KR101304593B1 - Method for providing services of multiple service providers in an IP-based access network including access node, user gateway - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an access node and a subscriber gateway for supporting a plurality of service provider environments, and a method for providing a multi-carrier service in an internet protocol-based access network for a multi-carrier including the same, wherein the access node is connected to the access node. And secures and operates an access network resource of a service provider, and when a service provider is selected by a user or the gateway, provides a service connecting the service provider and the user at the access node and the gateway, Accordingly, since multiple providers can provide IP-based services through IP-based access networks for multiple operators, there is no need to establish a separate subscriber network for each operator, thereby reducing the cost of redundant network construction.

Internet protocol based access network, access node, subscriber gateway, service provider for many operators.

Description

Method for providing services of multiple service providers in an IP-based access network including access node, user gateway}

The present invention relates to the provision of services in an Internet protocol based access network for multiple users. In particular, a plurality of service providers provide access nodes, subscriber gateways, and these for providing services based on Internet protocols (IP) in a single access network. It relates to a multi-provider service providing method in a multi-provider Internet protocol-based access network.

The present invention is derived from the research conducted as part of the IT growth engine technology development project of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy and the Ministry of Information and Telecommunication Research and Development. Development of Access Distribution Network Technology].

From the traditional telephone line network to the current high-speed Internet network, the access network was the business area of a telecommunications carrier. Therefore, in order for other service providers to provide the same kind of service, a separate access network must be established. This access network is the largest part of the cost of the carrier, and has a problem that a lot of cost is duplicated by establishing a separate network for each service provider to provide a service, which brings a heavy burden to the user in terms of cost.

Recently, with the introduction of new services such as wired / wireless integration and IPTV, many operators are changing to the same service in the subscriber's home. However, since the entrance of the subscriber network is still dominated by one operator, there is a problem in that the service by a plurality of operators in the subscriber network is not smooth. In order to solve this problem, many service providers have recently begun to consider providing a service through one subscriber network, but until now, no specific access network implementation or service method has been developed.

An object of the present invention is to provide an internet protocol based access network for multiple operators for providing services based on Internet Protocol (IP) by a plurality of providers in a single access network, and an access node and subscriber gateway for implementing the network. Is in.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for a plurality of providers to provide Internet protocol (IP) based services in a multi-carrier Internet protocol based access network (single access network).

A method for achieving the above objects of the present invention is a method of providing a service in a plurality of service provider Internet protocol-based access network comprising an access node and a subscriber gateway for supporting a plurality of service provider environment, the access node to the access Performing access network resource acquisition and operation of a plurality of service providers connected to the node; And when the service provider is selected by the user or the gateway, connecting the service provider and the user at the gateway to provide a service to the user, wherein the access node is connected to the access node. The step of obtaining and operating an access network resource of the provider may include granting a license and providing resource information when a resource request is received from any service provider; Performing authentication with any of the service providers; Receiving and recording a result of resource selection from the arbitrary service provider when the desired service provider selects a desired resource using the provided resource information; Performing a setup / control / management connection with the arbitrary service provider through virtualization; Receiving a request to change or terminate the use of access network resources from any service provider; And processing the use change or termination of the resource according to the request, and updating the processed result.

An access node for achieving the objects of the present invention, the data plane unit for performing a function for interconnecting a plurality of service providers and users; A control plane configured to set up and manage information related to Internet protocol routing, perform traffic control and measurement, open to the plurality of service providers, and virtualize and provide physical configuration / control resources to the plurality of service providers; A management plane that manages the operation of the access network and the components located in the access network and virtualizes the operation and management functions; And managing information about the plurality of service providers and the user and resources of the access network, performing authentication of a service provider to provide a service, and performing a dynamic host configuration communication protocol (DHCP) function and a traffic management function. It includes a service plane, characterized in that to provide the user with the service provided from the service provider selected by the user or subscriber gateway in the Internet protocol-based access network for a plurality of operators.

Subscriber gateway for achieving the objects of the present invention,

A data plane unit performing a function for interconnecting a plurality of service providers and a user; A control plane unit configured to set / control information related to Internet protocol routing, virtualize setting / control functions, and manage address translation information required by a user; A management plane that virtualizes overall operations management and operations management; And a service plane unit that manages information about the user and performs authentication, and when selecting a service provider to directly provide a service to the user, the user retrieves the Internet protocol address from the user and the user selects the selected service provider. Connecting the user and the service provider to be directly assigned an Internet protocol address from the service provider.

Accordingly, the present invention implements an access node and a subscriber network supporting a plurality of service provider environments, so that a plurality of service providers can provide IP-based services in a plurality of service provider IP-based access networks. Since there is no need to build the system, the cost of network construction can be reduced, thereby reducing the burden on the user. In addition, since a service can be provided by a plurality of service providers at the same time in a single subscriber's home, wire / wireless integrated service can be easily performed.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the conventional access network, since the access network is owned by one operator, the service of another operator is provided through the network of the operator that owns the access network or by establishing a separate access network. However, in an access network supporting a multi-entry environment, all service providers can access a single access network through an equivalent access point to provide a service.

Therefore, embodiments of the present invention will be described by applying an access network supporting a plurality of operator environments. Here, the multi-entity environment means providing a service provider selection and an access network connection function so that any subscriber can select any service provider from among a plurality of service providers and receive the service.

First, a structure of a plurality of service provider-based access networks according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram showing the structure of an IP-based access network for multiple operators according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an IP-based access network (hereinafter, referred to as an access network) 20 for a plurality of providers interworks with a plurality of provider environments, that is, a service provider 10 and a subscriber premises / premises network 30. .

The service provider 10 may include a network service provider (NSP) 11, an internet service provider (ISP) 12, and an application service provider (ASP) 13. Various service providers may belong to this. Here, the network service provider 11 provides services of the layers L0, L1, and L2. Existing leased line services, Ethernet metro service, and Ethernet VPN service are included. Network services enable enterprise subscribers to build a corporate network at the L2 layer. The Internet service provider 12 provides an IP layer service to provide Internet access, IP VPN service, and the like. The application service provider 13 provides a service for directly accessing a content providing network such as an IPTV, a digital TV, a storage medium, a community portal, and a security / measurement sensor / control service. It should be noted that such service providers 11, 12, and 13 may constitute a sales area independently, so that in the embodiment of the present invention, such service providers may be referred to as operators according to the context.

In addition, the service provider 10 may provide a range of accessible subscribers, guarantee bandwidth that can be provided for each subscriber, maximum allowable bandwidth, delay time, and guarantee bandwidth that can be used throughout the access network, maximum allowable bandwidth, delay time, L2 bandwidth, and maximum link operation. Perform access network resource use agreements with the access network provider. Within this scope of use, the service provider 10 should be able to control and manage the access network 20 as if it were a resource in its business domain.

The subscriber premises network 30 refers to a premises / premises network installed in a home, a store, a small office, a company. There are two types of subscribers in the subscriber premises network 30. One is a unique subscriber 31 who is a subscriber home network owner, and the other is a unique subscriber 31 who visits the home / premises and accesses the home / premises network and the external network to receive services. In FIG. 1, only one subscriber is displayed, but there may be a plurality of unique subscribers and visited subscribers.

As such, the access network 20 that provides the service to the subscriber premises network 30 by interworking with the plurality of service providers 10 is connected to the access network 100 through the access distribution network 300 to support the multiple operator environments. ) And the subscriber gateway 200. In addition, the access network 20 is a high-speed digital telephone line modem (xDSL) and a passive optical network (PON) as physical access networks. It means the current high speed subscriber network such as point-to-point optical subscriber network.

Next, a detailed structure of the access node 100 and the gateway 200 configured in the access network 20 connected to the service provider 10 and the subscriber premises network 30 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. .

2 is a diagram illustrating a specific structure of an access network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the access node 100 of the access network 20 includes a data plane unit 110, a control plane unit 120, a management plane unit 130, and a service plane unit 140. can do. In this case, the function of the service plane 140 may be implemented as a separate server or integrated into a system. In addition, the access node 100 provides the user with a service provided by a service provider selected by any user 31, 32 or subscriber gateway 200 in the access network.

The data plane unit 110 performs a function for interconnecting a plurality of service providers and a user, and includes an access network end 113 of a subscriber side, a service provider network end 111 of a network side, and an arbitrary service provider internally. 11, 12 or 13 and cross-links 112 that interconnect any user 31 or 32. The cross connection unit 112 provides all of the L0, L1, L2, and L3 layer connections. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, only the L2 and L3 layer connection functions are applied.

The control plane unit 120 controls traffic based on the Ethernet switch control unit 121, the IP routing control unit 122, and L2-L7 to statically and dynamically set and manage information related to S- / C-VLAN, IP routing, and the like. And a traffic control / measurement unit 123 for SLA policy based traffic control. In addition, the control plane unit 120 configures and manages information related to Internet protocol routing, performs traffic control and measurement, is open to the plurality of service providers, and virtualizes physical configuration / control resources so that the plurality of control planes 120 Provide (open) to service providers.

The management plane unit 130 includes an access node manager 131, a remote subscriber network manager 132, and a network operation manager 133 to manage the access network operations and the components located in the access network. The functions can be opened by virtualization.

The service plane unit 140 may include a service provider manager 141 managing information on the plurality of service providers, a subscriber manager 142 managing information on a subscriber (user), and managing resource information of the access network. Access network resource management unit 143, authentication of the service provider and authentication unit (hereinafter referred to as AAA, 144), authentication / authorization / billing (hereinafter referred to as DHCP, 145) and service level agreement ) And the traffic management unit 146.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the gateway 200 (subscriber gateway) 200 of the access network 20 includes the data plane unit 210, the control plane unit 220, the management plane unit 230, and the service plane unit 240. ) Can be configured to include The function of the service plane 240 may be implemented as a separate server or integrated into one system.

The data plane unit 210 performs a function for interconnecting a plurality of service providers and users, and includes an access network termination 211, a cross connection unit 212, and a home network connection unit 213. Here, the cross connection part 212 has a cross connection function of the L2 and L3 layers.

The control plane 220 sets / controls information related to Internet protocol routing, and Ethernet switch control unit 221 and arbitrary users 31 and 32 to virtualize a function related to VLAN configuration / setting, that is, a setting / control function. Network Address Port Translation (NAPT) 220, which manages address translation information for translating the corresponding address into the address of the service provider required by the terminal of the terminal).

The management plane 230 virtualizes overall operations management and operations management, and includes a subscriber gateway manager 231 and a remote updater 232 for this purpose.

The service plane unit 240 manages information on the authentication unit (AAA) 241, the DHCP unit 242 and any users 31 and 32 that perform authentication / authorization / charging, and user authentication / And a user manager 243 having a use authorization function.

The data plane units 110 and 210 of the access node 100 and the subscriber gateway 200 manage and manage the network resources allocated to the service provider 10 from other network resources safely. The functions of the data plane units 110 and 210 are performed through resource allocation of an access network provider. Resources of the L0-L1 layer are distinguished from other resources by simply allocating the corresponding resources. Resource of L2-L3 layer is divided into S- / C-VLAN, MPLS, etc. At this time, it is possible to efficiently use the network resources through packet-based statistical multiplexing, and at the same time to satisfy the SLA with the service provider 10, the L4-L7 service flow classification, service class classification, policy-based traffic The control function and the like are provided in the cross connection part 112 of the data plane part 110.

An S-VID group that can be used for each service provider 10 is allocated by allocating L2 layer resources. In this case, when the S-VID is used in the service provider 10 network, the service provider network end 111 includes a function for converting between the service provider S-VID and the S-VID assigned by the access network. The S- / C-VLAN of the service provider may be terminated at the access network end 113, the access network end 211 of the subscriber gateway, or the terminals of the subscribers 31 and 32. When the S- / C-VLAN is terminated at the access network end 113, the access network end 113 is provided with a function to find a corresponding S- / C-VLAN based on the MAC source address of the packet input from the subscriber. do. In case of termination at the access gateway end 211 of the subscriber gateway, the service provider is converted to the IP managed by the service provider through the NAPT function, and the corresponding service provider is determined, and the service provider's S- / C- The access network end 211 is provided with a function to find a VLAN. When terminating the S- / C-VLAN at the terminals of the subscribers 31 and 32, the terminal uses the S- / C-VID of the specific service provider delivered through the management function of the access node.

As a method of allocating L3 layer resources, the access node may use MPLS for connection between the service provider access port and the service provider logical access port of the subscriber gateway. The access network end 113 or the access network end 211 of the subscriber gateway may be the MPLS end point of the subscriber side. When the access network end 113 becomes the MPLS end point, the IP Source Address for a packet input from the subscriber The access network end 113 is provided with a function of searching for an MPLS Label based on.

The control planes 120 and 220 of the access node 100 and the subscriber gateway 200 have a structure that is open to the service provider 10. In order to transparently use the physical configuration / control resources by various service providers 10, the physical configuration / control resources are virtualized and provided to the service provider 10. That is, the setting / control resource should be represented to the service provider 10 in a form that can be easily managed by the service provider 10, the resource should always be available until the allowed resource range, and the setting / control may be performed immediately. It must be possible. To this end, as shown in FIG. 4, the configuration / control resource virtualization function includes functions such as dynamic association between virtual configuration / control resources and actual configuration / control resources, order control of control operations of a plurality of service providers 10, and the like. It is provided. An example of the implementation of the dynamic association is that when the service provider 10 newly sets the virtual configuration / control resource, it immediately retrieves and configures the actual configuration / control resource, and the association between the actual configuration / control resource and the virtual configuration / control resource. It means to record the relationship.

In addition, there may be a case where the same resource is repeatedly set / controlled between service providers, and the arbitration function is provided in the virtualization function. The accompanying Figure 5 illustrates the virtualization of traffic monitoring / measurement / control, billing, and operational management functions.

The service provider 10 allows access to the collected data so that the traffic statistics, subscriber usage status, and failure information of the network resource progressed through the network resource used by the service provider 10 may be collected. At this time, the representation of each resource has a function of expressing it as a virtual resource by referring to the relation between the virtual resource and the actual resource at the time of setting. This virtualization function is implemented by simply adding a virtualization layer to the control plane and the management plane without changing the hardware and firmware currently used by access devices.

Next, a method for providing services from a plurality of service providers in an access network according to an embodiment of the present invention having such a structure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, the access network itself exists as a business area, and in reality, the access network itself may be owned and operated by one service provider, either an IP service provider or a network service provider, but the access network itself provides an equal access point for all service providers. All service providers can control and manage the network fairly.

In the embodiment of the present invention, such an access network operating entity is referred to as a network access provider (NAP). From the point of view of the access network provider, since both the service provider and the subscriber are access network users, they provide fair information related to services required by both sides.

First, a description will be given of how a service provider uses an access network, that is, a service providing scenario for a service provider of an access network provider.

Service provider
scenario Service contents user Scenario 1 Gain access to the access network,
Implement configuration / control / management operation of direct access network to service subscribers Network service providers,
Internet service provider Scenario 2 Use of connection services with subscribers through the access network.
Setting up, managing, and operating the access network is done by the access network provider. Application service provider,
Network service provider

In Table 1, in scenario 1, in order for a service provider to use an access network, the service provider secures a right to the entire access network, and services are provided to each subscriber by a direct contract with the subscriber. Network services and Internet services are done in this way. The service provider should be able to access network elements in the access network to set up, maintain, manage, and terminate services provided to subscribers. To this end, the access network provider opens the control and management of access network elements to the service provider. The access network provider monitors the access network usage status of the service provider to monitor and control whether the service is provided within the scope of the contract.

In Table 1, scenario 2 is the establishment, maintenance, management, and termination of a contract and a service between a subscriber and a service provider by mediation of an access network provider. In this case, the service provider simply provides the service at the service provider access point, and the access network provider acts on behalf of other functions required for the service.

Next, a description will be given of the types of services provided by the access network provider to the subscriber.

Type of service Service contents user Service 1 A service that assigns an access network IP so that the subscriber gateway can access the access network. Subscriber gateway Service 2 If the subscriber chooses a service provider's service delivery scenario 1, the environment is set up to provide the subscriber service to the selected service provider and the authority to transfer the service is transferred to the selected service provider. Network service or Internet service user Service 3 If the subscriber selects the service provider's service provision scenario 2, the service provider establishes, maintains, and manages the connection between the subscriber and the service provider. Application service or network service user

In Table 2, service 1 is a method of setting a network variable so that a subscriber gateway can access an access network when a subscriber first installs a subscriber gateway. To do this, the access network provider must be able to assign an IP. At this time, the IP address uses a private IP address or a public IP address depending on the access network configuration.

This method allows a subscriber to select a service provider. The access network provider performs service 2 or service 3 as shown in Table 2 according to which of the service scenarios 1 and 2 of Table 1 is selected by the service provider.

Next, a process for securing, operating, and charging an access network resource of a service provider to provide a service in an access network according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the access network 20, the service provider 20 performs the function of securing access network resources and the unique subscriber 31 selects the service provider 10.

First, a function of securing an access network resource by a service provider will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 6, in step 401, the service provider 10 requests access network resources through the access network resource manager 143 of the access node 100, and obtains a license from the access node 100 in step 402. . Here, the resources are S- / C-VLAN ID, packet bandwidth, and access subscriber range in relation to L0, L1 path, and L2-L3.

In step 403, the access network resource manager 143 provides available service, that is, resource information, to the service provider 10. In step 404, the service provider 10 selects and secures a desired resource from the available resources. At this time, the access network provider 10 provides a web-based access means to the service provider 10 for such an operation of providing and selecting resource information.

In step 405, the SLA / traffic management unit 146 of the access network 100 performs the authentication of the service provider 10 by using the DHCP 145 to prevent abnormality in securing resources due to a malicious user or a usage error. It is equipped with a resource securing function.

If the service provider 10 selects a resource in step 404, the service provider 10 transmits a resource selection result to the access network 100 in step 406. Accordingly, in step 407, the access network 100 records and manages network resource contents, that is, contents of selected resources, that are allowed to the service provider 10 through the service provider manager 141.

Then, in step 408, the access node 100 performs virtualization and opens a function of the control plane unit 120, for example, virtualization resources, to the service provider 10 through the virtualization. At this time, the subscriber gateway 200 also opens the functions of the control plane 220 to the service provider 10 through virtualization. In this case, the virtualization is virtualization of setting / control resources of the access node 100 and the subscriber gateway 200 for resource opening, and may be configured as shown in FIG. 3. In addition, the attached 4 shows a structure for opening such setting / control and operation management functions. This virtualization function is installed in the access node 100, as shown in FIG. 5, and includes a control plane 220 of the subscriber gateway 200 in the virtualization target. The setting / control / management connection with the service provider 10 may be performed by using a web connection method or by defining a message specification. The service provider 10 may select one of two connection methods. Make sure

If the service provider 10 changes or terminates the use of the access network resource in step 409, the access network 100 processes the resource use change or termination request through the access network resource manager 143 in step 410. , The related changes are updated and reflected in the related functions of the service provider management unit 141, the control plane unit 120 of the access node 100, and the control plane unit 220 of the subscriber gateway 200.

Next, charging for the service provider 10 may be made in various forms. The amount of access network resources initially contracted, the amount of resources allocated to the subscriber by the actual service provider 10, the amount of subscriber traffic provided by the service provider 10, and the like, based on various information, the access node 100 determines the service provider 10. To be charged. Such various charging functions are performed through the service provider manager 141, the DHCP 145, the SLA / traffic control manager 146, and the like.

This process is applied to the service provider 10 providing the service provision scenario 1 of Table 1 above. In the service providing scenario 2, the access network provider substitutes for the IP address allocation, connection establishment, and subscriber management in the access network 100 on behalf of the service provider 10. The billing for the service provider 10 may also be billed based on various types of data as in the service providing scenario 1.

Next, the subscriber service provider selection process according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

When a new subscriber gateway 200 is installed, the access node 100 assigns an IP address to the subscriber gateway 200 using the DHCP 145 and the subscriber manager 142. Accordingly, the subscriber gateway 200 accesses the access network 20 using the assigned IP address. The subscriber information is newly registered in the subscriber management unit 142 in the case of a new subscriber and updates related information in the case of an existing subscriber.

In the subscriber premises / premises network 30 there are a plurality of unique subscribers 31 and visiting users 32.

7 is a diagram illustrating a process in which a subscriber or a visited user selects a service provider and receives a service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

If the terminal of the unique subscriber 31 or the visited user 32 is driven in step 501, the subscriber gateway 200 in step 502 through the DHCP 242 and the user management unit 243 for subscriber authentication / usage rights private IP To the terminal. In step 503, the subscriber gateway 200 operates various IP allocation schemes through the DHCP 242 to build an environment for facilitating network connection and user management in the subscriber premises / premises network 30. Here, the various IP allocation schemes include dynamic allocation of different IPs each time, automatic allocation of the same IP to the same user, fixed allocation of the same MAC for the same MAC by setting a fixed relationship between the MAC address and the IP of the device, User-specified assignment, etc.

Then, in steps 504 to 505, the newly driven terminal of the subscriber performs address translation and service provider selection. That is, the terminal, if there is the relevant address translation data from the data obtained through the NAPT 222 of the subscriber gateway 200, is converted to the address of the service provider 10 as it is to proceed with the service. On the other hand, if there is no corresponding address translation data in the NAPT 222, the service provider 10 is searched through the user management unit 243. In this case, the MAC address of the terminal, a user ID such as a SIM card, a terminal host name, etc. are used as an ID representing the user to search for the corresponding service provider 10. As a result of the search, if there is the corresponding service provider 10, the terminal IP and port information are retrieved from the NAPT 222, converted into the retrieved service provider IP address, and connected to the access network 20.

If the service provider 10 is not found even in the search of the user manager 243, the service provider 10 may be divided into two cases according to the authority given to the user.

One is a case where the service provider 10 is allowed to receive the service through the service provider 10 that is already used in the subscriber premises / premises network 30 even when there is no service provider 10. The user in this case is called an invited user. In the case of the invited user, the subscriber selects one of the service providers 10 that are already receiving the service and makes the invited user available. In this case, when the plurality of service providers 10 are serving the subscriber gateway 200, the invited user may be asked to select a desired service provider 10. When the service provider 10 of the invited user is determined, the invited user IP address port translation information is recorded in the NAPT 222, and the service is performed through the selected service provider 10. Even in the case of an invited user, the extent to which the user can be trusted varies depending on the user. Accordingly, the subscriber gateway 200 restricts access to the subscriber premises / premises network 30 using the user manager 243. The actual way to implement this is to divide the network by applying C-VLAN and to install a firewall in a secure area.

Another case is a case where a service provider 10 is newly selected through the access network provider to receive a service when there is no service provider 10. The user in this case is called an independent user. In the case of the independent user, the service node manager 141, the subscriber manager 142, and the DHCP 145 access the access node 100 through the access network IP address assigned by the access node 100 to the subscriber gateway 200. The service provider 10 obtains the service provider information that can be accessed and selects the desired service provider 10.

When the service provider selection is made, the subscriber gateway 200 records information on the service provider selection in the user manager 243 in step 506. In this selection process, it is possible to confirm that the user is a visiting user, and the record is also managed by the subscriber management function. On the other hand, the service provider selection may be prohibited according to the user's authority range.

Then, in step 507, the unique subscriber 31 or the visited user 32 is connected to the access network 20 by accessing the access node 100 through the subscriber gateway 200.

In such a service provider selection process, any user 31, 32 and access node 100 are connected to the web, and the web information is transmitted to the user (or subscriber) in a manner suitable for the terminal. To be delivered. When the user selects service 1 in Table 2, the access node 100 connects the service provider network to the subscriber gateway 200. The connection is established by setting the S-VLAN of the service provider network through the corresponding Ethernet switch controllers 121 and 221 respectively to the access network end 113 and the access network end 211 of the subscriber gateway 200.

 In operation 508, the service provider 10 establishes a connection with the subscriber gateway 200. Such connection establishment may be established in advance for all subscribers accessible by the service provider 10 when a contract of use of the access network 20 between the service provider 10 and the access network provider is made. In this case, the step of establishing a dynamic connection as described above is omitted. In addition, if the connection points of all the service providers 10 are set in the subscriber gateway 200, the service provider selection may be made in the subscriber gateway 200.

When the connection between the subscriber gateway 200 and the service provider 10 is completed, in step 509, the access node 100 can receive an IP address from the new service provider 10 at the subscriber gateway 200. Instruct the operation to). Accordingly, in step 510, the subscriber gateway 200 receives an IP address from the service provider 10.

Meanwhile, in the service provider selection process as described above, when the service provider selection is made in the subscriber gateway 200 itself, the subscriber gateway 200 starts a network setting operation with the service provider 10 by itself. In this case, the subscriber gateway 200 operates differently according to the case where the independent user is the subscriber and the visited user.

If the independent user is the unique subscriber 31, the subscriber gateway 200 operates as a DHCP client, receives an IP address from the DHCP server of the service provider 10, and the unique subscriber 31 enters the service provider network. Do it. That is, the subscriber gateway 200 connects the unique subscriber 31 and the selected service provider 10 through the assigned IP address to provide the subscriber 10 with the services provided from the selected service provider 10.

When the independent user is the visitor 32, the independent user operates in one of two ways.

The first method is to have the visited user directly be assigned an IP address from the service provider 10, as shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 8, in step 601, the subscriber gateway 200 retrieves an IP address assigned to the visited user 32 and provides an independent virtual LAN (VLAN) network to the visited user in step 602. Accordingly, in step 603, the visited user 32 operates directly as a DHCP client to successfully complete the DHCP and authentication / authorization / billing functions of the service provider 10. Accordingly, the visited user 32 is directly assigned an IP address from the service provider 10 in step 604.

The second method is a case in which the visited user 32 is a terminal that does not use a virtual LAN (VLAN) or it is difficult to operate the virtual LAN (VLAN) in the home / premises network 30, as shown in FIG. The subscriber gateway 200 operates as a DHCP relay.

Referring to FIG. 9, the subscriber gateway 200 operates as a DHCP relay in step 701. In step 702, the subscriber gateway 200 retrieves the IP address of the home / premises network 30 assigned to the visited user 32, and transmits a DHCP discovery signal to the visited user 32 in step 703.

Thereafter, in step 704, the subscriber gateway 200 operates as a DHCP relay to send a DHCP discovery signal of the visited user 32 to the selected service provider 10. Through this process, the DHCP (authentication / authorization / billing) process of the service provider 10 is completed, and when the service provider 10 assigns an IP address in step 705, the subscriber gateway 200 assigns the address to the subscriber gateway. In step 706, the access user 20 allocates the IP address of the access network 20 to the visited user 32 by the DHCP 242 of the subscriber gateway 200. In step 707, the subscriber gateway 200 sets a translation relationship between the two addresses in the NAPT 222. Accordingly, the visited user 32 may access the desired service provider network.

The process of maintaining, changing, and terminating the network of the subscriber is performed through an operation similar to the network service setting process as described above, and thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

According to an embodiment of the present invention as described above, an access network is applied to an access network when a plurality of service providers provide an access service through a single access network, or to provide a service specific to an installation community of the access network. . In particular, in a large complex residential complex such as an apartment, a condominium, and the like, the self-access infrastructure is being built in the complex. An access node and a subscriber gateway according to an embodiment of the present invention can be well applied. In addition, an access node and a subscriber gateway according to an embodiment of the present invention may be applied to a u-City center node, a u-City access point, and the like in a u-City network independently constructed by a local government.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined not only by the scope of the following claims, but also by the equivalents of the claims.

1 is a view showing the structure of a plurality of operators IP-based access network according to an embodiment of the present invention,

2 illustrates a specific structure of an access network according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a diagram illustrating a structure for opening a setting / control and operation management function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a diagram illustrating a virtualization structure of an access node according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a diagram illustrating virtualization of traffic monitoring / measurement / control, charging, and operation management functions according to an embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a diagram illustrating a process of securing an access network resource by a service provider according to an embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a diagram illustrating a process in which a subscriber or a visited user selects a service provider and receives a service according to an embodiment of the present invention;

8 and 9 illustrate examples of Internet Protocol (IP) address assignment when a user is a visiting user in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Claims (14)

A method of providing a service in an internet protocol based access network for a plurality of providers including an access node and a subscriber gateway supporting a plurality of provider environments, Performing access network resource acquisition and operation of a plurality of service providers connected to the access node by the access node; And If a service provider is selected by a user or the gateway, connecting the service provider and the user at the gateway to provide a service to the user, The access node resource acquisition and operation of a plurality of service providers that are connected to the access node is performed, When receiving a resource request from any service provider, granting a license and providing resource information; Performing authentication with any of the service providers; Receiving and recording a result of resource selection from the arbitrary service provider when the desired service provider selects a desired resource using the provided resource information; Performing a setup / control / management connection with the arbitrary service provider through virtualization; Receiving a request to change or terminate the use of access network resources from any service provider; And And processing the use change or termination of the resource in accordance with the request, and updating the processed result. The method of claim 1, If a new subscriber gateway is installed in the access network, the access node further assigns the new subscriber gateway an internet protocol address for accessing the access network. How to provide service in the network. delete delete The method of claim 1, wherein connecting the service provider and the user at the gateway to provide a service to the user comprises: Assigning a private internet protocol address to the terminal when the terminal of the user is driven; Establishing an environment for network connection and user management; Selecting an arbitrary service provider from the terminal, accessing the terminal to an access network using an internet protocol address of a selected service provider; Establishing a connection with the selected service provider; And And a step of receiving an internet protocol address from the access node. The method of claim 1, wherein connecting the service provider and the user at the gateway to provide a service to the user comprises: Selecting a service provider to provide a service to the user at the gateway; When the user to be provided with the service is a subscriber, operating as a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) client to receive an internet protocol address; And Connecting the subscriber with the selected service provider. The method of claim 1, wherein connecting the service provider and the user at the gateway to provide a service to the user comprises: Selecting a service provider to provide a service to the user; Retrieving an internet protocol address from a terminal of the visited user when the user is a visited user; And Providing an independent virtual LAN to the terminal of the visited user; The terminal of the visited user is provided with the independent virtual LAN network and operates as a DHCP client, and a service providing method in a plurality of service provider Internet protocol based access networks, characterized in that the Internet protocol address is assigned directly from the selected service provider. . The method of claim 1, wherein connecting the service provider and the user at the gateway to provide a service to the user comprises: Selecting a service provider to provide a service to the user; Initiating an operation with a dynamic host configuration communication protocol (DHCP) relay when the user is a visiting user and the terminal of the visiting user does not use a virtual LAN network; Recovering an internet protocol address from a terminal of the visited user; Transmitting a DHCP discovery signal to a terminal of the visited user; Transmitting the DHCP discovery signal of the visited user to the selected service provider; Receiving an internet protocol address from the selected service provider; Allocating an indoor / premises network address to the terminal of the visited user; And Connecting the terminal of the visited user to the service provider by setting a translation relationship between the internet protocol address and the home / premises network address. Way. A data plane unit performing a function for interconnecting a plurality of service providers and a user; A control plane configured to set up and manage information related to Internet protocol routing, perform traffic control and measurement, open to the plurality of service providers, and virtualize and provide physical configuration / control resources to the plurality of service providers; A management plane that manages the operation of the access network and the components located in the access network and virtualizes the operation and management functions; And A service for managing the information on the plurality of service providers and the user and resources of the access network, performing authentication of a service provider to provide a service, and performing a dynamic host configuration communication protocol (DHCP) function and a traffic management function. Including a flat portion, And a service provided to the user by a service provider selected by a user or a subscriber gateway in a plurality of service provider's Internet protocol based access networks. 10. The method of claim 9, The service plane unit, upon receiving a request for a resource from any service provider, provides management resource information to allow the service provider to select a resource and records contents of the selected resource. delete A data plane unit performing a function for interconnecting a plurality of service providers and a user; A control plane unit configured to set / control information related to Internet protocol routing, virtualize setting / control functions, and manage address translation information required by a user; A management plane that virtualizes overall operations management and operations management; And A service plane unit for managing information on the user and performing authentication; Selecting a service provider directly to provide services to the user, connecting the user and the service provider to retrieve an internet protocol address from the user so that the user can be assigned an internet protocol address directly from the selected service provider. Characterized subscriber gateway. delete The method of claim 12, If a user selects a service provider to provide a service directly to the user, and the user is a visited user and the terminal of the visited user does not use a virtual LAN network, the user operates as a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) relay. And the service provider connecting the service provider.

Images