OAM IWF Protocol Conversion for End-to-End Performance Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current broadband IP networks face challenges in accurate end-to-end performance management between Residential Gateways (RG) and Broadband Remote Access Servers (BRAS), as existing methods for Service Level Agreement (SLA) testing and traffic flow statistics are fragmented and labor-intensive, leading to inaccurate results.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an Operation, Administration, and Maintenance InterWorking Function (OAM IWF) in the DSLAM for protocol conversion between ATM OAM and service layer Ethernet OAM protocols, enabling end-to-end performance management by converting performance management messages across different domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If network management enquiries statistical parameters information from every device (RG, DSLAM, BRAS) respectively, then performance management can be implemented, but the statistical results are inaccurate and cannot represent the real end-to-end traffic flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the statistics functions of multiple devices (RG, DSLAM, BRAS) into a unified end-to-end statistics mechanism. Instead of each device performing statistics independently, the system combines their capabilities to generate a single accurate statistical representation of the traffic flow between RG and BRAS, eliminating the need for manual fragmental statistics in every device.
Solution Approach 2:
The DSLAM acts as an intermediary device that receives performance management messages from the BRAS, converts the service layer Ethernet OAM protocol to ATM OAM protocol, and forwards to the RG. This intermediary role enables protocol compatibility and facilitates accurate end-to-end statistics without requiring the RG to support complex service layer Ethernet OAM protocol in the initial phase.
2Measurement precision
If SLA test is fragmentally performed on individual indexes (delay, jittering, packet-loss), then testing can be conducted, but the results cannot form exact end-to-end SLA indexes between RG and BRAS
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fragmental SLA test indexes (delay, jittering, packet-loss) measured at different devices into a single integrated end-to-end SLA test result. The system aggregates these individual measurements to form comprehensive SLA indexes that accurately represent the overall service quality between RG and BRAS, eliminating manual fragmental testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The performance management system implements continuous automatic SLA testing between RG and BRAS through the DSLAM intermediary. Instead of manual fragmental tests, the system continuously performs automated measurements of delay, jittering, and packet-loss, and continuously updates the end-to-end SLA indexes, making the testing process efficient and ongoing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If RG supports service layer Ethernet OAM protocol, then end-to-end performance management can be implemented, but it is difficult to support in the initial creating phase of broadband IP network
Solution Approach 1:
The DSLAM serves as a protocol conversion intermediary that translates between service layer Ethernet OAM protocol (used by BRAS) and ATM OAM protocol (used by RG in initial phase). This allows the RG to maintain simpler ATM-based protocol support while the BRAS uses modern Ethernet OAM, with the DSLAM bridging the gap between the two protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the protocol parameter at the DSLAM intermediary device rather than requiring changes at the RG. The DSLAM dynamically converts protocol parameters between Ethernet OAM and ATM OAM formats, allowing the RG to operate with simpler ATM protocols in the initial phase while maintaining compatibility with the BRAS's Ethernet OAM protocol.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a performance management system, apparatus and method between a Residential Gateway (RG) and a Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS), the method thereof includes: configuring an OAM IWF for the protocol conversion between the performance management message of the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) Operation, Administration and Maintenance (OAM) protocol or the point-to-point Ethernet OAM protocol and the performance management message of the service layer Ethernet OAM protocol in a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM), when the performance management is performed in a broadband IP network, after the OAM IWF configured in the DSLAM performing the protocol conversion of performance management message, performing the end-to-end performance management between an RG and a BRAS according to the performance management message with the converted protocol. This invention can not only enhance the accuracy of the statistics of the traffic flow, but also enhance the accuracy of the SLA test.