New Service Testing Functions For Advanced Intelligent Networks
M.A. Johnson, T.J. Zebo · 2005
The Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) is an evolving set of new network functions for call processing and operations that many service providers are expected to deploy in the 1990s. The AIN architecture includes several new network capabilities that support the rapid introduction of new services. An AIN call may involve not only geographically distributed service-specific, and subscriber-specific, logic and data interacting with the originating switch, but a similar set of completely different logic and data interacting with the terminating switch as well. When a customer reports trouble on a call, there are many places to look for trouble. Without new functions for maintenance operations, locating the source of the trouble may entail the cooperation and coordination of many people-an expensive and difficult process. Bellcore has recently defined three new service testing functions for the future AIN to support the service assurance process. The test call controller is a new switch testing fumction that enables remote maintenance penonnel, or a subscriber network manager, to place a test call that emulates a call from an AIN subscriber’s line. The switch will append an AIN Maintenance Parameter (AMP) to every test call, making it easy to trace call processing activity for the test throughout the network. When AIN switches, SCPs, adjuncts, etc., detect the presence of AMP on test call-related messages., they save data relevant to the call using Call history Log (C-Log) capabilities. These functions enable a service provider to remotely test a service from a subscriber’s perspective, and to control the enviironment for the test call as well. They also provide service assurance with an end-to-end view of test call processing, and facilitate verifying the match between actual and expected test call processing. When dependent on revenues provided by Am’s customized services, business subscribers are likely to demand that service troubles be resolved quickly. It is expected that these new service testing functions will help make this a reality by enabling an AIN network provider to quickly verify, sectionalize, and isolate failures to help keep customers satisfied.