Reducing broadcast of SS7 network management messages by SIGTRAN relay node

摘要

The application relates to the transport of SS7 signaling over an Internet Protocol based network and in particular to the routing of SS7 Signaling Network Management SSNM Messages such as Destination Unavailable DUNA and Signalling Congestion SCON by a SIGTRAN relay node. The SSNM messages are checked against a so-called “validation rule”, which either specifies a list of allowed affected point codes or a threshold rate of SSNM messages with the same affected point code. If the SSNM message is “valid” it is sent to a so-called “broadcast domain” which comprise nodes such as signaling endpoints or component of one or more application servers.

主权项

1. A method, in a relay node, of efficiently transferring Signaling Transport (SIGTRAN) network management messages inside an IP based SIGTRAN network, wherein the network management messages do not comprise concerned destination parameters, and wherein the network comprises a first broadcast domain which is both defined by at least one signalling endpoint and associated with validation rules, the method comprising:
checking the network management messages against the validation rules; discarding any network management message coming from the specific broadcast domain in which the network management message has to be sent, wherein the network management message comprises at least one affected point code; sending, if the network management message is in compliance with the validation rules, the network management message to the first broadcast domain; defining an inhibit time associated with the affected point code of the network management message, wherein a value for the inhibit time is derived from a rate of transferred messages; and discarding a subsequent network management message within the inhibit time if the network management message contains the affected point code.