JPH0685905A - Processor monitoring scheme for signal processing functions - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To confirm the normality of the signal processing function of each processor in a switching system that does not have call processing but only performs signal processing in a switching processing system with a multiprocessor configuration consisting of multiple processors. With the goal. A multiprocessor 7 is provided in which a plurality of call processors 3 and 4 are provided with signal processing devices 1 and 2 via networks 5 and 6, and the call processors 3 and 4 are centrally managed.
An alarm monitoring device 8 is provided in the alarm monitoring device 8. The alarm monitoring device 8 performs the main management of the processor monitoring function, issues a monitoring request to the multiprocessor 7 at regular intervals, and the multiprocessor 7 that receives the monitoring request processes all calls. Processor 3, 4
The signal processing device check signal transmitted to the signal transmission unit of, and the signal processing device check signal received by the signal transmission unit is
Based on the signal network identifier, the signal processing devices 1 and 2 send back to the link, and when the call processors 3 and 4 return and receive the link, the source alarm monitoring device 8 is notified that it is “normal”. To configure.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a processor monitoring system in an exchange processing system having a multiprocessor structure composed of a plurality of processors. Along with the expansion of the switching processing system, a central switching center has emerged which has a configuration in which a plurality of processors for connecting and processing terminals connected to a network are signal-controlled by a multiprocessor. Not only that, it also performs signal processing with other stations.
Therefore, it is necessary for the exchange processing system to confirm the normality of each processor.

Further, as the scale of the switching processing system has expanded, the processing functions have also become diversified, so that a switching center dedicated to signal processing that does not perform call processing but only performs signal processing has also appeared, and terminals in the network will appear. The group has come to perform diversified service control functions and signal processing functions by controlling only signal processing with other exchanges without connecting. Also in this case, it is necessary for the exchange processing system to confirm the normality of each processor.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 is a connection configuration diagram of a conventional exchange processing system having a multiprocessor configuration including a plurality of processors.
Shown in. In the figure, 20 is a multiprocessor (MP
R), 21 and 22 are call processing processors (CPR), 23 and 24 are external monitoring devices (ESE), and 25 and 26 are networks (N).
W) is shown. The figure shows an external monitoring device 23, 24ESE (External) as a means for confirming the normality of each processor 21, 22.
There is a processor monitoring method using Supervisory Equipment).

In the system configuration of FIG. 7, in order to monitor the communication state between the external monitoring devices 23, 24 and the call processors 21, 22, the external monitoring devices 23, 24 periodically make calls.
Performing'and answering call 'is monitored via the networks 25 and 26 to confirm the normal operation of the call processors 21 and 22. If the answering call 'is not returned here, the call processing processors 21 and 22 have detected an abnormality and the external monitoring device 2
3, 24 makes a decision, and the request for initialization of the call processors 21, 22 under the control is made by '.

The external monitoring devices 23 and 24 used in this processor monitoring system are treated in the same manner as general subscribers, and can be operated by any exchange switching station that performs call processing. However, the above-mentioned conventional processor monitoring method using an external monitoring device (ESE) cannot be applied to a switching system that does not have call processing and performs only signal processing such as common line signaling.

[0006]

Since the scale of the exchange processing system is expanding, the processing functions are diversifying.
With the advent of dedicated signal processing exchanges that perform only signal processing without call processing, diversifying service control functions by controlling only signal processing with other exchanges without connecting terminals to the network In the switching system that performs the signal processing function, the processor monitoring method using the conventional external monitoring device (ESE) cannot be used because the processor does not have the function of performing the call processing.

The present invention is directed to a common line signaling device CSE (Common channel Signaling Equipment) which is a device dedicated to signal processing.
t) is used as a substitute for the conventional external monitoring equipment (ESE), and the purpose is to develop a processor monitoring method for the signal processing function that can confirm the normality of communication without affecting the signal transmission / reception during normal operation. And

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the processor monitoring system according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 and 2 are signal processing devices, 3 and 4 are call processing processors, 5 and 6 are networks, 7 is a multiprocessor, and 8 is an alarm monitoring device. The dotted lines ~ indicate the processing paths of the processor monitoring function.

The alarm monitoring device 8 performs the main management of the processor monitoring function, and sends a monitoring request to the multiprocessor 7 at a certain fixed cycle. The multiprocessor 7, which has received the monitoring request, transmits a signal processing device check signal to the signal transmission units of all the call processing processors 3 and 4. The signal processing device check signal received by the signal transmission unit is transmitted to the link that is looped back by the signal processing devices 1 and 2 based on the signal network identifier, and is “normal” when it is looped back and received by the call processors 3 and 4. The transmission source alarm monitoring device 8 is notified of the fact.

If the signal cannot be transmitted due to a failure of the signal processing device or the transmitted signal is not received, the transmission source alarm monitoring device 8 is notified of "abnormal". The alarm monitoring device 8 continues to transmit a signal at regular intervals even when it is notified of “abnormality”, but if this state continues for a certain period of time, it initiates an initialization request to the corresponding call processor.

[0011]

The process flow chart of the processor monitoring system of the present invention is shown in FIGS. The figure shows a processing flow in the alarm monitoring device, the multiprocessor, the call processing processor, and the signal processing device. (1) In the alarm monitoring device, start periodic activation for monitoring all call processors. (2) The alarm monitoring device checks the monitoring result of each signal processing device from the multiprocessor, (3) If the monitoring result is a normal notification, set the startup timer for restarting monitoring, and (4) monitoring If the activation timer for resumption times out, (5) extract the activation processor for monitoring resumption, and (6) activate the monitoring resumption of the call processing processor in the next cycle. (7) If the monitoring result is an abnormality notification, the multiprocessor is requested to monitor the signal processing device of the call processor in the next cycle. (8) In the multiprocessor, the transmission acceptance from the alarm monitoring device is started, and (9) the monitoring request for the signal processing device of the call processor is received. (10) A check signal for the signal processing device is transmitted to all call processing processors. (11) Set the startup timer for restarting monitoring in the next cycle. (12) In each call processor, start the signal transmission acceptance processing from the multiprocessor, (13) accept the signal transmission request from the multiprocessor, and accept not only the supervisory signal of the signal processing device but also the normal signal It also processes. (14) By checking the signal network, it is checked whether the reception signal is a normal signal or a supervisory signal. (15) If the acceptance signal is a normal signal, the transmission link is determined according to the partner station. (16) If the reception signal is a monitoring signal, a transmission link for monitoring the signal processing device is determined. (17) Send the normal signal or the acceptance signal of the supervisory signal to the connected signal processing device. (18) In the signal processing device, acceptance of transmission from the call processor is started, and (19) acceptance of acceptance of normal signal or supervisory signal is accepted. (20) It is checked whether the designated link is a loopback mode link. (21) If it is a loopback mode link, the reception signal is looped back and sent back to the call processor. (22) If the link is not in the loopback mode, send the acceptance signal to the corresponding partner station (other station). When the signal processing device receives a signal from another station, the received signal is transmitted to the call processor. (23) In the call processor, signal reception processing is started, and (24) the supervisory signal returned from the signal processing device is received. (25) Check whether the received supervisory signal is a relay signal to another signal processing device or an incoming signal to its own signal processing device, and (26) if it is a relay signal to another signal processing device, The monitor signal is transmitted to the corresponding signal processing device. (27) If it is an incoming signal to its own signal processing device, it notifies the multiprocessor of the received signal. (28) The multiprocessor starts signal reception acceptance, and (29) receives the reception signal from the call processor. (30) Check whether the received signal is a supervisory signal from the signal processing device. (31) If it is a supervisory signal from the signal processing device, check whether reception from all call processing processors is completed. (32) If the reception from all call processors is not completed, the timer set at the time of acceptance of transmission is canceled, and (33) the normal notification is sent to the alarm monitoring device of the transmission source. (34) If the timer for waiting for the reception of the monitoring signal from the signal processing device times out, (35) the unreceived call processing processor is extracted, and (36) an abnormality notification is sent to the alarm monitoring device of the transmission source.

[0012]

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the connection link structure of the signal processing apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, 11 is a signal processing device, and 12
Is a network, 13 is a call processor, 14 is a communication control unit, 15 is a normal signal link, 16 is a supervisory signal link, and 17 is a registration order. The signal processing device 11 does not normally operate on its own, but the communication control unit 14 in the call processor 13 transmits the registration order 17 in the network 12 to the signal processing device 11 for each link unit for operation. Set the environment.

The registration order 17 includes values (error rate, link utilization rate monitoring, etc.) managed by the signal processing device 11 when transmitting and receiving signals. An example of the format of this registration order is shown in FIG. LOOP item is inserted in this registration order format, and whether to set loopback is set by "0" or "1". In the link for processor monitoring, data for instructing loopback of this device is set in this registration order and transmitted to the signal processing device.

The ordinary link 15 refers to a physical path connected between signal stations for the purpose of communicating with other signal stations, but in the case of loopback, since it is looped back by a logical path inside the signal processing device, the transmitted signal is All will be received back on the same link 16.

The link whose registration has been completed is further instructed to start the operation of the signal processing device by a start order. The operation at the start of the operation of the signal processing device is to perform signal transmission / reception for a certain period of time between both signal processing devices connected by a link to confirm the normality of the link connected to the partner station, Synchronize by monitoring the error rate of the link. This operation is performed independently by the signal processing device, and the communication control unit in the call processor that is responsible for the original signal transmission / reception is not involved at all.

When matching is completed by transmitting and receiving signals between the signal processing devices and the signal processing devices are ready for use, the signal processing devices send a notification of availability to the communication control section in the call processor to start up. Complete. The link for processor monitoring is a loopback in its own device, but at the start of startup, startup is performed according to a startup order as in a normal link, and matching between signal processing devices is also performed normally.

The processor monitoring function link in signal transmission / reception is identified by a network type called a signal network identifier (NID). FIG. 6 shows an example of a network type configuration. In the figure, the network is composed of an aggregate of a plurality of signal stations, and a signal identifier (NID = 2) is given to each aggregate A (link set) of links connected between the signal stations, and the same The link sets belonging to the network are identified by the same identifier.

A similar signal network identifier (NID = 100) is also given to the processor monitoring link B (link set). However, if the same signal network identifier as the other signal network identifiers is used, the transmitted signal is stored in the signal processing device. Since it will wrap around and return, it will be discarded as an abnormal signal. Therefore, processor monitoring is performed by changing the signal network identifier to make it appear as if communication is made in a pseudo manner.

[0019]

According to the present invention, the processor monitoring function provided for improving the reliability of the system can be operated even in the signal processing switching system in which no call processing is present.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a processing flowchart (1) of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a processing flowchart of the present invention (No. 2)

FIG. 4 Example of connection link configuration

[Fig. 5] Example of registration order format

FIG. 6 Example of network type configuration

FIG. 7 is a connection configuration diagram of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,2,11 Signal processor 3,4,13,21,22 Call processor 5,6,12,25,26 Network 7,20 Multiprocessor 8 Alarm monitor 14 Communication controller 15 Normal signal link 16 Monitor signal Link 17 Registration order 23, 24 External monitoring device

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a switching processing system having a multiprocessor structure, which is composed of a plurality of processors that perform only signal processing without call processing, a plurality of call processing processors (3, 4) are connected via a network (5, 6). The signal processing device (1, 2)
An alarm monitoring device (8) is provided in the multiprocessor (7) that centrally manages the call processing processors (3, 4), and the alarm monitoring device (8) performs the main management of the processor monitoring function, and monitors at regular intervals. The request is sent to the multiprocessor (7), and the multiprocessor (7) which has received the monitoring request transmits a signal processing device check signal to the signal transmission unit of all call processing processors (3, 4) and transmits the signal. The signal processing device check signal received by the section is transmitted to the link that is looped back by the signal processing device (1, 2) based on the signal network identifier, and is returned by the call processor (3, 4) when received, If the signal cannot be transmitted due to a failure of the signal processing device, or if the transmitted signal was not received, the source alarm monitoring device (8) is notified that it is “normal”. Notifying the monitoring device (8) that there is an "abnormal" condition, and the alarm monitoring device (8) continues to transmit a signal at regular intervals even if the "abnormal" condition is notified, and if this state continues for a certain period of time. A processor monitoring method for a signal processing function, characterized by activating an initialization request to a corresponding call processor.