Providing gateway functionality in a virtual private network
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to a signaling method and a network element for a virtual private network, wherein a request for dropping a signaling of the virtual private network is transmitted from a network element (DXD) to a proceeding network element (DXC), if the network element (DXD) detects that the virtual private network signaling cannot be continued through a connection of the telecommunication network. A predetermined network element (DXB) is provided for transmitting a transparency information indicating a virtual private network signaling transparency to an originating network element (DVA) of the connection in response to the receipt of the dropping request, and the virtual private network signaling is collected at the predetermined network element. (DXB) Thereby, the public network operator is allowed to optimize the VPN signaling load and service provision by arranging the predetermined network element (DXB) at a suitable location in the transmission network.
1. A signaling method for a telecommunication network providing a virtual private network, said signaling method comprising the steps of:
a) transmitting a request for dropping a signaling of said virtual private network from a network element (DXD) to a preceding network element (DXB) of said telecommunication network, if said network element (DXD) detects that said virtual private network signaling cannot be continued through a connection of said telecommunication network;
b) transmitting a transparency information indicating a virtual private network signaling transparency from a predetermined network element (DXB) to an originating network element (DXA) of said connection, in response to the receipt of said dropping request; and
c) collecting said virtual private network signaling at said predetermined network element (DXB) of said telecommunication network.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said virtual private network signaling is a QSIG signaling.
3. A method according to claim 2 , further comprising the steps of interpreting the content of said collected virtual private network signaling at said predetermined network element (DXB), and providing a network service determined in said interpretation step to said originating network element (DXA).
4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein said originating network element is a local exchange (DXA).
5. A method according to claim 4 , wherein said transparency information is transmitted with a service rejection message, if a network service cannot be provided by said predetermined network element (DXB).
6. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising the steps of interpreting the content of said collected virtual private network signaling at said predetermined network element (DXB), and providing a network service determined in said interpretation step to said originating network element (DXA).
7. A method according to any claim 1 , wherein said originating network element is a local exchange (DXA).
8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said transparency information is transmitted with a service rejection message, if a network service cannot be provided by said predetermined network element (DXB).
9. A network element for forwarding a signaling of a virtual private network provided in a telecommunication network, said network element comprising:
a) detecting means ( 11 ) for detecting a request for dropping said virtual private network signaling, said dropping request being received from said telecommunication network if said virtual private network signaling cannot be continued through a connection of said telecommunication network;
b) signaling means ( 13 ) for transmitting a transparency information indicating a virtual private network signaling transparency to an originating network element (DXA) of said connection, in response to the receipt of said dropping request; and
c) collecting means ( 12 ) for collecting said virtual private network signaling.
10. A network element according to claim 9 , wherein said collecting means ( 12 ) is arranged to interpret the content of said collected virtual private network signaling, and said signaling means ( 13 ) is arranged to provide a network service determined by said collecting means to said originating network element (DXA).
11. A network element according to claim 10 , wherein said signaling means ( 13 ) is arranged to transmit said transparency information with a service rejection message, if a network service cannot be provided by said signaling means ( 13 ).
12. A network element according to claim 11 , wherein said originating network element is a local exchange (DXA).
13. A network element according to claim 12 , wherein said network element is a network switch (Dx 1 , DX 2 ).
14. A network element according to claim 13 , wherein said virtual private network signaling is a QSIG signaling.
15. A network element according to claim 9 , wherein said signaling means ( 13 ) is arranged to transmit said transparency information with a service rejection message, if a network service cannot be provided by said signaling means ( 13 ).
16. A network element according to claim 9 , wherein said originating network element is a local exchange (DXA).
17. A network element according to claim 9 , wherein said network element is a network switch (DX 1 , DX 2 ).
18. A network element according to claim 9 , wherein said virtual private network signaling is a QSIG signaling.