Communications signalling network apparatus
First Claim
1. A message interceptor for a communications signalling network of the type comprising a plurality of signalling points interconnected by bi-directional point-to-point links over which messages are passed to transfer data between the signalling points, the passing of messages over each said link being effected in accordance with a link-level protocol;
- the message interceptor being intended for insertion in a link between a first and a second signalling point and comprising;
a first link interface for interfacing with a first portion of said link that connects with said first signalling point,a first link-level protocol engine connected to said first link interface for implementing said link-level protocol in respect of messages exchanged with said first signalling point over said first link portion, said first link-level protocol engine having means for extracting data carried in messages received from said first signalling point and means for incorporating other data into messages for sending to said first signalling point,a second link interface for interfacing with a second portion of said link that connects with said second signalling point,a second link level protocol engine, connected to said second link interface for implementing said link-level protocol in respect of messages exchanged with said second signalling point over said second link portion, said second link-level protocol engine having means for extracting data carried in the messages received from said second signalling point and means for incorporating other data into messages for sending to said second signalling point,first transfer means for transferring data extracted by said first link-level protocol engine to said second link-level protocol engine for incorporation into messages, andsecond transfer means for transferring data extracted by said second link-level protocol engine to said first link-level protocol engine for incorporation into messages at least one of said transfer means including storage means for storing predetermined selection criteria, and selective-action means for effecting at least one of the following actions;
modification of particular data being transferred between protocol engines,inhibiting transfer of particular data between said protocol engines, said selective-action means being responsive to the data to be transferred by transfer means to effect said action only on data meeting a corresponding selection criterium held in said storage means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A message interceptor is interposed in a link of a communications signalling network such as an SS7 network. The interceptor separately maintains the link level protocols on the two portions of the link with which it interfaces. Message data is transferred across between the link portions by a transfer circuit of the interceptor. In the course of this transfer, the nature of the data is checked by a selective action control circuit against selection criteria held in a store. If a selection criteria is met, the control circuit acts to suppress or modify the data.
165 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A message interceptor for a communications signalling network of the type comprising a plurality of signalling points interconnected by bi-directional point-to-point links over which messages are passed to transfer data between the signalling points, the passing of messages over each said link being effected in accordance with a link-level protocol;
- the message interceptor being intended for insertion in a link between a first and a second signalling point and comprising;
a first link interface for interfacing with a first portion of said link that connects with said first signalling point, a first link-level protocol engine connected to said first link interface for implementing said link-level protocol in respect of messages exchanged with said first signalling point over said first link portion, said first link-level protocol engine having means for extracting data carried in messages received from said first signalling point and means for incorporating other data into messages for sending to said first signalling point, a second link interface for interfacing with a second portion of said link that connects with said second signalling point, a second link level protocol engine, connected to said second link interface for implementing said link-level protocol in respect of messages exchanged with said second signalling point over said second link portion, said second link-level protocol engine having means for extracting data carried in the messages received from said second signalling point and means for incorporating other data into messages for sending to said second signalling point, first transfer means for transferring data extracted by said first link-level protocol engine to said second link-level protocol engine for incorporation into messages, and second transfer means for transferring data extracted by said second link-level protocol engine to said first link-level protocol engine for incorporation into messages at least one of said transfer means including storage means for storing predetermined selection criteria, and selective-action means for effecting at least one of the following actions; modification of particular data being transferred between protocol engines, inhibiting transfer of particular data between said protocol engines, said selective-action means being responsive to the data to be transferred by transfer means to effect said action only on data meeting a corresponding selection criterium held in said storage means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- the message interceptor being intended for insertion in a link between a first and a second signalling point and comprising;
Specification