CN1185260A - Resource availability in intelligent telecommunications networks - Google Patents

Abstract

In a telecommunications network of the kind comprising a transport network (not shown) and an intelligence platform (2) any creation of additional services packages by a service creation environment (not shown) results in an interchange of informtion between a distributed computing environment (222) and the service creation environment. The service control environment forwards data defining the resources required and the start and finish time to the (222). The resource function (41) within the distributed computing environment determines whether the resources are or will be available, or if not whether an altenative quality of service at a different period could be provided. This information enables the service creation environment to guarantee the quality of service to be provided on implementation of the additional service package.

Description

Resource availability in the intelligent communication network

The present invention relates to communication network, especially, relate to the communication network that adopts distributed computer.

Modern communication network also is used to provide the service of numerous species except being used to provide simple phone connection.In order to make full use of network, operating personnel provide many services by their network to potential client.

The service of picture Freefone (freephone), phonecard, insurance premium rate service, " Televoting (televoting) " and data transmission or the like usually provides with specific service-specific computer.Because its character of service as the Televoting determined to occur over just in limited period, having made a special-purpose computer in this service is the expensive resources waste.In addition, if a large amount of callings in a short-term, occurred, then use special-purpose computer may cause network congestion to the characteristic functions and the data of a service-specific.Have again,, may need multiple special services special cell in order to protect service.This has multiple service request the same with the client, can cause data for example to duplicate and possible data keep problem.

Existing people advises using a computer network, and wherein each computer all can be programmed to such an extent that some different services can be provided.Though this has to get rid of some service is not still needed some special-purpose computer units, all the more so just in test the time when the new service that proposes especially, this makes that still computing equipment of costliness can be used more effectively.In addition, the layout of distributed computer makes the network operation personnel be able to provide in the different location of network certain specific service, thereby can realize in network that more uniform transmission distributes.

But, network operator need guarantee not have the application of conflict in same computational resource, and guarantees can obtain enough computational resources for needing the situation that several services are operated simultaneously.

According to the present invention, a kind of communication network is provided, and it comprises a service Core Generator and a computing platform, and the latter is contained a plurality of programmable resources, each resource can both provide at least one function in the services package, and this services package contains a plurality of by the defined function of service Core Generator; This network also comprises control device, its can be according to the data of the service Core Generator that comes above-mentioned services package self-defined, each function of distribution services bag in a plurality of programmable resources, and can direct into the calling on the communication network on the services package according to this distribution, this network is characterised in that, when service generates the newly-increased services package of preparation of instrument definition realization in the future, the service Core Generator will be to the control device delivering data, these data definitions should newly-increased services package required function and resource and the time that needs these functions and resource, can control device compares getable function and resource in prescribed period of time and needed function and resource then, with the services package of determining provide this to increase newly.

Only illustrate according to a kind of distributed computing environment (DCE) of the present invention, in the accompanying drawings referring now to accompanying drawing by means of example:

Fig. 1 is the structural system figure that utilizes the communication network of distributed computing environment (DCE);

Fig. 2 is the structural system figure that illustrates in greater detail the intelligent layer among Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is the structural system figure that illustrates in greater detail the computing environment layer among Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 A and 4B are illustrated in the exchanges data that occurs in during a kind of calling of special services in Fig. 1 network; And

Fig. 5 is the functional-block diagram according to the service build environment that is adopted in the communication network of the present invention.

At first referring to Fig. 1, the present invention is mainly used in a communication network 1, and this network comprises 2, transmission ranges 3 in intelligence district and client family battery limits 4.Should manage by an operations support systems (OSS) 5 by " intelligence " network.

Transmission range 3 contains one or more communication networks, and they can be the switching formulas, also can be non-switching formula.For purpose of the present invention, only need point out, the type of the network in the transmission range 3 is unimportant, and they can be language network data or TDM/PCM (time division multiplexing/pulse-code modulation), mobile network, data network or other managed broadband systems.

OSS5 has the function of leading subscriber service and network capabilities and intelligence district 2 is carried out the interface and is connected, to provide high-caliber configuration management on whole intelligent network 1.The interface between the service in client family's equipment and various transmission network and the network 1 is contained in client family battery limits 4.

Equally, for purpose of the present invention, actual client family's equipment is for realizing that the present invention is unimportant, its interface between only client and the network that provided are served.

Referring now to Fig. 2,, consider intelligence district 2, to the i.e. generation in this district of service controlled function of call service and characteristic functions, this district can be divided into overall application 21 and computing environment 22.Wherein also show the interconnection to transmission network 3, this illustrates for integrality purely.

Referring now to Fig. 3,, can think that computing environment 2 comprises that an encapsulated layer 221, distributed computing environment (DCE) 222, supporting structure (or " computing platform ") 223 and internal network arrange 224.

Network arrangement 224 provide computing environment 22 inside data communication (31) and and external transmission network 3 (not shown among Fig. 3) between the interface.This makes computing environment can be independent of the extraneous employed communication technology.

In addition, network layer 224 provides network control function 33 and operations support systems (OSS) 32 for computing environment 22.

Computing platform 223 comprises some all-purpose computers 34 (one of them only is shown among the figure) and their operating system 35 separately.It may be noted that computing platform can be distributed in various places physically widely, each computer 34 does not need to be positioned at same place.

This Distributed Calculation layout provides the related management of supporting that the function and application layer used in real time 21 is required.As can be seen, not all computer 34 all must belong to same type.Can there be disposal ability, memory availability that has nothing in common with each other and the peripheral equipment that is connected in each unit, and is all the more so for some needs the service of specialised hardware.Maintain a record in the encapsulated layer 221 about obtainable resource in the Distributed Computer System.These resources are as comprising special transmission and language equipment, and encapsulated layer has suitable application programming interface (API) to them.Encapsulated layer 221 contains an OSS server 36, is used for managing corresponding resource by each API.

Consider distributed computing environment (DCE) layer 222 now, various functions are provided here, required application in " running time " is connected with the client to utilize transmission network (3 among Fig. 2).The client does not need to know where certain specific application is positioned at.Like this, having comprised the service that also may appear at some mutual coordinations that are positioned at different physical location place that may appear on for example single computer 34 in distributed computing environment (DCE) 22 on the whole intelligent network uses.Some service is used and can be duplicated in whole system.

Positioning function 40 provides the knowability of position, and it is mapped to physical location to the logical name of addressable resource, service and function, so that required service is offered the client.Be located at positioning function 40 (be used for from the service build environment visit) in be a kind of function of exchange, its coupling (or cancelling) service prompts is deposited in the request of a specific peripheral equipment or COS.For example, peripheral equipment can provide one for example to be used for the language notice of Televoting service and to collect and the replying of storage multifrequency tone if desired, then will indicate which (if any) physical location with the function of exchange of this resource function associated and can satisfy this service.If there is the place more than that this service can be provided, resource control function 41 will be considered for example factor such as counterweight balance and fail safe so, to determine to select which service.

After logical services has been selected in the decision that generates request and resource control 41 according to service, positioning function 40 will utilize its catalogue this logical services to be mapped to its physical address.

Policy is served the control of 42 functions and security service 43 functions to using and the visit of computer resource.Policy service 42 is held about some specific failures and subscriber-related policy.Like this, though OSS (5 among Fig. 1) has stipulated should how to handle when mechanical disorder, connection failure occurring or handle incident such as failure, whether distributed computer environment 22 still can the inquiry policy serves 42 other situations (for example network congestion) take place.

Requirement to service quality (QOS) also is contained in the policy service function 42; parts of system make when can not meet the demands; system can by redistribute computational resource (223) or to access to netwoks apply defense controls call blocking on the resource of allocating in advance, adopt remedial measures.

Resource service 41 provides the management of platform resource 223 with effective and coordinated mode.The function that is included in the resource service 41 comprises: supervision, transfer, control, configuration, priority and counterweight balance.

To consider predetermined operation now one by one about each function in these functions.

Function for monitoring provides the check to distributed computer environment 22 behaviors.Function for monitoring comprise filter collected about the load or the information of makeing mistakes ability and determine when the ability that critical event has taken place.Function for monitoring can with consult policy service 42 and coordinate mutually to arrange and take suitable action.For example, if the function of certain specific names can not satisfy its Qos (service quality) requirement, then function for monitoring is consulted relevant item of the policy with serving from policy 42.If this clause stipulates that this service must move to another zone, then function for monitoring will allow manufacturer's service 44 startings require another example of service.

Forwarding function is responsible for another place is transferred in application.This service can be on another machine, also can be another example of same processing on the uniform machinery in the computing platform 223.

Controlled function the beginning of the service that provides is provided and is stopped.This make new service beginning and stop can not losing any calling.

Configural function keep on the computing platform 22 about each machine, work at present parts, communicate to connect, the configuration figure of the current form of storage or the like.

Priority facility is planned each application according to the priority that is assigned to special services.This function does not determine the priority of an application, but a kind of priority mechanism that can change each priority of using is provided.

The current load with expectation according to service of counterweight balance function is each of service asked to be mapped as some specific examples of this service.Especially, when exchanging function (the existing explanation in front) when having replied the service of a particular type of service systematic function, if this service has the example more than to meet the demands, then counterweight balance function will be determined the only service of preparing to adopt.

Manufacturer serves 44 respond services build environments and resource function 41 foundation or stops some specific example of a service.For example, if resource control function 41 determine, for satisfy to a special services require increasing of level, need another example of this service in the computing platform 223, then it will order manufacturer to serve to start suitable processing in a suitable machine 34.Similarly, if no longer need certain specific service, perhaps definite certain particular procedure of management system has been absorbed in endless loop or has no longer worked, and then manufacturer's service will be responsible for making this specific example of this service to quit work.

At last, in distributed computing environment (DCE) 222, data allocations function 45 provides such ability: distributed data base management system (DDBMS) is provided about in the computing platform or a single logical image of the data that institute distributes and duplicates on the various databases in the computing environment 22.In the data allocations service function, the data forwarding function guarantees that data are positioned at place that need to approach it most.All data allocations are cut apart or are duplicated all and controlled by this function in the distributed computing environment (DCE) 22.The data allocations function has guaranteed the knowability of the address of respectively using desired data of operation on computing platform 223.

Also have an event notice service in the distributed computing environment (DCE) 222, it is responsible for all resources of this notice of the prior registered needs of being notified to of any scheduled event.For example, if certain specific service-delivery machine maintains the storage data about a particular customer, then when having any renewal, data that data, services kept all will notify this renewal to this service-delivery machine.

In order to help to understand the work of Fig. 3 system, consider owner's phone " 0800 " or " freephone (Freefone) " service as an example.

Referring to Fig. 4 A and 4B, wherein each possible reciprocation has all been made numbering in order, and the course of work may be undertaken by following.

51 transmission servers have connected a calling that requires the free call numbers translation.Though this transmission server knows this calling and should be transferred on the service-delivery machine that can handle this calling, it does not also know the physical address of this service-delivery machine.A kind of implementation method certainly is to take shortcut, i.e. " storage " this information.Physical address to positioning service access services machine.The excitation function of exchange makes it return the logical services machine that can support that desired free call numbers shift.By directory service this logical name is translated into a physical address.Another implementation method is, physical address is stored in the device for interchanging, and this does not just need to use directory service (in this case).Yet,, which must select to want if suitable service-delivery machine more than one is arranged.Device for interchanging does not have the ability of decision-making, so must use the counterweight balance function in the resource control service.This may can cause the Policy Function in the necessary use policy service again.

52 give service-delivery machine inventory of counterweight balance function by device for interchanging, and which service-delivery machine this function decision uses.But, it may need the Policy Function in the service of consulting policy.

53 require Policy Function that the policy of the specific operation situation that is run into about the counterweight balance function is provided.

54 return policy.

55 after identifying a logical services machine, needs its physical address.Use the catalog function in the positioning service.

55A explanation: only identify single logical services machine if exchange function in step 51 for required service is provided, then above-mentioned steps 52 no longer needs to 55.

The physical address of 56 service-delivery machines returns to transmission server.

57 excitation service-delivery machines.Though it has the ability of the service logic of handling service provider, it does not contain the service logic that this specific freephone is called out.For example, be 0,800 645743 if dial the number that cries, service-delivery machine just need will contain path explanation and relevant number in this overview about the overview of service provider " 645743 ".For example have, seek each week of seeking the footpath in each day, 1 year of seeking the footpath in time directly, the week, automatic call distribution, call barring etc. in one day, wherein each can contain appropriate purpose ground number and explanation.

58 service-delivery machines need the overview of service provider.In order to inquire this overview, it need know the address of data allocations service.Certainly, a kind of implementation method can remain on the interface to each parts on the address of " known ", thereby needn't encourage device for interchanging.If the limitation performance of this method is fully realized and understood, may prove in some cases that then this method is acceptable.

59 except present counterweight balance function is being sought the data allocations service, and all the other are with above-mentioned step 52.

60 except present Policy Function is being sought the data allocations service, and all the other are with step 53.

61 return the policy that is used for the data allocations service.

62 except the physical address of now seeking the data allocations service, and all the other are with step 55.

62A is same, if interactive function only identifies single appropriate data allocations service, then step 59 no longer needs to 62, and device for interchanging will direct and catalog function effect.

63 catalog functions are to the physical address of service-delivery machine return data distribution services.

64 service-delivery machines are to the required service provider overview of data allocations function visit.

65 data allocations services are seeked advice from this overview (equally also may relate to device for interchanging, but certainly, thereby other shortcuts being taked in the address of the data allocations service service of can holding data in a kind of implementation method) to data, services.

66 return desired data to the data allocations service.

67 desired datas return to service-delivery machine and processed there, to produce path explanation (comprising the destination address number).

68 return suitable path to transmission server illustrates (comprising the destination address number).

69 callings are directed to concrete purpose location.

Described above 0800 or free phone type services a kind of in the service only is provided.Utilize other services of intelligent network 1 can comprise for example some application like this: Televoting, remote measurement, information service, housework control, online amusement or the like.

Like this, after having determined each novel service, only need somewhere in the intelligent layer 2 of Fig. 1 to provide suitable peripheral equipment and software just passable.

For easy to understand the present invention, only need to understand the current mode of operation of service build environment.The service build environment is such address, is translated into by the specified customer requirement of each client there that network operation requires and software provisioning.

Referring now to Fig. 5,, the there schematically shows the service build environment, comprising 4 grades.On network level 104 (hardware capabilities), physical network platform and peripheral equipment are provided.Thereby the second level 103 provides characteristic functions for the network platform provides software.The third level 102 is set up service according to characteristic functions, and the fourth stage 101 then utilizes services package that the service of satisfying customer requirement is provided.

Like this, 101 grades of levels, the work station operator of service in the build environment receives about the client and requires the customer information of serving.The operator manages to utilize available services package that the service of client's defined is provided, and its method is for example for to revise existing services package as the front about the explanation of free phone type services.This process utilizes the icon on the computer screen to carry out, and on computer screen, they are coupled together to encourage an instrument to go to make up appropriate software, utilize aforesaid manufacturer resource 44 to form the new service of disposing 105, as long as this service 105 is attainable really.

If requirement of client can not be satisfied on the first order, then customer requirement will be submitted to a Product Definition colony that is responsible for providing new service.In Product Definition level 102,, whether can be combined into required services package with the characteristic of determining available resource with considering the various combinations of existing software and hardware.If answer certainly, then generates and launches a new behavioral illustrations 106, as an obtainable services package 107.

If existing service characteristic function is not suitable for providing desired new services package on the network, then can submit to a software development colony to this requirement.

At software development phase 103, software colony will consider all available resources in this intelligent network (2 among Fig. 3), whether actually provide with the software of determining desirable characteristics.If actual, then can write the software 108 that makes new advances, to provide required new features function in 109.

If the software development level can't provide required service, then network designer just increases hardware capabilities to network possibly, makes it possible to provide a new service.

Though top explanation is being course of reaction to customer requirement in nature, whenever that is to say the requirement of acknowledged client on 101 grades, but service provider may be to be checked each stage that correlation properties and network capabilities are provided all reckoning with under the situation of certain service request.

Generating the detailed description of handling about service can find in the paper of one piece of title for " Service Creation (service generates) " of GD Turner, this paper publishing is in BTTechnology Journal, the 13rd the 2nd phase of volume, in April nineteen ninety-five, start from the 80th page.

Now, reply the previous appointment platform or the service-delivery machine of distributing to a particular customer that formed of this service generation of specific client request.Do not considering existing availability and network capabilities aspect the resource quantity of preparing to offer the client or the service quality.This causes the undue configuration of the network platform and hardware or the waste of resource through regular meeting, and they may be by idle in very long period.In the process that generates a kind of COS, when stipulating this network service, also will produce the operation requirement of this service.This requirement comprises (but not necessarily being confined to): data definition priority, reliability (to machine and to using call time), incompatible call time application identifier, simultaneity information, off period, application call time, life span, operation require and quality of service requirement.

When priority data is used for making situations such as endless loop in network congestion, equipment fault or computing system occurring, make one's options between can or refusing choosing that used call time.

Machine reliability has stipulated can carry out in the computing platform characteristic of those machines of using call time.Here the data of being stored comprise the information of availability, memory availability and the availability of communicating by letter about the processor of particular machine.

In a kind of variant of the machine reliability standard that is just generating available call time reliability of applying.Its regulation comes the administer calls time to use by distributed computer environment self.Have this angle of ability that can redistribute resource when breaking down incident from distributed computer environment 222, this may be one and select preferably.

Incompatibility will define to be used the various call times that cannot move on uniform machinery simultaneously.The inventory of using other call times that do not allow to carry out simultaneously can be provided.The application that is contained in this inventory may be some secondary examples of using the same call time, if they may cause endless loop or the conflict of same peripheral equipment is used.

Whether some subprograms in application of simultaneity data regulation need to operate simultaneously.For example, use call time and may in call proceeding, scatter " clue " that some act on mutually with security service or language service.These data may be prescribed as and can operate and the clue number of needs in the mode that satisfies the off period.

The off period regulation is used the period that must finish its process call time.Use the information just depend in time in transmission over networks call time.This information for example can be used in the resource function 41 among Fig. 3.

The life span of using call time provides beginning and the Close Date and the time of certain application-specific.Use call time and will determine that provide certain network service the some day that he for example can be selected in each week, perhaps also can be selected in certain special time of every day and provide services on the Internet by service provider.Know when a call applications will occur in, can utilize the whole resources in computing platform and the network better.

Operation requires the computer resource of regulation application call time with needs.So, need the requirement and the I/O (i/o) of call identifying processor unit, and the action of data server.Like this, use call time can with several resource effects, these resources for example have data server, OSS server, I/O service etc.Requirement for the local storage of application need call time must be prescribed for example required MIP value or " standard " interactive action in the regulation Capability Requirement.

Operation requires also need can stipulate data in buffer.This may improve the performance of using call time, has for example avoided the other application to the data distribution services.

Service quality (QoS) information has really defined the desired service of client.For example, QoS may be defined in and handle the limit of calling out in the intelligent network 2 is 500 milliseconds, but because if call treatment has been used 600 milliseconds occasionally, terminal client may can not noticed yet, so longer event horizon might be arranged.But, be necessary to know when the calling in the network 2 exceeded between the off period of QoS.Long resource adjustment can take place in this.

It may be noted that, use always not machine-independent call time, and it may comprise some off-gauge machines when network 2 provides the distributed computing environment (DCE) of a versatility, so, refer again to Fig. 3, resource function 41 should know which special peripheral equipment and machine are arranged is available and they somewhere.The data about each application that above-mentioned service build environment is stored are used to guarantee that distributed computing environment (DCE) 22 is able to effective utilization.Like this, if a client provides a specific service at specific time requirement service build environment, then serving build environment will be to distributed computing environment (DCE) 222 delivery information.The life span that comprises the data of service quality and off period data and application is distributed the formula computing environment together and is used for seeking advice from and uses daily record and a computing platform daily record call time.The computing platform daily record contains about the availability that shows various machines in this platform, calculated maintaining or machine idle time that other purposes caused and the planning of the upgrading of machine and introducing of new engine or the like.But also containing relevant for machine processing function and which machine, the platform daily record can combine details with the capacitation that satisfies the operation requirement that receives from the service systematic function etc.By from the received information of service build environment with use daily record call time and the computing platform daily record is compared, making distributed computing environment (DCE) 222 can accept certain call time uses, perhaps refuse this application, perhaps provide the another one service quality level lower service.

Use daily record call time and also will be subjected to the check of using about incompatible call time, and, suppose that this application is accepted, then this daily record will be updated the requirement of using about amended call time with explanation.

When preparing operation when using a call time, the manufacturer's function 44 in the distributed computing environment (DCE) will make this be applied in the computing platform to begin according to the regulation of resource function 41.Make when calling comes automatic network 3 their go-betweens that will be positioned direct on the physical address of the machine that can handle this calling the position of notification service.If several computers 34 are arranged, then locate the go-between and will realize the distribution of calling on each specified machine according to the regulation of a planning algorithm in the same application of operation about a special services.According to the initial instruction of service systematic function, can add or remove call time and use.When having detected one or more machines and break down, resource function 421 will be managed to set up this service on another compatible machine according to the priority data and the qos requirement of former download.

Though the exploitation of application program call time has been mentioned in the explanation of front, but this program also may can both obtain any time easily in environment 222, and service creation apparatus for example can be propagated data about this application call time to the service data that the number of being dialled is mapped as other numbers of network by providing.At this moment label information (being QoS, computer capacity requirement etc.) can affix on these data.Like this, utilize and use the availability that daily record just can be mapped as the requirement of the service data of being propagated the computing platform resource call time.

When a plurality of computers can both move the application of certain special services, use daily record call time and calculate and to be used as the required CTU cycle to a mark that shows the MIPS number that this service of operation is required.This will make service can with than in the service build environment completely the more efficiently mode of machine assignment be mapped on environment running time, its method is the highest whole numbers that distribute the number of obtainable computer week in the particular machines when Distribution Calculation machine resource.

Claims (7)

1. A communications network comprising a service generation tool and a computing platform comprising a plurality of programmable resources each capable of providing at least one function in a service package comprising a plurality of functions defined by the generation tool; the network also includes control means capable of distributing the individual functions of the service package among a plurality of programmable resources according to the data from the service generation tool defining said service package, and capable of directing calls on a communication network to service packages, the network being characterized in that when the service generation tool defines a new service package to be implemented in the future, the service generation tool delivers data to the control means, the data defining the The functions and resources required by the new service package and the time when these functions and resources are needed, and then the control device compares the functions and resources available within a specified period with the required functions and resources to determine whether the new service package can be provided Additional service packs. 2. A communications network according to claim 1, further characterized in that the delivered data further includes quality of service data defining a maximum time allowed to process a call to the service package, and the control means further determines Whether the capabilities and resources available are capable of handling the call within the maximum time stated above. 3. The communications network according to claim 2, further characterized in that if the control means determines that the call cannot be handled within the maximum time, the control means will calculate the length of time that may be required to process such a call and define the time The length of the data is returned to the service generation tool. 4. The communication network according to claim 1, further characterized in that if the control means determines that the service packet cannot meet the defined start and/or end times, the control means will determine that at a different start and/or end time In the case of/or end time, whether the required functions and resources are available and deliver the data defining the different start and/or end times mentioned above to the service generation tool. 5. A communications network according to any one of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the control means has access to data from the service generation tool defining the resources comprising the computing platform and the times at which such resources are available, in order to determine whether Any planned changes in resource availability can be leveraged to provide the above added service packs. 6. A communications network according to any one of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the delivered data also specifies the relative priority of the added service package, whereby when one or more resources on the computing platform are in operation When becoming unavailable, the control means can reallocate the resources in the service package with lower relative priority to the service package with higher relative priority. 7. Communications network according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control means determines whether a service package can be provided on the basis of the number of MIPS or the number of computer cycles required to execute the service package.

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