WO2009015613A1

WO2009015613A1 - Method and device for implementing disaster recovery

Info

Publication number: WO2009015613A1
Application number: PCT/CN2008/071845
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sihai Ye; Hao Zhang
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-08-02
Filing date: 2008-08-01
Publication date: 2009-02-05
Also published as: CN101360314A

Abstract

A method for implementing disaster recovery includes that: receiving a service request message, selecting a normal service processing unit from at least two service processing units, and the at least two service processing units being located in the same node device; transmitting the service request message to the selected service processing unit, and processing the service request message by the service processing unit. A node device includes a service distributing unit for distributing messages using user as unit and at least two service processing units, wherein, the service distributing unit is used for selecting a normal service processing unit from at least two service processing units, and transmitting a received service request message to the selected service processing unit after receiving the service request message; the service processing unit is used for processing the received service request message. Using the invention, the disaster recovery is implemented in a condition of no affecting ambient network elements.

Description

Method and device for realizing disaster tolerance

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200710138037.0, entitled "A Method and Apparatus for Reducing Disaster Recovery", filed on August 2, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In the application.

Technical field

The present invention relates to network communication technologies, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for implementing disaster tolerance.

Background technique

In a traditional mobile communication network architecture, a mobile switching center (MSC) can connect multiple base station controllers (BSCs), but one BSC can only connect one MSC. The networking mode is relatively simple. For the service request message initiated by the user, the BSC can directly route to the MSC connected to itself. However, the disaster recovery capability of this networking mode is poor. For example, if an MSC fails, all the BSCs connected to the MSC will be disabled. All users within the coverage of these BSCs will not be able to use it. Conduct business communications.

In order to solve the above problem, 3GPP R5 introduces a networking mode of the MSC pool. The structure of the MSC pool is shown in FIG. 1. Not only one MSC can connect multiple BSCs, but also one BSC can connect multiple MSCs. Form the MSC pool. After receiving the service request message initiated by the user, the BSC selects an MSC from the MSC pool to perform message routing according to a certain algorithm. If an MSC in the MSC pool fails, the user on the MSC that has failed can be migrated to another normal MSC in the pool, so that the user can still perform normal service communication, thus achieving disaster recovery.

It can be seen from the above description that the networking mode of the MSC pool can implement disaster tolerance and has a certain disaster tolerance capability. However, the method for implementing disaster recovery has a certain impact on the surrounding network elements. For example, after receiving the service request message, the BSC needs to perform the MSC selection, which will result in an increase in the complexity of the service processing on the BSC.

Summary of the invention

In view of this, the main purpose of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for implementing disaster tolerance, which can implement disaster tolerance without affecting surrounding network elements.

To achieve the above, the method for implementing disaster tolerance provided by the embodiment of the present invention is as follows: Receiving a service request message, selecting a normal service processing unit from at least two service processing units, where the at least two service processing units are located in the same node device;

And transmitting the service request message to the selected service processing unit, where the service request message is processed by the service processing unit.

When the service processing unit works in the active/standby mode, the selecting the normal service processing unit from the at least two service processing units includes: when the primary service processing unit is normal, selecting the primary service processing unit; When the service processing unit fails, the standby service processing unit is selected; when the service processing unit works in the load sharing mode, selecting a normal service processing unit from the at least two service processing units includes: sharing according to the load The principle selects one service processing unit from the at least two service processing units, and the failed service processing unit is not in the alternative.

The receiving the service request message, selecting the normal service processing unit, and sending the service request message are all completed by the service distribution unit, where the service distribution unit includes at least two sub-service distribution forms, and sends the service request message to The selected service processing unit processing includes: the service distribution unit sends the received service request message to the selected service processing unit, and the service processing unit processes the received service request message from the service for storing the node device. The data storage unit of the data obtains the business data required in the business process.

The data storage unit includes at least two sub-data storage units, and the sub-data storage units operate in an active/standby mode or in a load sharing manner.

The service distribution unit, the service processing unit, and the data storage unit are set at the same place, or are separated at different locations.

The service distribution unit, the service processing unit, and the data storage unit communicate by means of an internal bus or by an external network.

The node device is a mobile switching center MSC, a home location register HLR or a serving universal packet radio service support node SGSN.

In addition, the present invention further provides a node device, including: a service distribution unit that performs message distribution, and at least two service processing units, where

a service distribution unit, configured to: after receiving the service request message, from the at least two service processing orders Selecting a normal service processing unit in the element, and transmitting the received service request message to the selected service processing unit;

A service processing unit, configured to process the received service request message.

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The service distribution unit includes at least two sub-service distribution units, and the sub-service distribution units work in an active/standby mode or work in a load sharing manner.

The device further includes:

a data storage unit, configured to store service data of the node device, and provide the service processing unit with service data required in a service processing process.

The node device is an MSC, a Home Location Register HLR or a Serving General Packet Radio Service Support Node SGSN.

It can be seen that, in the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention, when any one of the service processing units in the node fails to work, the other normal service processing unit can be selected to process the service, so that The normal service of the node has an impact, thus realizing the self-discharge of the node. Moreover, the node uses a unified interface to connect with the surrounding network element, and distributes the service request message through the service distribution unit, thereby shielding the multi-service processing unit structure inside the node, thereby realizing the realization of the capacity without affecting the surrounding network element. disaster.

DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, a brief description of the drawings used in the embodiments or the prior art description will be briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description For some embodiments of the present invention, other drawings may be obtained from those skilled in the art without departing from the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a MSC Pool networking in the prior art. FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a node for implementing self-tolerance disaster according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a schematic structural diagram of an MSC node that implements self-tolerant disasters according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for implementing self-tolerance disaster according to an embodiment of the present invention. detailed description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative work are within the scope of the present invention.

As can be seen from the description of the background art, the existing method for implementing disaster tolerance is likely to affect peripheral network elements, which may result in an increase in processing complexity of peripheral network elements. In order to overcome the problems in the prior art, the embodiment of the present invention provides a self-disabled node, which is connected to a peripheral network element by using a unified interface, and presents only one network element to the surrounding network element, and can To achieve disaster tolerance while reducing the impact on surrounding network elements.

As shown in FIG. 2, the node for implementing self-discharge according to the embodiment of the present invention includes: a service distribution unit, a service processing unit, and a data storage unit. The service distribution unit is configured to receive the service request message, and distribute the received service request message to the service processing unit; the service processing unit is configured to process the received service request message; and the data storage unit is configured to store The service data of the node (including static data and dynamic data related to the user), and provides the business processing unit with the business data required in the business process.

In order to prevent the failure of any one of the service distribution unit, the service processing unit, and the data storage unit to cause the node to perform normal service communication, multiple service distribution units, multiple service processing units, and multiple data storages are set in FIG. unit. When any one of the service distribution unit, the service processing unit, or the data storage unit fails, the other normal service distribution unit, the service processing unit, or the data storage unit is selected to process the service, so that the normal service of the node is not generated. The impact, thus achieving the self-discharge of the node.

The service processing units can work in the active/standby mode or the load sharing mode. Similarly, the active/standby mode or load sharing can be used between the service distribution units and the data storage units. Way to work. And, between business distribution units, business processing The working modes between units and data storage units are independent of each other.

For units operating in active/standby mode, if the primary unit is in a normal state, the primary unit is responsible for processing all services; if the primary unit fails, the standby unit is switched to the primary unit to take over the service. If multiple units work in a load-sharing manner, all services are shared among multiple units. When one unit fails, the service is only shared among other normal units.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, the service distribution unit, the service processing unit, and the data storage unit constituting the node capable of self-discharge disaster can be set at the same place or separately at different locations. The communication between them can be either an internal bus or an external network, such as communication over the Internet. In addition, the capacity and the number of the service distribution unit, the service processing unit, and the data storage unit in the node depend on the specific service of the node. In actual applications, each unit in the node can be expanded according to actual service requirements.

The node implementing the self-discharge disaster shown in FIG. 2 may be any node in the communication network, such as a Home Location Register (HLR), a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), an MSC, and the like.

For the sake of clarity, the node that implements self-discharge is the MSC, and the data storage unit and the service distribution unit adopt the active/standby working mode, and the service processing unit adopts the load sharing working mode as an example to implement the self-tolerant node. The work process is accompanied by a detailed description.

Referring to FIG. 3, a schematic diagram of a structure of an MSC node implementing self-tolerance includes: a primary visit location register (VLR), a standby VLR, a primary signaling distribution unit, an alternate signaling distribution unit, and n (n). A natural number of not less than 2, a signaling processing unit that operates in a load sharing mode. The VLR is equivalent to the data storage unit in FIG. 2, the signaling processing unit is equivalent to the service processing unit in FIG. 2, and the signaling distribution unit is equivalent to the service distribution unit in FIG.

a primary signaling distribution unit, configured to receive a service request message (such as a user initiated location update request message or a call request message, etc.), and select a signaling processing unit from the n signaling processing units according to a load sharing principle (eg, A lightest signal processing unit is selected, and then the received service request message is sent to the selected signaling processing unit. Of course, the principle of load sharing can also include: rounding, random selection, and so on.

It should be noted that the faulty signaling processing unit is not in the alternative. For example, in Figure 3 If the signaling processing unit 1 fails, the primary signaling distribution unit selects only one signaling processing unit from the signaling processing unit 2 to the signaling processing unit n after receiving the service request message. Process business request messages.

And an alternate signaling distribution unit, configured to convert the primary signaling distribution unit to perform message distribution when the primary signaling distribution unit fails.

The signaling processing unit is configured to process the received service request message after receiving the service request message, that is, to process the signaling processing process related to the user behavior. For example, after receiving the location update request message initiated by the user, the location update to the HLR is completed, and the account opening information of the user in the HLR is stored in the VLR; or, after receiving the call request message initiated by the user, the user is completed. Call control process.

The primary VLR is configured to store all user-related data in the MSC, and provide the signaling processing unit with service data required in the service processing process, that is, all the signaling processing units obtain the required information from the primary VLR. Business data.

The standby VLR synchronizes data with the active VLR in real time, and when the primary VLR fails, it converts to the primary VLR to provide the signaling processing unit with the service data required for the service processing.

It can be seen that the MSC node shown in Figure 3 can achieve self-discharge disaster and can achieve the effect of MSC Pool. The signaling processing unit is equivalent to each traditional MSC in the MSC Pool. The signaling distribution unit is used to distribute the message at the front end of the node, so that the MSC node shown in FIG. 3 can provide a unified interface and shield the internal multi-processing unit structure, thereby avoiding the influence on the surrounding network element such as the BSC.

In addition, Figure 3 extracts the data part of the traditional MSC to form a common VLR, which realizes the sharing of data among multiple signaling processing units, which can reduce the operation and maintenance workload. For example, after adopting the MSC node shown in Figure 3, the HLR only needs to maintain data of one MSC without separately maintaining data of multiple legacy MSCs.

It should be noted that, in the node that implements the self-discharge disaster provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the data storage unit may not be separately set, but the service processing unit performs the functions of the service processing and the data storage at the same time. In addition, only one service distribution unit or one data storage unit may be set in the node that implements self-discharge.

In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the service distribution unit is based on the user. For example, the service distribution unit according to the Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI, Temp Mobile Subscriber Identity) carried in the service request message, or the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI, International Mobile Subscriber Identity), or the international mobile device identifier ( IMEI, International Mobile Equipment Identity) for message distribution. Although the traditional network element also has a service distribution mechanism, it is generally distributed based on the service type. For example, the MTP3 signaling and the H.248 signaling are distributed to different board processing.

It should also be noted that the service processed by the service processing unit in the embodiment of the present invention refers to a service in a broad sense, rather than a specific service. The service processing unit in the traditional network element is generally used to process the specific service of the network element, and the service processing unit in the embodiment of the present invention processes all the services on the network element.

Based on the above-mentioned node device, the embodiment of the present invention also discloses a method for implementing disaster tolerance. Referring to FIG. 4, the method includes the following steps:

Step S401: Receive a service request message.

Step S402: Select a normal service processing unit from at least two service processing units.

The at least two service processing units are located in the same node device;

Step S403: Send the service request message to the selected service processing unit for processing. The manner of distributing the message may be performed on a user-by-user basis, for example, according to a Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI, Temp Mobile Subscriber Identity) carried in the service request message, or an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI, International Mobile Subscriber Identity), or International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI, International Mobile Equipment Identity) for message distribution. Although the traditional network element also has a service distribution mechanism, it is generally distributed based on the service type. For example, the MTP3 signaling and the H.248 signaling are distributed to different board processing.

It should be noted that the above process may be completed by a service distribution unit that is in the same node device as the service processing unit. In some other embodiments, the service distribution unit may include at least two sub-service distribution units that work in active/standby mode or work in a load sharing manner.

The service processing unit may work in the active/standby mode or in the load sharing mode. The following describes the process of selecting a normal service processing unit by the service distribution unit in the two working modes: When the service processing units work in the active/standby mode, the process of the service distribution unit selecting a normal service processing unit from at least two service processing units is as follows:

It is judged whether the main service processing unit is normal, when the main service processing unit is normal, the main service processing unit is selected; when the main service processing unit fails, the standby service processing unit is selected.

When the service processing unit works in the load sharing mode, the service distribution unit selects a normal service processing unit from at least two service processing units as follows:

A service processing unit is selected from the at least two service processing units in accordance with the load sharing principle, and the failed service processing unit is not in the alternative. The principles of load sharing may include: minimum load (eg, selecting one of the lightest signal processing units), round selection, random selection, and the like.

It should be noted that the service distribution unit sends the service request message to the selected service processing unit, and the process performed by the service processing unit may be: the service distribution unit sends the received service request message to the selected one. The service processing unit processes the received service request message, and obtains the service data required in the service process from the data storage unit for storing the service data of the node device.

The service distribution unit, the service processing unit, and the data storage unit are set at the same place, or are separated at different locations. The communication between them can be either the internal bus or the external network, such as via the Internet. In addition, the capacity and number of the service distribution unit, the service processing unit, and the data storage unit in the node depend on the specific service of the node. In actual applications, each unit in the node can be expanded according to actual service requirements.

In addition, it should be noted that the node device may be any node in the communication network, such as a Home Location Register (HLR), a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), an MSC, and the like.

The MSC structure is shown in Figure 3. The structure includes: The primary visit location register (VLR, Visit Location Register ), the standby VLR, the primary signaling distribution unit, the alternate signaling distribution unit, and n (n is a natural number not less than 2) signaling processing units operating in load sharing mode.

The VLR is equivalent to the data storage unit, the signaling processing unit is equivalent to the service processing unit, and the signaling distribution unit is equivalent to the service distribution unit.

After the primary signaling distribution unit receives the service request message (such as a user initiated location update request message or a call request message, etc.), select a signaling processing unit from the n signaling processing units according to the load sharing principle (eg, select a load) The lightest signalling processing unit) then sends the received service request message to the selected signaling processing unit.

When the primary signaling distribution unit fails and fails to operate normally, the alternate signaling distribution unit performs message distribution.

After receiving the service request message sent by the primary signaling distribution unit or the signal distribution unit, the signaling processing unit processes the service request message, that is, is responsible for processing signaling processing related to user behavior. process. For example, after receiving the location update request message initiated by the user, the location update to the HLR is completed, and the account opening information of the user in the HLR is stored in the VLR; or, after receiving the call request message initiated by the user, the user is completed. Call control process.

The primary VLR pre-stores all user-related data in the MSC, and provides the signaling processing unit with service data required in the service processing process, that is, all the signaling processing units acquire the required information from the primary VLR. Business data. When the primary VLR fails and fails to operate normally, the standby VLR synchronized with the primary VLR data provides the service data required for the service processing.

It can be seen that, by using the method disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention, the MSC node can implement self-tolerance and achieve the effect of the MSC Pool, wherein the signaling processing unit is equivalent to each traditional MSC in the MSC Pool. The mechanism for message distribution is implemented in the front end of the node by using a signaling distribution unit, so that the MSC node shown in FIG. 3 can provide a unified interface and shield the internal multi-processing unit structure, thereby avoiding the influence on peripheral network elements such as BSC.

It should be noted that the data part in the traditional MSC can be extracted to form a common VLR, and the sharing of data between multiple signaling processing units can be realized, which can reduce the operation and maintenance workload. For example, after adopting the above MSC node, the HLR only needs to maintain data of one MSC without separately maintaining data of multiple legacy MSCs. In addition, it should be noted that, in the node that implements the self-discharge disaster provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the data storage unit may not be separately set, but the service processing unit performs the functions of the service processing and the data storage at the same time. In addition, only one service distribution unit or one data storage unit may be set in the node that implements the self-discharge disaster.

The service handled by the service processing unit in the embodiment of the present invention refers to a generalized service, rather than a specific service. The service processing unit in the traditional network element is generally used to process the specific service of the network element, and the service processing unit in the embodiment of the present invention processes all the services on the network element.

The above-mentioned objects, technical solutions, and advantageous effects of the present invention are further described in detail. It is to be understood that the above description is not intended to limit the present invention, and is within the spirit and principles of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Rights request

A method for implementing disaster tolerance, which is characterized by comprising:

Receiving a service request message, selecting a normal service processing unit from at least two service processing units, where the at least two service processing units are located in the same node device;

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the service processing units are operated in active/standby mode, the selecting the normal service processing unit from the at least two service processing units comprises:

When the primary service processing unit is normal, the primary service processing unit is selected; when the primary service processing unit fails, the standby service processing unit is selected;

When the service processing unit is configured to work in a load sharing manner, the selecting a normal service processing unit from the at least two service processing units includes:

A service processing unit is selected from the at least two service processing units according to the load sharing principle, and the failed service processing unit is not in the alternative.

The method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving a service request message, selecting a normal service processing unit, and transmitting a service request message are all completed by a service distribution unit; the service distribution unit includes at least two sub- The service distribution unit works in the active/standby mode or in the load sharing mode.

The method according to claim 3, wherein the sending the service request message to the selected service processing unit comprises:

The service distribution unit sends the received service request message to the selected service processing unit; the service processing unit processes the received service request message, and obtains the service processing from the data storage unit for storing the service data of the node device. Business data required in the process.

The method according to claim 4, wherein the data storage unit comprises at least two sub-data storage units, and the sub-data storage units operate in an active/standby mode or in a load sharing manner.

The method according to claim 4, wherein the service distribution unit, the service processing unit, and the data storage unit are set at the same place, or are separated at different locations; The service distribution unit, the service processing unit, and the data storage unit communicate through an internal bus manner or through an external network.

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the node device is a mobile switching center MSC, a home location register HLR or a serving general packet radio service support node SGSN.

A node device, comprising: a service distribution unit that performs message distribution, and at least two service processing units, where

a service distribution unit, configured to: after receiving the service request message, select a normal service processing unit from the at least two service processing units, and send the received service request message to the selected service processing unit;

The node device according to claim 8, wherein the service processing unit works in an active/standby mode or in a load sharing manner.

The node device according to claim 8, wherein the service distribution unit comprises at least two sub-service distribution units, and the sub-service distribution units work in an active/standby mode or in a load sharing manner.

The node device according to claim 8, wherein the device further comprises: a data storage unit, configured to store service data of the node device, and provide the service processing unit with service data required in the service processing process. .

The node device according to claim 11, wherein the data storage unit comprises at least two sub-data storage units, and the sub-data storage units operate in an active/standby mode or in a load sharing manner.

The node device according to claim 11, wherein the service distribution unit, the service processing unit, and the data storage unit are set at the same place, or are separately set at different locations; the service distribution unit and the service processing. The unit and the data storage unit communicate via an internal bus or through an external network.

The node device according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the node device is an MSC, a home location register HLR or a serving general packet radio service support node SGSN.