Call message with traveling log for testing intelligent telecommunications network

• US 6,079,036 A
• Filed: 10/19/1995
• Issued: 06/20/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Corporation
• Inventors: Moharram, Omayma El-Sayed
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hoa T.
• Application Number:
  US08/545,183
• Time in Patent Office: 1,706 Days
• Field of Search: 714/712, 714/749, 714/750, 714/751, 714/752, 714/821, 370/244, 370/245, 370/248, 370/249, 370/252
• US Class Current: 714/712
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/08 Indicating faults in circuits or apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2254 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/323 for the arrangements providing the connection (test connection, test call, call simulation)
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/06 using auxiliary connections for control or supervision , e.g. where the auxiliary connection is a signalling system number 7 link
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1316 Service observation, testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13527 protocols - X.25, TCAP etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13541 routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 Provisions for signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0087 Network testing or monitoring arrangements

Abstract

In an Intelligent Network (IN) a method for acquiring data is provided. The method comprises a test call initiated from the SSP to a desired destination within the network. The test call with the log portion appended to TCAP (and ISUP) messages travel through the network and collects data in the log portion from each node on the test call path. The test call with the traveling log (TLog) helps the maintenance personnel isolate troubles and faults in the network without having to monitor each node (or office) on the route of a troubled message path.

Claims

1. In a telecommunications network that includes an intelligent network, the intelligent network having at least a service switching point and a service control point, a method of collecting data comprising the steps of:

sending, by the service switching point, a test call message to a destination node, the test call message including an indication that it is a test call message, an indication for identifying which data is to be collected and a log for receiving collected data;

applying, by a node that the test call message traverses en route to the destination node and responsive to the indication for identifying which data is to be collected, an entry to the log; and

sending a return message, which includes the log, to the originating node from a terminus node.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the return message includes the indication for identifying which data is to be collected, and the method further comprises applying, by a node that the return message traverses en route to the originating node and responsive to the indication for identifying which data is to be collected, an entry to the log.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the step of sending the return message includes applying, by the terminus node, an indication of a fault to the log.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein each entry includes an identification of the node.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting a service provider name.

6. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting a service provider address.

7. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting a service provider name and address.

8. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting a third party service provider name.

9. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting a third party service provider address.

10. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting a third party service provider name and address.

11. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting routing cost information.

12. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting routing messages.

13. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting routing cost and messages.

14. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting service provider name and address, third party service provider name and address, and routing cost information and messages.

15. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting service subsystem number.

16. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting service provider name and address, and service subsystem number.

17. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting billing records.

18. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting service provider name and address, third party service provider name and address, and billing records.

19. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting service provider name and address, third party service provider name and address, service subsystem number, and billing records.

20. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting intelligent network message type.

21. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting service subsystem number and intelligent network message type.

22. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting local exchange carrier name.

23. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting local exchange carrier address.

24. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting inter exchange carrier name.

25. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indication for identifying which data is to be collected is a value requesting inter exchange carrier address.

26. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the test call message and the return message are a common channel signaling system number 7 (CCS7) message which includes a parameter indicative of that message being a test message.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the CCS7 message is an ISDN user part message.

28. A method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the CCS7 message is an intelligent network query message.

29. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the step of sending the return message includes applying, by the terminus node, an indication of a fault to the log.

30. A method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the terminus node is the destination node.

31. A method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the terminus node is any node from which the test message can not be further routed towards the destination node.

32. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the entry includes a number corresponding to a count of routes that are usable for the test call message.

33. A method as claimed in claim 32, wherein the entry includes a number corresponding to a count of routes that are provisioned at the node.

34. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the entry includes a cost figure for a selected route for the test call message.

35. A method for collecting data at a node in a telecommunications network that includes an intelligent network, comprising the steps of:

receiving at the node a test call message including routing information identifying a destination node, said test call message including an indication for identifying which data is to be collected and, a log for receiving collected data;

applying at the node an entry to the log responsive to the indication for identifying which data is to be collected; and

if the routing information identifies the node as said destination node, replying to the originating node with the log.

36. A method for collecting data at a node in a telecommunications network that includes an intelligent network, comprising the steps of:

receiving at the node a test call message including routing information identifying a destination node, said test call message including an indication for identifying which data is to be collected, and a log for receiving collected data;

applying at the node an entry to the log responsive to the indication for identifying which data is to be collected; and

if the routing information identifies another node as the destination node, forwarding the log according to the routing information.

37. A method for collecting data at a node in a telecommunications network that includes an intelligent network, comprising the steps of:

receiving at the node a test call message including routing information identifying a destination node, said test call message including an indication for identifying which data is to be collected, and a log for receiving collected data;

applying at the node an entry to the log responsive to the indication for identifying which data is to be collected; and

if the routing information identifies another node as the destination node and the test call message cannot be routed further, entering an error message in said the log and replying to the originating node with the log.

38. A method for collecting data at a node in a telecommunications network that includes an intelligent network, comprising the steps of:

sending by the node a test call message identifying a destination node, the test call message including an indication for identifying which data is to be collected, and a log for receiving collected data;

receiving a return message to the test call message which includes said log, said log including entries made in response to the indication for identifying which data is to be collected by a node in the network.

39. A node in a telecommunications network that includes an intelligent network, comprising:

means for receiving at the node a test call message including routing information identifying a destination node, said test call message including an indication for identifying which data is to be collected, and a log for receiving collected data;

means for applying at the node an entry to the log responsive to the indication for identifying which data is to be collected; and

means for determining if the routing information identifies the node as the destination node; and

means for replying to the originating node with the log.

40. A node in a telecommunications network that includes an intelligent network, comprising:

means for receiving a test call message including routing information identifying a destination node, said test call message including an indication for identifying which data is to be collected, and a log for receiving collected data;

means for applying at the node an entry to the log responsive to the indication for identifying which data is to be collected; and

means for determining if the routing information identifies another node as the destination node; and

means for forwarding the log according to the routing information.

41. A node in a telecommunications network that includes an intelligent network, comprising:

means for receiving at the node a test call message including routing information identifying a destination node said test call message including an indication for identifying which data is to be collected, and a log for receiving collected data;

means for applying at the node an entry to the log responsive to the indication for identifying which data is to be collected; and

means for determining if the routing information identifies another node as the destination node and if the test call message can be routed; and

means for replying to the originating node with the log.

42. A node in a telecommunications network that includes an intelligent network, comprising:

means for sending a test call message identifying a destination node, the test call message including an indication for identifying which data is to be collected, and a log for receiving collected data;

means for receiving a return message to the test call message which includes said log, said log including entries made in response to the indication for identifying which data is to be collected; and

means for reading the entries in the log.