JP2007027953A - Method for testing connection of ip telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for testing connection of IP telephone in which test can be carried out comprehensively and efficiently for a variety of test patterns combining different models in IP telephone system. <P>SOLUTION: In the method for testing connection of IP telephone where connection among IP telephones of a plurality of models through an IP network is tested, call connection is commanded through two IP telephones such that a call is originated from one calling terminal and terminated at the other called terminal. In response to that command, a call control protocol signal incident to call connection is collected from the IP network and analyzed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an IP telephone connection test method for performing a connection test through an IP network of a plurality of types of IP telephone apparatuses using a VoIP (Voice over IP) technology, such as a media gateway.

  Various protocols required for realizing VoIP are defined. Among these, protocols for call connection control include SIP (Session Initiation Protocol: RFC3061), ITU recommendation H.264, and so on. There are standards for H.323 and MGCP (Media Gateway Control Protocol: RFC2705). However, even if the protocol specifications are described in the document, the call connectivity using the protocol is not always completely guaranteed due to differences in interpretation of protocol specifications and detailed implementation specifications. I don't mean. Therefore, in order to actually start the service, it is necessary to actually perform a connection test between IP telephone apparatuses constituting the IP telephone system. Such a connection test needs to verify whether a requested protocol is executed without inconsistency using a test tool such as a protocol analyzer.

  However, such a connection test starts by manually sending a call, and requires log collection and log analysis by a test tool, which requires detailed verification work. In particular, as IP phone device models such as media gateways have diversified, it has been required to comprehensively test a variety of test patterns in which different models are mixed, leading to an increase in costs associated with test execution (Fig. 1).

  An object of the present invention is to provide an IP telephone connection test method capable of comprehensively and efficiently testing various test patterns of combinations of different models in an IP telephone system.

  The IP telephone connection test method according to the present invention is an IP telephone connection test method for performing a connection test between a plurality of types of IP telephone apparatuses via an IP network. An exchange step for instructing a call connection between the terminals so as to make a call from the originating terminal and allow another incoming terminal to receive the call, and a call associated with the call connection from the IP network according to the instruction And a collection analysis step for collecting and analyzing the control protocol signal.

  According to the IP telephone connection test method of the present invention, it is possible to test comprehensively and efficiently for various test patterns of combinations of different models in the IP telephone system.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<First embodiment>
FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, and shows an overall configuration for executing the IP telephone connection test method. This configuration constitutes the VoIP test system 100 as a whole. The VoIP test system 100 includes a plurality of media gateways (indicated as MG in the figure) 10a to 10c which are IP telephone apparatuses to be tested, a private branch exchange 20 (hereinafter referred to as PBX 20), and a personal computer 60 (in the figure). A call agent (indicated as CA in the figure) 30, and a protocol analyzer 50.

  One end of each of the plurality of media gateways 10a to 10c is connected to a LAN 90 that is an IP network, and the other end thereof is connected to the outside line side of the PBX 20. Each of the media gateways 10a to 10c accommodates a telephone (not shown) using a normal VoIP technology and has a gateway function between the IP network and a normal analog telephone network. The call agent 30 is a call control server that is connected to the LAN 90 and performs call control for an IP telephone in an IP network. The call agent 30 enables connection according to an IP telephone protocol (for example, SIP) between any two opposing devices of the plurality of media gateways 10a to 10c.

  The PBX 20 is a normal private branch exchange that establishes a call connection between extension terminals and a call connection between an extension line and an extension terminal. The PBX 20 accommodates the personal computer 60 as an extension terminal, and is connected to the outside line via each of the media gateways 10a to 10c. It is connected to LAN90. The outside line side of the PBX 20 is connected to one end of the plurality of media gateways 10a to 10c, and can be connected to any one of the plurality of media gateways 10a to 10c by specifying the outside line number. The extension side of the PBX 20 accommodates two analog lines, and can be connected to either of the network control units 61 and 62 (hereinafter referred to as NCUs 61 and 62) by specifying the extension number.

  The personal computer 60 is an ordinary computer and is connected to the PBX 20 via two analog telephone lines. The analog line connected via the NCU 61 is a line used exclusively for outgoing calls using the personal computer 60 as a calling terminal, and the analog line connected via the NCU 62 is a line used exclusively for incoming calls using the personal computer 60 as a receiving terminal. The personal computer 60 also controls the operation of the protocol analyzer 50 via the LAN 90 and receives a result report from the protocol analyzer 50 via the LAN 90.

  The protocol analyzer 50 is connected to the LAN 90 and collects IP packets flowing on the LAN 90 and records them as log information. Based on the log information, the protocol analysis is performed based on the source and destination IP addresses and the protocol identification. And a function for outputting a result report of the analysis to the personal computer 60. A series of processing of recording, analysis and reporting is instructed to start and end by the personal computer 60 via the LAN 90. In particular, when a start instruction is given, the telephone number at the time of transmission is passed to the protocol analyzer 50 by the personal computer 60 as the transmission number. Thereby, the recorded log information can be referred to by a search using the telephone number as a key.

  Further, the personal computer 60 includes a test pattern table 63 that defines combinations for connecting different types of IP telephone apparatuses via the LAN 90. Based on the test pattern table 63, the personal computer 60 can sequentially execute a plurality of test patterns and comprehensively perform connection tests between all the media gateways 10a to 10c.

  In order to comprehensively perform a large number of test patterns, it is necessary to make a call from a transmission line and make a call from a specific media gateway to a call reception line via a specific media gateway opposite thereto. Therefore, in order to specify the media gateway to be connected according to the outgoing call, the “specified outside line capture” function provided in the normal PBX is used, and the specific media gateway is usually connected to the incoming line. The individual incoming response (DIL: Direct In Line) function provided in the PBX is used. These function settings can be set in the PBX 20 in advance. The designated outside line capture means that a specific outside line is designated from a plurality of outside lines and can be used by operating the telephone. On the other hand, the individual incoming response means that one of a plurality of extension terminals is selected and directly received for a call received from an outside line.

  FIG. 3 illustrates a method of performing an exhaustive test for each test pattern consisting of two pairs of the media gateways 10a to 10c. As a premise, the external line number of the media gateway 10a is “050-5555-1111”, the external line number of the media gateway 10b is “050-5555-2222”, and the external line number of the media gateway 10c is “050-5555-3333”. To do. The extension number of the NCU 62 is “2002”, and the extension number of the NCU 61 is “2001”.

  A method for testing each test pattern will be described with reference to this figure. First, the personal computer 60 sends a test call from the NCU 61 (step S1). At this time, by designating “special number + external line telephone number” as designated external line capture, an external line is designated and transmitted. In this case, the dial number is specified as “31 + 05055553333”. “31” is a special number for designating the outside line 31 of the PBX 20. In response to this test call transmission instruction, the personal computer 60 instructs the protocol analyzer 50 to start collecting IP packets.

  Next, the PBX 20 sees the special number “31” and captures the outside line that reaches the transmitting media gateway 10a (step S2). In the PBX 20, the special number “31” is set as the external line 31 leading to the media gateway 10a, the special number “32” is set as the external line 32 reaching the media gateway 10b, and the special number “33” is set as the external line 33 leading to the media gateway 10c. There is a need. Next, the PBX 20 transmits to the media gateway 10a (step S3). At this time, the dial number is "05055553333".

  Next, the media gateway 10a requests the call agent 30 to connect to the dial number “05055553333” (step S4). In response to this, the call agent 30 causes the test call to arrive at the media gateway 10c corresponding to the dial number “05055553333” (step S5).

  Next, the PBX 20 causes the NCU 62 of the personal computer 60 to individually receive the test call (step S6). For this reason, the PBX 20 is set in advance so as to receive all calls from the media gateways 10a to 10c to the NCU 62 of the personal computer 60. Such an incoming call is realized by the individual incoming call response function of the PBX 20. Finally, the PBX 20 receives the test call at the NCU 62 of the personal computer 60 (Step S7).

  In parallel with the above processing procedure, a series of processing such as log recording, analysis, and reporting is performed by the protocol analyzer. In this process, the call control protocol signals collected from the LAN 90, which is an IP network, are analyzed to verify the success or failure of the call connection via the two media gateways.

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the test pattern table. The test pattern table 63 defines a test pattern as a combination pattern of two opposing devices among the devices of the media gateways 10a to 10d to be tested, and the calling number in each combination is “special number + external telephone number” Set as The personal computer can perform a facing test in each corresponding combination by transmitting this “special number + external phone number” as a dial number. As described above, when the caller is the media gateway 10a and the callee is the media gateway 10c, the dial number is designated as "31 + 05055553333".

  In the first embodiment described above, a connection test is performed between a plurality of media gateways or between a call agent and a media gateway. Such connection tests are automated and do not require manual transmission, and log collection and log analysis are performed. The connection test can be executed not only when a media gateway is newly introduced, but also when a media gateway firmware is changed or a call agent program file is updated. In particular, in a case where dozens of types of media gateways are accommodated under a call agent by a telecommunications carrier, a so-called carrier, etc., the connection man-hours can be greatly reduced by automating the connection test.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the number of test patterns to be performed when a call agent changes a program file depends on the number of models to be tested. If there are N (positive number) types of media gateways under the call agent, it is necessary to verify the _N C ₂ + N pattern. For example, if there are 5 types of media gateways, 15 patterns need to be verified, and if there are 20 types, 210 patterns need to be verified. In such a situation, the test man-hours can be greatly reduced by applying the IP telephone connection test method according to the present invention.
<Second embodiment>
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention and shows an overall configuration for executing the IP telephone connection test method. This configuration constitutes the VoIP test system 100 as a whole. The VoIP test system 100 includes a plurality of media gateways 10a to 10c, which are IP telephone apparatuses to be tested, a private branch exchange 20, a personal computer 60, a call agent 30, and a protocol analyzer 50. These basic connections are the same as in the first case.

  In the second embodiment, a media gateway 10d to be tested is further connected to the LAN 90. The media gateway 10 d is connected to the NCU 62 of the personal computer 60 via a point of interface (POI) 70 and further via a public telephone line, that is, the PSTN 40. As a result, a connection test can be performed in which a test call is transmitted from the personal computer 60 via the NCU 61 and is received by the personal computer 60 via the media gateway 10a via the media gateway 10a. In the above configuration, the same connection test method shown in the description of the first embodiment is executed.

  In the second embodiment described above, even in a connection mode in which a PSTN is interposed, in a connection test between a plurality of media gateways or between a call agent and a media gateway, automation that does not require manual transmission becomes possible. Yes.

  As is clear from the plurality of embodiments described above, by applying the IP telephone connection method according to the present invention, comprehensive and efficient testing is performed for various test patterns in combinations of media gateways of different models. be able to. A plurality of test patterns are sequentially executed, and a series of connection test procedures are automated. As a result, it is possible to significantly reduce the number of man-hours that have conventionally been required for the connection test.

  The IP telephone connection test method according to the present invention can be applied to a form for performing a connection test between various IP telephone apparatuses interposed in a telephone path in a VoIP system regardless of the name of the media gateway.

It is explanatory drawing explaining the test pattern of the number in the conventional IP telephone connection test. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a block diagram which shows 1st Example of this invention and shows the whole structure which performs the IP telephone connection test method. It is explanatory drawing explaining the method of performing an exhaustive test about each test pattern of a some media gateway. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a test pattern table. It is a block diagram which shows 2nd Example of this invention and shows the whole structure which performs the IP telephone connection test method.

Explanation of symbols

10a-10d Media Gateway (MG)
20 Private branch exchange (PBX)
30 Call Agent (CA)
40 Public telephone line (PSTN)
50 Protocol analyzer 60 Personal computer (PC)
61, 62 Network control unit (NCU)
63 Test pattern table 70 Connection point (POI)
90 LAN
100 VoIP test system

Claims (9)

An IP telephone connection test method for performing a connection test between multiple types of IP telephone devices via an IP network,
An exchange step for instructing a call connection between the terminals so that a call is transmitted from one calling terminal through two of the IP telephone devices and the other receiving terminal receives the call;
A collecting and analyzing step of collecting and analyzing a call control protocol signal accompanying the call connection from the IP network in response to the command;
An IP telephone connection test method comprising:   2. The IP telephone connection test method according to claim 1, wherein the collection and analysis step includes a step of verifying a success or failure of normal completion of the call connection by analyzing the call control protocol signal. At least one computer device connected via an extension to a private branch exchange connected to the IP telephone device via an external line is provided with a calling number designating each of the IP telephone devices for each of two combinations of the IP telephone devices. Further comprising a pre-holding step,
In the exchange step, for each combination, the computer device generates an external line transmission with the transmission number as the transmission terminal, and the private branch exchange converts the external line transmission to a combination corresponding to the transmission number. 2. The IP telephone connection test method according to claim 1, wherein the call connection is established by converting the call into two calls.   4. The exchange step according to claim 3, further comprising the step of causing the private branch exchange to receive an incoming call at one of the IP telephone devices of the combination and to individually receive the incoming call as the terminating terminal at the computer device. IP phone connection test method.   The switching step further includes the step of causing the private branch exchange to receive an incoming call on one of the IP telephone apparatuses in the combination as the receiving terminal on the computer apparatus via a public telephone network. The IP telephone connection test method according to claim 3.   The collecting and analyzing step is a step of collecting and analyzing a call control protocol signal associated with the call connection from the IP network by a protocol analyzer connected to the IP network under the control of the computer device. Item 4. The IP telephone connection test method according to Item 3.   7. The IP telephone connection test method according to claim 6, wherein the collecting and analyzing step includes a step of notifying the protocol analyzer of the calling number from the computer device.   4. The IP telephone connection test method according to claim 3, wherein in the exchange step, two of the IP telephone apparatuses are connected by call control by a call control server connected to the IP network.   The call origination number includes a special number that specifies an external line that specifies each of the IP telephone apparatuses in the private branch exchange, and a telephone number that specifies each of the IP telephone apparatuses in the IP network. 3. The IP telephone connection test method according to 3.

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