SS7 TDC 364
Introduction SS7 is a continuation of CCIS SS7 actually called CCS7 in North America ITU-T’s version is SS7 Japan has a slightly different version
Advantages and Disadvantages + Flexible – a packet switched network that sends signals – any signals – old and new + One language (SS7) for local calls, long distance calls, overseas, 1-800, …
Types of Nodes STP (Signal Transfer Point) – Packet switches that route signal messages to their proper point STPs always occur in pairs SSP (Service Switching Point) – The interface into the SS7 network SSPs convert ISDN or DTMF signals to SS7 signals for the STPs
Types of Nodes SCP (Service Control Point) – Database of information for credit card authorizations, billing information, conversions, etc.
Types of Links Cross links – interconnect the STPs in a pair Bridge links – connect pairs of STPs (into quads) Access links – connect SCPs and SSPs to STPs (See Figures 18.3, 18.4, 18.5)
Timothy S. Ramteke Networks, Second Edition Copyright ©2001 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. FIGURE 18-3 An STP quad configuration, showing the three types of SPs and the signaling links that connect them.
Timothy S. Ramteke Networks, Second Edition Copyright ©2001 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. FIGURE 18-4 A fully interconnected SS7 network between an LEC and an IXC.
Timothy S. Ramteke Networks, Second Edition Copyright ©2001 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. FIGURE 18-5 AIN (Advanced Intelligent Network) architecture.
SS7 Architecture Recall: SS7 is a packet switched network A virtual connection, called an SCCP (Signaling Connection Control Part) is established between the two endpoints of the connection (the SSPs) before any signals are sent The STPs are the switching nodes
The Four Layers of SS7 Layer 1 (the lowest) – Message Transfer Part – Level 1 (MTP-L1) – the physical layer Layer 2 – Signaling link layer, or MTP-L2 – provides error detection and correction on signaling links
The Four Layers of SS7 Layer 3 – Signaling network layer (MTP- L3) – routes messages Layer 4 – fairly complex layer with many possible protocols and services, such as flow control, sequence control, end-to-end call control, converting numbers to POTS numbers, and more (See Figure 18.6)
Timothy S. Ramteke Networks, Second Edition Copyright ©2001 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. FIGURE 18-6 The layered architecture of SS7 and the units of transfer.
Signaling Units Frames in SS7 are called Signaling Units (HDLC-like) Three forms –MSU (Message SU) –LSSU (Link Status SU) –FISU (Fill-In SU) when a link is idle but you want to convey there is still a connection
Timothy S. Ramteke Networks, Second Edition Copyright ©2001 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. FIGURE 18-7 The three kinds of signal units are shown. Fields which are unique to one kind of a signal unit are shaded.