JP2723027B2 - TCAP test method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for testing TCAP in an interoffice interface between exchanges such as an exchange system connected to an ISDN or an in-network database.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an inter-station interface between ISDN exchange systems or between an exchange system and a database system in a network, No. 1 is used. The TCAP (Transaction Capabilities Applicatiy) is used as a communication protocol between application processes of an exchange such as an exchange system having a call processor or an in-network database system.
on Part) Procedures are recommended.

[0003] This TCAP procedure exchanges a series of communication messages in order to execute a desired service between a plurality of systems, for example, a voice response service for performing transfer of billing data and a response process using stored voice. This is a communication protocol used when performing the communication. A function unit that provides this communication protocol is called a transaction function unit (hereinafter, referred to as TCAP).

[0004] ISDN-TS (formerly CCITT) Recommendation Q. 7
Although they are specified in the 50 series, they specify test functions in lower layers, and do not recommend test functions in layers including TCAP.

[0005] Therefore, conventionally, when testing the function of TCAP, the same message as in operation is created, and a TCA is performed from a layer lower than TCAP by a predetermined test device.
P, and the response message is received and analyzed for testing.

[0006]

Therefore, in such a conventional TCAP test method, the TCAP corresponding to each processor is individually tested, and messages are transmitted one by one and a response message is sent. This is a single-mode test that receives and analyzes the TCAP. Therefore, a functional test based on the processing operation of the TCAP during operation, that is, a test between the remote TCAP and a continuous mode test that processes a continuous message is performed. There was a problem that it was difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and can perform a test based on an environment equivalent to the functional operation of a TCAP in an actual operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a TCAP test method capable of performing a function test between itself and an opposite TCAP.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a method for testing a TCAP according to the present invention comprises a plurality of TCAPs which indicate a test progress order based on various test contents as an upper user of the TCAP to be tested. A TCAP test driver for sequentially transmitting and receiving messages based on an arbitrary scenario in the scenario group, and a TCAP test driver in two different processors.
In this example, scenarios showing the same test contents are selected by the respective TCAP test drivers provided in, and messages based on these scenarios are transmitted and received between the TCAP test drivers.

The TCAP test driver includes a scenario data section having a scenario group consisting of a plurality of scenarios indicating a test progress order based on various test contents, a message transmission / reception processing section for transmitting / receiving a message to / from the TCAP, and a state management. An arbitrary scenario selected from the scenario group of the scenario data section according to the test content is stored in the state management memory, and a message based on the scenario is transmitted to the TCA via the message transmission / reception processing section.
The first is to send and receive to the P test driver in order, and to show the progress of the test according to the sending and receiving of these messages.
Resource that manages the test progress of the first test and compares the first test progress with a second test progress derived from a scenario in the state management memory based on the received message. And a memory state management unit.

[0010] By specifying different TCAPs provided in different or same stations as opposed TCAPs, messages based on a scenario selected according to the test contents are transmitted and received between different TCAP test drivers in different or same stations. It is something to do.

[0011] Also, the upper users of the TCAP to be tested
Indicates the order of progress of the test based on the contents of various tests
A scenario group consisting of a plurality of scenarios
Send and receive messages based on any of the scenarios
Provide a TCAP test driver to communicate
TCAP test drivers provided for each TCAP
Select a scenario that indicates the contents of the specified test using the
The same TCAP test-dry for messages based on Nario
It transmits and receives between bars .

[0012]

Therefore, TCAP in two different processors
A scenario showing the same test content for each TCAP test driver provided in the
Messages based on these scenarios are sequentially transmitted and received between the TCAP test drivers.

Further, the resource memory status management unit provides
An arbitrary scenario selected from the scenario group in the scenario data section according to the test content is stored in the state management memory,
Messages based on this scenario are sequentially transmitted / received to / from the opposing TCAP test driver via the message transmission / reception processing unit, and a first test progress status indicating the progress of the test is managed in accordance with the transmission / reception of these messages. The test result is determined by comparing the test progress status of the second test progress status with the second test progress status derived from the scenario in the status management memory based on the received message.

Further, when different TCAPs provided in the same or different stations are designated as the opposing TCAPs, messages based on the scenario selected according to the test contents are different or different TCs in the same station.
It is transmitted and received between AP test drivers.

Further, when the same TCAP is designated as the opposing TCAP, a message based on the scenario selected according to the test content is transmitted / received by one TCAP test driver.

[0016]

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a TCAP test method according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1A and 1B are I
Processors 3A and 3B which are provided in the exchange system and the intra-network database system in the SDN and perform the call processing control including the interoffice interface are TCAPs which provide a communication protocol in the interoffice interface.

Reference numerals 5A and 5B denote message transfer units (hereinafter referred to as MTPs) for transferring messages corresponding to the lines, and reference numerals 4A and 4B denote MTP5.
A, 5B and a signal connection control unit (hereinafter, referred to as SCCP: Si) for controlling connection of messages between TCAPs 3A, 3B.
gnaling Conection Control Part) 2A and 2B are TC
It is a TCAP test driver that performs the tests of APs 3A and 3B.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the TCAPs 2A and 2B. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2 denotes a TCAP test driver 2A or 2B, which shows a plurality of scenarios indicating a test progress order according to various test contents. A scenario data unit 11 for managing, a resource memory state management unit 12 having a state management memory, transmitting and receiving a predetermined message based on the scenario read from the scenario data unit 11, and managing a test progress state indicating a progress of the test; TCAP
3 and a message transmission / reception processing unit 13 for transmitting / receiving a message to / from the server 3.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, as an operation of the present invention, a TCAP 2 in which respective processors 1A and 1B installed in different exchange systems are opposed to each other.
The function test between A and 2B will be described. FIG.
Is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the TCAP test method, which is commonly used on both the local side and the remote side.

First, from a maintenance terminal (not shown) of a system having each processor, a processor 1A,
1B TCAP test driver 2A, 2B
, A command for selecting a scenario in which the order and status of messages transmitted and received as a test are described (step 31).

In response to this, the scenario data section 11 of each TCAP test driver 2A, 2B selects a scenario specified by a command from a plurality of previously set and stored scenarios, and executes the resource memory state management section 1
2 is transferred to the state management memory (step 32).

FIG. 4 shows a TCAP test driver 2A,
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a scenario stored in a scenario data unit 11 of 2B. In the figure, reference numerals 40A and 40B denote scenario groups consisting of a plurality of scenarios stored in the TCAP test drivers 2A and 2B, respectively.
Reference numeral 4 denotes individual scenarios, each of which has a scenario on the local side, that is, a scenario L1 to Ln on the transmission side, and a scenario on the remote side, that is, a scenario R1 to Rn on the reception side.

Therefore, the TCAP test driver 2A,
In 2B, TCAP3A is set to the local side and TCAP
When the test is performed based on the scenarios L1 and R1 with 3B as the remote side, the scenario L1 (41) is selected as the scenario of the TCAP test driver 2A, and the TCA
Scenario R1 as a scenario for P test driver 2B
(42) will be selected.

Also, one TCAP, for example, TCAP3
When the test is performed independently on A based on the scenarios L2 and R2, the scenarios L2 (43) and R2 (44) are selected as the scenarios of the TCAP test driver 2A.

Next, each T is transmitted by a command from the maintenance terminal.
The CAP test drivers 2A and 2B are activated. In this case, as the mode to be activated, one of a single mode in which only one message is output and a continuous mode in which a plurality of messages are continuously output are selected.

In response to the activation, the resource memory status management unit 12 of the local TCAP test driver 2A transmits the scenario L1 transferred and stored in the status management memory.
With reference to (41), the first transmission message addressed to the TCAP test driver 2B is read and output to the TCAP 3A via the message transmission / reception processing unit 13.

As in the case of the message in the normal processing, the SCCP 4A, the MTP 5A, the interoffice signal exchange processing section (not shown) of the local exchange system, the interoffice connection network (not shown), the remote exchange system MTP5B, SC after passing through an inter-station signal exchange processing unit (not shown)
The data is received by the remote TCAP test driver 2B via the CP 3A and the TCAP 3B, and is input to the resource memory state management unit 12 via the message transmission / reception processing unit 13.

On the remote side, processing based on the same procedure as the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is performed.
Resource memory status management unit 1 of P test driver 2B
2 determines which scenario the message received from the local TCAP 3A corresponds to based on the predetermined identification information in the message (step 34), and stores it in the state management memory according to the determination result. The address of the corresponding part of the scenario is calculated (step 3
5).

Next, the resource memory status management unit 12 of the remote TCAP test driver 2B derives a predetermined test progress status from the scenario in the status management memory based on the calculated address, and calculates the current test status managed on the remote side. (Step 36).

If the test progress status derived from the status management memory matches the current test progress status on the remote side (step 36: YES), a response message to be returned next to the local side is transmitted to the status monitor. It is derived based on the scenario in the management memory, and sent out to the TCAP 3B via the message transmission / reception processing unit 13 (step 37).

Thereafter, the end of this scenario is determined (step 38). If this is completed, the start is stopped (step 38: YES), and if there is a subsequent scenario (step 38: NO), the next Wait until the message is received.

If the test progress status derived from the status management memory does not match the current test progress status on the remote side (step 36: NO), the received message is discarded (step 39). ), And sends a message to instruct the local side to suspend the test as necessary.

The response message returned from the remote side is received by the local side TCAP test driver 2A via the route in the reverse order to that described above, and is input to the resource memory state management unit 12 via the message transmission / reception processing unit 13.

The resource memory status management unit 12
Which scenario the response message received from the CAP 3B corresponds to is determined based on predetermined identification information in the message (step 34), and according to the result of the determination, the corresponding one of the scenarios stored in the state management memory is determined. The address of the part is calculated (step 35).

Hereinafter, similarly to the processing in the resource memory state management unit 12 of the remote TCAP test driver 2B, the test progress state derived based on the calculated address and the current test managed by the local side are described. The progress status is compared (step 36), the next message is sent to the remote side based on the match, and the received message is discarded due to the mismatch (step 3).
9).

Thereafter, the comparison of the test progress status on the local side and the remote side and transmission processing of the next message are performed until the selected scenario ends, and when the scenario is completed, both TCAPs 3A and 3B function. If it is determined that the test has passed and the scenario is interrupted, the function test is determined to have failed, and the cause is analyzed based on the scenario state at the time of interruption in both TCAP test drivers 2A and 2B.

Therefore, by selecting a scenario and a test start mode corresponding to a target test by a command from the maintenance terminal, the TCAP test drivers 2A and 2B are started as upper users of the TCAP 3A and 3B, and are used in actual operation. Will be performed in an environment equivalent to the functional operation of the TCAPs 3A and 3B.

When the TCAP test drivers 2A and 2B are started in the single mode, a response message corresponding to an arbitrary transmission message is received by the local TCAP test driver 2A, and the normal test is performed depending on the test progress state. The same test as described above is performed on a unit basis until is confirmed, and it is possible to select either a single or continuous mode appropriate as a test method.

In the above description, the TCAP test method between the processors 1A and 1B installed in different exchange systems has been described. However, in the case where a plurality of processors 1A and 1B are installed in one exchange system. In this case, the same test as described above can be performed between TCAPs 3A and 3B provided in different processors in the same switching system.

In this case, the TCAP test driver 2
A and 2B send messages to different processors 1B and 1A in the same switching system, respectively.
It is transmitted to the CAP test driver 2B, 2A. The transmitted message is connected back (intra-local connection) by the inter-station signal exchange processing unit (not shown) of the local exchange system.

Therefore, it is possible to perform a test between two TCAPs within the own station, and no other exchange system is required as a TCAP test partner, and other exchange systems and interoffice connection networks caused by the TCAP test are not required. It is possible to avoid the burden on normal processing.

Further, the same test as described above can be performed only with the TCAP 3A in the same processor 1A in the same switching system. In this case, for example, when a scenario in the scenario group 40A is selected in the TCAP test driver 2A (see FIG. 4), a local scenario such as L2 (43) and a remote scenario R2 (44) are selected.

Thus, the TCAP test driver 2
A is sent to the TCAP test driver 2A in the same processor 1A in the same switching system, and the transmitted message is sent to an inter-station signal exchange processor (not shown) in the own switching system. ) To make a return connection (connection within the own station).

Therefore, it is possible to perform a test using only one TCAP in the own station, and other exchange systems as well as other exchange systems are not required as test partners of TCAP, and other exchanges caused by the TCAP test are not required. It is possible to avoid the burden on the normal processing of the system, the interoffice connection network, and other TCAP.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, a scenario group including a plurality of scenarios indicating a test progress order based on various test contents is provided as an upper user of the TCAP to be tested. A TCAP test driver for sequentially transmitting and receiving messages based on an arbitrary scenario is provided, and TCA test drivers in two different processors are provided.
Each of the TCAP test drivers provided in P selects a scenario indicating the same test content, and messages based on these scenarios are transmitted and received between the TCAP test drivers. In addition, a test in an environment equivalent to the functional operation of the TCAP during actual operation is performed, and a test in a single mode and a continuous mode can be performed.

Also, by designating different TCAPs provided in different or same stations as opposed TCAPs, messages based on a scenario selected according to the test contents can be changed to different TCAs in different or same stations.
Since transmission and reception are performed between the P test drivers, it is possible to perform a test between two TCAPs in the own station, and no other exchange system is required as a TCAP test partner, and other exchanges caused by the TCAP test are performed. It is possible to avoid the burden on the system and the inter-station connection network for normal processing.

Further, the same TCA is used as the opposite TCAP.
By specifying P, a message based on the scenario selected according to the test content is transmitted and received by one TCAP test driver, so that the test can be performed using only one TCAP in the own station. , T
As a test partner of the CAP, not only the other switching system but also the other TCAP is not necessary, and it is possible to avoid the burden on the other switching system, the interoffice connection network, and the normal processing of the other TCAP due to the TCAP test. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a TCAP test method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram showing a TCAP test driver.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a TCAP test method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a selection state of a scenario.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A, B processor 1, 2A, 2B TCAP test driver 11 Scenario data section 12 Resource memory state management section 13 Message transmission / reception processing section 2, 3A, 3B TCAP 4A, 4B SCCP 5A, 5B MTP 40A, 40B Scenario group 41-44 Scenario

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An exchange system connected to an ISDN or a call processing processor of an exchange, such as an in-network database, provided as an inter-office interface between the exchanges for various types of call processing for upper-level user applications. TCA which is a function part to send and receive messages
In the test method of P, as a higher-level user of the TCAP to be tested, there is a scenario group including a plurality of scenarios indicating a test progress order based on various test contents, and a message based on an arbitrary scenario in the scenario group TCA that sends and receives in order
A P test driver is provided, and a scenario showing the same test content is selected by each TCAP test driver provided in TCAP in two different processors, and a message based on these scenarios is transmitted and received between the TCAP test drivers. A TCAP test method, characterized in that: 2. The TCAP test method according to claim 1, wherein the TCAP test driver includes: a scenario data section having a scenario group including a plurality of scenarios indicating a test progress order based on various test contents; A message transmission / reception processing unit for transmitting / receiving a message, and a state management memory. An arbitrary scenario selected from the scenario group of the scenario data unit according to the test content is stored in the state management memory. Based on the first test progress status indicating the progress of the test according to the transmission / reception of these messages. A state in the state management memory based on the progress state and the received message. T characterized in that it is composed of a determined resource memory status management unit test results by comparing the second test progress derived from o
Test method for CAP. 3. The TCAP test method according to claim 1, wherein a different TCAP provided in the same station or a different TCAP is designated as the opposing TCAP, so that a message based on a scenario selected according to the test content is changed. Alternatively, a TCAP test method, wherein transmission and reception are performed between different TCAP test drivers in the same station. 4. An exchange system connected to the ISDN.
Or the call processing process of the exchange, such as an in-network database.
Installed in the power
Inter-exchange for top-user applications
TCA which is a functional unit for transmitting and receiving various call processing messages
In the test method of P, as a top user of TCAP to be tested,
Are multiple scenarios showing the order of progress of the test based on the test content?
A scenario group consisting of any of the above scenarios
TCA that sends and receives messages based on different scenarios in sequence
A P test driver is provided, and each T provided in the TCAP in the processor is provided.
Scenario showing the contents of the prescribed test with the CAP test driver
And send messages based on this scenario to the same TC
A TCAP test method characterized by transmitting and receiving between AP test drivers .