WO1998044681A1 - A control system for managing a distributed network - Google Patents
A control system for managing a distributed network Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1998044681A1 WO1998044681A1 PCT/GB1998/000889 GB9800889W WO9844681A1 WO 1998044681 A1 WO1998044681 A1 WO 1998044681A1 GB 9800889 W GB9800889 W GB 9800889W WO 9844681 A1 WO9844681 A1 WO 9844681A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- command
- option
- generate
- control system
- user
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q3/00—Selecting arrangements
- H04Q3/0016—Arrangements providing connection between exchanges
- H04Q3/0062—Provisions for network management
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L69/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services independent of the application payload and not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
- H04L69/06—Notations for structuring of protocol data, e.g. abstract syntax notation one [ASN.1]
Definitions
- the present invention concerns control systems by means of which an operator can control or interrogate a complex system such as part of a telecommunications network.
- the control or interrogation of such a system will be referred to hereinafter as management of the system.
- the invention is particularly concerned with an interactive control system which enables its operator to manage a system which exists in a distributed environment .
- a system can comprise a plurality of individual intelligent nodes each having a different interface.
- target code which is both lexically and syntactically correct and the generation of such code involves detailed knowledge of the structure of the system.
- a concern of the present invention is to provide a control system which enables a user to manage a system which exists in a distributed environment without the user having to deal with each individual node in the distributed environment so that the user is presented with an abstraction of the system.
- a control system for controlling a distributed intelligent network comprising a digital processor, input means for receiving input commands, analysis means for carrying out lexical and syntactical analysis on input commands to generate target code, means for responding to a partial command to generate data indicative of a range of options, and means responsive to a chosen option from the indicated range to cause the analysis means to re-analyse the original command together with the chosen option so as to generate a further set of data signals indicative of a set of further options.
- a method of controlling a distributed intelligent network comprising inputting commands to a digital processor having input means for receiving the input commands, carrying out lexical and syntactical analysis on the input commands to generate target code, and responding to a partial command to generate data signals indicative of a range of options, and responding to a chosen option from the indicated range to cause the analysis means to re-analyse the original command so as to generate a further set of data signals indicative of a set of further options.
- the digital processor includes storage files representing the nodes of a syntax tree and wherein at least a plurality of the nodes a chosen option can be added to an input command previously received at said input means and retained as a new command to said analysis means.
- Figure 1 is an overview of a digital telecommunications network
- Figure 2 is a diagram of part of the network of Figure 1 showing an additional intelligence platform
- Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a processor shown in Figure 2;
- Figure 4 is a diagram showing the inter-relationship between a control system in accordance with the present invention and the intelligence platform shown in Figure 2;
- Figure 5 is a diagram showing a known syntax tree
- Figure 6 shows in accordance with an embodiment of the invention a syntax tree with a feedback loop
- Figure 7 is a flow chart showing the operation of the syntax tree shown in Figure 6 ;
- Figure 8 is a second flow chart showing operation of the syntax tree of Figure 6 in accordance with the present invention.
- the digital telecommunications network shown in Figure 1 comprises a plurality of digital main switching units (DMSU) interlinked by appropriate telecommunication lines 2.
- DMSU digital main switching units
- DLE digital local exchanges
- Each SPR is connected to the DMSU's 1 by means of links 6.
- a DMSU 1 can be connected to more than one SPR 5.
- NIP network intelligence platforms
- Each NIP 10 is, in this embodiment, associated with more than one SPR's.
- each NIP 10 comprises a pair of front-end processors 11 and a pair of back-end processors 12 interconnected by an FDDI dual-ring 13.
- the numbers of front end and back end processors can readily be varied.
- the single SPR 5 is shown connected only to a single DMSU 5 in the interest of simplicity.
- One of the front processors 11 shown in Figure 2 is shown in slightly greater detail in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings and comprises a digital dual CPU symmetric multi-processor known as the AlphaServer 4100 having 512Mb RAM and a 2.1Gb system disc. Associated with this processor are four terminal cards 14 known as digital El cards, there being one card for each of the SPR's serviced by the network intelligence platform.
- BT British Telecommunications public limited company
- software running the network which is proprietary to BT has to interface at various functional levels with the products of other companies which interface with the PSTN network .
- An example of this is the Digital DEC SS7 which provides signalling connections to the PSTN for intelligent network nodes and which resides in the NIP's described herein with regard to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings .
- the DEC SS7 system complies with
- the embodiment of the present invention which is being described provides a control system which enables a user to manage at least some of the functions of an NIP such as an NIP 10 shown in Figure 2.
- control system 15 incorporates a digital processor 21 in which appropriate software is stored in a suitable manner, i.e. on a hard disc or a computer readable optical medium with which a user can communicate by means of standard devices such as a keyboard or a mouse.
- control system 15 is invoked and driven by a user 20 so that the interface can interact and use a master configuration file 22.
- the master configuration file contains a plurality of individual configuration files 23 and the interface 15 can interrogate and interact with these files via a shell script 24 which uses a temporary work file 25. Temporary results are stored in a temporary results file 26.
- the output of the interface 15 is connected, in the present embodiment, to a control system 30 controlling operations in the NIP described with respect to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings .
- This control system is the already described Digital SS7 system which in turn communicates with SS7 hardware 31.
- the control system 30 has its own interface 32 which will expect commands with appropriate syntax and configuration, this interface 32 corresponding to a terminal card 14 of the kind described with relation to Figures 2 and 3.
- An overall supervisor is shown at 32 with the ability to check on the operation of the system.
- control system 15 responds to commands input by the user 20 to generate as target code the commands expected by the system 30 and to input these commands to interface 32.
- control system 15 includes a compiler.
- Compiler writing tools such as LEX (trademark) and YACC (trademark) are known and allow a user to specify a syntax tree of the kind which is shown in Figure 5.
- LEX trademark
- YACC trademark
- By using a compiler and a syntax tree a user can issue a command and if the command is recognised traverse the syntax tree in a left-recursive manner until a leaf is reached. Once a leaf has been reached the control system 15 may generate and optionally execute target code on behalf of the user appropriate to the system being controlled, in this case system 30, so as to carry out the required management function.
- the syntax tree shown in Figure 5 comprises a root 50 connected to a plurality of nodes 51.
- the root 50 is the point at which a user inputs his commands.
- Each node can be connected to a plurality of further nodes, or a node or nodes 51 and a leaf 52 or to a leaf 52.
- Each leaf represents the situation where a correct command has been entered, the interface has recognised the command with the final outcome that the user has arrived at a leaf .
- the control system 15 By means of its arrival at a leaf the control system 15 has sufficient information to generate and to then issue target code to the interface 32 of the system 30 being managed. Results of these commands are made visible to the user on an appropriate display.
- the flow diagram of Figure 7 shows normal operation of the syntax tree of Figure 5 when a correct command has been received.
- a user inputs a command.
- this command is analysed both syntactically and lexically and if it is syntactically and lexically correct target code is generated and executed at S3. The sequence is continued until the user is finished. If at step S2 the analysis indicated that the command was either incomplete or incorrect then the only outcome would be the generation of an error message as is shown at E.
- the control system 15 is interactive in that it enables the user to enter partial commands as well as full commands.
- the control system 15 is capable of dealing with the following three situations in response to inputs from a user.
- the first situation is where the user types in, or otherwise suitably enters, no command but just "carriage return".
- the second case is when the user enters part of a command
- the third case is when the user enters the entire command. It is possible for this entire command to be of the type required by the control system 15.
- a function of the control system 15 is to be able to generate a command (appropriate for system 30) at a leaf from a command entered by a user which has a different syntax and grammar from the language expected by the system being managed.
- control system 15 is capable of dealing with both of the first and second options as well as the third option.
- This feedback loop is as follows.
- the user is offered a choice of two actions. This is indicated by the prompt P at S3 with the two actions available indicated at Cl and C2.
- the first choice is Cl and is whether or not the user wishes to have additional information regarding possible nodes deeper in the syntax tree presented to him/her.
- the additional data is appended to the current partial input, which was of course sufficient to reach the node, so as to generate a further command.
- This further command will consist of the original input, the user choice and any relevant external information.
- This further command is returned to the input and the interface is made to forget the original input by rewinding the file description pointer.
- the lexical and syntactical analysis stages 2 and 3 are carried out again and the result will be that the command will inevitably proceed to a deeper level in the syntax tree. By this process the user will always end at a leaf so that target code can be generated .
- the control system will be unable to generate the relevant code.
- the command is incomplete as it does not specify which linkset.
- the user will in this case be given a list of all know linksets so that a choice can be made. If linkset 6 is selected from the list the original command "show linkset” becomes “show linkset 6" and in this way the next node is reached.
- the embodiment just described provides a number of advantages over the arrangement in which at each node additional code is provided to enable a user to be taken directly from that node to a leaf . Firstly the amount of code involved is less. Code does not have to be written which explicitly goes from each node down through all remaining levels to a leaf and then generate target code. Thus target code is only generated at a leaf. This makes it easier to debug the code.
- the management interface as described provides an abstraction of a management system such as the Digital SS7. It enables a user to manage a system in a distributed environment without having to deal with each interface which is generally in the form of a network card. Thus the user is presented with an abstraction and is given a command syntax which allows the user to:
- the control system 15 now issues the appropriate command to the system 30 via interface 32 to show the required link.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Computer And Data Communications (AREA)
- Multi Processors (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA002285199A CA2285199A1 (en) | 1997-03-27 | 1998-03-24 | A control system for managing a distributed network |
EP98912626A EP0972376A1 (en) | 1997-03-27 | 1998-03-24 | A control system for managing a distributed network |
AU67406/98A AU6740698A (en) | 1997-03-27 | 1998-03-24 | A control system for managing a distributed network |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB9706490.1A GB9706490D0 (en) | 1997-03-27 | 1997-03-27 | A controller system for managing a distributed network |
GB9706490.1 | 1997-03-27 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1998044681A1 true WO1998044681A1 (en) | 1998-10-08 |
Family
ID=10810043
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB1998/000889 WO1998044681A1 (en) | 1997-03-27 | 1998-03-24 | A control system for managing a distributed network |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0972376A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU6740698A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2285199A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB9706490D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1998044681A1 (en) |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0701202A1 (en) * | 1994-09-09 | 1996-03-13 | International Computers Limited | Graphical user interface for a computer system |
-
1997
- 1997-03-27 GB GBGB9706490.1A patent/GB9706490D0/en active Pending
-
1998
- 1998-03-24 AU AU67406/98A patent/AU6740698A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-03-24 EP EP98912626A patent/EP0972376A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1998-03-24 CA CA002285199A patent/CA2285199A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-03-24 WO PCT/GB1998/000889 patent/WO1998044681A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0701202A1 (en) * | 1994-09-09 | 1996-03-13 | International Computers Limited | Graphical user interface for a computer system |
Non-Patent Citations (4)
Title |
---|
"PANEL HIERARCHY FOR SYSTEM DEFINITION", IBM TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BULLETIN, vol. 34, no. 2, 1 July 1991 (1991-07-01), pages 170 - 173, XP000211070 * |
SEVCIK M: "ADAPTABLE TMN: A NEW DIMENSION IN PRACTICAL NETWORK MANAGEMENT", PROCEEDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SWITCHING SYMPOSIUM, YOKOHAMA, OCT. 25 - 30, 1992, vol. 1 - 2, 25 October 1992 (1992-10-25), INSTITUTE OF ELECTRONICS;INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERS, pages 65 - 69, XP000337618 * |
SMITH C J ET AL: "HP OPEN VIEW WINDOWS: A USER INTERFACE FOR NETWORK MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS", HEWLETT-PACKARD JOURNAL, vol. 41, no. 2, 1 April 1990 (1990-04-01), pages 60 - 65, XP000116175 * |
STEEGMANS E ET AL: "GENERATION OF INTERACTIVE PARSERS WITH ERROR HANDLING", IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON SOFTWARE ENGINEERING, vol. 18, no. 5, 1 May 1992 (1992-05-01), pages 357 - 367, XP000330468 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2285199A1 (en) | 1998-10-08 |
AU6740698A (en) | 1998-10-22 |
GB9706490D0 (en) | 1997-05-14 |
EP0972376A1 (en) | 2000-01-19 |
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