Qwest Communications International Inc.

Xiaojiang Lu

Stephen L Bulick

Victoria L C Okeson

Pierre L Bastien

Steve E Showell

Robert B Howell

Neil K Nelson

Mark Choey

Jeffrey C Mitchell

Planning alternative SS7 networks is a complex task requiring assistance from an intelligent planning tool. The tool includes at least one planning database containing information on network traffic, component locations, and component connectivity. A load module determines peak load for each STP in the core network. A forecast module determines equipment capacity exhaustion for each STP, network database, and core link during each study period and determines network costs based on peak loads and an alternative network design provided by a user. A graphical user interface guides the user through a sequence of design steps, each step having to be correctly completed before the next step in the sequence is started. The sequence of steps may include permitting changes to the core network, permitting changes to the number of POPs and DBs, rehoming elements left disconnected from STPs, assigning SSPs to POPs, assigning SSPs to DBs, and permitting voluntary rehomes.

SS7 network planning tool

Planning alternative SS7 networks is a complex task requiring assistance from an intelligent planning tool. The tool provides a method for forecasting service loads including automatically obtaining network traffic information from the network. Service loads are estimated based on a first set of network traffic information and service descriptions. Correction factors are calculated for service loads based on a second set of network traffic information. The correction factors are applied to estimated service loads to determine peak loads for each STP in the core network based on network traffic, component locations, and component connectivity.

Existing and new service provisioning capacity in an AIN is determined by calculating processor utilization. Existing service demand and component usage information is automatically acquired from the AIN. ISP service data and SCP configuration descriptions are updated as needed. For each new service modeled, a call processing record is developed. A time of day usage for each service is also entered. For each city in the region covered by the AIN, demand forecasts for each new service in the city is determined. Utilization is determined for SCPs, ISPs, and SPACE systems provisioning capacity.

Capacity provisioning for AIN

Growing community of inventors

Broomfield, CO, United States of America

Xiaojiang Lu