Method and system for software updating

A method for updating software in a network element of a telecommunication network which network element comprises units and which method comprises the following steps:

• the units are logically divided into an original side and testing side,
• in the units of the original side, the original software is maintained,
• traffic transmitting tasks of the network element are performed using the units of the original side,
• one or more units of the testing side are loaded with a new piece of software,
• the new piece of software is introduced,
• it is found out whether the units loaded with the new piece of software are operating in a desired way,
• in case not, the update is rejected, and
• in case they do, the update is accepted,
• characterised in that the method further comprises the following step:
• in the introduction phase of the new piece of software, a connection data is generated which connection data comprises predetermined information of the existing connections of the network element,
• in the introduction phase of the new piece of software, said connection data is arranged to be used by the units of the testing side, and
• in the introduction phase of the new piece of software, said new piece of software is activated utilising said connection data and maintaining the existing connections of the network element.

A method for updating software in a network element of a telecommunication network which network element comprises units and which method comprises the following steps:

• the units are logically divided into an original side and testing side,
• in the units of the original side, the original software is maintained,
• current traffic transmitting tasks of the network element are performed using the units of the original side,
• one or more units of the testing side are loaded with a new piece of software,
• the new piece of software is introduced,
• it is found out whether the units loaded with the new piece of software are operating in a desired way,
• in case not, the update is rejected, and
• in case they do, the update is accepted,
• characterised in that the method further comprises the following steps:
• in the introduction phase of the new piece of software, units are logically divided from the original side into the testing side one at a time as their respective current traffic transmitting tasks are finished, and
• in the introduction phase of the new piece of software, forthcoming traffic transmitting tasks of the network element are performed using said units logically divided from the original side into the testing side.

A system for updating software in a network element of a telecommunication network which system comprises:

• a network element, which comprises units that are logically divided into an original side and testing side,
• an original software for performing traffic transmitting tasks which original software has been loaded into one or more units of the original side, and
• a new piece of software to test which new piece of software has been loaded into one or more units of the testing side,
• characterized in that the system further comprises:
• one or more test connections directed into the units of the testing side loaded with the new piece of software, in order to be able to test the new piece of software in question.

A system for updating software in a network element of a telecommunication network, comprising:

• a network element, comprising units that are logically divided into an original side and testing side,
• an original software for performing traffic transmitting tasks of a network element which original software has been loaded into one or more units of the original side, and
• a new piece of software to be introduced which new piece of software has been loaded into one or more units of the testing side,
• characterised in that system further comprises:
• a connection data which comprises predetermined information of the existing connections of the network element in question and which connection data is arranged to be used by the units of the testing side, and
• a new piece of software for performing traffic transmitting tasks of the network element in question utilising the connection data and maintaining the existing connections of the network element in question.