Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring telecommunications network elements, especially where direct access to those network elements is not available. The invention allows a network manager to build and maintain significant relationship information, as well as model the state of network elements with a high degree of accuracy, but based only on the information contained within the transactions built from the network traffic which is being monitored. In particular, it allows the network manager to obtain the same results that would previously have required direct access to an operator's network elements.

Abstract: Properties of data transmission are measured in a telecommunications network (2) comprising an access network segment (6) and a core network segment (4). A packet switched network endpoint device (10) in communication with the access network segment passively monitors data throughput between the telecommunication network and the endpoint device and conducts active tests of data transmission latency and data transmission loss by exchanging active test data packets with an active test server (8). Test result data is transmitted to the active test server in active test data packets (106, 118), avoiding additional network traffic. Active tests are conducted from the application layer. The resulting metrics accurately represent the experience of users of the endpoint devices.

Abstract: A measurement system comprises a pair of probes located at different points in a communications network. The probes generate transaction records related to messages observed, an exchange of the messages constituting a transaction. The transaction records are passed to a data store, the data store being mined by a correlator engine to match transaction records. The timestamps contained in the matching transaction records obtained are used to calculate a transit metric by a measurement engine.

Abstract: Properties of data transmission are measured in a telecommunications network (2) comprising an access network segment (6) and a core network segment (4). A packet switched network endpoint device (10) in communication with the access network segment passively monitors data throughput between the telecommunication network and the endpoint device and conducts active tests of data transmission latency and data transmission loss by exchanging active test data packets with an active test server (8). Test result data is transmitted to the active test server in active test data packets (106, 118), avoiding additional network traffic. Active tests are conducted from the application layer. The resulting metrics accurately represent the experience of users of the endpoint devices.

Abstract: In the field of monitoring communications systems, it is necessary for a monitoring system to be aware of an association of a Mobile Country Code (MCC), a Mobile Network Code (MNC) and an IP Address of a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) of a first network when a mobile terminal is roaming into a second network. Probes monitoring links with the second network generate transaction data. The transaction data is generated from messages communicated as part of a dialogue to establish a data “tunnel” between a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) of the second network and the GGSN of the first network. The MCC, MNC and IP address data are extracted from the transaction data and used to update an address network name table.

Abstract: A method of creating service usage records summarising usage of mobile data communications services, comprises monitoring message packets traversing a signalling link between a serving support node and a gateway support node, these message packets including packets for tunnelling data being transported by a mobile data communications service. First information is extracted from the data tunnelling packets, relating to data being tunnelled by said packets, and second information is extracted, relating to implementation of the data tunnelling. The correlating said first and second information are correlated to generate a service usage record. A source of data packets can be characterised by examining a tunnel destination address in each monitored message packet, and characterising the message packet as mobile-originated if the tunnel destination address is a gateway support node and as mobile-terminated if the tunnel destination address is a serving support node.

Abstract: A method of creating service usage records summarising usage of mobile data communications services, comprises monitoring message packets traversing a signalling link between a serving support node and a gateway support node, these message packets including packets for tunnelling data being transported by a mobile data communications service. First information is extracted from the data tunnelling packets, relating to data being tunnelled by said packets, and second information is extracted, relating to implementation of the data tunnelling. The correlating said first and second information are correlated to generate a service usage record. A source of data packets can be characterised by examining a tunnel destination address in each monitored message packet, and characterising the message packet as mobile-originated if the tunnel destination address is a gateway support node and as mobile-terminated if the tunnel destination address is a serving support node.