Automated Dial Plan Conversion in SIP Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

The provisioning of dial plans in SIP environments is time-consuming and prone to errors due to the human element, requiring administrators to manually design, configure, and deliver dial plans across diverse communication platforms, leading to inefficiencies and increased administrative burdens.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for automated and semi-automated dial plan conversion in SIP environments, which involves dumping routing tables, executing conversion scripts, and loading dial plan files into endpoints, eliminating the need for manual XML syntax knowledge and reducing human error by utilizing centralized knowledge for consistent dial map creation across SIP endpoints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual dial plan provisioning is performed by administrators, then flexibility in customization is improved, but time consumption and error rate increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedial plan customization flexibilityVSAvoidprovisioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically generating dial plans through script execution that converts routing tables to XML format without requiring manual administrator intervention. The automated process extracts routing information, transforms it into the required XML structure, and provisions it to endpoints, thereby reducing provisioning time while maintaining customization capability through the conversion logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-converting routing tables into XML dial plan format before actual provisioning is needed. The conversion script is executed in advance to generate the dial plan files that will be used for endpoint provisioning, allowing administrators to avoid time-consuming manual configuration when actual deployment is required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual dial plan provisioning is performed by administrators, then ability to handle complex scenarios is improved, but error rate increases due to human mistakes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplex scenario handling capabilityVSAvoidprovisioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical human element with an automated conversion script that systematically transforms routing tables into XML dial plans. This substitution eliminates human errors such as typos, syntax mistakes, and configuration inconsistencies while maintaining the ability to handle complex scenarios through the script's logical processing of routing information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback through validation mechanisms that verify the converted XML dial plan files before provisioning. The conversion process includes checks to ensure proper XML syntax, correct mapping of routing entries, and validation of the generated dial plan structure, thereby maintaining high reliability in complex scenario handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If automated conversion script is used, then provisioning speed is improved, but complexity of conversion process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedial plan provisioning speedVSAvoidconversion process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conversion process is segmented into distinct modular steps: extracting routing table data, transforming it into XML structure, validating the converted format, and provisioning to endpoints. Each step is handled by a separate component or function within the conversion script, making the overall complex process manageable and maintainable while achieving high provisioning speed through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If administrators manually configure dial plans, then control over each entry is improved, but administrative burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveentry-level controlVSAvoidadministrative burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically generating and provisioning dial plans without requiring administrators to manually configure each entry. The conversion script autonomously extracts routing information, transforms it into XML format, and delivers it to endpoints, significantly reducing administrative burden while maintaining control through the automated conversion logic that preserves the original routing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7899175B2System and method for providing a dial plan conversion in a session initiation protocol (SIP) environment

Publication Date: 2011.03.01 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A method to be executed in a session initiation protocol (SIP) environment is provided that includes initiating a conversion process that involves a change from a first communications platform to a second communications platform. One or more routing tables associated with the first communications platform are then dumped. A conversion script is executed such that one or more patterns associated with a dial plan corresponding to the second communications platform are provided in a dial plan format. One or more files associated with the dial plan are loaded into one or more endpoints that are designated to change to the second communications platform.