Technique for Providing Selective Access to Network Node

• US 20080260109A1
• Filed: 09/13/2004
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Turina, Klaus
• Granted Patent: US 8,089,885 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/26.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1043 Gateway controllers, e.g. media gateway control protocol [MGCP] controllers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols

Abstract

A technique is disclosed for selectively providing access to a network node for testing and verification associated with a testing classification and requests are received from a network component to initiate a call via the net-work node. If it is determined that with the testing classification, service is provided via the network node.

Claims

1. A method for selectively providing access to a network node the method comprising the steps of:

associating the network node with a testing classification;

receiving a request from a network component to initiate a call;

determining whether the network component is associated with the testing classification; and

providing service via the network node only if the network component is associated with the testing classification.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the network node is a Media Gateway.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the testing classification indicates that the network node may be restrictively used for testing and verification purposes.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing service via a different network node if the network component is not associated with the testing classification.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

receiving a message from the network node identifying the testing classification.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the message is transmitted via a gateway control protocol.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the message is a service change procedure message.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

sending a message to the network node identifying the testing classification.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the testing classification is based on identifiable network components.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the network components are identified based on an international mobile subscriber identity associated therewith.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the network components are identified based on a dialing extension.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the testing classification is assigned to identified network components within a visitor location register.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the testing classification is assigned to identified network components within a home location register.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps are carried out by a Mobile Switching Center.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the network component is a mobile communications device.

16-17. -17. (canceled)

18. A system for selectively providing access to a network node, the system comprising:

means for associating the network node with a testing classification;

means for receiving a request from a network component to initiate a call;

means for determining whether the network component is associated with the testing classification; and

means for providing service via the network node only if the network component is associated with the testing classification.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the network node is a Media Gateway.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the testing classification indicates that the network node may be restrictively used for testing and verification purposes.

22. The system of claim 18, further comprising means for providing service via a different network node if the network component is not associated with the testing classification.

23. The system of claim 18, further comprising means for receiving a message from the network node identifying the testing classification.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the message is transmitted via a gateway control protocol.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the message is a service change procedure message.

26. The system of claim 18, further comprising means for sending a message to the network node identifying the testing classification.

27. The system of claim 18, wherein the testing classification is based on identifiable network components.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the network components are identified based on an international mobile subscriber identity associated therewith.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the network components are identified based on a dialing extension.

30. The system of claim 18, wherein the testing classification is assigned to identified network components within a visitor location register.

31. The system of claim 18, wherein the testing classification is assigned to identified network components within a home location register.

32. The system of claim 18, wherein the steps are carried out by a Mobile Switching Center.

33. The system of claim 18, wherein the network component is a mobile communications device.

19. An apparatus to selectively providing access to a network node, the apparatus comprising:

an association unit to associate the network node with a testing classification;

a reception unit to receive a request from a network component to initiate a call;

a determination unit to determine whether the network component is associated with the testing classification; and

a provision unit to provide service via the network node if the network component is associated with the testing classification.