SE514331C2 - Method and apparatus for obtaining dynamic bandwidth through variable channel assignment in ISDN - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and an apparatus are described which enable a connection with a variable bandwidth from a subscriber terminal in an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) to a data network, such as the Internet. The D channel or one or both B channels may be used, and the bandwidth may be adjusted while the connection is maintained, by connecting and/or disconnecting channels, in dependence of the data traffic requirements and the need for the B channels for telephony purposes.

Description

U: lO 20 25 .514 531 2 bandwidth for data traffic up to 64kbit / s. If both B-channels are used for data communication, no incoming calls can be received.

One solution to this problem is to forward incoming calls to another recipient, e.g. the user's mobile phone when both B-channels are used for data communication. This solution requires an additional telephone subscription.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to allow users to use both B-channels in an ISDN connection for data communication while still being able to receive incoming calls if they so wish, without the need for an additional telephone subscription.

This object is achieved according to the invention by using the D-channel for signaling purposes when both B-channels are used simultaneously for data communication. Incoming calls can be registered on the D-channel in the usual way and can be handled in one of the following ways: - the calls can be forwarded to the subscriber as standard options; - the caller can receive a busy signal or be forwarded to an answering service; the subscriber may have specified in advance specific persons to be connected. The rest can receive a busy sigral or be forwarded to an answering service; the subscriber can be informed of each incoming call and for each call choose whether he wants to answer.

If a call is disconnected fi am, one of the B-channels is temporarily disconnected from the data fl and used for a voice connection. If desired, both B-channels can be temporarily disconnected and only the D-channel can be used as a connection for data communication. 10 15 20 25 51.4 3.31 3 If the user does not want to answer, the caller can learn a message, e.g. a voice mail.

The solution according to the invention provides the following benefits for the end user: - an Söksible Internet Search Tool based on a standard ISDN interface, which can be realized at a cost.

- The user can adjust the quality of service by selecting the bandwidth of the IIP channel.

- The entire bandwidth of the LSDN subscription can be used for data traffic, while one or both of the 64 kbit / s lines are still available for incoming telephone calls at all times.

- Ongoing data traffic is not interrupted if an incoming call is answered. However, traffic is slower as long as the call lasts.

- Incoming calls can be connected to an answering service for the ISDN connection.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 schematically shows the connection from the ISDN subscriber via the ISDN network to the Internet according to the invention; Figure 2 shows the connection from the ISDN subscriber via the ISDN network to the Internet in more detail; Figure 3 is a fate diagram of the measures required to install and activate the services according to the invention; and Figure 4 is a flow chart of the measures required to connect to the Internet according to the invention.

Detailed Description of Embodiments Figure 1 shows an ISDN connection to a data network for retrieving data according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the data network is a network that provides communication over nät your networks, commonly referred to as the Internet, but similar connections may be made to any data network, for example a network that allows an X.25 or Internet Protocol (IP) -) connection. An extended ISDN terminal called a PMMX 10 15 20 25 514.331 4 (Personal Multimedia Exchange) 1 is connected to an ISDN exchange 3. The ISDN exchange is connected via an Internet access server 5 to the data network 7. Other servers 9 are also connected. to the computer network.

PMMX is a workstation, personal computer, or local routing node (router), I configured as described in connection with Figure 3.

PMMX does not have a fixed IP address but gets an IP address from the LP manager every time a connection is connected. The IP address is returned each time a connection is terminated. [35 _ PMMX includes a user interface for managing the three ISDN channels and for managing operation and maintenance functions in the network, and also contains functions for utilizing the LP interface which i can be found in the personal computer, workstation or routing node used.

A user can log in to PMMX with a user identity and a password, or in some other known way, e.g. with voice protection.

Figure 2 shows in more detail the connection from a subscriber's PMMX 1 'to a data network, which in this embodiment is Internet 7 °. As above, PMMX is used to handle the two B-channels and the D-channel in an ISDN connection. PMMX 1 'is connected to an ISDN network 11, comprising at least one ISDN exchange.

The ISDN network ll is in turn connected via a 2Mbit / s PRI (Primary Rate Interface) to an ISDN router 13 for connecting the two B-channels to the Internet 7 ”.

The ISDN network II is also connected via a Packet Handler Interface (PHI) to a packet manager 15 which may be a standard packet manager used as a gateway to an XZS network 17. The packet manager is connected via a 10 15 20 25 30 . . . -. i 514. 331 5 interface 11 to a D-channel router 19 for connection to the Internet 7 ”. The connection from the ISDN network 11 via the packet manager 15 and the D-channel router 19 is used for data transmission on the D-channel. It is readily apparent from the art that the ISDN router and the D-channel router can be realized as one unit.

The ISDN router 13. and the D-channel router 19 are connected via an Ethernet connection 21 to a router 23, which is connected to the data network 7 "and connection means 25 for authentication of users and activation of the IP address and other IP parameters. For an Internet connection, the means 25 comprises a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server, a Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service (RADIUS) and a Domain Name Server (DNS) 25.

The ISDN router 13, the D-channel router 19, the router 23 and the connecting means 25 constitute the packet handler (Internet Packet Handler - IPH). For connection to a data network other than the Internet, the router 23 and the connecting means 25 would have to be adapted to this type of data network.

In this way, the D-channel can be used as a permanent connection to any data network, for example, the Internet. However, this channel is also needed to control the use of the two B-channels. This is solved by taking advantage of the fact that the D-channel is a packet-switched channel with a well-managed protocol: LAPD (Link Access Procedure for the D-channel). The ability to use the D-channel to transmit user data is defined in the ISDN standard X.31.

The information in the start field of each packet transmitted on the D-channel includes, in the Service Access Point Identifier (SAPL) field, information about the type of information the packet contains according to the LAPD protocol. Control information for the B-channels is marked with “O” in the SAPI field. Data communication, e.g. with the Internet, which is simply to be transmitted via the ISDN switches, is marked with "16" in the SAPI field. 10 15 20 25. «T. . r »«. .. i. H i. t <~ - i <i -t. i t, '<' -. i r. “* <Hf- - <~ o - ~« rer-rr. i f l ¿f _ .rt. . 4. . _, _ - '~ <' <1 <. » in...

In a preferred embodiment, the connection between PNJIMIX and the packet manager is connected by dialing the number of the packet manager. All packets intended for the packet manager are marked with “16” in the SAPI field so that they are sent via the telephone network 11 directly to the packet manager.

In another embodiment, certain large networks, such as the network, can be identified by individual numbers in the LAPD protocol. For example, data packets intended for the Internet can be marked with the number "l7", which is not currently used in the LAPD protocol. In this embodiment, it is not necessary to connect a connection to a packet handler. All cells with the number "17" in the SAP1 field will be automatically sent to the data network.

In this way, the channel can be used for data communication and then, when the need arises, for control information about the B-channels, by adding one or data your data packets identified as intended for the exchange while the data connection to the Internet is still maintained, as shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 is a flow chart of the steps performed to install the PMMX software.

Step 100: The ISDN terminal is installed and configured as usual.

Step 102: Additional software and hardware needed in PMMX are installed.

Step 104: PMMX monitor, which is the management interface used to control LSDN functions, is installed.

Figure 4 is a fate diagram of the steps performed when a user wishes to connect and log in to the Internet according to the invention.

Step 110: The user initiates the connection to the Internet Package Manager IPH.

This is usually done by clicking on an icon on the computer screen or 10 15 20 'Step 112: Step 114: Step 116: i Step 118: Step 120: Step 122: Step 124: 5.14 351 7 by entering a command over the user interface, which initiates the dialing of the package manager number.

Connection takes place via the D-channel to IPH according to X3 l specifications.

The user identifies himself by entering the correct user identity and password. The user identity and password can be stored on any medium, such as a smart card or data fi l, or can be entered by the user.

When the connection between PNHVIX and IPH has been connected, control protocol negotiation is performed to connect a connection with the desired bandwidth.

The user's authority is checked by the connector 25, according to the identification made in step 114.

PMMX requests the necessary parameters.

When connecting to an IP network, this request is based on Request for Comment (RFC) regarding DHCP. At least the following parameters are requested and updated from the IPH-DHCP server - IP address - IP subnet mask - Gateway IP address - DNS address PMMX prompts the user to enter the desired bandwidth for the connection. The bandwidth can be specified as 16 kbit / s (D-channel only), 64kbit / s (one B-channel), 128kbit / s (both B-channels) or to be controlled by PMMX according to the data vid at a given time.

The user is also prompted to specify what should happen if a B-channel used for data communication at any time is desired for another connection, e.g. if the phone rings. The alternatives can be, e.g. to answer all calls, to not answer any calls, to answer only calls from certain specified numbers or, for each incoming call, to display the A number on the screen and let the user ask - sue.

Step 126: The connection between the PMMX and the data network is set up.

In step 116, the de facto standard protocol for use with IP is currently the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP). This enables the authorization check in step 118 to be performed by the connecting means 25.

When the 128 kbit / s connection has been connected, both B-channels are occupied by the Internet connection. If the subscriber wishes to use a B-channel, e.g. to call or send, he informs about this, and PMMX then makes a B-channel available by disconnecting it from the data connection. The second B-channel is still used for data communication.

If the subscriber wishes to use both B-channels at the same time, he informs PMMX about this and PMMX makes the other B-channel available by disconnecting it from the data connection. The D-channel is then used for data communication to maintain the connection. In this way, the data connection is maintained even if both B-channels are used for other purposes.

PMMX can be informed that the subscriber wants to use the B-channels in your own way.

The information can be entered via the user interface of PMMX or the subscriber can simply pick up the handset of the telephone or dial a fax number.

If a number comes in, it is handled as described in step 124.

Claims (8)

10 20 25 51.4 331 9 Patent claims A method for transmitting and / or receiving data using an ISDN connection comprising two secret-switched channels (B-channels) and a packet-switched channel (D-channel), an ISDN terminal being used to control the channels, characterized by the following step-D channel is used to control the B-channels and to transmit and / or receive data, by means of the LAPD protocol; The use of the channels is specified via the LSD terminal, according to one of the following options: - both B-channels are used for data communication - a B-channel is used for data communication - only the D-channel is used for data communication - the D-channel, a B-channel or two B-channels are used for data communication depending on the traffic and on any incoming calls on the connection. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is specified for each incoming call whether the call is to be received or not and that a standard method is specified for handling incoming calls. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that for any incoming calls, the telephone number of the caller is shown to the user before it is decided what to do. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that telephone and / or fax numbers fi from which calls are to be received or not received are specified in advance, the ISDN terminal handling any incoming calls according to this specification, and that a standard method of handling of incoming calls are specified. 10 20 514 351 10 Device for transmitting and / or receiving data by means of an ISDN connection controlled by an ISDN terminal comprising two circuit-switched channels (B-channels) and a packet-switched channel (D-channel), wherein an ISDN terminal is used for control the channels, characterized in that the ISDN terminal comprises control equipment to allow selection of the desired bandwidth by using the D-channel, a B-channel, and the two B-channels, respectively Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the ISDN terminal comprises software which allows the user to specify for each incoming call whether it is to be answered or not, and a standard method for handling incoming calls, and to handle incoming calls in accordance with this. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the ISDN terminal is arranged to display the dialing telephone number during an incoming call to the subscriber and to handle the call as specified. Device according to one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the ISDN terminal comprises software which allows the user to specify in advance from which telephone and / or fax numbers calls are to be answered or not, and in that the ISDN terminal handles any incoming calls according to this specification.