SIP Multi-Address Learning for Accurate Signaling Segment Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

SIP signaling monitoring systems struggle to identify to which segment a subsequent SIP message belongs when a SIP network element uses different IP addresses in different flows of a session, limiting their flexibility and requiring manual configuration and high maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A SIP network element multi-address learning method that allocates a network element identifier to a SIP network element logical entity, using the Branch parameter of a Via header or the relationship between a HOST string in the Top Route of a SIP request message and a destination IP address to create IP address-network element identifier information tables, enabling quick identification of IP addresses belonging to the same entity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a SIP network element uses different IP addresses in different flows of a session, then the flexibility of the network element is improved, but the SIP signaling monitoring system cannot identify to which segment a subsequent SIP message belongs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidmessage identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network element identifier as an intermediary that links multiple IP addresses to a single logical entity. This identifier acts as a mediator between the monitoring system and the multi-addressed network element, enabling the system to track messages belonging to the same logical entity even when source or destination IP addresses change across different message flows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the identification process into two levels: IP address level and logical entity level. By creating separate identification layers, the system can handle IP address changes at the message level while maintaining logical entity continuity at the session level, thus solving the identification problem in multi-address scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If manual configuration is used to track network element addresses, then message identification accuracy is improved, but maintenance costs and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system automatically discovers and learns network element IP addresses by analyzing SIP message headers (Via header Branch parameter and Route header HOST string) without requiring manual configuration. The system self-updates its IP address-network element identifier mappings by intercepting and parsing signaling messages, eliminating the need for operators to manually maintain address configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary learning of network element IP addresses by capturing and analyzing the first occurrence of each address in SIP messages. This preliminary action builds the IP address-network element identifier information table in advance, enabling rapid automatic identification of subsequent messages without requiring real-time manual intervention or configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4262174B1Sip network element multi-address learning method and apparatus, and signaling monitoring system
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 ZTE CORP
  • EP4262174B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4262174B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4262174B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5B

AI summary

Provided in embodiments of the present disclosure are a SIP network element multi-address learning method and apparatus, and a signaling monitoring system. The method comprises: allocating a network element identifier to a SIP network element logical entity in a communication network, the SIP network element logical entity comprising at least one IP address; learning the IP address of the SIP network element logical entity by means of Branch parameters of a first Via header of a SIP message, or learning the IP address of the SIP network element logical entity by means of a relationship between a HOST string in a Top Route of a SIP request message and a destination IP address; and according to the IP address corresponding to the network element logical entity, creating an IP address-network element identifier information table and a network element identifier-IP address information table.