Sigtran Connection Load Balancer for STP Message Processors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for distributing Sigtran connections among signal transfer point (STP) message processors in IP networks are labor-intensive and unsuitable for cloud-based deployments, requiring manual reconfiguration of IP addresses and port numbers, which limits flexibility and scalability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a connection load balancer as a frontend to STP message processors, which publishes an IP address to SS7 peers, initializes message processors to listen on this address, and uses a load balancing algorithm to assign message processors to Sigtran connections, thereby distributing connections efficiently and dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual reconfiguration of IP addresses and port numbers is performed for adding or removing links and linksets, then STP resources can be reconfigured, but the process becomes time and labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an IP address translation mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the external network and internal STP message processors. The translation table maps external IP addresses to internal message processor identifiers, allowing dynamic load balancing and resource allocation without requiring manual reconfiguration of IP addresses and port numbers. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of internal resource management from external connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual reconfiguration of IP addresses and port numbers is performed for adding or removing links and linksets, then STP resources can be reconfigured, but the process becomes labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated self-service through the IP address translation mechanism. When message processors are added or removed from the STP, the translation table automatically updates to reflect the new configuration. The load balancing algorithm dynamically redistributes connections without human intervention, allowing the system to self-configure and adapt to changing resource availability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If STP resources are virtualized in cloud-based deployment, then resource scaling flexibility is improved, but manual configuration of IP addresses and port numbers becomes unsuitable
Solution Approach 1:
The IP address translation mechanism serves as a mediator that decouples the external network view from the internal virtualized resource structure. External connections use stable IP addresses that are translated to dynamic internal message processor assignments. This allows virtual STP resources to be scaled up or down in cloud environments without requiring external systems to know about internal configuration changes, making the system suitable for cloud-based deployments with high scaling flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for distributing Sigtran connections among signal transfer point (STP) message processors includes providing a connection load balancer as a front end to plural message processors of an STP. The method further includes publishing, by the connection load balancer, an Internet protocol (IP) address to SS7 peers. The method further includes initializing the message processors of the STP to listen on the IP address published by the connection load balancer. The method further includes receiving, at the connection load balancer, a Sigtran message addressed to the IP address. The method further includes determining, by the connection load balancer, whether the Sigtran message is an initial message for a Sigtran connection or a subsequent message for a Sigtran connection and whether the Sigtran connection has been assigned to one of the message processors. The method further includes forwarding the message to one of the message processors or dropping the message based on whether the message is an initial message or a subsequent message and based on whether the connection has been assigned to one of the message processors.