CN1298609A - Network coupling unit for a communications system - Google Patents

Abstract

Data can be transmitted between networks with different topologies (data network, communications network) connected to the network coupling unit (IGATE) through a network coupling unit (IGATE) configured as a subscriber interface module by means of the communications system (PBX). To this end, the network coupling unit (IGATE) has a unit (BW-R) for evaluating routing information obtained from the transmitted data, a unit (VM-R) for target-oriented data transmission depending on evaluation results and a unit (KV-R) for data format adaptation.

Description

Network coupling unit for communication system

Due to the ever-increasing flexibility of time and space in working conditions, the number of workers who cannot carry out their professional tasks in corporate office jobs is constantly increasing. From "Virtual Office" Radiocommunication Report, Vol. 4, 1997, Siemens AG, Berlin and Munich, it is known that in order to efficiently perform tasks apart from accessing on the one hand local data resources of the enterprise outside the enterprise (in Also referred to as "remote-LAN" in the literature) and on the other hand access from the communication network of the enterprise's local area (also referred to as "remote PBX" in the literature) with the residence of the staff Location independence is essential. Functional features which are added to the standardization-compliant functional features, for example prepared according to ISDN communication networks, are, for example, the signaling of arranging conference connections or message input.

In current communication systems, the connection possibility to the communication network of the communication system is realized, for example, by means of first-level connection units arranged therein, also referred to as S _2M connections. For example, the communication network can be realized by a communication network according to ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network). External network coupling units connected to further _S2M -connections by a communication network according to ISDN from a local data network, for example from an Ethernet network (local area network) connected by several computers, are often referred to in the literature as It is called a "router" and realizes the connection between the communication network according to ISDN and the local area data network. In addition, the "router" is equipped not only with _S2M -interfaces but also with standardized LAN-interfaces, wherein the _S2M -interfaces are the outlets of the communication system _S2M -connection units and the LAN-interfaces of the "router" are with local data internet connection.

The "router" implements the third layer (switching layer) of the OSI-reference model (Open System Interconnection) in its important functions. At this time, the network is physically connected to the various topologies of layer 1 ( Bit transfer layer) is connected to layer 2 (security layer), for example Ethernet-LAN and communication networks according to ISDN. In order for data packets to be exchanged between networks connected to a "router," the address specification, destination, and origin address included in the routing information of the data packet are interpreted and deal with. Finally, the exchanged data packets are converted to conform to the protocol rules.

For an external terminal, for example a terminal connected to a communication system via a communication network according to ISDN, this terminal is implemented by the communication system and has functional features already prepared for internal subscriber connections in the same way as for internal terminals On-board as provided for use, as desired within the framework of the "remote transmission mode of operation", has been proposed in the German patent registration with document number P19808368.8, according to the signaling information of the terminal, as these are generally The transmission between the communication system and the internal terminal connected to it within the framework of the protocol, between the communication system and the external terminal via an additional useful data connection (e.g. the first B-channel according to ISDN) placed on the user data connection A data connection (eg a second B-channel according to ISDN) is transmitted.

The external terminal is connected to a computer (often referred to as a "remote transmission working mode server" in the literature) connected to the local area data network through another useful data connection. Transmission between communication system and external terminal. In addition, the data format of the useful data connection is converted on the external "router", for example according to the ISDN B-channel data format into the data format of the local area data network.

Generally speaking, the _S2M -interface comprises on the one hand 30 useful data channels, which are formed as B-channels according to ISDN with a transmission rate of 64 kBit/s, and on the other hand, signaling channels, which are formed with a transmission rate of 64 kBit /s according to the D-channel of ISDN. This means that the connection of the S _2M interface to an external "router" can be optimally utilized with relatively large local data networks. In relatively small local area data networks, the useful data channel of the _S2M interface cannot be used repeatedly, for example, for the connection of a communication terminal, due to the physically occupied and sometimes free transmission capacity of the "router" connection.

The object of the invention is to provide measures for optimizing the access in the local data network connected to the communication system, in particular within the framework of the "telecommunication mode of operation".

This object is achieved according to the invention with the features of claim 1 .

An important advantage of the network coupling unit according to the invention is that, as a network coupling unit integrated in a communication system, a considerable simplification of the system is achieved due to its construction compared to external "router" devices. Because the coupling area module is bidirectionally connected according to the coupling of time division multiple access, through the network coupling unit and the conversion unit arranged in it, it is directly connected to the local area data network connected to the communication system, and can be transmitted to the communication system and to the network. The data packets of the coupling unit are transmitted individually by means of the communication system via the network coupling unit arranged in the communication system between networks connected to the communication system, for example between a communication network according to ISDN and Ethernet. By arranging the network coupling unit on the communication system, an economical and expensive external "router" connection can be dispensed with, including the _S2M -interface of the communication system which is necessary when the external "router" connection can be dispensed with, and thus also create a local data network For example Ethernet, an inexpensive switching connection to a communication network, eg according to ISDN.

A further advantage of the network coupling unit according to the invention is that, since the system components necessary for the router functionality and the "remote transfer mode of operation" are gathered in a common component, it is possible to use simple method and may not be accessed from the central control of the communication system.

Another advantage of the network coupling unit according to the invention is that the functional features implemented by the communication system are implemented on the external terminal due to the integration of the router functionality and the system components necessary for the implementation of the "remote transfer mode" into a common component. After the communication network has been prepared, only one useful data connection (instead of two useful data connections) must still be established between the external terminal and the network coupling unit for the transmission of useful data and signaling information according to the terminal.

Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

By arranging a DTMF-discrimination unit and an output unit for stored voice messages and text messages on the network coupling unit, the functional features implemented by the communication system can also be implemented at any external terminal, and not only in the form of "remote transfer mode of operation" ready on your terminal.

Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with the aid of the drawings.

Which means:

Accompanying drawing 1: The structural diagram of arranging the network coupling unit on the communication system;

Accompanying drawing 2: Schematic diagram of the structure of important functional components of the network coupling unit;

Accompanying drawing 3: Arrange the structure diagram of two communication systems according to accompanying drawing 1 on the communication network.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system PBX with a network coupling unit IGATE arranged thereon in the form of a subscriber connection unit. The communication system PBX has further subscriber connection units and network connection units, denoted for example as first and second connection units ABG1, ABG2, for connection with communication terminals and for communication with other arrangements on the communication network KN system connections. In addition, the communication system PBX comprises a plurality of two-way, according to the coupling area module KN of coupling connection KA1, ... KAk of time division multiple access, wherein will according to the coupling connection KA1 of time division multiple access, ..., KAk is constituted as PCM connection (positive coding Modulation), also known as PCM-Highway, Voice Highway or _S2M -Interface. Each PCM highway comprises, on the one hand, 30 useful channels, which are formed as B-channels (Integrated Services Digital Network) according to ISDN with a transmission rate of 64 kBit/s and, on the other hand, include signaling channels, which are formed according to ISDN The D-channel has a transfer rate of 64kBit/s. The coupling field module KN is connected to the bidirectional PCM interface PCMS of the network coupling unit IGATE via the coupling connection KAK. Via further PCM interfaces KA1 , KA2 , the coupling field modules KN are each connected to the bidirectional time-division multiple access connections SK of the first and second connection units ABG1 , ABG2 .

Furthermore, a control unit STE with a plurality of control connections SA1, . . . , SAk is arranged in the communication system PBX. The control unit STE is connected via the control connection SAK to the control access SM of the coupling field module KN. The control unit STE is connected via further control connections SA1, .

On the network connection NA of the first connecting unit ABG1, for example a bidirectional S2M interface according to time division multiple access, is connected to a communication network KN consisting of a plurality of interconnected communication systems, for example according to ISDN of. A first external terminal KE1 with the data processing device DV, which is designed, for example, as a personal computer or as a plug-in card for an already existing terminal, and a second external terminal KE2 are connected to the communication network KN. For example, the first internal terminal KE3 with the communication system internal call number 6833 on the _S0 connection (2B+D, that is, 2 useful data channels according to ISDN and 1 signaling channel according to ISDN) is connected to The first subscriber connection T1 on the two connection units ABG2 is connected, and the second internal terminal KE4 with the communication system internal call number 4711 is connected to the second subscriber connection T2.

A local area network LAN, for example an Ethernet LAN (Local Area Network), is connected to the network coupling unit IGATE via the LAN interface LANS. A plurality of computers D-S, TW-R, such as "personal computers" or "multimedia workstations" are interconnected via a local area network LAN.

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the main functional units of the network coupling unit IGATE. The network coupling unit IGATE has a LAN connection unit LAN-AE with a LAN interface LANS. The LAN interface LANS can be connected to the local area network LAN. The network coupling unit IGATE also has a PCM connection unit PCM-AE with a bidirectional PCM interface PCMS according to time division multiple access, wherein the PCM interface PCMS can be connected to the coupling connection KAk of the coupling area module KN of the communication system PBX connected. Furthermore, the PCM connection unit PCM-AE has a component coupling field module BG-KN which is connected to the PCM interface PCMS. A DTMF recognition unit and output unit S-AE are also arranged on the PCM connection unit PCM-AE. The DTMF identification unit is used to identify and process the control information received in the form of DTMF signals via the PCM interface PCMS incoming payload data link. The output unit S-AE serves to transmit the stored voice messages to the external terminal KE2 via the useful data connection.

Furthermore, a signaling unit SE with an HDLC interface HDLCS is arranged in the network coupling unit IGATE. Via the HDLC interface HDLCS, the signaling unit SE can be connected to the control connection SA1 of the control unit STE of the communication system PBX. The LAN connection unit LAN-AE, the PCM connection unit PCM-AE and the signaling unit SE are each connected via a connection UA to the connections EL, EP, ES of the switching unit MH arranged on the network coupling unit IGATE.

The switching unit MH has a control unit SU. Communication of data to the network coupling unit IGATE and to the LAN-connection unit LAN-AE or to the PCM-connection unit PCM-AE or to the signaling unit SE in the local area network LAN and directed to the network coupling unit IGATE by means of the control unit SU Transmission between useful data channels of the network KN. In addition, the control unit SU of the conversion unit MH also has a processing unit BW-R for processing the scheduling information contained in the data to be transmitted, that is to say target data and original data, as well as a switching unit VM-R for dependency processing As a result, data are transferred from and to the local area network LAN and from and to the communication network KN. Furthermore, the signaling information is converted in a protocol-compliant manner by the conversion unit KV-R of the control unit SU. For this purpose, on the data to be transmitted to the local area network LAN, the signaling information input to the signaling unit SE is converted into corresponding scheduling information, and the useful information input to the PCM-connection unit PCM-AE is jointly combined with the formed The scheduling information is converted into format-compliant data, ie data adapted to the LAN format, and transmitted to the LAN connection unit LAN-AE.

For data exchange between the local area network LAN connected to the network coupling unit IGATE and the communication network KN, an unambiguous, that is to say worldwide valid, identification and address assignment to the LAN-connection unit LAN-AE and to the LAN - Interface LANS. Since applications implementing data exchange, such as software modules implementing data exchange, are transferred to different planes of the OSI-reference model, multiple identifications and address assignments valid on different planes of the OSI-reference model are assigned to the LAN-connection unit LAN - AE. A specific component-specific LAN authentication mac is then assigned to the LAN connection unit LAN-AE. The component-specific LAN authentication mac implements the transfer to the hardware address of the LAN interface LANS on the first layer of the OSI reference model and stores it in the non-volatile memory PROM arranged in the network coupling unit IGSTE.

In addition, an unambiguous logical network identification and the network address ipag are assigned to the LAN connection unit LAN-AE. This is 4 bits long and represents a Layer 3 address of the OSI reference model, such as an Internet Protocol address. The logical network authentication ipag not only identifies the LAN connection unit LAN-AE but also the local area network LAN connected to the LAN connection unit LAN-AE. The logical network authentication ipag is stored in the memory area SP1 arranged in the volatile memory SPF of the network coupling unit IGATE.

The network coupling unit IGATE is supplemented by a control unit STW which has a protocol unit PROT and a filter unit FWALL. The controller STW is connected via a control connection SW to the LAN connection unit LAN-AE, the PCM connection unit PCM-AE, the signaling unit SE, the switching unit MH and the memory areas PROM and SPF. The transfer of data to be transferred between the local area network LAN, the communication network KN and the internal terminals KE3, KE4 connected to the communication system KN takes place via the protocol unit PROT. On the protocol unit PROT, on the one hand, the Internet-specific protocol TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), H.323, and on the other hand, the PPP protocol (point-to-point) designed through point-to-point-connection protocol) to transport TCP/IP data packets and H.323 data packets, and realize the transmission of voice and data through the H.323 protocol designed according to the ISDN connection.

The safety-technical decoupling of the networks LAN and KN connected to the network coupling unit IGATE is achieved by means of the filter unit FWALL. The filter function implemented on the filter unit FWALL is performed for data access rights from the local area network LAN within the local area network of possibly other communication systems, and for data access rights on the local area network LAN via the communication network KN. examine. The implementation of the filtering function checks not only the permissibility of the original address but also the target address of the routing path included in the data to be transmitted (this check is often referred to in the literature as a resource and target check). When checking the original address, in the established connection introduced by the communication network KN, the calling number of the calling communication terminal is checked by means of, not shown, a list of pre-specified authorized calling numbers (often referred to in the list as user authentication) and thus avoid unreliable connections via the communication network KN. In addition, the logical network authentication ipag is checked for data packets that are input to the LAN connection unit LAN-AE. If the original address for the data exchange is authorized by the network coupling unit IGATE, the destination address contained in the scheduling information is checked according to the above-mentioned criteria. In addition, an authentication check of the origin address can be carried out by means of the protocols PAP (Keyword Authentication Protocol) and CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol) arranged within the framework of the PPP protocol.

After the data have successfully passed through the filtering function, that is to say after the determination of the data exchange rights between the communication terminals marked as the original address and the target address, through the network coupling unit IGATE and the conversion unit MH and the protocol unit PROT The realized itinerary arrangement function processes the target address included in the data and the logical network identification ipag. If the local area network LAN is determined through the logical network authentication ipag, the data are exchanged accordingly via the conversion unit UE in the above-mentioned manner.

In addition, the volatile memory SPF has a third storage area SP3 for storing logical target network identification ipe1, ..., ipek arranged on other communication systems of the communication network and on the local area network connected thereto, these are for communication with the local area network LAN and data exchange with communication terminals connected to the local area network LAN. For this purpose, in the fourth storage area SP4 of the volatile memory SPF which is subordinate to the third storage area SP3, the communication network identifications rn1, ..., rnk, each representing a call number, are correspondingly stored in the devices arranged in other communication systems In the network coupling unit. At least one communication network identity rn1,..., rnk is assigned to each logical target network identity ip1,..., ipk stored in the third storage area SP3. The data to be transferred to the communication system arranged in the communication network KN is determined by the other transition unit KVK-R arranged on the control unit STW of the network coupling unit IGATE, and the logic corresponding to the third storage area SP3 is stored The target network identifier ipe1, . . . , ipek and the assigned communication network identifier rn1, .

Therefore, other communication systems arranged in the communication network KN can establish corresponding useful data connections with the communication system PBX and with the network coupling unit IGATE. If a clear communication network identification rnw is assigned to the network coupling unit IGATE, the communication network identification is stored in the In the second storage area SP2 of the volatile storage area SPF.

The structure diagram represented by accompanying drawing 3 should be connected to the data exchange between the local area network LAN1, LAN2 on the network coupling unit IGATE1, IGATE2, and the data exchange between the local area network LAN1 and the external terminal KE11 connected to the communication network KN Describe in detail. Two communication systems PBX1 , PBX2 arranged in the communication network KN and configured according to FIG. 1 are shown in a schematic structural diagram. The two communication systems PBX1 , PBX2 are connected to the communication network KN via PCM connection units PCM-AE1 , PCM-AE2 . The two communication systems PBX1, PBX2 have network coupling units IGATE1, IGATE2 according to FIG. 2 .

The network coupling unit IGATE1 arranged on the first communication system PBX1 has a not shown LAN interface of the first LAN connection unit LAN-AE1. A 4-byte long logical network identifier ipag=139.1.20.0 is assigned to the first LAN connection unit LAN-AE1. The network coupling unit IGATE2 arranged on the second communication system PBX2 has a not shown LAN interface of the second LAN connection unit LAN-AE2. A logical network identity ipag=140.7.27.0 is assigned to the second LAN connection unit LAN-AE2. In the following, only the logical network authentication ipag and the Internet Protocol addresses assigned to individual units or local area networks will be analyzed, that is to say only the transmission realized on layers 3 and 4 of the OSI-reference model, and the transmission via the TCP/IP addresses arranged therein will be described in detail. Packet switching controlled by the IP protocol.

A first logical network LAN1 is connected to the first LAN connection unit LAN-AE1, via which the communication terminal KE10 is connected to the network coupling unit IGATE1 and to the first communication system PBX1. The logical network identification, ie the standardized Internet protocol address, is structured according to version 4, ie consists of 4 bytes. Furthermore, the local area network can be clearly identified by the address information contained in the first 3 bytes and the communication terminal KE10 can be identified on the local area network by the address information contained in the last byte. By assigning the Internet Protocol address ipag=139.1.20.0 to the first LAN-connection unit LAN-AE1 not only the first LAN-connection unit LAN-AE1 but also the first logical network LAN1 connected to this via the first three bytes ipag=139.1.20. for identification. The communication terminal KE10 connected to the first local area network LAN1 has an Internet protocol address ipag=139.1.20.1.

A second logical network LAN2 is connected to the second LAN connection unit LAN-AE2, via which the communication terminal KE10 is connected to the network coupling unit IGATE2 and to the second communication system PBX2. The Internet protocol address ipag=140.7.27 is assigned to the second local area network connected to the second LAN connection unit LAN-AE2. The communication terminal KE12 connected to the second LAN connection unit LAN-AE2 has an assigned Internet protocol address ipag=140.7.27.1. Furthermore, an external communication terminal KE11 is connected to the communication network KN, which terminal has the Internet Protocol address ipag=172.16.0.8.

When preparing to transmit data from the communication terminal KE10 connected to the first communication system PBX1 to the communication terminal KE12 connected to the second communication system PBX2, it is represented by a dotted line V1, which has an Internet protocol address ipag=139.1. 20.0 as the original address, and the Internet Protocol address ipag=140.7.27.1 as the destination address. Utilize the destination address by means of the processing unit and switching unit KNK-R arranged on the network coupling unit IGATE1, VM-R finds the call number of the network coupling unit IGATE2 arranged on the second communication system PBX2, and establishes corresponding useful The data connection is by means of the network coupling unit IGATE2 coded with a call number. Through the processing unit and switching unit BW-R arranged in the network coupling unit IGATE2, VM-R transmits the transmitted data packet to the second local area network LAN2 and to the communication terminal KE12 according to the destination address ipag=140.7.27.1 .

When preparing to transmit data from the external communication terminal KE11 connected to the communication network KN to the communication terminal KE10 connected to the first communication system PBX1, it is represented by the dotted line V2. The call number of the network coupling unit IGATE1 in the system PBX1 establishes a useful data connection between the external communication terminal KE11 and the network coupling unit IGATE1 arranged in the first communication system PBX1. The transmitted data has the Internet Protocol address ipag=172.16.0.8 as the origin address, and the Internet Protocol address ipag=139.1.20.1 as the destination address. The transmitted data packets are transmitted to the first local area network LAN1 and to the communication terminal KE10 according to the destination address ipag=139.1.20.1 through the processing unit and the switching unit KNK-R, VM-R arranged on the network coupling unit IGATE1 .

The co-operation of the important system components necessary for the "remote transfer mode of operation" will be described in detail below with the aid of FIGS. 1 and 2 .

For external communication terminals connected to the communication network KN and configured as "telecommunication mode of operation" with functional features ready to be implemented via the communication system PBX and provided for use on the internal subscriber connections T1, T2, the terminal will be in accordance with the Signaling information on the signaling protocol Cornet-TS is transmitted between the internal communication terminal and the communication system PBX on the same basis as is generally provided between the internal terminal KE3, KE4 and the communication system PBX when signaling is exchanged . According to the signaling information of the terminal, between the external communication terminal and the communication system PBX is controlled, for example, by a computer arranged on the local area network LAN, hereinafter referred to as a computer in remote transfer mode.

If, for example, on the first external terminal KE1, a "remote mode of operation"-registration is introduced by the user, then via the network coupling unit IGATE between the first external terminal KE1 and the remote mode of operation computer TW-R via the second A connection unit ABG1, the coupling field module KN and the network coupling unit IGATE establish a user data connection DV, which is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 1 .

Through the registration of the first external terminal KE1 on the computer TW-R of the remote transmission mode of operation, for example, the call number assigned by the user to the internal communication system of the user's internal terminal, such as the call of the second internal terminal KE4 Number 4711, and an identification number (private identification number) assigned to the user personally, such as a PINA entry. The registration information is transmitted via the useful data connection DV to the computer TW-R of the remote transmission mode of operation. If the internal terminals KE3 and KE4 connected to the communication system PBX are not assigned to the user, they can choose to transmit to the virtual connection port of the communication system PBX. This port is a purely logical connection port without hardware components, that is, it is only for management technical arrangement.

The first external terminal KE1 is contacted by means of an unrepresented list stored on the telematics operating mode computer TW-R, which contains the communication system-internal calling numbers and code PINs authorized for the "telecommuting operating mode" Registration check. If the check confirms the registration, a virtual connection port of the network coupling unit IGATE, for example with the communication system internal call number 3200, is assigned to the computer TW-R in the teletransfer mode by the computer TW-R in the teletransfer mode . At the same time, by activating the functional feature "Call Forwarding" implemented by the communication system PBX, all calls to the internal connection port identified by the internal call number of the communication system are forwarded to the virtual connection port of the network coupling unit IGATE.

In addition, all signaling messages prepared by the communication system PBX control unit STE to be transmitted to the second internal terminal KE4 (communication system internal call number 4711) according to the signaling information of the terminal, the first external terminal KE1 on the communication system PBX Registration presupposes the communication system internal call number of the second internal terminal KE4, which is forwarded to the virtual port FP of the network coupling unit IGATE (with communication system internal call number 3200). The terminal-specific signaling information is transmitted from the control unit STE of the communication system PBX to the network coupling unit IGATE, from where it is forwarded in the manner described above to the first external terminal KE1.

By transmitting the signaling information according to the terminal to the first external terminal KE1 on the basis of the signaling protocol Cornet-TS, all the functional features implemented by the communication system PBX are provided to the first external terminal in the same way KE1, as provided for the second external terminal KE4. The transmission of terminal-specific signaling information from the first external terminal KE1, preconditioning its registration in the communication system PBX, to the control unit STE of the communication system PBX is done in the same way in the opposite direction.

The first external terminal KE1, preconditioning its registration in the communication system PBX, prompts the establishment of a connection with other (internal or external) terminal sets, for example with the first internal terminal KE3, for example via Take off the handset on the first external terminal KE1 to complete, the connection-signal will be established via the useful data connection DV to the computer TW-R of the remote transfer mode of operation. The remote transfer mode computer TW-R forwards the connection setup signal of the virtual connection port FP of the network coupling unit IGATE to the control unit STE of the communication system PBX. Then in the first step, the control unit STE of the communication system PBX occupies the PCM connected to the coupling area module KN of the network coupling unit IGATE between the virtual connection port FP of the network coupling unit IGATE and the coupling area module KN of the communication system PBX - Set up a sub-connection on the free wanted channel of the highway.

In a next step, the remote transfer mode computer TW-R transmits a prepared signal via the useful data connection DV to the first external terminal KE1. The first external terminal KE1 then sends the call number assigned to the first external terminal KE1 of the communication network KN to the remote mode transfer computer TW-R in a reply signal. In a further step, a sub-connection to the first external terminal KE1 is established from a further virtual connection port RP of the network coupling unit IGATE (often referred to as a “remote port” in the literature). After the sub-connection has been coupled to other sub-connections on the component coupling area module BG-KN of the network coupling unit IGATE, a dial tone is emitted on the first external terminal KE1 (signaling ready for dialing information input).

The dialing information entered subsequently on the first external terminal KE1, for example 6833 for the first internal terminal KE3, is transmitted via the useful data connection DV to the network coupling unit IGATE and from there to the control unit of the communication system PBX Ste. A terminal connection is then established between the first internal terminal KE3 and the first external terminal KE1 by the communication system PBX control unit STE.

When prompting another (external or internal) terminal to establish a connection with the second internal terminal KE4, the registration of the first external terminal KE1 is based on the internal call number of the communication system of the second internal terminal KE4 As a prerequisite, due to the activation of the call forwarding of the second internal terminal KE4, the communication system PBX establishes a sub-connection between the other terminal and the virtual connection port FP of the network coupling unit IGATE. In a next step, the remote transfer mode computer TW-R transmits a prepared signal via the useful data connection DV to the first external terminal KE1. The first external terminal KE1 then sends the call number assigned to the first external terminal KE1 of the communication network KN to the remote mode transfer computer TW-R in a reply signal. In a next step, a sub-connection to the first external terminal KE1 is established from the further virtual connection port RP of the network coupling unit IGATE. A terminal connection between the first external terminal KE1 and the further terminals occurs after a further step of coupling the sub-connections to other sub-connections on the component coupling area module BG-KN of the network coupling unit IGATE.

The transfer of speech and terminal-specific signaling information between the network coupling unit IGATE and the first external terminal KE1 takes place on the basis of the PPP protocol via H.323 data packets. By means of the H.323 protocol, the signaling information and voice according to the terminal set to be transmitted are compressed and transformed into data packets based on the TCP/IP protocol.

After the end of the terminal connection between the first external terminal KE1 and other terminals, the virtual connection port RP of the network coupling unit IGATE is released from the computer TW-R of the remote transfer mode of operation, and thus provided to It is used to establish a new connection between any terminal set registered on the communication system PBX and other terminal sets. On the contrary, the virtual connection port FP of the network coupling unit IGATE is still allocated to the first external terminal KE1 and only after the first external terminal KE1 is logged off by the user, the virtual connection port FP of the network coupling unit IGATE is released. . Due to the deactivation of call forwarding on the communication system PBX after logout, the communication system PBX control unit STE transmits the signaling information according to the terminal set to be transmitted to the user to the connection port of the internal terminal set assigned to the user, e.g. On the connection port of the second internal terminal KE4 with the communication system internal call number 4711.

For the functional features that are ready to be realized by the communication system PBX and provided on the internal user connections T1, T2, the control information will be in the form of a DTMF signal (two voices and multiple voices) on any external communication terminal connected to the communication network KN frequency) is transmitted to the network coupling unit IGATE by an external terminal via a voice connection. Each key of the terminal is assigned a characteristic signal for the DTMF signal, which is transmitted via the voice connection when the key is actuated. This signal differs from data normally transmitted via a voice connection in terms of frequency and signal duration, so that the signal can be identified and processed in the network coupling unit IGATE.

The external terminal can be connected to the communication system via any communication network, for example an analog communication network, a communication network according to ISDN or a radio network. The only requirement for the external terminal is that the MFV dialing method (multi-frequency dialing method) supports the generation of DTMF signals through the external terminal.

The second external terminal KE2 is registered with the communication system PBX by the user inputting, for example, the call number for the "remote transfer mode" into the second external terminal KE2. A speech connection is then established between the second external terminal KE2 and the network coupling unit IGATE.

The identification of the second external terminal KE2 on the communication system PBX is to transmit the voice message of the first protocol to the second external terminal KE2 through the output unit S-AE arranged on the network coupling unit IGATE, and the second The first external terminal requires the user to enter the call number assigned to the second external terminal KE2 of the communication network KN, hereinafter referred to as manual authentication. In addition, for user authentication, a voice message of the second protocol is transmitted from the output unit S-AE to the second external terminal KE2, which requires the user to enter a personal code PIN (private identification number). The authentication data and authentication data transmitted in the form of DTMF signals via the voice link are processed by the DTMF identification unit DTMF and forwarded via the LAN link unit LAN-AE to the telematics computer TW-R. The remote mode computer TW-R marks the login of the second external terminal KE2 , for example via the second external terminal KE2 , on the list not shown as authenticated, if no authentication has taken place before.

By means of the code PIN transmitted in the authentication data, the list of the internal user connection ports of the communication system PBX without representation stored in the remote transmission working mode computer TW-R will be used to obtain the user's wish to connect to the communication system PBX via the internal connection port of the user. register. If, for example, the code PIN A is transmitted within the framework of the authentication, the registration of the second external terminal KE2 is completed for the second internal terminal KE4. Users can append private keywords to request delivery.

If the call number assigned to the second external terminal KE2 of the communication network KN is automatically transmitted from the second external terminal KE2 to the network coupling unit, for example within the framework of an ISDN connection (in the range of the functional feature "calling party number") IGATE, hereinafter referred to as automatic authentication, checks on the teleportation mode computer TW-R whether the second external terminal KE2 has been authenticated, i.e. whether the second external terminal KE2 already exists on the list register. If the second external terminal KE2 has not been authenticated, the output unit S-AE of the network coupling unit IGATE transmits the voice message of the second protocol to the second external terminal KE2, which requires the user Enter a private code PIN and/or private keywords.

The code PIN transmitted by the user can be selected as a virtual connection port assigned to the communication system PBX so that the user can also use the functional features of the communication system PBX on the external terminal without assigning the user a physically existing internal terminal.

By means of an unrepresented list stored on the teletransfer mode computer TW-R, this list includes the internal call numbers and code PINs of the communication system authorized for the "telecommand mode of operation" and the second external terminal KE2 Register for inspection. If the check confirms the registration, a virtual connection port, for example virtual connection port FP with communication system-internal call number 3200, is assigned to the network coupling unit IGATE from the remote transfer mode computer TW-R. Simultaneously by activating the functional feature "Call Forwarding" implemented by the communication system PBX, all the internal call numbers via the communication system and the internal user connection ports identified by codes (e.g. the second connection unit with the internal communication system call number 4711 Calls for the second subscriber connection T2) of ABG2 are switched to the virtual connection port FP of the network coupling unit IGATE.

After registration, for example, putting the handset on the second external terminal KE2 interrupts the voice connection (this corresponds to the normal situation), then it is necessary to carry out a new identification of the second external terminal KE2 in the communication system KN ( The call number assigned to the second external terminal KE2 of the communication system KN) is transmitted in order to establish a new voice connection to the network coupling unit IGATE. Within the framework of manual authentication the retransmission of authentication data must be added.

If the control unit STE of the communication system PBX additionally transmits signaling information according to the terminal set to be transmitted to the second internal terminal set KE4, the application of the second external terminal set KE2 on the communication system PBX is based on the second The communication system internal call number and the code number of the internal terminal KE4 are prerequisites for switching to the virtual connection port FP of the network coupling unit IGATE. The signaling information according to the terminal is converted by the communication system PBX control unit STE to the remote transfer operating mode computer TW-R by the method described above.

The message transmitted by the communication system PBX control unit STE to the virtual connection port FT is processed on the remote transmission operating mode computer TW-R (for example, according to the signaling information of the terminal set), and therein this message is forwarded to the second In the case of an external terminal KE2, it is converted into voice information corresponding to signaling information according to the terminal. The voice message is then transmitted via the newly established voice connection to the second external terminal KE2 and output to this second external terminal, for example via a loudspeaker. Furthermore, there is the possibility of transmitting text messages corresponding to the signaling information of the terminals to SMS-capable terminals (Short Message Service), in particular radio terminals. Furthermore, a message is transmitted to the responsible "network provider", which transmits a corresponding text message to the terminal, where the text message is output, for example, to a display.

If the connection to the second internal terminal KE4 is established from another (external, internal) terminal, the registration of the second external terminal KE2 is based on the internal call number of the communication system of the second internal terminal KE4 Also code-named precondition, a sub-connection is established between the other terminal and the virtual connection port FP of the network coupling unit IGATE due to the activation of call forwarding. On the following steps, by means of the call number of the second external terminal KE2 of the communication system PBX transmitted on the authentication data, a connection is established between the other virtual connection port RP of the network coupling unit IGATE and the second external terminal KE2 connect. In the final step, the sub-connections are coupled with other sub-connections at the component coupling field module BG-KN of the network coupling unit IGATE, so that a terminal connection between the second external terminal KE2 and the other terminal is produced.

When prompted by the second terminal KE2 to establish a connection with another (internal or external) terminal, by newly entering the "remote transfer operating mode" call number, a voice connection is established with the other virtual connection port RP of the network coupling unit . After the authentication data is transmitted through the voice connection, the voice message of the protocol is transmitted to the second external terminal KE2 through the output unit S-AE of the network coupling unit IGATE, and the second external terminal notifies the user through the possible response of the user, For example, voice messages stored in the communication system PBX are output or terminal connections are established from the second external terminal KE2 to other terminals. Via a special key combination on the second external terminal KE2, the control information corresponding to the key combination is transmitted in the form of DTMF-signals via a voice connection to the network coupling unit IGATE, which makes the communication system PBX signaling, from the network The virtual connection port FP of the coupling unit IGATE is supposed to establish a terminal set connection to another terminal set. Then from the communication system PBX control unit STE between the virtual connection port FP of the network coupling unit IGATE and the coupling area module KN of the communication system PBX via the free useful channel occupying the PCM highway connecting the coupling area module KN and the network coupling unit IGATE is established a child connection.

After the voice connection has been coupled to the sub-connection at the network coupling unit IGATE component coupling area module BG-KN, a dial tone is emitted at the second external terminal KE2. On the second external terminal KE2, the incoming dialing information, for example 6833 for the first internal terminal KE3, is then transmitted in the form of DTMF signals via the voice connection to the network coupling unit IGATE and from there on to the communication system PBX control unit STE. The slave communication system PBX control unit STE then establishes a terminal connection between the second external terminal KE2 and the first internal terminal KE3.

If there is a possibility on the second terminal KE2, the call number assigned to the second external terminal KE2 of the communication network KN is automatically transmitted to If the network coupling unit IGATE is used, the user can then initiate the connection establishment from the communication system PBX by entering the special "remote transfer mode" call number. The network coupling unit IGATE knows by means of the "remote transfer mode" call number that a terminal connection should be established from the second external terminal KE2 to another terminal and does not accept calls from the second external terminal KE2. In the next step, starting from the communication system PBX, by means of the call number of the second external terminal KE2 automatically transmitted within the framework of the ISDN connection, the connection is established on the communication network KN from the other virtual connection port RP of the network coupling unit IGATE to the second For the connection of one external terminal KE2, the user of the second external terminal KE2 does not incur charges for the terminal connections established with other terminals.

While there is a terminal connection between the second external terminal KE2 and other terminals, the control information sent from the second external terminal KE2 is transmitted in the form of DTMF signals via the terminal connection to the network coupling unit IGATE. In the network coupling unit IGATE the control information is identified by the DTMF identification unit DTMF and forwarded to the telematics computer TW-R. The received control data are converted into terminal-specific signaling information at the teletransmission mode computer TW-R, for example by means of a list not shown. This converted signaling information according to the terminal is forwarded via the network coupling unit IGATE to the communication system PBX control unit STE. If the control information which can be transmitted from the second external terminal KE2 in the form of a DTMF signal is not interpreted by the network coupling unit IGATE, the DTMF signal is forwarded to the other terminal.

After the end of the existing terminal connection between the second external terminal KE2 and other terminals, the other virtual connection port RP of the network coupling unit IGATE is released by the remote transfer mode computer TW-R, and thus provided for communication It is used to establish a new connection between any terminal set registered on the system PBX and other terminal sets. Instead, the virtual connection port FP of the network coupling unit IGATE continues to be assigned to the second external terminal KE2 and is released only after a logout of the second external terminal KE2 initiated by the user. Since the call forwarding of the communication system PBX is deactivated after logout, the signaling information according to the terminal set to be transmitted by the communication system PBX control unit STE to the user is transmitted to the connection port of the internal terminal set belonging to the user, for example with communication On the connection port of the second internal terminal KE4 of the system internal call number 4711. The virtual connection port FP of the network coupling unit IGATE is assigned to the other external terminal if the other external terminal uses the same communication system internal call number and designation as the second external terminal KE2.

Up to 256 virtual connection ports can be configured on the network coupling unit IGATE. Furthermore, the network coupling unit IGATE is connected via 128 useful data channels in the form of a PCM highway to the coupling area module KN of the communication system PBX. Since each terminal connection of a registered terminal requires two useful channels, a maximum of 64 terminal connections can be established simultaneously via the network coupling unit IGATE. Since the terminal connection occupies 64 other virtual connection ports RP of the network coupling unit on a maximum of 64 simultaneously established terminal connections, 191 free virtual connection ports FP are provided to the network coupling unit IGATE for the terminal to connect Registration on the communication system PBX is used.

Claims (15)

1. Network coupling unit (IGATE) of communication system (PBX), - having at least one data network connection unit (LAN-AE) having a data network interface (LANS) for connection with a local area data network (LAN), - having a signaling unit (SE) for connection with the communication system (PBX) control unit (STE), - have at least one PCM-connection unit (PCM-AE) with bidirectional PCM-interface (PCMS) according to time division multiple access for connection with the communication system (PBX) coupling area module (KN), PCM connection unit (PCM-AE) AE) -- There is a component coupling area module (BG-KN) for coupling useful data connections introduced via the PCM-interface (PCMS), -- There is a DTMF-recognition unit (DTMF) for identifying and analyzing control information received in the form of a DTMF-signal over a useful data connection, - has a switching unit (MH), which is connected with a data network connection unit (LAN-AE), a signaling unit (SE) and a PCM-connection unit (PCM-AE), a switching unit -- Processing unit (BW-R) with scheduling information, -- There is a switching unit (VM-R) for transmitting packets depending on the processing result, and -- There is a transformation unit (KV-R) for transforming the data packet into one that meets the protocol requirements. 2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the network coupling unit (IGATE) is designed as a subscriber connection part of the communication system (PBX). 3. According to the device of claim 1 or 2, it is characterized in that the switching unit (VW-R) has means for transmitting data packets, which - between the intercom terminals (KE3, KE4) connected to the communication system (PBX) and the local area network (LAN), and - Between external terminal sets, these are external terminal sets (KE1, KE2) and local area networks (LAN) connected on other communication systems interconnected forming a communication network (KN). 4. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication network (KN) is a digital or analog communication network. 5. Arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the communication network (KN) is a cabled and/or radio communication network. 6. According to the device of one of the preceding claims, it is characterized in that the LAN identification information (mac) used for identifying the use of the data network-interface (LANS) in the local area data network (LAN) is stored in the network coupling unit (IGATE ) in non-volatile memory (PROM), Store the logical network-authentication information (ipag) in the first sub-area (SP1) of the memory (SPF) arranged in the network coupling unit (IGATE), which is used to identify the data network interface (LANS) and connect to the local area data a communication terminal for a network (LAN), and Communication network authentication information (rnm) is stored in the second subarea (SP2) of the memory (SPF) for authenticating the network coupling unit (IGATE) within the communication network (KN). 7. According to the device of claim 6, it is characterized in that LAN-authentication information (mac) is based on the interface, conforms to the standardized LAN address, logical network-authentication information (ipag) is a standardized internet protocol address, and The communication network-authentication information (rnw) is the communication network call number. 8. According to the device of claim 6 or 7, it is characterized in that other logical network-identification information (ipel, ..., ipek) of other local area data networks is stored in the third subarea (SP3) of memory (SPF) , and store other communication network-authentication information (rn1, ..., rnk) in the fourth subarea (SP4) of the memory (SPF), wherein each other logical network-authentication information (ipe1, ..., ipek) and A further logical communication network-authentication information (rn1..., rnk) is mutually dependent. 9. According to the device of claim 9, it is characterized in that the network coupling unit (IGATE) is used for transmitting data packets through the communication network (KN) and has an other conversion unit (KNK-R) for logical network-identification information (ipe1, ..., ipek) into communication network-authentication information (rn1, ..., rnk). 10. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the network coupling unit (IGATE) has a security unit (FWALL) for checking that the scheduling information transmitted to the network coupling unit (IGATE) involves The permissibility of the communication connection between the original device and the target device. 11. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the network coupling unit (IGATE) has a protocol unit (PROT) for secure and/or transport-protocol-recognized transfer of data packets depending on the selected transport protocol. 12. According to the device of claim 3 to 11, it is characterized in that, the network coupling unit (IGATE) has an output unit (S-AE) for transferring stored messages to an external terminal set (KE2), and Output of messages in dictated form and/or optical display on external terminal (KE1). 13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The network coupling unit has at least one virtual connection port (FP), in which within the framework of the registration of the "remote transfer operating mode" of the external terminal (KE1), in the sense that the internal terminal (KE4) functions The call of (KE4) is transferred on the virtual connection port (FP). 14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The network coupling unit (IGATE) has at least one other virtual connection port (RP) in which a call initiated within the range of an external terminal set (KE1) to one other terminal set or from another terminal set to an external terminal set (KE1) , to establish a connection between the external terminal (KE1) and other virtual connection ports (RP). 15. The device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The other terminal is an internal terminal or an external terminal.

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