Source: http://www.google.ca/patents/US20030198216
Timestamp: 2017-12-11 09:49:49
Document Index: 725485484

Matched Legal Cases: ['arty 102', 'arty 110', 'arty 102', 'arty 102', 'arty 110', 'arty 102', 'arty 102', 'arty 110', 'arty 102', 'arty 224', 'arty 102', 'arty 224', 'arty 102', 'arty 110', 'arty 110', 'arty 110', 'ARTE 0']

Patent US20030198216 - System and method for bypassing data from egress facilities - Google Patents
An open architecture platform bypasses data from the facilities of a telecommunications carrier, e.g. an incumbent local exchange carrier, by distinguishing between voice and data traffic, and handling voice and data traffic separately. An SS7 gateway receives and transmits SS7 signaling messages with...http://www.google.ca/patents/US20030198216?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20030198216 - System and method for bypassing data from egress facilities
Publication number US20030198216 A1
Application number US 10/179,613
Also published as CA2255971A1, CA2255971C, US6442169, US7200150, US7720081, US8416769, US8953585, US20070201515, US20100296508, US20130294439, WO2000031924A1
Publication number 10179613, 179613, US 2003/0198216 A1, US 2003/198216 A1, US 20030198216 A1, US 20030198216A1, US 2003198216 A1, US 2003198216A1, US-A1-20030198216, US-A1-2003198216, US2003/0198216A1, US2003/198216A1, US20030198216 A1, US20030198216A1, US2003198216 A1, US2003198216A1
Inventors Shawn Lewis
Patent Citations (97), Referenced by (33), Classifications (16), Legal Events (5)
US 20030198216 A1
(i) a gateway for communicating with a telecommunications carrier by receiving and transmitting signaling messages;
(iii) a control server for communicating with said gateway, for distinguishing between voice calls and said data calls received from said telecommunications carrier, and for sending said data calls to said network access server.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said signaling messages are SS7 signaling messages, and wherein said gateway is an SS7 gateway device.
4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said switch facility is one of:
a class ¾ access tandem switch; and
5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said gateway is a first application program running on a host computer, said control server being a second application program running on said host computer or on a second host computer, and said first application program and said second application program intercommunicate.
6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said control server comprises a communications portion for communicating with said gateway.
7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said communications portion of said control server and said gateway communicate via one of:
8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said control server comprises a communications portion for communicating with a communications portion of said network access server.
9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said data calls have a digitized data format, said digitized format contains one of: a cell, a packet, and a frame.
10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said network access server comprises a second device which can be used to time division multiplex switch said data calls to another network access server.
11. The system according to claim 19, wherein said second device comprises a tandem network access server bay.
12. The system according to claim 1, said control server comprises:
said database includes a table comprising called party number sand terminating points associated with said called party numbers.
13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said control server determines that if said called party number is associated with a data modem, then a call received is one of said data calls.
15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is an open architecture platform.
16. The system according to claim 15, wherein said open architecture platform is integrated into facilities of: an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC), an interexchange carrier (IXC), a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC), and an enhanced services provider.
17. The system according to claim 1, wherein any combination of said gateway, said control server and said network access server are collocated.
18. The system according to claim 1, wherein any combination of said gateway, said control server and said network access server are located geographically apart from one another.
19. The system according to claim 14, wherein any combination of said gateway, said control server, said network access server and said voice switch are collocated.
20. The system according to claim 14, wherein any combination of said gateway, said control server, said network access server and said voice switch are located geographically apart from one another.
21. A system for bypassing the egress facilities of a telecommunications system, the system comprising:
(a) a voice switch transmitting voice calls to a called party; and
(b) an open architecture switch receiving data calls and said voice calls from a telecommunications carrier, said open architecture switch including
a control server capable of controlling said modem network access server and said tandem network access server,
22. A system for bypassing the egress facilities of a telecommunications carrier, comprising:
means for receiving and distinguishing between data calls and voice calls; and
means for converting said data calls into a form used by a data network.
said converting means comprises at least one network access server for terminating said incoming data calls to modems, wherein said modems convert said incoming data calls from a first format to a second format; and
said receiving and distinguishing means comprises a gateway for handling signaling information, and a control server for controlling said gateway and said at least one network access server.
24. The system according to claim 22, wherein said converting means comprises:
a network access server for terminating said incoming data calls to modems, wherein said modems convert said incoming data calls from a first format to a second format.
25. The system according to claim 22, wherein said system further comprises:
a voice switch for switching said voice calls.
26. A method for bypassing data from egress facilities of a telecommunications carrier, the method comprising the steps of:
determining whether said call is a voice call or a data call; and
terminating said call onto a network access server for termination processing, if said call is a data call.
27. The method according to claim , wherein said step of establishing a call with said telecommunications system comprises:
28. The method according to claim 27, wherein said step of receiving signaling information comprises receiving signaling information at a gateway.
29. The method according to claim 28, wherein signaling system 7 (SS7) signaling information is received at said gateway.
30. The method according to claim 28, wherein said gateway is an application program running on a host computer.
31. The method according to claim 26, wherein said determining step is performed by a control server.
32. The method according to claim 31, wherein said control server is an application program running on a host computer.
33. The method according to claim 26, wherein said determining step comprises:
using a telephone number of a called party to determine whether said call is a voice call or a data call.
34. The method according to claim 33, wherein said telephone number is a number used to access one of:
35. The method according to claim 33, wherein said using step comprises:
looking up said telephone number in a database.
36. The method according to claim 26, wherein said terminating step comprises:
using a virtual private network protocol to extend said first network to said second network.
38. The method according to claim 37, wherein said virtual private network protocol comprises a point-to-point tunneling (PPTP) protocol.
39. The method according to claim 37, wherein said first network is a virtual private network, and
wherein said second network is a data network.
40. The method according to claim 26, wherein said call is terminated onto at least one modem in said network access server.
41. The method according to claim 40, wherein said call and at least one other call terminated at said network access server are connected in a time division multiplexed switching connection to said at least one modem.
42. The method according to claim 26, wherein said terminating step comprises:
terminating said call to a voice switch, if said call is a voice call.
43. A method for bypassing data from the facilities of a telecommunications carrier comprising the steps of:
(a) receiving signaling information for transmitting a call;
(b) converting said signaling information into a format used by an open architecture platform;
(c) receiving said call on said platform;
(d) determining whether said call is a voice call or a data call;
(e) controlling at least one network access server;
(f) terminating said call in said at least one network access server, if said call is a data call; and
(g) transmitting said call to a voice switch, if said call is a voice call.
44. The method according to claim 43, wherein step (f) comprises one of:
45. The method according to claim 44, wherein step (ii) comprises:
46. A bypass system receiving telecommunications traffic including voice traffic and data traffic from a telecommunications carrier and bypassing the data traffic around egress facilities of the telecommunications carrier, said bypass system comprising:
one or more gateways exchanging messages with the telecommunications carrier and providing signaling information to one or more control servers;
said one or more control servers responsive to said signaling information and detecting whether data traffic or voice traffic is being received by a network access server associated with the signaling information, and sending routing control information to the network access server receiving the telecommunications traffic associated with the signaling information; and
47. The bypass system of claim 46 where there are plurality of network access servers shared by one or more control servers.
48. The bypass system of claim 47 where said network access servers are located at geographically diverse locations remote from said one or more control servers and are connected to said one or more control servers through communication links.
49. The bypass system of claim 47 where the transmitting and converting functions of said network access servers are distributed across a plurality of network access servers at locations remote from said one or more control servers connected to said network access servers through a communication network.
50. The bypass system of claim 46 where there are a plurality of control servers shared by a plurality of gateways.
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/196,756, filed Nov. 20, 1998, which application is incorporated herein by reference.
The gateway communicates with a switch facility in the telecommunications carrier via the signaling messages. The switch can be, for example, a class ¾ access tandem switch or a class 5 end office switch.
The step of establishing a call with the telecommunications system includes receiving signaling information to set up a call coming into the open architecture telecommunications system, informing a control server that a call has arrived on the open architecture telecommunications system, and receiving the call at the open-architecture telecommunications system. The step of receiving signaling information comprises receiving signaling information at a gateway. In one embodiment, signaling system 7 (SS7) signaling information is received at the gateway.
[0053]FIG. 1 is a block diagram providing an overview of a standard telecommunications network;
[0054]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an overview of a standard telecommunications network;
[0055]FIG. 3 illustrates a signaling network in greater detail;
[0056]FIG. 4 provides an overview of the present invention in that it provides an enhanced telecommunications network;
[0057]FIG. 5 illustrates an open architecture platform in detail;
[0058]FIG. 6 illustrates an object oriented or wire line protocol format Open Architecture SS7 Gateway application and SS7 adapter communicating directly with lower level libraries;
[0059]FIG. 7 illustrates an object oriented or wire line protocol format Open Architecture Control Server application;
[0060]FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary Network Access Server bay;
[0061]FIG. 9A is a more elaborate view of the present invention;
[0062]FIG. 9B depicts multiple collocated or geographically diverse SS7 Gateways, Control Servers, Databases and Network Access Servers;
[0063]FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C, are flow charts illustrating how an originating caller gains access to an open architecture platform;
[0064]FIG. 11 is a flow chart describing how the open architecture platform handles an inbound call;
[0065]FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a complex outbound call;
[0066]FIG. 13 is a state diagram illustrating NAS side inbound call handling on the open architecture platform of the present invention;
[0067]FIGS. 14A and 14B are flow charts illustrating a state diagram of NAS side exception handling;
[0068]FIG. 15 is a state diagram illustrating NAS side release request handling;
[0069]FIG. 16 is a state diagram illustrating NAS side release TDM connection handling;
[0070]FIGS. 17A and 17B are state diagrams illustrating NAS side continuity test handling; and
[0071]FIGS. 18A and 18B are state diagrams illustrating NAS side outbound call handling initiated by a NAS for use in callback.
I. An Example Environment{TC\l1″}
local exchange LECs are providers of local telecommunications
carrier (LEC) services.
inter-exchange IXCs are providers of US domestic long distance
carrier (IXC) telecommunications services. AT&T, Sprint and
incumbent LEC ILECs are the traditional LECs, which include the
(ILEC) Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs).
competitive CLECs are telecommunications services providers
LEC (CLEC) capable of providing local services that compete
local access A LATA is a region in which a LEG offers services.
and There are 161 LATAs of these local geographical
transport areas within the United States.
end office An EO is a class 5 switch used to switch local calls
(EO) within a LATA. Subscribers of the LEG are
central office A CO is a facility that houses an EO homed. EOs
(CO) are often called COs.
access tandem An AT is a class 3/4 switch used to switch calls
(AT) between EOs in a LATA. An AT provides
switching An office class is a functional ranking of a telephone
hierarchy or central office switch depending on transmission
office requirements and hierarchical relationship to other
classification switching centers. Prior to divestiture, an office
Center (RC), class 2 - Sectional Center (SC), class 3 -
operators are present or else Toll Point (TP), class 5
- End Office (EO) a local central office. Any one
transmission TCP/IP is a protocol that provides communications
control between interconnected networks. The TCP/IP
protocol/ protocol is widely used on the Internet, which is a
internet network comprising several large networks
protocol connected by high-speed connections.
internet protocol IP is part of the TCP/IP protocols. It is used to
(IP) recognize incoming messages, route outgoing
transmission TCP is an end-to-end protocol that operates at the
control transport and sessions layers of OSI, providing
protocol delivery of data bytes between processes running in
(TCP) host computers via separation and sequencing of IP
point-to-point PPP is a protocol permitting a computer to establish
(PPP) protocol a connection with the Internet using a modem. PPP
point-to-point A virtual private networking protocol, point-to-point
tunneling tunneling protocol (PPTP), can be used to create a
protocol “tunnel” between a remote user and a data network.
(PPTP) A runnel permits a network administrator to extend a
point of A POP refers to the location within a LATA where
presence the IXC and LEG facilities interface.
global A GPOP refers to the location where international
point of telecommunications facilities and domestic facilities
presence interface, an international gateway POP.
bearer (B) Bearer (B) channels are digital channels used to
channels carry both digital voice and digital data information.
Internet An ISP is a company that provides Internet access to
integrated ISDN is a network that provides a standard for
services communications (voice, data and signaling), end-to-
digital end digital transmission circuits, out-of-band
network signaling, and a features significant amount of
(ISDN) bandwidth.
local area A LAN is a communications network providing
network connections between computers and peripheral
(LAN) devices (e.g., printers and modems) over a relatively
private branch A PBX is a private switch located on the premises of
exchange (PBX) a user. The user is typically a private company
customer CPE refers to devices residing on the premises of a
premises customer and used to connect to a telephone
equipment (CPE) network, including ordinary telephones, key
wide area A WAN is a data network that extends a LAN over
network the circuits of a telecommunications carrier. The
(WAN) carrier is typically a common carrier. A bridging
public The PSTN is the worldwide switched voice network.
packetized One example of packetized voice is voice over
voice or internet protocol (VOIP). Voice over packet refers
voice over a to the carrying of telephony or voice traffic over a
backbone data network, e.g. voice over frame, voice over
digitized Digitized data refers to analog data that has been
data sampled into a binary representation (i.e.,
(or digital comprising sequences of 0's and 1's). Digitized data
data) is less susceptible to noise and attenuation
number NPA is an area code. NXX is an exchange,
planning area identifying the EO homed to the subscriber. (The
(NPA); NXX homed EO is typically called a central office (CO).)
digital access A DACS is a device providing digital routing and
and cross- switching functions for T1 lines, as well as DSO
connect system portions of lines, for a multiple of T1 ports.
modified final Modified final judgment (MFJ) was the decision
regional Bell RBOCs are the Bell operating companies providing
operating LEG services after being divested from AT&T.
inter machine An IMT is a circuit between two commonly-
trunk (IMT) connected switches.
intelligent An intelligent peripheral is a network system (e.g. a
peripheral general purpose computer running application logic)
tele- A LEC, a CLEC, an IXC, an Enhanced Service
communications Provider (ESP), an intelligent peripheral (IP), an
carrier international/global point-of-presence (GPOP), i.e.,
signaling SS7 is a type of common channel interoffice
system 7 signaling (CCIS) used widely throughout the world.
(SS7) The SS7 network provides the signaling functions of
centum call Telephone call traffic is measured in terms of
seconds (CCS) centum call seconds (CCS) (i.e., one hundred call
seconds of telephone conversations). {fraction (1/36)} of an
Enhanced A network services provider.
inter machine An inter-machine trunk (IMT) is a circuit between
trunk (IMT) two commonly-connected switches.
Private Line A private line is a direct channel specifically
with a dedicated to a customer's use between two
dial tone specificed points. A private line with a dial tone
plain old The plain old telephone system (POTS) line provides
telephone basic service supplying standard single line
system (POTS) telephones, telephone lines and access to the public
(seizes) a phone line ortrunk by giving a supervisory
integrated An ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI) line provides 2
service bearer B channels and 1 data D line (known as
digital “2B + D” over one or two pairs) to a subscriber.
ISDN primary An ISDN Primary Rate Interface (PRI) line provides
rate the ISDN equivalent of a T1 circuit. The PRI
interface delivered to a customer's premises can provide
(PRI) 23B + D (in North America) or 30B + D (in Europe)
Pipe or A pipe or dedicated communications facility
dedicated connects an ISP to the internet.
III. Introduction{TC\l1″}
[0086]FIG. 1 is a block diagram providing an overview of a standard telecommunications network 100 providing local exchange carrier (LEC) services within a local access and transport area (LATA). Telecommunications network 100 provides a switched voice connection from a calling party 102 to a called party 110, as well as a data connection from calling party 102 to, for example, an Internet service provider (ISP) 112. Calling party 102 and called party 110 can be ordinary telephone equipment, key telephone systems, private branch exchanges (PBXs), or applications running on a host computer. ISP 112 can in the alternative be, for example, a private data network. For example, calling party 102 can be an employee working on a notebook computer at a remote location who is accessing his employer's private data network through, for example, a dial-up modem connection.
[0087]FIG. 1 also includes end offices (EOs) 104 and 108. EO 104 is called an ingress EO because it provides a connection from calling party 102 to public switched telephone network (PSTN) facilities. EO 108 is called an egress EO because it provides a connection from the PSTN facilities to a called party 110. In addition to ingress EO 104 and egress EO 108, the PSTN facilities associated with telecommunications network 100 include an access tandem (AT) 106 that provides access to one or more inter-exchange carriers (IXCs) for long distance traffic. Alternatively, it would be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art that AT 106 could also be, for example, a CLEC, or other enhanced service provider (ESP), an international gateway or global point-of-presence (GPOP), or an intelligent peripheral.
EO 104 and AT 106 are part of a switching hierarchy. EO 104 is known as a class 5 office and AT 106 is a class ¾ office switch. Prior to the divestiture of the RBOCs from AT&T, an office classification was the number assigned to offices according to their hierarchical function in the U.S. public switched network (PSTN). An office class is a functional ranking of a telephone central office switch depending on transmission requirements and hierarchical relationship to other switching centers. A class 1 office was known as a Regional Center (RC), the highest level office, or the “office of last resort” to complete a call. A class 2 office was known as a Sectional Center (SC). A class 3 office was known as a Primary Center (PC). A class 4 office was known as either a Toll Center (TC) if operators were present, or otherwise as a Toll Point (TP). A class 5 office was an End Office (EO), i.e., a local central office, the lowest level for local and long distance switching, and was the closest to the end subscriber. Any one center handles traffic from one or more centers lower in the hierarchy. Since divestiture and with more intelligent software in switching offices, these designations have become less firm. Technology has distributed functionality closer to the end user, diffusing traditional definitions of network hierarchies and the class of switches.
Number of Designation of Megabits per
Digital signal channels carrier second (Mbps)
Electrical signal, Telecommuni-
or synchronous cations Union Bandwidth in
[0098]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an overview of a standard telecommunications network 200, providing both LEC and IXC carrier services between subscribers located in different LATAs. Telecommunications network 200 is similar to telecommunications network 100, except that calling party 102 and a called party 224 are located in different LATAs. In other words, calling party 102 is homed to ingress EO 104 in a first LATA, whereas called party 224 is homed to an egress EO 222 in a second LATA. Calls between subscribers in different LATAs are long distance calls that are typically routed to IXCs. Sample IXCs in the United States include AT&T, MCI and Sprint.
[0102]FIG. 3 illustrates SS7 network 114 in greater detail. SS7 network 114 is a separate network used to handle the set up, tear down, and supervision of calls between calling party 102 called party 110 (or ISP 226). SS7 network 114 includes service switching points (SSPs) 316, 318, 320 and 322, signal transfer points (STPs) 302, 304, 306, 308, 310 and 312, and service control point (SCP) 314.
Access (A) links A links connect SSPs to STPs, or SCPs
to STPs, providing network access and
database access through the STPs.
Bridge (B) links B links connect mated STPs to other
mated STPs.
Cross (C) links C links connect the STPs in a mated pair
to one another. During normal conditions,
only network management messages are sent
over C links.
Diagonal (D) links D links connect the mated STPs at a
primary hierarchical level to mated STPs
at a secondary hierarchical level.
Extended (E) links E links connect SSPs to remote mated STPs,
and are used in the event that the A links
to home mated STPs are congested.
Fully associated (F) F links provide direct connections between
links local SSPs (bypassing STPs) in the event
there is much traffic between SSPs, or if
a direct connection to an STP is not
available. F links are used only for call
setup and call teardown.
IV. The Present Invention{TC\l1″}
[0114]FIG. 4 includes an overview of an enhanced telecommunications network 400 according to the present invention. This invention relates to the convergence of two types of networks, i.e., voice and data networks. Telecommunications network 400 provides a bypass connection from the ingress EO 104 (a class 5 switch) or from AT 106 (a class ¾ switch) to the called party 110 and ISP 112. Alternatively, it would be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art that an AT 106 can also be, for example, a CLEC, or other enhanced service provider (ESP), an international gateway or global point-of-presence (GPOP), or an intelligent peripheral. The connection is called a bypass connection because it bypasses the connections from the egress EO 108 to called party 110 and ISP 112. In other words, for example, the facilities of the incumbent LEC (ILEC) terminating the call of originating caller 102 are bypassed.
As noted, open architecture platform 402 can receive both voice and data traffic. This traffic can be received from any network node of a telecommunications carrier. A telecommunications carrier can include, for example, a LEC, a CLEC, an IXC, and an Enhanced Service Provider (ESP). In a preferred embodiment, this traffic is received from a network node which is, for example, a class 5 switch, such as EO 104, or from a class ¾ switch, such as AT 106. Alternatively, the network system can also be, for example, a CLEC, or other enhanced service provider (ESP), an international gateway or global point-of-presence (GPOP), or an intelligent peripheral. Accordingly, open architecture platform 402 integrates both voice and data traffic on a single platform.
[0122]FIG. 5 illustrates open architecture platform 402 in detail. Open architecture platform 402 includes an open architecture switch 502 and a voice switch 506. Open architecture platform 402 receives data and voice traffic from the PSTN (over communications links 404 and 406) and separates data traffic from voice traffic. Data traffic is handled by open architecture switch 502, while voice traffic is handled by voice switch 506.
[0133]FIG. 6 symbolically illustrates an example SS7 GW 512 application (as implemented using computer programs). The SS7 GW 512 application, labeled open architecture platform (OAP) SS7 GW application 600, provides communications between SS7 network 114 and open architecture switch 502. The SS7 signaling information is translated into, for example, an object-oriented, or wire line protocol format form for cross-platform compatibility, ease of transport, and parsing.
[0147]FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary NAS bay 802. NAS bay 802 is a generic view of either tandem NAS bay 504 or modem NAS bay 514. NAS bay 802 includes modules 804, 806, 808, and 810. Each of these modules is a slot card used to implement one or more interfaces with network lines. A line is a set of channels (e.g., a line on a T1 carrier). A channel is a time-slot on a line. Accordingly, each connection established with a NAS bay 802 can be uniquely identified by a module/line/channel identifier. Table 5 provides definitions for NAS bay terms.
[0156]FIG. 9A is a more elaborate view of one embodiment of the open architecture platform of the invention. The open architecture platform shown in FIG. 9A is the same as open architecture platform 402 (shown in FIG. 5), except for the additional resources described below.
[0170]FIG. 10A depicts a method 1000 for receiving an inbound call which bypasses the facilities of an egress switch according to the present invention. Alternatively, other call flows are possible, including a call requiring a modem calling back for security reasons, using outbound calling from open architecture platform 402.
[0172]FIGS. 10B and 10C depict more detailed description of the technique outlined in FIG. 10A. Specifically, these figures depict an inbound call flow into open architecture platform 402. An inbound call is where an incoming call (into the open architecture platform) is connected to a called party (for a voice connection) or an ISP (for a data connection).
In step 1034, a data call over a given bearer channel (e.g., a DSO channel) is time division multiplexed by tandem NAS bay 504 for termination at particular modems. The data call arriving over a given bearer channel on connection 406 (from AT 106) is assigned to a module on modem NAS bay 514. In other words, the incoming bearer channel is assigned to a given bay/module/line/channel (BMLC) going into modem NAS bay 514 to a terminating point. Table 32 illustrates an example message flow for this step.
[0199]FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the functional components of NAS bay 902, and how these components communicate with GW 508. In this more detailed view, NAS bay 902 includes protocol control application 1102, call control application 1106 and resource management application 1104. Protocol control application 1102 communicates with call control application 1106 by transmission of primitives. Protocol control application 1102 communicates with resource management application 1104 by the execution of procedure calls. GW 508 communicates with NAS bay 902 by the transmission of control messages. These control messages, implemented using the open architecture platform protocol, are described in detail in the sections below.
[0200]FIG. 12 illustrates a diagram used to show how complex outbound calls are handled. In these calls, a plurality of NAS bays are involved. Table 35 provides a description that is to be used in concert with FIG. 12.
[0202]FIG. 13 depicts an inbound call handling (NAS Side) 1300 state diagram detailing the states of protocol control 1102 during receipt of an inbound call. Steps 1302 through 1356 outline in detail the state flow of protocol control 1102 during the call.
[0203]FIGS. 14A and 14B depict NAS side exception handling 1400 state diagrams detailing the states of protocol control 1102 during exception handling. Steps 1402 through 1424 outline in detail the state flow of protocol control 1102 during exception handling.
[0204]FIG. 15 depicts a NAS side release request handling 1500 state diagram detailing the states of protocol control 1102 during the process of a release request. Steps 1502 through 1526 outline in detail the state flow of protocol control 1102 during the release request.
[0205]FIG. 16 depicts a NAS Side TDM connection handling 1600 state diagram detailing the states of protocol control 1102 during the receipt of a TDM call. Steps 1602 through 1630 outline in detail the state flow of protocol control 1102 during the TDM call.
[0206]FIGS. 17A and 17B depict a NAS side continuity test handling 1700 state diagram detailing the states of protocol control 1102 during initiation of a continuity test. Steps 1702 through 1766 outline in detail the state flow of protocol control 1102 during the test.
[0207]FIGS. 18A and 18B depict a NAS side outbound call handling (initiated by NAS) 1800 state diagram detailing the states of protocol control 1102 during initiation of an outbound call. Steps 1802 through 1872 outline in detail the state flow of protocol control 1102 during the call. An outbound call is a call initiated from the open architecture platform, for security reasons. In response to a call from a calling party, the platform initiates a call to the calling party, and performs password validation for the call.
NSUP 0x0081 NAS Notify NAS
ASUP 0x0082 GW Acknowledgment
to NSUP
NSDN 0x0083 NAS Notify NAS
RST1 0x0085 GW Request system
reset - Drop
ARST1 0x0086 NAS Reset in
awaiting Reboot
RST2 0x0087 GW Request system
(Reboot command)
ARST2 0x0088 NAS Reboot
RSI 0x0091 GW Request system
RBN 0x0093 GW Request bay
ABN 0x0096 NAS Acknowledgment
RMI 0x0097 GW Request module
NMI 0x0098 NAS Notify module
RLI 0x0099 GW Request line
NLI 0x009A NAS Notify line
RCI 0x009B GW Request channel
NCI 0x009C NAS Notify channel
SLI 0x009D GW Set line
ASLI 0x009E NAS Acknowledgment
to SLI
RGWI 0x00A1 GW Request Gateway
NGWI 0x00A2 NAS Notify Gateway
SGWI 0x00A3 GW Set Gateway
ASGWI 0x00A4 NAS Acknowledgment
RGWS 0x00A5 GW Request Gateway
NGWS 0x00A6 NAS Notify Gateway
RMS 0x0041 GW Request module
RLS 0x0043 GW Request line
RCS 0x0045 GW Request channel
NMS 0x0042 NAS Notify module
NLS 0x0044 NAS Notify line
NCS 0x0046 NAS Notify channel
SMS 0x0051 GW Set a module to
SLS 0x0053 GW Set a line to a
SCS 0x0055 GW Set a group of
PCT 0x0061 GW Prepare channel
SCT 0x0063 GW Start
with far end
as loopback
(Generate tone
received tone)
ASCT 0x0064 NAS Continuity
RTE 0x007D GW or Request test
ARTE 0x007E NAS or Response to
GW RTE
RTP 0x007B GW Request test
ATP 0x007C NAS Response to
LTN 0x0071 GW Listen for
ALTN 0x0072 NAS Response to
ASTN 0x0074 NAS Completion
STN command
RCSI 0x0001 GW Request inbound
ACSI 0x0002 NAS Accept inbound
CON1 0x0003 NAS Connect inbound
RCSO 0x0005 NAS or Request outbound
GW call setup
ACSO 0x0006 GW or Accept outbound
NAS call setup
CONO 0x0007 GW or Outbound call
NAS connected
RCST 0x0009 GW Request pass-
(TDM connection
ACST 0x000A NAS Accept pass-
RCR 0x0011 GW or Release channel
ACR 0x0012 NAS or Release channel
GW complete
5. A Detailed View of the Control Messages{TC\l3″}
ASUP - Acknowledgement 0x02 System ID
0x0 Request accepted.
NAS will reboot
0x0 Request denied.
NAS will not
b. Protocol Error Messages{TC\l4″}
c. System Configuration Messages{TC\l4″}
This message is sent as
a response to a RSI request.
NBN - Response to RBN 0x05 Bay number
a response to a RBN request.
ASBN - Acknowledgment to 0x05 Bay number
SBN This message is sent as a
response to a SBN request.
d. Telco Interface Configuration Messages{TC \l4″}
RMI—Request 0x07 Module number
NMI—Notify 0x07 Module number
module 0x0A Module type:
information 0x00 not present
(response to 0x01 unknown
RMI) 0x03 router card
0x0B Capabilities/features: logical OR of any of
0x08 Number of lines (or items, depending on
card type).
RLI—Request 0x07 Module number
NLI—Notify 0x07 Module number
line 0x0D Line number
information 0x0E Number of channels
(response to 0x0F External name in ASCII format
RLI) 0x10 Line coding:
RCI—Request 0x07 Module number
Channel 0x0D Line number
information 0x15 Channel number
NCI—Notify 0x07 Module number
(response to 0x16 Channel status
RCI) 0x17 Bearer Capability of
the Channel (BCC) or
0x1A Timestamp of the last
0x0F External name in ASCII
0x03 wink-wink with
200 msec wink
0x04 wink-wink with
400 msec wink
0x01 CSU (T1 long
0x02 DSX-1 (T1 short
0x43 T1DSX-1 line length:
e. Gateway Configuration Messages{TC\l4″}
RGWI—Request
NGWI—Notify 0x1B IP Address for Primary gateway
This message is sent as a response
to a RGWI request, or when the local
SGWI—Set 0x02 Serial Number of Remote Unit
ASGWI—
response to a SGWI request.
RGWS—Request 0x02 Serial Number of Remote Unit
NGWS—Notify 0x02 Serial Number of Remote Unit
Gateway 0x1B New IP Address of Primary Host
status 0x1C TCP port for Primary
response to a RGWS request.
f. Maintenance-Status (State) Messages{TC\l4″}
RMS—Request module 0x07 Module number
RCS—Request channel 0x07 Module number
NLS—Notify line status 0x07 Module number
SMS—Set a module to a 0x07 Module number
given status 0x24 Requested state:
messages. The correlator in those NMS messages will not be the same as the
correlator in the SMS message.
As the line changes status, the NAS will notify the GW with NLS messages.
The correlator in those NLS messages will not be the same as the correlator in
the SLS message.
channels to a given status 0x0D Line number
Reset to idle maintenance, blocked, loopback, idle, idle
in use, conected
Reset to out of maintenance, blocked, loopback, idle, out of service
service in use, connected
g. Continuity Test Messages{TC\l4″}
0x00 Resources reserved
After continuity testing, a channel
is always left in the idle state.
0x00 Test completed
h. Keepalive Test Messages{TC\l4″}
i. LAN Test Messages{TC\l4″}
RTF—Request a test 0x02 System ID
ATP—Response to RTF 0x02 System ID
j. DTMF Function Messages{TC\l4″}
LTN— 0x07 Module number
Listen 0x0D Line number
for DTMF 0x15 Channel number
tones 0x31 Time to wait for a tone (since
either last tone heard or start
of command) - in milliseconds
If resources are available, the NAS starts listening for
DTMF tones on the given channel. The procedure is as
2.2. If the recognized tone is the ‘tone to cancel’,
the operation is concluded and a response is generated
(cancel tone received).
3. If the timer expires, the operation is concluded and a response is
ALTN— 0x07 Module number
Response 0x0D Line number
to LTN 0x15 Channel number
STN—Send 0x07 Module number
DTMF tones 0x0D Line number
characters ‘0’-‘9’, ‘*’,
‘#’, ‘d’ - contiguous
dialtone, ‘b’ - contiguous
user busy, ‘n’ - contiguous
network busy, ‘s’ - short
pause, ‘r’ - contiguous ringback)
ASTN— 0x07 Module number
Completion 0x0D Line number
result of 0x15 Channel number
STN command 0x36 Completion status:
k. Inbound Call Handling Messages{TC\l4″}
RCSI—Request 0x07 Module number
inbound 0x0D Line number
call setup 0x15 Channel number
0x17 Bearer Capability of the Channel
This message is a notification from the GW to the NAS that
an inbound call is pending. The NAS should respond
with an ACSI message indicating if it accepts or with an
ACR if it rejects the call.
The valid channel states for this command are idle or
loopback. If the channel is in loopback state, loopback
mode is ended and the call proceeds.
ACSI—Accept 0x07 Module number
an inbound call has been accepted. Appropriate
resources have been reserved at the NAS for this call.
CONI—Connect 0x07 Module number
call (answer) 0x15 Channel number
0x40 Call identifier
assigned by the NAS
This message is an indication from the NAS to the GW to
l. Outbound Call Handling Messages{TC\l4″}
RCSO— 0x07 Module number
outbound 0x15 Channel number
call setup 0x17 Bearer Capability of the Channel
0x40 Call identifier assigned by the
If the call is initiated by the NAS, the Module, Line and
0x40 Call identifier assigned
by the NAS.4
an outbound call has been connected.
m. Pass-through Call Handling Messages{TC\l4″}
channels) 0x17 Bearer Capability of
the Channel (BCC)
channels. The NAS should respond with an ACST if it accepts
the connection or with a RCR if it rejects the connection.
The indicated channels are interconnected at the time slot
level. The NAS will not perform any rate adaptation. It is
the Gateway's responsibility to specify compatible channels.
This message is a notification from the NAS to the GW that a
TDM connection has been accepted and connected. The two
indicated channels are now connected.
n. Call Clearing Messages{TC\l4″}
RCR—Release 0x07 Module number
channel request 0x0D Line number
In the case of a pass-through call (TDM connection), the channel identified should
be the ‘from’ side.
ACR—Release 0x07 Module number
channel completed 0x0D Line number
6. Control Message Parameters{TC\l4″}
SGWI, ROWS, NGWS
0x2F 4 Ipaddr Test ping address RTF, ATP
0x30 2 UINT Test ping: Number of RTF, ATP
0x33 Variable ASCII DTMF string (‘0’-‘9’, ‘A’- ALTN, STN
7. A Detailed View of the Control Messages{TC\l3″}
server information, including
b. Module Status Notification {TC\l4″}
4 NMI Notify module information
(including number of lines
in this module).
c. Line Status Notification Flow{TC\l4″}
4 NLI Notify line information
1 SCS Set a group of channels to be
2 RSCS Message indicates if the
operation was successful or
e. Unblocking of Channels Flow{TC\l4″}
1 SCS Set a group of channels to
be unblocked state.
f. Inbound Call Flow (Without Loopback Continuity Testing){TC\l4″}
1 RCSI Setup for inbound call on
given module/line/channel
2 ACSI Accept inbound call. At
this time, the NAS may start
any Radius lookup, etc.
g. Inbound Call Flow (With Loopback Continuity Testing){TC\l4″}
1 SCS Set a channel to the loopback
3.1 RCSI Setup for inbound call on
given module/line/channel.
3.2 ACSI Accept/Reject inbound call.
At this time, the NAS may
start any Radius lookup, etc.
4.1 SCS Release a channel from the
loopback state (back to idle
4.2 RSCS Message indicates if the
h. Outbound Call Flow (Starting from the NAS){TC\l4″}
1 RCSO Request outbound call. Note that the
NAS doesn't know yet what module/
line/channel will be used for the
module/line/channel. This message is
used by the Gateway to notify the NAS
which module/line/channel will be
used for the call. If the NAS can't
process the call on that channel, it
should issue a Release command.
i. Outbound Call Flow (Starting from the GW){TC\l4″}
module/line/channel. The NAS will place
the call using one of the interfaces
(such as an ISDN PRI line).
The pass-through connection is established.
j. Outbound Call Flow (Starting from the NAS, with Continuity Testing){TC\l4″}
line/channel will be used for the call
and so, they are set to 0.
2.3 SCT Start continuity test. If the NAS
doesn't receive this command within 3
seconds of sending an APCT, the
continuity test will be canceled and all
reserved resources will be released.
k. TDM Pass-through Call Request Flow (Interswitch Connection){TC\l4″}
module/line/channel to be interconnected
for inter-trunk switching.
2 ACST Accept/Reject inter-trunk switch
l. Call Releasing Flow (from NAS){TC\l4″}
1 RCR NAS needs to release a call (for
example, it received an LCP TRMREQ).
m. Call Releasing Flow (from GW){TC\l4″}
n. Complex Outbound Call Request Flow Example{TC\l4″}
NAS#1 GW RCSO NAS#1 requests an outbound
the best route to destination
is through a PRI line on NAS#3.
To get there, it will use
NAS#2 as a switch point. The
Gateway selects channel 1/2/3
on NAS#1 for this call.
GW NAS#2 RCST Gateway asks NAS#2 to
NAS#2 GW ACST NAS#2 accepts and connects
GW NAS#3 RCSO Gateway asks NAS#3 to place
a call to the destination and
NAS#3 GW ACSO NAS#3 accepts the outbound
connection and starts setting
up the outbound call on PRI
GW NAS#1 ACSO Gateway tells NAS#1 that the
NAS#3 GW CONO NAS#3 reports the outbound
o. Continuity Test Flow{TC\l4″}
3 SCT Start continuity test. If the NAS
continuity test will be canceled and
all reserved resources will be released.
p. Keep-alive Test Flow{TC\l4″}
q. Reset Request Flow{TC\l4″}
V. Conclusion{TC\l1″}
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U.S. Classification 370/352, 370/522, 370/401
Cooperative Classification H04Q3/0029, H04L12/2876, H04L65/104, H04Q3/0025, H04Q3/0045, H04L12/2856
European Classification H04Q3/00D3H, H04Q3/00D2, H04L12/28P1, H04Q3/00D3, H04L12/28P1D1C
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LEWIS, SHAWN M.;REEL/FRAME:020417/0046