access network using a web technology comprising a help management unit for providing a user of the configuration and use of a web page to the system user through a web browser without a separate support tool. The method of claim 1, The billing management server unit, A web client management control unit configured to manage a request of a system user who has undergone an authentication process according to a user's operation level; A TCP / IP server communication unit in charge of a communication function between a billing management server unit and the web client unit through the web client management control unit; A performance management control unit, a billing management control unit, and a user management control unit which analyzes the request of the system user transmitted through the TCP / IP server communication unit and delivers the request to the request processing unit, and receives the processing result from the request processing unit and delivers the result to the TCP / IP server communication unit. ; It is determined whether to retrieve information from a database or to make a request to the agent system using the CMIP manager server according to a user's request transmitted through the performance management control unit, the charging management control unit, and the user management control unit. A request processing unit which forwards the result to the requesting side and stores log information of the event in a database in response to the event notification transmitted from the agent system; A database that stores information on performance management, billing management, user management, events, and the like; And And a web server for establishing a connection between the web client management control unit and the web client management unit. The method of claim 4, wherein A billing management system for an integrated access network using web technology, comprising a help control unit that provides a system user with a web browser the configuration and use of a web page without a separate support tool. In the charging management method of the integrated access network, A first step of the system billing management server unit authenticating the access permission of the integrated access network and analyzing a user's request waiting for a user's service request or event notification; A second step of determining, if the user's request is a performance management request, what performance management is required, and whether the requested performance management is current performance information or historical performance information; As a result of the determination of the second step, if the historical performance information, the database is searched; if the current performance information, the request is converted into a CMIP message, and then transmitted to the agent system through the CMIP message server, and the processing result is transmitted to the agent system. Receiving a third step and storing the same in a database; In the first step, if the user request is a billing management request, it is determined whether it is a setup request for billing management or a billing information retrieval request, and if it is a setup request for billing management, a setting item in a database for setting a collection cycle and setting a collection item. A fourth step of checking whether there is a change; A fifth step of converting the request into a CMIP message and transmitting the result to the agent system through a CMIP manager server, receiving the processing result from the agent system and storing it in a database if there is a change as a result of the checking in the fourth step; ; A sixth step of determining whether the request type is for a service user or a provider if the user request in the first step is a user management request; As a result of the determination in the sixth step, if the request is for the user, it is again determined whether the user is registered, the user information is changed, or the user deletion request, and if there is a change by performing the user registration, the user information change, and the user deletion function, A seventh step of delivering to the agent system through a CMIP manager server, receiving a processing result from the agent system, and storing the result in a database; As a result of the determination in the sixth step, if the request is for a service provider, it is determined whether it is a provider registration, a provider information change, or a provider deletion request, and if there is a change by performing a provider registration, a provider information change, and a provider deletion function, An eighth step of delivering to the agent system through a CMIP manager server, receiving a processing result from the agent system, and storing the result in a database; And And a ninth step of informing the user of the results of the third, fifth, seventh, and eighth steps, and transitioning to a service request waiting state and a real-time monitoring state of the service. How to manage charges. delete delete The method of claim 6, The collection cycle setting includes a charging information collection time zone and a collection cycle, and provides a real-time collection function according to the user's request, The collection item setting is basically a common element that cannot be changed and includes a connection identifier including an end-to-end address of a service, a type of connection, a type of service, a time of using a service, the number of various ATM cells per connection, and the like. A method for managing an integrated access network using web technology, which includes negotiated service quality grades, actual service quality grades, daily statistical information, and charging discount rates based on the performance of the current network. The method of claim 6, User and provider management performed when the user request in the second step is a user management request, Determine whether the type of request is for a service user or a provider, If the request is for a user, it is classified as a user registration, user information change, or user deletion request, and the user registration, user information change, and user deletion function are performed to transfer the change to the agent system through the CMIP manager server. The processing result is delivered to the agent system and stored in the database. If the request is for a service provider, it is classified as a provider registration, a provider information change, or a provider deletion request. The provider registration, a provider information change, and a provider deletion function are performed, and if there is a change, the agent is transmitted to the agent system through the CMIP manager server. Billing management method of an integrated access network using a web technology characterized in that the processing result is received by the agent system and stored in a database. The method of claim 6, How to manage the charge of the integrated access network using the web technology that the user's help request includes a step of providing help, regardless of the situation. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program providing a method for managing a charge of an integrated access network, A first step of the system billing management server unit authenticating an access permission of the integrated access network and analyzing a user's request waiting for a user's service request or event notification; A second step of determining, if the user's request is a performance management request, what performance management is required, and whether the requested performance management is current performance information or historical performance information; As a result of the determination of the second step, if the historical performance information, the database is searched; if the current performance information, the request is converted into a CMIP message, and then transmitted to the agent system through the CMIP message server, and the processing result is transmitted to the agent system. Receiving a third step and storing the same in a database; In the first step, if the user request is a billing management request, it is determined whether it is a setup request for billing management or a billing information retrieval request, and if it is a setup request for billing management, a setting item in a database for setting a collection cycle and setting a collection item. A fourth step of checking whether there is a change; A fifth step of converting the request into a CMIP message and transmitting the result to the agent system through a CMIP manager server, receiving the processing result from the agent system and storing it in a database if there is a change as a result of the checking in the fourth step; ; A sixth step of determining whether the request type is for a service user or a provider if the user request in the first step is a user management request; As a result of the determination in the sixth step, if the request is for the user, it is again determined whether the user is registered, the user information is changed, or the user deletion request, and if there is a change by performing the user registration, the user information change, and the user deletion function, A seventh step of delivering to the agent system through a CMIP manager server, receiving a processing result from the agent system, and storing the result in a database; As a result of the determination in the sixth step, if the request is for a service provider, it is determined whether it is a provider registration, a provider information change, or a provider deletion request, and if there is a change by performing a provider registration, a provider information change, and a provider deletion function, An eighth step of delivering to the agent system through a CMIP manager server, receiving a processing result from the agent system, and storing the result in a database; And Inform the user of the results of the third, fifth, seventh, and eighth steps, respectively, and include a ninth step of transitioning to a user's service request waiting state and a real-time monitoring state of the service. Recording media.