Global data migration between home location registers

• US 8,898,201 B1
• Filed: 11/13/2012
• Issued: 11/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: T-Mobile Innovations LLC (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Drost, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoliel, Jr., Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Santos, Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US13/675,939
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 707/803
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/119 Details of migration of file systems migration mechanisms in storage systems G06F3/0647
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/128 Details of file system snapshots on the file-level, e.g. snapshot creation, administration, deletion use of snapshots for error detection or correction G06F11/14, G06F11/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/214 Database migration support

Abstract

Data migration between Home Location Registers (HLR) may be performed because another HLR platform better suits business needs due to its performance, or because the provider chooses to move to another make, model, or manufacturer, or may be the result of a combination of rationales. Data migration is ideally executed with minimal interruption of service to the customers of the telecommunications provider. The systems and methods disclosed herein provide an automated, repeatable manner of migrating data between HLR platforms using a flat source file created for each table from the original HLR platform being transferred. A series of scripts is created and run and if a step in the process or function of the system is not correctly executed, that source file and/or the series of scripts is edited or otherwise reviewed instead of re-downloading new data from the original HLR platform.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of migrating data from a first home location register (HLR) platform to a second HLR platform, the method comprising:

maintaining a plurality of tables on a first HLR platform that includes a first computer system comprising a processor and a non-transitory memory, wherein the first HLR platform enables any of voice and data telecommunication services via a radio access network by communicating with a mobile switching center (MSC);

determining at least one table of the plurality of tables to be migrated to a second HLR platform via a source file, wherein the plurality of tables comprise a global parameters table, an MSCID table, a Home Service Area (HSA) table, and an HLR identification table;

determining at least one attribute in the at least one table to be migrated;

based on determining the at least one attribute in the at least one table, auditing the at least one attribute, wherein auditing comprises determining data integrity of the at least one attribute;

based on a successful audit, creating an output script;

running the output script on the at least one table, wherein running the output script generates the source file that comprises a plain text file;

reviewing the source file to determine whether the output script executed correctly;

responsive to a determination that the output script did not execute correctly based on the reviewed the source file, editing the output script, wherein the output script is edited and re-run until the source file that is outputted is determined to be executed correctly;

responsive to a determination that the output script executed correctly based on the reviewed source file, creating a conversion script;

running the conversion script on the source file, wherein running the conversion script outputs a converted source file;

reviewing the converted source file to determine whether the conversion script executed correctly;

responsive to a determination that the conversion script did not execute correctly based on the reviewed converted source file, editing the conversion script, wherein the conversion script is edited and re-run until the converted source file that is outputted is determined to be executed correctly;

responsive to a determination that the conversion script executed correctly based on the reviewed converted source file, creating a load script;

running the load script on the converted source file, wherein running the load script outputs a loadable converted source file;

reviewing the loadable converted source file to determine whether the load script executed correctly;

responsive to determination that the load script did not execute correctly based on the reviewed loadable converted source file, editing the load script, wherein the load script is edited and re-run until the loadable converted source file that is outputted is determined to be executed correctly;

responsive to outputting the loadable converted source file that is reviewed, loading the loadable converted source file on to the second HLR platform that includes a second computer system comprising a processor and a non-transitory memory, wherein loading the loadable converted source file on to the second HLR platform enables any of voice and data telecommunication services via the radio access network by communicating with the MSC; and

subsequent to loading the loadable converted source file on to the second HLR platform, routing any of a voice and data telecommunication call via the radio access network based on the second HLR platform.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the global parameters table is loaded first, wherein the MSCID table, the Home Service Area (HSA) table, and the HLR identification table are subsequently loaded, and wherein the MSCID, HSA, and HLR tables are loaded prior to loading of other tables.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising responsive to a determination that the at least one attribute is to be updated, updating the attribute, wherein the attribute is updated for at least one entry of the pluralities of entries, and wherein the data integrity comprises ensuring that the at least one attribute has the appearance and characteristics that conform to the schema of the tables of the second HLR platform.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and the second HLR platforms are at least one of a different make, a different model, and are manufactured by a different manufacturer.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the tables further comprise any of an Authorized Roaming List Flags Table (ARL), an ARL List Status, a Negative Call Forward Digit Screening (CFDS) table, a Feature Service Code table, a Call Forward Digits (CF) table, a CF Digits Type table, a IS41 Timers table, a Search Access SubSystem Number (SSN) table, a Search Access Point Code (PC) table, a Home Mobile Country Code (HMCC) table, a Split Numbering Plan Administration and Mobile Directory Number (NPA MDN) table, a Message Center Index table, an Announcement table, a Destination table, a Wireless Intelligent Network Service Trigger (WIN), and an SS7 Point Code table.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one attribute is updated to change at least one of the format or content of the attribute.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one attribute is updated to delete the entry.

8. A system for migrating data to a new home location register platform comprising:

a mobile switching center (MSC) that is communicatively coupled with a radio access network;

a first computer system comprising a processor and a non-transitory memory;

a first home location register (HLR) platform comprising the first computer system and a plurality of data tables that include a plurality of attributes, a global parameters table, an MSCID table, a Home Service Area (HSA) table, and an HLR identification table, wherein the first HLR platform enables any of voice and data telecommunication services via the radio access network by communicating with the MSC;

a data migration toolbox comprising an existing HLR platform audit tool, a snapshot tool, a source file review tool, a converted source file review tool, and a loadable converted source file review tool, wherein the snapshot tool, that is stored in a non-transitory memory and executable by a processor, is configured to take a snapshot of at least one table of the plurality of data tables from the first HLR platform;

an output script stored in a non-transitory memory and executable by a processor, wherein the output script is configured to generate a source file from the snapshot, and wherein the source file includes an intermediate flat file;

a conversion script stored in a non-transitory memory and executable by a processor, wherein the conversion script is configured to convert the source file generated by the output script into a format that can be loaded on to a second HLR platform, wherein the second HLR platform is configured to enable any telecommunication services via the radio access network;

a load script stored in a non-transitory memory and executable by a processor, wherein the load script is configured to output a loadable, converted table;

a second computer system comprising a processor and a non-transitory memory; and

the second HLR platform comprising the second computer system, wherein at least one of the plurality of data tables of the first HLR platform is migrated from the first HLR platform to the second HLR platform via the source file, and wherein any of a voice and data telecommunication call is routed via the radio access network based on the second HLR platform communicating with the MSC.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the global parameters table is loaded first, wherein the MSCID table, the Home Service Area (HSA) table, and the HLR identification table are subsequently loaded, and wherein the MSCID, HAS, and HLR identification tables are loaded prior to any other tables.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the first and the second HLR platforms are at least one of a different make, a different model, and are manufactured by a different manufacturer.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the tables further comprise any of an ARL Flags Table (Authorized Roaming List), an ARL List Status, a Negative Call Forward Digit Screening (CFDS) table, a Feature Service Code table, a Call Forward Digits (CF) table, a CF Digits Type table, a IS41 Timers table, a Search Access SubSystem Number (SSN) table, a Search Access Point Code (PC) table, a Home Mobile Country Code (HMCC) table, a Split Numbering Plan Administration and Mobile Directory Number (NPA MDN) table, a Message Center Index table, an Announcement table, a Destination table, a Wireless Intelligent Network Service Trigger (WIN), and an SS7 Point Code table.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein a schema of the second HLR platform uses at least one of a different format or a different content of the at least one attribute.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein a schema of the second HLR platform does not use the at least one attribute, and wherein the at least one attribute is deleted.

14. A method of migrating data to a new home location register platform comprising:

maintaining a plurality of tables on a first home location register (HLR) platform comprising a first computer system that includes a processor and a non-transitory memory, wherein the first HLR platform enables any of voice and data telecommunication services via a radio access network by communicating with a mobile switching center (MSC), and wherein the plurality of tables comprises attributes;

determining at least one table of the plurality of tables to migrate to a second HLR platform comprising a second computer system that includes a processor and a non-transitory memory, wherein the plurality of tables further comprise a global parameters table, an MSCID table, a Home Service Area (HSA) table, and an HLR identification table;

determining an at least one attribute in the at least one table to migrate;

auditing the at least one attribute, wherein auditing comprises determining data integrity of the at least one attribute;

creating, based on a successful audit of the at least one table, an output script;

running, in a testing environment, the output script on the at least one table;

generating a source file comprising a plain text file;

responsive to a determination that at least one attribute of the generated source file is not in the format used for the second HLR platform, editing the source file;

responsive to a determination that the output script executed correctly, creating a conversion script;

running, in a testing environment, the conversion script on the source file;

outputting the converted source file;

responsive to a determination that the source file is not in the form used for conversion, editing the source file, wherein the source file is edited and the conversion script re-run until the conversion script executes correctly;

responsive to a determination that the conversion script executed correctly, creating a load script;

running, in a testing environment, the load script on the converted source file;

responsive to a determination that the converted source file does not conform to a form defined for loading, editing the converted source file, wherein the converted source file is edited and the load script is re-run until a loadable converted source file is output;

responsive to outputting the loadable converted source file, loading the loadable converted source file on to the second HLR platform,

subsequent to loading the loadable converted source file on to the second HLR platform, routing any of a voice and data telecommunication call via the radio access network based on the second HLR platform.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the global parameters table is loaded first, and wherein the MSCID table, the Home Service Area (HSA) table, and the HLR identification table are subsequently loaded.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising responsive to a determination that the at least one attribute is to be updated, updating the attribute, wherein the attribute is updated for at least one entry of the pluralities of entries, and wherein the data integrity comprises ensuring that the at least one attribute has the appearance and characteristics that conform to the schema of the tables of the second HLR platform.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the first and the second HLR platforms are at least one of a different make, a different model, and are manufactured by a different manufacturer.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the tables further comprise any of an ARL Flags Table (Authorized Roaming List), an ARL List Status, a Negative Call Forward Digit Screening (CFDS) table, a Feature Service Code table, a Call Forward Digits (CF) table, a CF Digits Type table, a IS41 Timers table, a Search Access SubSystem Number (SSN) table, a Search Access Point Code (PC) table, a Home Mobile Country Code (HMCC) table, a Split Numbering Plan Administration and Mobile Directory Number (NPA MDN) table, a Message Center Index table, an Announcement table, a Destination table, a Wireless Intelligent Network Service Trigger (WIN), and an SS7 Point Code table.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one attribute is updated to change at least one of the format or content of the attribute.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one attribute is updated to delete the entry.