US 6,785,362 B1 · Method and apparatus for checking the functionality of a switching center

Abstract

In order to check the functionality of a switching center (VST) which is to be tested in a telecommunications network in which user information on the subscriber connections is interchanged via intermediate interfaces (NK1, NK2) with a respectively connected switching center, and signaling messages for controlling the subscriber connections and for administration of the intermediate interfaces (NK1, NK2) are interchanged via signaling interfaces (SSS), original signaling messages which have been transmitted from the switching center (VST) and in which the switching center (VST) is stated as the source point are received, the original signaling messages are each converted in accordance with a predetermined rule into signaling messages in which the switching center (VST) is stated as the destination point, and the signaling messages which have been converted in this way are sent to the switching center (VST). The intermediate interfaces (NK1, NK2) are advantageously looped through in a corresponding manner to the switching centers which are associated with one another in the converted messages. The checking functions can be provided internally in a switching center (VST) or in a device (CLG) for checking the functionality of the switching center.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method for checking the functionality of a switching center to be tested, wherein the switching center is used to produce subscriber connections in a telecommunications network and has at least two switching connections to which, respectively, at least two further switching centers are connected, in each switching connection an intermediate interface is respectively provided for interchanging user information on the subscriber connection with the respectively connected further switching center, the switching center to be tested also having at least one signaling interface via which signaling messages for controlling the subscriber connections and for administering the intermediate interfaces are interchanged, each signaling message having details relating to a respective source and destination switching center, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving original signaling messages which have been transmitted from the switching center to be tested, wherein a point code of the switching center to be tested is used to indicate a source point and destination point of the signaling messages, with each signaling message having a respective address field which includes a respective source code and a respective destination code, and with the switching center to be tested being stated as the source point in the original signaling messages;
converting the original signaling messages in accordance with a first predetermined rule into further respective signaling messages in which the switching center to be tested is stated as the destination point;
and
sending the further signaling messages to the switching center to be tested.

1 more element

A device for checking the functionality of a switching center to be tested, and for producing subscriber connections in a telecommunications network, the device comprising:

at least one signaling interface to which the switching center to be tested is connected, the signaling interface being set up for interchanging signaling messages between further switching centers for controlling subscriber connections and for administering intermediate interfaces which connect the further switching centers to the switching center to be tested, wherein a point code of the switching center to be tested is used to indicate a source point and destination point of the signaling messages, with each signaling message having a respective address field which includes a respective source code and a respective destination code relating to a respective source and destination switching center;
a transmitting and receiving device for transmitting and receiving the signaling messages via the at least one signaling interface;
and
a converter device whose output is supplied to the transmitting and receiving device and to which the signaling messages which have been received by the transmitting and receiving device can be supplied, the converter device converting the original signaling messages in accordance with a first predetermined rule into respective converted signaling messages in each of which the source point of the respective original signaling message is stated as the destination point.

1 more element

A switching center to be tested and which is used to produce subscriber connections in a telecommunications network and which has at least two switching connections to which further switching centers are connected, in each of the switching connections an intermediate interface is provided for interchanging user information on the subscriber connections with a respectively connected further switching center, and has at least one signaling interface via which signaling messages for controlling the subscriber connections and for administering the intermediate interfaces are interchanged, wherein a point code of the switching center to be tested is used to indicate a source point and destination point of the signaling messages, with each signaling message having a respective address field which includes a respective source code and a respective destination code relating to a respective source and destination switching center, the switching center to be tested comprising:

a converter device for converting original signaling messages in accordance with a first predetermined rule into respective converted signaling messages in each of which the source point of the original signaling message is stated as the destination point;
and
a rerouting device for rerouting signaling messages which are to be sent as the original signaling messages from the signaling interface to the converter device, and for rerouting the converted signaling messages as signaling messages which arrive at the switching center to be tested to the signaling interface.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for checking the functionality of a switching center

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for checking the functionality of a switching center

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12