Switch Virtual Image Simulation for Billing Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communications network providers face sub-optimal network performance and revenue maximization issues due to improper routing and billing, necessitating the simulation of numerous communication sessions to identify and repair failures before they occur.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves creating a virtual image of a switch in a communications network, simulating multiple communication sessions, generating simulated session records, and evaluating switch performance by comparing these records to expected records, allowing for the identification and correction of potential issues without affecting actual network operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large number of communication sessions are simulated to identify routing and billing failures, then the reliability of network performance verification is improved, but the time and computational resources required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating a virtual image of the switch containing its internal logic before actual communication sessions occur. This virtual image is used to proactively simulate and identify potential routing and billing failures before they affect real network operations, allowing providers to repair issues preventively rather than reactively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy (virtual image) of the switch's internal logic and uses this copy to simulate communication sessions. This copying approach allows extensive simulation of numerous communication scenarios without impacting the actual network switch, enabling thorough reliability verification while avoiding the time loss associated with testing on live systems.
2Reliability
If numerous communication session scenarios are evaluated to ensure proper billing, then revenue assurance is improved, but the complexity of the testing system increases
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a virtual image (copy) of the switch's internal logic, the system enables complex billing scenario simulations without requiring equivalent complexity in the physical testing infrastructure. The virtual image handles the computational burden of evaluating numerous communication sessions for proper billing verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual image acts as an intermediary between the actual switch and the testing process. It receives simulation requests, processes billing and routing logic, and returns results without requiring direct complex interactions with the physical switch, thereby simplifying the overall testing system architecture while ensuring revenue assurance.
3Measurement precision
If simulation testing is performed on actual network switches, then the measurement precision of switch performance is improved, but the network operations are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual image (copy) of the switch's internal logic that can be tested independently. This copy receives and processes simulated communication sessions, allowing precise measurement of switch performance including routing and billing accuracy without any impact on actual network operations or productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The essential testing function is extracted from the actual switch by creating a separate virtual image containing the necessary internal logic. This extraction allows performance measurement to be conducted on the virtual copy while the actual switch continues to operate normally, maintaining network productivity uninterrupted.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer readable storage medium stores a set of instructions executable by a processor. The set of instructions is operable to receive an image of a switch in a communications network, the image being a representation of an internal logic of the switch; simulate a plurality of communication sessions using the image; generate a plurality of simulated communication session records corresponding to the plurality of simulated communication sessions; and evaluate a performance of the switch by comparing the plurality of simulated communication session records to a set of expected communication session records, the expected set of communication set of records corresponding to the set of simulated communication sessions.