FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 OF
1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
“METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EXTRACTING DESIRED SIP PACKETS AT
SIB NODE SERVER”
We, Jio Platforms Limited, an Indian National, of Office - 101, Saffron, Nr. Centre
Point, Panchwati 5 Rasta, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad - 380006, Gujarat, India.
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which
it is to be performed.
2
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EXTRACTING DESIRED SIP PACKETS
AT SIB NODE SERVER
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
5
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of wireless
communication systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to
methods and systems for extracting desired Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
packets at System Information Block (SIB) node/node server.
10
BACKGROUND
[0002] The following description of related art is intended to provide background
information pertaining to the field of the disclosure. This section may include
15 certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the present
disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section be used only to
enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and
not as admissions of prior art.
20 [0003] Wireless communication technology has rapidly evolved over the past few
decades, with each generation bringing significant improvements and
advancements. The first generation of wireless communication technology was
based on analog technology and offered only voice services. However, with the
advent of the second-generation (2G) technology, digital communication and data
25 services became possible, and text messaging was introduced. The third-generation
(3G) technology marked the introduction of high-speed internet access, mobile
video calling, and location-based services. The fourth-generation (4G) technology
revolutionized wireless communication with faster data speeds, better network
coverage, and improved security. Currently, the fifth-generation (5G) technology is
30 being deployed, promising even faster data speeds, low latency, and the ability to
connect multiple devices simultaneously. With each generation, wireless
3
communication technology has become more advanced, sophisticated, and capable
of delivering more services to its users.
[0004] A System Information Block (SIB) node/ node server provides functionality
5 of Serving Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF), Interrogative Call Session
Control Function (I-CSCF) and Breakout Gateway Control Function (BGCF) as
defined in 3GPP standards. The SIB node receives Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
compatible packets. In a conventional SIB node, due to high network traffic,
capturing and analyzing the traffic /relevant SIP packets becomes challenging. This
10 leads to problem in identifying packet as there is no way to identify/ filter the
relevant packets after users/ subscribers raised a complaint to a network operator.
The network operator (also known as a telecom service provider or carrier) include
traditional telecommunications companies (telcos), mobile network operators
(MNOs), internet service providers (ISPs), cable companies, and satellite
15 communication providers. These operators may operate on a local, regional,
national, or international scale, serving residential, business, and government
customers with communication services. As a result, to troubleshoot or debug a user
raised complaint, the network operator had to extract all SIP packets arriving at SIB
node. Since the network traffic is generally high, a large amount of data had to
20 extracted to a database connected to/part of SIB node server. As a result,
troubleshooting or debugging an issue would be resource intensive, time consuming
and inefficient process due to prohibitively voluminous data involved in the same.
In the existing technologies, there is no way to identify/filter desired/relevant SIP
packets at SIB node server.
25
[0005] Thus, there exists an imperative need in the art to extract only desired SIP
packets at SIB node server, which the present disclosure aims to address.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
30
4
[0006] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one
embodiment disclosed herein satisfies are listed herein below.
[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system and a method for
5 extracting only desired SIP packets at a SIB node server.
[0008] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that
extracts the desired SIP packets efficiently for a particular subscriber or group of
subscribers for debugging or trace routing purposes.
10
[0009] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that
enables faster debugging or troubleshooting of subscriber related issues by
extracting only the desired SIP packets at the SIB node server.
15 [0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that is less
resource intensive, faster and more efficient as compared to prior art approaches of
analysing entire network traffic.
[0011] It is yet another objective of the present disclosure to logically combine
20 different headers of the network packets to extract more relevant SIP packets.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0012] This section is provided to introduce certain aspects of the present disclosure
25 in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description.
This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
[0013] The present disclosure encompasses a method for extracting desired set of
30 one or more session initiation protocol (SIP) packets at a system information block
(SIB) node server. The method comprises retrieving a first set of one or more SIP
5
packets and a configuration file by an extraction unit at the SIB node server. It is to
be noted that the configuration file relates to a second set of one or more SIP
packets. The method further comprises extracting a first set of data from the first
set of one or more SIP packets and a second set of data from the configuration file
5 by the extraction unit at the SIB node server. The method further comprises
matching the first set of data with the second set of data from the configuration file
by a matching unit at the SIB node server. The method further comprises generating
a match result by the matching unit at the SIB node server based on the matching.
It is emphasized that the match result is one of a match-success result and a match10 fail result. It is further emphasized that the match-success result is generated in an
event the first set of data matches the second set of data while the match-fail result
is generated in an event the first set of data does not match the second set of data.
The method further comprises storing the desired set from the set of one or more
SIP packets in a database at the SIB node server. It is to be noted that the desired
15 set comprises one or more SIP packets from the first set of one or more SIP packets
for which the match-success result is generated by the matching unit.
[0014] Further, as per the method, the first set of one or more SIP packets including
the one or more SIP packets being is received at the SIB node server, and the second
20 set of one or more SIP packets including irrelevant one or more SIP packets is stored
in the configuration file.
[0015] Further, as per the method the configuration file is created by a file manager
unit upon receiving a command via a command line interface in response to a
25 complaint received by a network operator.
[0016] Furthermore, the first set of data comprises at least a set of subscriber
details, and the second set of data comprises at least a set of header details.
30 [0017] Also, the method comprises performing, by a debugging unit, a debug
operation on the desired set from the set of one or more SIP packets.
6
[0018] The present disclosure also encompasses a system for extracting a desired
set of one or more session initiation protocol (SIP) packets. The system comprises
a system information block (SIB) node server. The SIB node server comprises an
extraction unit which is configured to retrieve a configuration file, a first set of one
5 or more SIP packets and a configuration file related to a predefined set of one or
more SIP packets. The extraction unit is further configured to extract a first set of
data from the first set of one or more SIP packets and a second set of data from the
configuration file. The SIB node server further comprises a matching unit
connected to the extraction unit. The matching unit is configured to match the first
10 set of data with the second set of data from the configuration file. The matching
unit is further configured to generate a match result based on the matching. It is
important to note that the match result is one of a match-success result and a matchfail result. It is further noted that the match-success result is generated in an event
the first set of data matches the second set of data while the match-fail result is
15 generated in an event the first set of data does not match the second set of data. The
SIB node server further comprises a database connected to the matching unit. The
database is configured to store the desired set from the set of one or more SIP
packets. It is important to note that the desired set comprises one or more SIP
packets from the first set of one or more SIP packets for which the match-success
20 result is generated.
[0019] The present disclosure also encompasses a non-transitory computer
readable storage medium for extracting a desired set of one or more session
initiation protocol (SIP) packets at a system information block (SIB) node server.
25 The instructions when executed by one or more units of a system configured for
extracting the desired set of one or more SIP packets at the SIB node server, cause
an extraction unit to retrieve a configuration file, a first set of one or more SIP
packets and a configuration file related to a pre-defined set of one or more SIP
packets. The instructions upon retrieval further cause the extraction unit to extract
30 a first set of data from the first set of one or more SIP packets and a second set of
data from the configuration file. The instructions upon extraction further cause a
7
matching unit to match the first set of data with the second set of data from the
configuration file. The instructions upon matching further cause the matching unit
to generate a match result based on the matching. It is to be noted that the match
result is one of a match-success result and a match-fail result. It is further noted that
5 the match-success result is generated in an event the first set of data matches the
second set of data while the match-fail result is generated in an event the first set of
data does not match the second set of data. The instructions upon generation further
cause a database to store the desired set from the set of one or more SIP packets. It
is to be noted that the desired set comprises one or more SIP packets from the first
10 set of one or more SIP packets for which the match-success result is generated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute
15 a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods
and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the
different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale,
emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present
disclosure. Some drawings may indicate the components using block diagrams and
20 may not represent the internal circuitry of each component. It will be appreciated
by those skilled in the art that disclosure of such drawings includes disclosure of
electrical components, electronic components or circuitry commonly used to
implement such components.
25 [0021] FIG.1A illustrates an exemplary block diagram representation of a 5th
generation core (5GC) network architecture.
[0022] FIG.1B illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system [100] for
extracting desired set of one or more session initiation protocol (SIP) packets at a
30 system information block (SIB) node server [108], in accordance with exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure.
8
[0023] FIG.2 illustrates an exemplary method flow diagram indicating the process
[200] for extracting the desired set of SIP packets at the SIB node server [108], in
accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
5
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary scenario indicating the process [300] for
extracting the desired set of SIP packets at the SIB node server [108], in accordance
with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
10 [0025] FIG.4 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device upon
which an embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented, in accordance
with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0026] The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more detailed
15 description of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various
20 specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of
embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that
embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific
details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one
another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not
25 address any of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the
problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be
fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Example embodiments of
the present disclosure are described below, as illustrated in various drawings in
which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different
30 drawings.
9
[0028] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not
intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather,
the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in
the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment.
5 It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and
arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the
disclosure as set forth.
[0029] It should be noted that the terms "mobile device", "user equipment", "user
10 device", “communication device,” “device” and similar terms are used
interchangeably for the purpose of describing the disclosure. These terms are not
intended to limit the scope of the disclosure or imply any specific functionality or
limitations on the described embodiments. The use of these terms is solely for
convenience and clarity of description. The disclosure is not limited to any
15 particular type of device or equipment, and it should be understood that other
equivalent terms or variations thereof may be used interchangeably without
departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined herein.
[0030] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough
20 understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these
specific details. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other
components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to
obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known
25 circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without
unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.
[0031] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process
which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure
30 diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as
a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or
10
concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process
is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not
included in a figure.
5 [0032] The word “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is used herein to mean
serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the
subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any
aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is not
necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or
10 designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques
known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms
“includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed
description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive—in a manner
similar to the term “comprising” as an open transition word—without precluding
15 any additional or other elements.
[0033] As used herein, an “electronic device,” or “portable electronic device,” or
“user device” or “communication device” or “user equipment” or “device” refers
to any electrical, electronic, electromechanical and computing device. The user
20 device is capable of receiving and/or transmitting one or parameters, performing
function/s, communicating with other user devices and transmitting data to the
other user devices. The user equipment may have a processor, a display, a memory,
a battery and an input-means such as a hard keypad and/or a soft keypad. The user
equipment may be capable of operating on any radio access technology including
25 but not limited to IP-enabled communication, Zig Bee, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low
Energy, Near Field Communication, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, etc. For
instance, the user equipment may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone,
smartphone, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, laptop,
a general-purpose computer, desktop, personal digital assistant, tablet computer,
30 mainframe computer, or any other device as may be obvious to a person skilled in
the art for implementation of the features of the present disclosure.
11
[0034] Further, the user device and/or a system as described herein to implement
technical features as disclosed in the present disclosure may also comprise
a “processor” or “processing unit,” wherein processor refers to any logic circuitry
5 for processing instructions. The processor may be a general-purpose processor, a
special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor, a
plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a
DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits,
Field Programmable Gate Array circuits, any other type of integrated circuits, etc.
10 The processor may perform signal coding data processing, input/output processing,
and/or any other functionality that enables the working of the system according to
the present disclosure. More specifically, the processor is a hardware processor.
[0035] As portable electronic devices and wireless technologies continue to
15 improve and grow in popularity, the advancing wireless technologies for data
transfer are also expected to evolve and replace the older generations of
technologies. In the field of wireless data communications, the dynamic
advancement of various generations of cellular technology are also seen. The
development, in this respect, has been incremental in the order of second generation
20 (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), and now fifth generation (5G),
and more such generations are expected to continue in the forthcoming time.
[0036] Radio Access Technology (RAT) refers to the technology used by mobile
devices/ user equipment (UE) to connect to a cellular network. It refers to the
25 specific protocol and standards that govern the way devices communicate with base
stations, which are responsible for providing the wireless connection. Further, each
RAT has its own set of protocols and standards for communication, which define
the frequency bands, modulation techniques, and other parameters used for
transmitting and receiving data. Examples of RATs include GSM (Global System
30 for Mobile Communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), UMTS
(Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), LTE (Long-Term Evolution),
12
and 5G. The choice of RAT depends on a variety of factors, including the network
infrastructure, the available spectrum, and the mobile device's/device's capabilities.
Mobile devices often support multiple RATs, allowing them to connect to different
types of networks and provide optimal performance based on the available network
5 resources.
[0037] A Serving Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF) is the primary node
implemented by a server in an IMS responsible for session control. Subscribers are
allocated a S-CSCF for the duration of their IMS registration in order to facilitate
10 routing of SIP packets as part of service establishment procedures. The Session
Initiation Protocol (SIP) refers to a set of rules for initiating and terminating a
communication session. The communication session includes but may not be
limited to a voice communication, a text communication, and a video
communication. In the context of the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), the IP
15 packets refer to the basic fundamental units of data that are transmitted thereby
facilitating the exchange of signalling messages and media streams between SIP
endpoints over IP networks. These IP packets contain various types of data,
including but not limited to SIP signalling messages, media streams and other
related information for transmission between the SIP endpoints. Consequently, the
20 S-CSCF downloads a subscriber profile from the HSS (Home Subscriber Server) at
the time of registration, which allows the S-CSCF to ascertain a relevant
Application Server (AS) for a service request. The relevant Application Server (AS)
may be required to handle the service request to ensure that the service request may
be accurately processed.
25
[0038] An Interrogating Call Session Control Function (I-CSCF) implemented by
a server is responsible for onward routing of SIP packets to the appropriate S-CSCF
for a given subscriber. This routing capability is utilized in specific scenarios only,
such as during registration in order to assign or ascertain the S-CSCF. Routing SIP
30 requests arriving from other SIP networks is also a responsibility of the I-CSCF.
13
The I-CSCF queries the HSS in order to discover the S-CSCF, which is assigned to
a particular subscriber, or select a new S-CSCF based on configured capabilities.
[0039] A Breakout Gateway Control Function (BGCF) implemented by a server is
5 an IMS element that chooses the network where PSTN breakout happens, in case
when call is placed by a user from wirelessly communicating device to wired
device. If the breakout is to occur in the same network as the BGCF, then the BGCF
selects a MGCF (Media Gateway Control Function) which will be responsible for
the interworking with the PSTN.
10
[0040] The S-CSCF, I-CSCF and BGCF are collectively being referred to as SIB
node server. It is noted that a SIB node server may be a single server or plurality of
servers connected to a network.
15 [0041] As discussed in the background section, there is no way prescribed in the
art for extracting only desired SIP packets at SIB node server [108].
[0042] The present disclosure aims to overcome the above-mentioned and other
existing problems in this field of technology by a method and a system for
20 extracting desired set of one or more SIP packets at SIB node server [108].
[0043] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
25 [0044] Referring to Figure 1A, an exemplary block diagram representation of 5th
generation core (5GC) network architecture, in accordance with exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1A, the 5GC network
architecture [100A] includes a user equipment (UE) [102u], a radio access network
(RAN) [104r], an access and mobility management function (AMF) [106a], a
30 Session Management Function (SMF) [108s], a Service Communication Proxy
(SCP) [110s], an Authentication Server Function (AUSF) [112a], a Network Slice
14
Specific Authentication and Authorization Function (NSSAAF) [114n], a Network
Slice Selection Function (NSSF) [116n], a Network Exposure Function (NEF)
[118n], a Network Repository Function (NRF) [120n], a Policy Control Function
(PCF) [122p], a Unified Data Management (UDM) [124u], an application function
5 (AF) [126a], a User Plane Function (UPF) [128u], a data network (DN) [130d],
wherein all the components are assumed to be connected to each other in a manner
as obvious to the person skilled in the art for implementing features of the present
disclosure.
10 [0045] Radio Access Network (RAN) [104r] is the part of a mobile
telecommunications system that connects user equipment (UE) [102u] to the core
network (CN) and provides access to different types of networks (e.g., 5G network).
It consists of radio base stations and the radio access technologies that enable
wireless communication.
15
[0046] Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) [106a] is a 5G core
network function responsible for managing access and mobility aspects, such as UE
registration, connection, and reachability. It also handles mobility management
procedures like handovers and paging.
20
[0047] Session Management Function (SMF) [108s] is a 5G core network function
responsible for managing session-related aspects, such as establishing, modifying,
and releasing sessions. It coordinates with the User Plane Function (UPF) [128u]
for data forwarding and handles IP address allocation and QoS enforcement.
25
[0048] Service Communication Proxy (SCP) [110s] is a network function in the 5G
core network that facilitates communication between other network functions by
providing a secure and efficient messaging service. It acts as a mediator for servicebased interfaces.
30
15
[0049] Authentication Server Function (AUSF) [112a] is a network function in the
5G core responsible for authenticating UEs during registration and providing
security services. It generates and verifies authentication vectors and tokens.
5 [0050] Network Slice Specific Authentication and Authorization Function
(NSSAAF) [114n] is a network function that provides authentication and
authorization services specific to network slices. It ensures that UEs can access only
the slices for which they are authorized.
10 [0051] Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) [116n] is a network function
responsible for selecting the appropriate network slice for a UE based on factors
such as subscription, requested services, and network policies.
[0052] Network Exposure Function (NEF) [118n] is a network function that
15 exposes capabilities and services of the 5G network to external applications,
enabling integration with third-party services and applications.
[0053] Network Repository Function (NRF) [120n] is a network function that acts
as a central repository for information about available network functions and
20 services. It facilitates the discovery and dynamic registration of network functions.
[0054] Policy Control Function (PCF) [122p] is a network function responsible for
policy control decisions, such as QoS, charging, and access control, based on
subscriber information and network policies.
25
[0055] Unified Data Management (UDM) [124u] is a network function that
centralizes the management of subscriber data, including authentication,
authorization, and subscription information.
16
[0056] Application Function (AF) [126a] is a network function that represents
external applications interfacing with the 5G core network to access network
capabilities and services.
5 [0057] User Plane Function (UPF) [128u] is a network function responsible for
handling user data traffic, including packet routing, forwarding, and QoS
enforcement.
[0058] Data Network (DN) [130d] refers to a network that provides data services
10 to user equipment (UE) in a telecommunications system. The data services may
include but are not limited to Internet services, private data network related services.
[0059] In an implementation of the disclosure in Figure 1B, an exemplary block
diagram of a system [100] for extracting desired set of one or more Session
15 Initiation Protocol (SIP) packets at a System Information Block (SIB) node server
[108] is shown, in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure. The system [100] comprises a user equipment (UE) [107], a file
manager unit [110], a SIB node server [108] and a debugging unit [112]. The SIB
node server [108] of the system [100] comprises an extraction unit [102], a
20 matching unit [104] and a database [106]. It is to be noted that the user equipment
UE [107] can be a processing unit. It is also to be noted that processing unit may
partly reside in the user equipment, or the processing unit can operate distinctly
from the user equipment in the network. It is further noted that the UE [107] can
interact with the system [100] and can therefore reside outside of the system [100].
25 Also, all of the components/ units of the system [100] are assumed to be connected
to each other unless otherwise indicated below. Also, in Fig. 1B only a few units
are shown, however, the system [100] may comprise multiple such units or the
system [100] may comprise any such numbers of said units, as required to
implement the features of the present disclosure. Further, in an implementation, the
30 system [100] may reside in a server or a network entity. In yet another
17
implementation, the system [100] may reside partly in the server/ network entity
and partly in the user device.
[0060] Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, it is to be acknowledged that
5 the functionality described for the various the components/units can be implemented
interchangeably. While specific embodiments may disclose a particular functionality of
these units for clarity, it is recognized that various configurations and combinations thereof
are within the scope of the disclosure. The functionality of specific units as disclosed in the
disclosure should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.
10 Consequently, alternative arrangements and substitutions of units, provided they achieve
the intended functionality described herein, are considered to be encompassed within the
scope of the present disclosure.
[0061] Further, the file manager unit [110] and the database [106] refers to a
15 machine or computer-readable medium including any mechanism for storing
information in a form readable by a computer or similar machine. For example, a
computer-readable medium includes read-only memory (“ROM”), random access
memory (“RAM”), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash
memory devices or other types of machine-accessible storage media. Also, the
20 storage unit is configured to store a data that is required by one or more units of the
system [100] to perform their respective operations.
[0062] Additionally, the extraction unit [102], the matching unit [104], and the
debugging unit [112] are processors. The processor may be a general-purpose
25 processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal
processor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in
association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific
Integrated Circuits, Field Programmable Gate Array circuits, any other type of
integrated circuits, etc.
30
18
[0063] The system [100] is configured for extracting only desired SIP packets at
SIB node server [108], with the help of the interconnection between the
components/units of the system [100].
5 [0064] The extraction unit [102] is configured to retrieve a configuration file and a
first set of one or more SIP packets, wherein the configuration file relates to a
predefined set of one or more SIP packets. The configuration file is created by the
file manager unit [110] of the system [100] upon receiving a command via a
command line interface. The extraction unit [102] is further configured to extract a
10 first set of data from the first set of one or more SIP packets and a second set of
data from the configuration file. It is further important to note that the first set of
one or more SIP packets includes the one or more SIP packets received at the SIB
node server [108], and the second set of one or more SIP packets includes one or
more SIP packets stored in the configuration file. The first set of data comprises at
15 least a set of subscriber details, and the second set of data comprises at least a set
of header details. For instance, the SIB node server [108] uses the configuration file
(in an XML format having i.e., “.xml” extension) for subscriber’s tracing where
subscriber’s detail(s) such as A-party number, B-party number, location, device
name etc. received by SIB node server [108] in the form of SIP packets (each packet
20 having multiple headers). The headers details contained in configuration file are
one or more of those which are present in the SIP packets as prescribed by standard.
It is also emphasized that one or more of logical operators like AND, OR,
REGULAR, and the like can be applied to headers made part of configuration file.
Also, the multiple headers can be added in logical permutation combination (AND
25 or OR operator or REGULAR expression). The meaning of AND, OR, REGULAR,
and the like is same as what is known to a person ordinarily skilled in the art and
these are to be construed in broadest sense possible without limiting the scope of
the present disclosure.
30 [0065] The matching unit [104] is configured to match the first set of data with the
second set of data. Based upon the same, the matching unit [104] generates a match
19
result based on the matching. The match result is one of a match-success result and
a match-fail result. The match-success result is generated in an event the first set of
data matches the second set of data while the match-fail result is generated in an
event the first set of data does not match the second set of data. For instance, in an
5 exemplary scenario, subscriber’s detail(s) is matched with information in the
configuration file which was fed to the SIB node server [108] through the command
line interface.
[0066] The database [106] is responsible for storing the desired set from the set of
10 one or more SIP packets. It is important to note that the desired set comprises one
or more SIP packets from the first set of one or more SIP packets for which the
match-success result is generated by the matching unit [104]. The debugging unit
[112] of the system [100] is configured to perform a debug operation on the desired
set from the one or more SIP packets.
15
[0067] In yet another implementation of the disclosure, a non-transitory computer
readable storage medium for extracting a desired set of one or more session
initiation protocol (SIP) packets at a system information block (SIB) node server
[108]. The instructions when executed by one or more units of a system [100]
20 configured for extracting the desired set of one or more SIP packets at the SIB node
server [108], cause an extraction unit [102] to retrieve a configuration file, a first
set of one or more SIP packets and a configuration file related to a pre-defined set
of one or more SIP packets. The instructions upon retrieval further cause the
extraction unit [102] to extract a first set of data from the first set of one or more
25 SIP packets and a second set of data from the configuration file. The instructions
upon extraction further cause a matching unit [104] to match the first set of data
with the second set of data from the configuration file. The instructions upon
matching further cause the matching unit [104] to generate a match result based on
the matching. It is to be noted that the match result is one of a match-success result
30 and a match-fail result. It is further noted that the match-success result is generated
in an event the first set of data matches the second set of data while the match-fail
20
result is generated in an event the first set of data does not match the second set of
data. The instructions upon generation further cause a database [106] to store the
desired set from the set of one or more SIP packets. It is to be noted that the desired
set comprises one or more SIP packets from the first set of one or more SIP packets
5 for which the match-success result is generated.
[0068] In an implementation of the disclosure in Figure 2, an exemplary method
flow diagram [200], for extracting desired set of one or more session initiation
protocol (SIP) packets at a system information block (SIB) node server [108], in
10 accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In an
implementation the method [200] is performed by the system [100]. As shown in
Figure 2, the method [200] starts at step [202].
[0069] At step [204], the method [200] as disclosed by the present disclosure
15 comprises retrieving a first set of one or more SIP packets and a configuration file
by an extraction unit [102] at the system information block (SIB) node server [108].
It is to be noted that the configuration file relates to a second set of one or more SIP
packets.
20 [0070] In an implementation of the present disclosure, the first set of one or more
SIP packets including the one or more SIP packets is received at the SIB node server
[108], and the second set of one or more SIP packets including one or more SIP
packets stored in the configuration file.
25 [0071] In an implementation of the present disclosure, the configuration file is
created by a file manager unit [110] upon receiving a command via a command line
interface in response to a complaint received by a network operator. Thus, when
one or more errors occur, a configuration file is created storing the header details
of the erroneous SIP packets.
30
21
[0072] Next, at step [206], the method [200] as disclosed by the present disclosure
comprises extracting a first set of data from the first set of one or more SIP packets
and a second set of data from the configuration file by the extraction unit [102] at
the SIB node server [108].
5
[0073] In an implementation of the disclosure, the first set of data comprises at least
a set of subscriber details while the second set of data comprises at least a set of
header details.
10 [0074] Next, at step [208], the method [200] as disclosed by the present disclosure
comprises matching the first set of data with the second set of data from the
configuration file by a matching unit [104] at the SIB node server [108]. For e.g.,
the first set of data, i.e. the subscriber’s call detail(s) such as but not limited to Aparty number (calling party), B-party number (receiving party), location, device
15 name) is matched with the second set of data, i.e., header details in the configuration
file (.xml).
[0075] Next, at step [210], the method [200] as disclosed by the present disclosure
comprises generating a match result based on the matching by the matching unit
20 [104] at the SIB node server [108]. It is to be noted that the match result is one of a
match-success result and a match-fail result. It is further noted that the matchsuccess result is generated in an event the first set of data matches the second set of
data while the match-fail result is generated in an event the first set of data does not
match the second set of data. In the above example, if the subscriber details such as
25 the A party number and the B party number are the same as those stored in the
header details in the configuration file, then the match-success result is generated.
If the subscriber details do not match with the header details in the configuration
file, then the match-fail result is generated.
30 [0076] Next, at step [212], the method [200] as disclosed by the present disclosure
comprises storing the desired set from the set of one or more SIP packets in a
22
database [106] at the SIB node server [108]. It is further noted that the desired set
comprises one or more SIP packets from the first set of one or more SIP packets for
which the match-success result is generated by the matching unit [104]. Thus, the
entire first set of SIP packets received at the SIB node server are not stored as per
5 the implementation of the present disclosure. Instead, more advantageously, the
present disclosure encompasses storing only the desired set of SIP packets from the
first set of SIP packets, i.e., storing only those SIP packets that match the header of
the SIP packets in the configuration file.
10 [0077] In an implementation of the present disclosure, a debugging unit [112]
performs a debug operation on the desired set from the set of one or more SIP
packets.
[0078] Thereafter, the method terminates at step [214].
15
[0079] Referring to Fig. 3, an exemplary scenario indicating the process [300] for
extracting desired set of one or more session initiation (SIP) packets at a system
information block (SIB) node server [108] is shown, in accordance with exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure. When one or more users raise a complaint
20 with a network operator, the network operator prepares/configures/creates a
configuration file through command line interface at the SIB node server [108].
This can be seen at [Step 1] where the SIB node server [108] extracts the subscriber
details from SIP packets and header details from the configuration file (.xml). Then,
after preparation/configuration/creation of the configuration file, the SIB node
25 server [108] compares an input SIP packet with the information/data present in the
configuration file. This can be seen at [Step 2] when the SIB node server [108]
matches the subscriber's details with header details in the configuration file. If input
SIP packet matches with the information/data present in the configuration file, the
SIB node server [108] is configured to store the SIP packet in a database [106]
30 connected to or part of SIB node server [108], else the SIP packet is not stored in
23
the database [106]. This can be seen at [Step 3]. Thereon, the SIB node server [108]
will capture the SIP packet for further debugging.
[0080] Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device [1000]
5 upon which an embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented. In an
implementation, the computing device [1000] implements the method [200] for
extracting a desired set of one or more Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) packets at
a System Information Block (SIB) node server [108] in a multi-network
environment by utilising the system [100]. In another implementation, the
10 computing device [1000] itself implements the method [200] for extracting a
desired set of one or more Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) packets at a System
Information Block (SIB) node server [108] in a multi-network environment using
one or more units configured within the computing device [1000], wherein said one
or more units are capable of implementing the features as disclosed in the present
15 disclosure.
[0081] The computing device [1000] may include a bus [1002] or other
communication mechanism for communicating information, and a hardware
processor [1004] coupled with bus [1002] for processing information. The hardware
20 processor [1004] may be, for example, a general-purpose microprocessor. The
computing device [1000] may also include a main memory [1006], such as a
random-access memory (RAM), or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the
bus [1002] for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor
[1004]. The main memory [1006] also may be used for storing temporary variables
25 or other intermediate information during execution of the instructions to be
executed by the processor [1004]. Such instructions, when stored in non-transitory
storage media accessible to the processor [1004], render the computing device
[1000] into a special-purpose machine that is customized to perform the operations
specified in the instructions. The computing device [1000] further includes a read
30 only memory (ROM) [1008] or other static storage device coupled to the bus [1002]
for storing static information and instructions for the processor [1004].
24
[0082] A storage device [1010], such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or solid-state
drive is provided and coupled to the bus [1002] for storing information and
instructions. The computing device [1000] may be coupled via the bus [1002] to a
5 display [1012], such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), Liquid crystal Display (LCD),
Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, Organic LED (OLED) display, etc. for
displaying information to a computer user. An input device [1014], including
alphanumeric and other keys, touch screen input means, etc. may be coupled to the
bus [1002] for communicating information and command selections to the
10 processor [1004]. Another type of user input device may be a cursor controller
[1016], such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicating
direction information and command selections to the processor [1004], and for
controlling cursor movement on the display [1012]. This input device typically has
two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y),
15 that allow the device to specify positions in a plane.
[0083] The computing device [1000] may implement the techniques described
herein using customized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware
and/or program logic which in combination with the computing device [1000]
20 causes or programs the computing device [1000] to be a special-purpose machine.
According to one embodiment, the techniques herein are performed by the
computing device [1000] in response to the processor [1004] executing one or more
sequences of one or more instructions contained in the main memory [1006]. Such
instructions may be read into the main memory [1006] from another storage
25 medium, such as the storage device [1010]. Execution of the sequences of
instructions contained in the main memory [1006] causes the processor [1004] to
perform the process steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired
circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions.
30 [0084] The computing device [1000] also may include a communication interface
[1028] coupled to the bus [1002]. The communication interface [1028] provides a
25
two-way data communication coupling to a network link [1020] that is connected
to a local network [1022]. For example, the communication interface [1028] may
be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellite
modem, or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a
5 corresponding type of telephone line. As another example, the communication
interface [1028] may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data
communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wireless links may also be
implemented. In any such implementation, the communication interface [1028]
sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital
10 data streams representing various types of information.
[0085] The computing device [1000] can send messages and receive data, including
program code, through the network(s), the network link [1020] and the
communication interface 1028. In the Internet example, a server [1030] might
transmit a requested code for an application program through the Internet [1028],
15 the ISP [1026], the host [1024], the local network [1022] and the communication
interface [1028]. The received code may be executed by the processor [1004] as it
is received, and/or stored in the storage device [1010], or other non-volatile storage
for later execution.
20 [0086] As is evident from the above, the present disclosure provides a technically
advanced solution for extracting only desired SIP packets at SIB node server [108].
The system and the method disclosed in present disclosure allows capturing of
desired SIP packets efficiently for a particular subscriber or group of subscribers
for debugging or trace routing purposes. The system and the method disclosed in
25 present disclosure allows faster debugging/troubleshooting of subscriber related
issues, because entire network traffic need not be analysed anymore. It is
emphasized that only desired SIP packets are attempted to be downloaded and
analysed to debug an issue. The approach disclosed in present disclosure would be
less resource intensive, faster and more efficient as compared to earlier approaches
30 of analysing entire network traffic. Further, the system and the method disclosed in
the present disclosure enable different headers to be logically combined using
26
operators such as OR, AND or REGULAR and the like to extract desired SIP
packets at SIB node server [108]. Moreover, the system and the method for
extracting only desired SIP packets at SIB node server [108] as disclosed in the
present disclosure allows for easier and efficient subscriber tracing where
5 subscriber’s call detail(s) such as (A-party number, B-party number, location,
device name etc.).
[0087] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the disclosed
embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that
10 many changes can be made to the embodiments without departing from the
principles of the present disclosure. These and other changes in the embodiments
of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, whereby it is to
be understood that the foregoing descriptive matter to be implemented is illustrative
and non-limiting.
27
We Claim:
1. A method [200] for extracting a desired set of one or more Session Initiation
Protocol (SIP) packets at a System Information Block (SIB) node server
[108], the method [200] comprising:
5 - retrieving, by an extraction unit [102] at the System Information Block
(SIB) node server [108], a first set of one or more SIP packets and a
configuration file, the configuration file related to a second set of one or
more SIP packets;
- extracting, by the extraction unit [102] at the SIB node server [108], a
10 first set of data from the first set of one or more SIP packets, and a
second set of data from the configuration file;
- matching, by a matching unit [104] at the SIB node server [108], the
first set of data with the second set of data from the configuration file;
- generating, by the matching unit [104] at the SIB node server [108], a
15 match result based on the matching, wherein the match result is one of
a match-success result and a match-fail result, and wherein the matchsuccess result is generated in an event the first set of data matches the
second set of data, and the match-fail result is generated in an event the
first set of data does not match the second set of data; and
20 - storing, in a database [106] at the SIB node server [108], the desired set
from the set of one or more SIP packets, wherein the desired set
comprises one or more SIP packets from the first set of one or more SIP
packets, for which the match-success result is generated by the matching
unit [104].
25
2. The method [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first set of one or more
SIP packets including the one or more SIP packets is received at the SIB
node server [108], and the second set of one or more SIP packets including
one or more SIP packets is stored in the configuration file.
30
28
3. The method [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the configuration file is
created by a file manager unit [110] upon receiving a command via a
command line interface in response to a complaint received by a network
operator.
5
4. The method [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first set of data
comprises at least a set of subscriber details, and the second set of data
comprises at least a set of header details.
10 5. The method [200] as claimed in claim 1, the method further comprising:
- performing, by a debugging unit [112], a debug operation on the desired
set from the set of one or more SIP packets.
6. A system [100] for extracting a desired set of one or more Session Initiation
15 Protocol (SIP) packets, the system [100] comprising a System Information
Block (SIB) node server [108], the SIB node server [108] further
comprising:
- an extraction unit [102] configured to:
o retrieve a configuration file, a first set of one or more SIP packets
20 and a configuration file related to a predefined set of one or more
SIP packets;
o extract a first set of data from the first set of one or more SIP
packets, and a second set of data from the configuration file;
- a matching unit [104] connected to at least the extraction unit [102], the
25 matching unit [104] configured to:
o match the first set of data with the second set of data from the
configuration file;
o generate a match result based on the matching, wherein the
match result is one of a match-success result and a match-fail
30 result, and wherein the match-success result is generated in an
event the first set of data matches the second set of data, and the
29
match-fail result is generated in an event the first set of data does
not match the second set of data; and
- a database [106] connected to at least the matching unit [104], the
database [106] configured to store the desired set from the set of one or
5 more SIP packets, wherein the desired set comprises one or more SIP
packets from the first set of one or more SIP packets, for which the
match-success result is generated.
7. The system [100] as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first set of one or more
10 SIP packets including the one or more SIP packets is received at the SIB
node server [108], and the second set of one or more SIP packets including
one or more SIP packets is stored in the configuration file.
8. The system [100] as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a file manager
15 unit [110] configured to create the configuration file upon receiving a
command via a command line interface in response to a complaint received
by a network operator.
9. The system [100] as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first set of data
20 comprises at least a set of subscriber details, and the second set of data
comprises at least a set of header details.
10. The system [100] as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a debugging unit
[112] configured to:
25 - perform a debug operation on the desired set from the set of one or more
SIP packets.