Signalling Agent for Transparent MGCP Traversal Across Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for realizing a signalling agent between different networks using the Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP/MEGACO) are not transparent, increasing operational complexity and maintenance costs, as they require detailed configuration of media gateways and are not location-independent.
Innovation Solution
A method that provides signalling and network address translation functions between media gateways and controllers, allowing transparent traversal of MGCP/MEGACO protocol across networks without requiring configuration of media gateways, using agent equipment to manage transaction numbers and media attributes, enabling seamless control of media gateways regardless of network location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network address translation (NAT) is used to realize signalling agent among different networks, then network address translation function is achieved, but MGC cannot be entirely transparent and complexity for realizing call services on MGC is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an agent equipment as an intermediary component between MGC and MGs in different networks. This agent transparently translates MGCP/MEGACO signalling without requiring MGC to be aware of network location differences, thereby maintaining MGC transparency while enabling cross-network control. The agent handles all translation and adaptation functions, preventing complexity from propagating to the MGC.
2Reliability
If detailed information on corresponding MG needs to be configured on the agent equipment, then signalling agent function is achieved, but operation maintenance cost is increased due to frequent configuration changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the agent equipment to dynamically discover and register MGs automatically through the MGCP/MEGACO protocol. MGs perform self-registration by sending registration requests to the agent, which automatically extracts MG information from these requests. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual configuration of MG details on the agent, thereby reducing operation maintenance costs while maintaining reliable signalling agent functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If MGC and MGs are located in different networks, then network flexibility is improved, but transparency of MGC control is reduced and additional agent equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The agent equipment serves as a transparent intermediary that enables MGC to control MGs across different networks without MGC needing to know about network boundaries. The agent handles all cross-network translation and routing, making the control path transparent to MGC. This approach maintains network location flexibility while preventing additional complexity from affecting MGC operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the signalling agent function into a dedicated agent equipment component that handles all cross-network complexity, separating this function from both MGC and MG. This segmentation allows MGC and MG to remain simple while the agent handles the complex task of cross-network translation, thereby enabling network flexibility without distributing complexity across multiple components.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method for realizing signalling agent based on a media gateway control protocol, which comprises the following steps of: providing an agent equipment between media gateways and a media gateway controller that locate in different networks, the agent equipment providing signalling agent and network address translation between different networks; requesting for registering to the media gateway controller from a media gateway; for a MGCP/MEGACO signalling that is not related to media between the media gateway controller and the media gateway, directly replacing a transaction number by the agent equipment and then forwarding; for a MGCP/MEGACO signalling that is related to media, processing a media identifier correspondingly by the agent equipment and then forwarding. According to the present invention, transparent traversing of MGCP/MEGACO protocol among different networks can be realized to make a media gateway controller control media gateways not matter which network they locate in, in which messages on media gateways are dynamically generated by the agent equipment according to MGCP signallings, and operation maintenance cost decreases.