TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to telecommunication systems and, more particularly, to providing redundancy for signaling link modules in a telecommunication system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Signaling points in telecommunication networks, such as Signal Transfer Points and Service Control Points, are 15 continuing to become more complex because they are increasingly handling more signaling links and different types of signaling links. In addition, signaling points are becoming more complex because they are providing more sophisticated services, such as Local Number Portability 20 (LNP) and Global Title Translation (GTT).
Unfortunately, as signaling points become more complex, they also become more difficult to manage because there are more components, interfaces, and signaling links that need to be managed and maintained. Further, as the signaling 25 points become more complex, each signaling point becomes ever more critical to overall performance of the telecommunication system, mandating that they rarely be inoperative.
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Thus, a signaling point that has advanced functionality for managing, controlling, and maintaining signaling links and/ or that has a reliable configuration is desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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The present invention provides a method and apparatus that substantially reduces or eliminates at least some of the disadvantages and problems associated with prior art methods and apparatuses for providing redundancy for signaling link modules in a telecommunication system. Accordingly, 40 in particular embodiments, the present invention provides a method and apparatus that can provide redundancy for signaling link modules in a telecommunication system.
In particular embodiments, the present invention provides a system for managing signaling messages in a telecommu- 45 nication system. The system includes a first control module and a second control module. The first control module is operable to receive signaling messages from a plurality of signaling links, process the signaling messages, and send the processed signaling messages through a communication 50 network interface. The second control module is operable to receive the signaling messages from the plurality of signaling links, process the signaling messages, and send the processed signaling messages through a communication network interface. The system also includes a Mate link that 55 is coupled to the first control module and the second control module. The Matelink is operable to communicate the status of the first control module to the second control module and the status of the second control module to the first control module. The first control module and the second control 60 module are further operable to be in either an active mode or a standby mode, only one of the first control module and the second control module being in the active mode at one time, the control module in the active mode sending the processed signaling messages through the associated com- 65 munication network interface and the status messages over the Matelink.
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In other embodiments, the present invention provides a method for managing signaling messages in a telecommunication system. The method includes receiving signaling messages from a plurality of signaling links at a first control module and processing the signaling messages at the first control module. The method also includes sending the processed signaling messages from the first control module through a communication network interface. The method further includes receiving the signaling messages from the plurality of signaling links at a second control module and processing the signaling messages at the second control module. The method additionally includes sending status messages for the first control module to the second control module, the first control module being in an active mode and the second control module being in a standby mode.
The present invention provides several technical advantages. For example, in particular embodiments, the present invention allows individual signaling links to be tested and, if necessary, disabled. As another example, in particular embodiments, the present invention allows a group of signaling links to be disabled simultaneously. As a final example, in certain embodiments, the present invention provides for redundancy of the modules managing the signaling messages on the signaling links.
Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art in view of the following FIGURES, description, and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention can be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, in conjunction with the following detailed description:
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system for controlling signaling links in a telecommunication system;
FIG. 2 illustrates a more detailed view of one embodiment of a Signaling Link Control Element for the system in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 provides a more detailed view of a Link Transition Module and a Link Interface Module for the Signaling Link Control Element in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 provides a detailed view of one embodiment of a computer for the Link Interface Module in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 provides a more detailed view of one embodiment of a Signaling Link Transition Module for the Signaling Link Control Element in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 provides detailed illustration of one embodiment of a Signaling Link Control Module for the Signaling Link Control Element in FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a Signaling Card in the Signaling Link Control Module in FIG. 6 where the Signaling Link Control Element provides support for Signaling System 7 messages in DSOA signaling links;
FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a Matelink message; and
FIG. 9 provides a flowchart that illustrates an embodiment of a method for determining plane switchover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system 10 for controlling signaling messages in a telecommunication network. In general, system 10 is intended to initiate, terminate, and/or switch signaling messages. As illustrated, system 10 includes a variety of control elements (CEs), such as a
