Abstract:
An embodiment of the invention includes a method of operating a remote testing access system. The method comprises receiving a test request from a test device over an incoming time division multiplexed (TDM) connection and in a TDM format wherein the test request indicates a one of a plurality of types of tests to perform on a soft switch, processing the test request to select a one of a plurality of service applications of the soft switch corresponding to the one type of test, and transmitting communications for the one type of test to the one service application in a packet format.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not applicable 
   FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
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   MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
   Not applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention is related to the field of telecommunications, and in particular, to a system and method for providing remote testing access to soft switches in Voice over Packet (VoP) networks. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Call through testing systems are commonly used in circuit switched telephone networks to verify network operations.  FIG. 1  illustrates public switched telephone network (PSTN)  100  in an example of call through testing in the prior art. PSTN  100  includes test device  110 , remote access device  120 , switch  130 , switch  140 , and switch  150 . Remote access device has access line  101 , and output lines  102 ,  103 , and  104 . In this example, test device  110  is coupled to remote access device by access line  101 . Output line  102  terminates at switch  130 ; output line  103  terminates at switch  140 ; and output line  104  terminates at switch  150 . Each switch typically services a distinct operating region distinguished by area codes in the PSTN dialing plan. 
   In the prior art, a user utilizing test device  110  is able to emulate a subscriber in any of the distinct operating regions serviced by switch  130 ,  140 , and  150 . The user dials into remote access device  120  over access line  101 . The user is prompted to enter a key code indicating which switch of switches  130 ,  140 , and  150  he desires to test. For example, a key code of 1 corresponds to switch  130 , 2 corresponds to switch  140 , and 3 corresponds to switch  150 . Upon entering the key code, remote access device bridges the incoming call to the appropriate output line. The user is provided dial tone from the selected switch as if test device  110  were actually serviced by the selected switch. The user can then test the operations of a switch, such as number translations and voice mail services. 
   Recently, Voice over Packet (VoP) services have increased in popularity and availability. Unfortunately, VoP networks do not currently provide for call through testing as described for PSTN  100 . For example, remote access device  120  is not capable of interfacing with soft switches. In addition, test device  110  is not capable of directly interfacing with a soft switch. Thus, testing the operation of a soft switch requires a field technician to perform on-site testing of the soft switch with test equipment customized for testing soft switches. It would be desirable to provide for remote testing of VoP networks without the need for customized test equipment. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An embodiment of the invention helps solve the above problems and other problems by providing a remote testing access system that allows for testing of soft switches in VoP networks without the need for customized test equipment. An embodiment of the invention includes a method of operating a remote testing access system. The method comprises receiving a test request from a test device over an incoming time division multiplexed (TDM) connection and in a TDM format wherein the test request indicates a one of a plurality of types of tests to perform on a soft switch, processing the test request to select a one of a plurality of service applications of the soft switch corresponding to the one type of test, and transmitting communications for the one type of test to the one service application in a packet format. 
   Another embodiment of the invention comprises receiving the test request into an access device coupled to a conversion device by a plurality of outgoing TDM connections. 
   Another embodiment of the invention comprises, in the access device, bridging the incoming TDM connection to a first outgoing TDM connection of the plurality of outgoing TDM connections based on the test request. 
   Another embodiment of the invention comprises, in the conversion device, selecting the one service application of the soft switch corresponding to the first outgoing TDM connection. 
   Another embodiment of the invention comprises converting the communications from the TDM format to the packet format in the conversion device. 
   Another embodiment of the invention comprises transmitting the communications in the packet format to the one service application. 
   Another embodiment of the invention comprises providing dial tone to the test device from the soft switch. 
   In an embodiment of the invention, the one service application comprises a port on the soft switch. 
   In an embodiment of the invention, the one type of test comprises a number translation test. 
   In an embodiment of the invention, the test request comprises a dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The same reference number represents the same element on all drawings. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates the public switched telephone network in an example of the prior art. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a communication system in an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a flowchart in an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a communication system in an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart in an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a communication network in an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a communication network in an embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 2-7  and the following description depict specific embodiments of the invention to teach those skilled in the art how to make and use the best mode of the invention. For the purpose of teaching inventive principles, some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations from these embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features described below can be combined in various ways to form multiple embodiments of the invention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described below, but only by the claims and their equivalents. 
   First Embodiment Configuration and Operation 
   FIGS.  2  and  3   
     FIG. 2  illustrates communication system  200  in an embodiment of the invention. Communication system  200  includes remote access test system  220  (herein referred to as test system), test device  210 , and soft switch  240 . Soft switch  240  could also be referred to as a media gateway controller, as well as by other names. Soft switch  240  includes service applications  241 ,  242 , and  243 . Test device  210  is in communication with test system  220  by path  201 . Test system  220  is in communication with soft switch  240  by path  202 . Path  201  could be, for example, a time division multiplexed (TDM) communication path. Path  202  could be, for example, a packet based communication path. 
   In operation, test device  210  accesses test system  220  over path  201 . For instance, test device  210  could dial into test system  220 . Upon dialing into test system  220 , a user utilizing test device  210  would enter a secure password. After verification, the user would then specify the type of test to perform on soft switch  240 . The type of test could be, for example, a number translation test, routing test, line feature test, voicemail test, or trunking services test, as well as other types of tests. Each service application of soft switch  240  is configured for a particular type of test. Thus, depending upon the indicated test type, test system  220  interfaces test device  210  to the appropriate service application of soft switch  240 . 
     FIG. 3  illustrates the operation of communication system  200  in an embodiment of the invention. To begin, test system  220  receives a test request from test device  210  (Step  310 ). The test request indicates a test type. For example, the test type could be a number translation test. A number translation test tests the phone number translation tables of soft switch  240 . Test system  220  processes the test request to selects one of service applications  241 ,  242 , and  243  that corresponds to the test type (Step  320 ). In the case of the test type being a number translation test, service application  242  could be the service application of soft switch  240  that performs number translations. Upon selecting service application  242 , test system  220  interfaces test device  210  to soft switch  240  (Step  330 ). For example, test device  210  transmits communications in a TDM format over link  201  to test system  220 . Test system  220  receives the TDM communications and converts them to a non-TDM format, such as a packet format. Test system  220  then transmits the packet communications over path  402  to service application  242 . 
   Advantageously, communication system  200  provides call through testing capabilities to packet based communication networks, such as a VoP network, equal to the call through testing capabilities of the PSTN, but without requiring customized testing equipment for VoP networks. Any feature or function available to a VoP customer can be tested in communication system  200  remotely using testing equipment similar to testing equipment used for prior art PSTN testing. Furthermore, tests can be performed from a network operation center (NOC). This provides the further advantage of eliminating the need to test VoP services on location at customer sites. In a specific example of an advantage, customer turn-up verification can be performed remotely for a newly provisioned customer. This ensures that all soft switch operations for the customer, such as number translations and voicemail, are fully functional before completing the customer turn-up process. 
   Second Embodiment Configuration and Operation 
   FIGS.  4 - 7   
     FIG. 4  illustrates communication system  400  in an embodiment of the invention. Communication system  400  includes test device  410 , remote access test system  420 , and soft switch  440 . Soft switch  440  could also be referred to as a media gateway controller, as well as by other names. Remote access test system  420  includes remote access device  421  and conversion device  422 . Test device  410  is in communication with remote access device  421  over path  401 . Conversion device  422  is in communication with soft switch  440  over path  402 . Remote access device  421  is in communication with conversion device  422  over paths  423 ,  424 , and  425 . 
   Path  401  could be, for example, a TDM line over which test device  410  transmits dual-tone multi-frequency signals. Paths  423 ,  424 , and  425  could also be TDM lines. Path  402  could be, for example, a packet based path. Path  402  could be directly provisioned to soft switch  440 . Path  402  could also be any type of path through a packet network, such as the Internet. Path  402  could therefore traverse other network elements, such as switches and routers, although other elements are not shown for the sake of clarity. Soft switch  440  includes an interface to ports  443 ,  442 , and  441 . Communications transmitted from conversion device  422  therefore traverse path  402  and are received by the interface of soft switch  440 . Depending upon the destination of the communications, they are transferred to either port  443 ,  442 , or  441 . 
     FIG. 5  illustrates the operation of communication system  400  in an embodiment of the invention. To begin, a user using test device  410  desires to test the operation of soft switch  440  for a newly provisioned customer. The user uses test device  410  to dial into remote access device  421  over path  401 . A standard call is setup between test device  410  and remote access device  421 . Upon being prompted, the user enters the port desired to be tested (Step  510 ). Each port  442 ,  442 , and  443  is associated with configured for a specific service application. Each service application has been pre-configured in the soft switch with dialing features and route addressing. Each line  423 ,  424 , and  425  coupling remote access device to conversion device  422  corresponds to one of ports  441 ,  442 , and  443 . 
   Remote access device  421  then selects and connects test device  410  to conversion device  422  over the line corresponding to the port indicated by the user (Steps  520  and  530 ). For example, if the user enters a code for port  443 , remote access device  421  connects test device  410  to conversion device  422  over line  425 . Conversion device  422  responsively establishes a connection to the appropriate port on soft switch  440 —in this case, port  443  (Step  540 ). A communication channel is therefore established between test device  410  and port  443  for testing. Analog communications, such as DTMF tones, transferred by test device  410  to remote access device  421  are converted to a packet format by conversion device  422  (Step  550 ). The packets are addressed to port  443  and transferred over path  402 . 
   In an alternative, the originating number associated with test device  410  is indicative of a particular service area. For example, the originating number could indicate an area code for a metropolitan area, such as Chicago. In this case, remote access test device  421  would read the originating number and determine the line  423 ,  424 , or  425  that corresponds to Chicago. Assuming line  423  corresponds to Chicago, test device  410  would be connected to conversion device  422  over line  423 . Conversion device  422  then responsively establishes a connection to the appropriate port on soft switch  440 —in this case, port  441  (Step  540 ). A communication channel is therefore established between test device  410  and port  441  for testing. Analog communications, such as DTMF tones, transmitted by test device  410  to remote access device  421  are converted to a packet format by conversion device  422  (Step  550 ). The packets are addressed to port  441  and transferred over path  402 . The service application associated with port  441  can then process communications from test device  410  in the same manner that any calls from the Chicago area would be processed. This enables a service technician to remotely test the performance of soft switch  440  from the perspective of a Chicago subscriber. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates communication network  600  in an embodiment of the invention to illustrate a situation whereby communication system  400  is advantageously applied. Communication network  500  includes service provider network  640 , access provider network  650 , and access provider network  660 . Service provider network  640  includes remote access testing system  620  and test device  610 . Access provider network  650  includes soft switch  651  and subscriber unit  652 . Access provider network  660  includes soft switch  661  and subscriber unit  660   
   In next generation network environments, such as communication network  600 , access provider networks provide the first level of access to a customer, such as subscribers  652  and  662 . An access provider network could be, for example, a packet based cable network. Service provider networks, such as network  640 , provide the first level of service to customers. In this embodiment, subscribers using subscriber units  652  and  662  access services provided by service provider network  640  through access provided by access provider networks  650  and  660 . 
   At times, it is desirable to test the operations of soft switches  651  and  661 . However, both soft switches are typically located on the premises of access provider networks  650  and  660 . Thus, technicians are not able to physically test soft switches  651  and  661 . Instead, test device  610  is used to remotely access soft switches  651  and  660 . Remote testing access system  620  interfaces test device  610  to soft switches  651  and  661 . In this manner, the operator of service provider network  640  can ensure that soft switches  651  and  661  are operating in accordance with established service level agreements. 
     FIG. 7  illustrates communication network  700  in an embodiment of the invention to illustrate another situation whereby communication system  400  is advantageously applied. In this embodiment, communication network  700  includes service provider network  740 , access provider network  750 , PSTN  730 , and mobile phone  710 . A test engineer using mobile phone  710  desires to test the performance of soft switch  751  with respect to newly provisioned services for subscriber  752 . In this embodiment, subscriber subscribes to VoP services provided by service provider network  740 . Access provider network  750  provides access to subscriber  752  for the service. Thus, a VoP call placed by subscriber  752  is routed to service provider network  740 . Service provider network  740  the handles the call, either routing the call to PSTN  730  or to another communication network. 
   To initiate the test, the technician using mobile phone  710  dials remote testing access system  720 . The call is connected to the mobile carrier (not shown) to PSTN  730 . Just like any other call, PSTN  730  routes the call to its destination, which in this case is remote testing access system  720 . Upon connecting the call, the user enters a subscriber identification for subscriber  752 . The identification could be in the form of a phone number or a session initiation protocol (SIP) address, as well as in other forms. Remote testing access system  720  establishes a link to soft switch  751 . Mobile phone  710  can then draw dial tone from soft switch  751  as if mobile phone  710  was the actual subscriber-subscriber  752 , as illustrated by line  701 . The technician can then enter a standard telephone number to test the translations of soft switch  751 . Other operations could also be tested, such as voicemail and line features. 
   While the invention has been illustrated and described in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character. One embodiment of the invention and minor variants thereof have been shown and described. Protection is desired for all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations of the above-described embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention. In particular, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that features and aspects hereof may be implemented equivalently in electronic circuits or as suitably programmed instructions of a general or special purpose processor. Such equivalency of circuit and programming designs is well known to those skilled in the art as a matter of design choice. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific examples and illustrations discussed above, but only by the following claims and their equivalents.