Mediation system and method with real time processing capability

A system for handling event records in a communications network between a generation layer of events and an operation system layer of events by means of a mediation layer of events, the system comprising:

• at least one first self-contained component, at least one second self-contained component, and at least one third self-contained component for processing event records, each of the first, second, and third self-contained components having its own settings, and each operates independently of other components of the system, the first, second, and third self-contained components being configured to handle event records in series through a processing chain such that a preceding one of the self-contained components writes the event records output into a buffer, and a subsequent one of the self-contained components reads its input substantially continuously from the buffer,
• at least one node manager component for configuring each of the first, second, and third self-contained components, starting up each of the first, second, and third self-contained components, monitoring the functioning of each of the first, second, and third self-contained components, and stopping each of the first, second, and third self-contained components, when required, and
• a system database for managing all configuration information of each of the first, second, and third self-contained components, and for storing information on handled events,
• wherein the system is adapted to perform the steps of:
• collecting the event records from an element of the generation layer of events substantially continuously as a stream, by the first self-contained component in the processing chain,
• processing the collected event records substantially continuously in the processing chain, wherein the step of processing includes:
• writing the event records output from each preceding self-contained component in the processing chain into one of said at least one buffer,
• reading said buffer substantially continuously by the subsequent self-contained component in the processing chain for reading the event records as input for said subsequent self-contained component from the buffer,
• after reading any of the event records from the buffer by any subsequent self-contained component in the processing chain, retaining a copy of said read event record in the buffer, and
• removing the retained copy of the event record from the buffer after successfully outputting the event record from the subsequent self-contained component in the processing chain,
• delivering the processed event records to an element of the operation system layer of events substantially continuously as a stream, by the second self-contained component in the processing chain,
• wherein the system is further adapted to perform the steps of:
• providing each of the self-contained components with its own individual settings,
• each of the self-contained components functioning according to its own individual settings.
• wherein said individual settings of each of the self-contained components include
• a node base part of the settings, which is identical to the node base parts of the other self-contained components within the mediation layer, and
• a node application part of the settings, which contain custom processing rules and which is different to the node application parts of at least most of the other self-contained components within the mediation layer.

A computer program product including a computer-readable storage medium for a system to handle event records in a communications network between a generation layer of events and an operation system layer of events, which system comprises at least a first self-contained component, at least a second self-contained component, and at least a third self-contained component of a mediation layer for processing the event records, the computer program product comprising:

• a node base program means capable of providing basic software functionality for the first, second, and third self-contained components, said basic software functionality including an external interface, and an internal interface of each of the self-contained components,
• an application programming interface means for receiving application programs for each of the self-contained components, which application programs are capable of interfacing with the internal interfaces of each of the self-contained components,
• a node manager program means for setting up at least one node manager that is capable of constructing, configuring, starting up, monitoring and stopping each of the self-contained components, and
• a user interface program means for setting up a user interface for configuring the at least one node manager,
• wherein the computer program product is adapted to perform the steps of:
• passing the event records through a processing chain of the at least three self-contained components, starting from one of the first self-contained components, then through one of the third self-contained components, and finally through one of the second self-contained components, and for said mediating and passing,
• the method comprises performing the steps of:
• collecting event records from an element of the generation layer of events substantially continuously as a stream, by the first self-contained component in the processing chain,
• processing the collected event records substantially continuously in the processing chain, wherein the step of processing includes:
• writing the event records output from each preceding self-contained component in the processing chain into one of said at least one buffer,
• reading said buffer substantially continuously by the subsequent self-contained component in the processing chain for reading the event records as input for said subsequent self-contained component from the buffer,
• after reading any of the event records from the buffer by any subsequent self-contained component in the processing chain, retaining a copy of said read event record in the buffer, and
• removing the retained copy of the event record from the buffer after successfully outputting the event record from the subsequent self-contained component in the processing chain,
• delivering the processed event records to an element of the operation system layer of events substantially continuously as a stream, by the second self-contained component in the processing chain,
• the method further comprising:
• providing each of the self-contained components with its own individual settings,
• each of the self-contained components functioning according to its own individual settings,
• wherein said individual settings of each of the self-contained components include
• a node base part of the settings, which is identical to the node base parts of the other self-contained components within the mediation layer, and
• a node application part of the settings, which contain custom processing rules and which is different to the node application parts of at least most of the other self-contained components within the mediation layer.