System and method for managing a VolP network
The invention provides a system and method for improved management of VoIP networks. In one respect, embodiments of the invention provide a dual channel interface between a control unit and an IP-PBX. In another respect, embodiments of the invention enable the integration of IP-PBX platforms from multiple vendors by utilizing a conversion agent. In yet another respect, embodiments of the invention monitor the performance of IP-PBX's, and/or their power sources, and initiates action where performance is deteriorating and/or where failures have occurred. In yet another respect, embodiments of the invention enable a robust 9-1-1 emergency capability for VoIP applications
1. A control unit included within a VoIP network, the control unit comprising:
a filter to select packets based upon criteria including at least one of the following criteria including type, session, origination Internet Protocol (IP) address, or destination IP address;
a packet analysis module operatively connected to the filter to receive input from the filter, the packet analysis module to determine whether monitored packet performance meets a predetermined Quality of Service (QoS) policy;
an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) agent to receive performance data for a UPS;
a session controller to forward the performance data for the UPS to the UPS agent;
a management module operatively connected to the session controller, the packet analysis module and to the UPS agent, the management module to execute commands and to collect data from a console;
a conversion module operatively connected to the session controller and the management module, the conversion module to transform a communication protocol used in communications from the management module to a IP-Private Branch Exchange (IP-PBX);
at least one ethernet driver operatively connected to at least one of the filter, or the session controller, to receive commands from the IP-PBX; and
at least one serial driver operatively connected to the UPS agent.
2. The control unit of claim 1 , further comprising an additional IP-PBX coupled to the control unit by a link, the link including an Ethernet connection for administrative messaging.
3. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the UPS agent is coupled to the control unit by a link, the link including an asynchronous connection.
4. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the control unit further includes a serial driver operatively connected to the IP-PBX.
5. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the IP-PBX includes a conversion module, the conversion module configured to convert between a first protocol in the IP-PBX and a second protocol in the control unit.
6. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the control unit further includes:
a first Ethernet driver coupled to the session controller; and
a conversion module coupled to the session controller.
7. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the session controller is further configured to couple a first Ethernet driver to the management module without using the conversion module if a first protocol in the IP-PBX does match a second protocol in the management module.
8. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the control unit further includes:
an interface to the VoIP network;
a second Ethernet driver coupled to the interface to the VoIP network;
an additional filter coupled to the second Ethernet driver, the additional filter configured to select packets; and
a packet analysis module coupled to the additional filter, the packet analysis module configured to monitor performance.
9. The control unit of claim 8 , wherein the additional filter is configured to select packets based on at least one of type, session, origination IP address, or destination IP address.
10. The control unit of claim 8 , wherein the packet analysis module is configured to monitor at least one of packet loss, jitter or latency.
11. The control unit of claim 1 , further comprising:
a telephone coupled to the IP-PBX, the telephone coupled to the IP-PBX via one of a plurality of ports; and
an interface to a Public Safety Awareness Point (PSAP) updater, the interface coupled to the control unit, the control unit configured to store geographic information for each of the plurality of ports, the control unit further configured to store extension and identification information related to the telephone, the control unit further configured to discover the one of the plurality of ports, the control unit configured to associate the extension, identification information, and the geographic information for the telephone.
12. The control unit of claim 11 , wherein the control unit is further configured to output the associated extension, identification information, and the geographic information for the telephone to the interface to the PSAP updater.