43
Product Family SS7 Pocket Guide

SS7 Pocket Guide

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

P

SS7

roduct Family

PocketGuide

Pro

du

ct

Fa

mily

SS

7 P

oc

ke

t G

uid

e

1

WHAT IS SS7?

Signaling System No.7 (SS7) is a global

standard for telecommunications defined by

the International Telecommunication Union

(ITU) Telecommunication Standardization

Sector (ITU-T).

SS7 defines the procedures and protocol

by which network elements in the public

switched telephone network (PSTN)

exchange information over a digital signal-

ing network to effect wireless (cellular) and

wireline call setup, routing and control,

as well as, network management and

maintenance.

POCKET GUIDE OVERVIEW

This tutorial provides an introduction to

basic SS7 network concepts. SS8 is

also sponsoring the ss7.com web site

where you can find more information on

SS7, industry standards and other useful

resources.

Don't forget to visit

www.ss7.com

2

TOPICS

1. Introduction — Why SS7?

2. SS7 Network Architecture

2-1. Signaling Transfer Point (STP)

2-2. Signaling Point (SP)

2-3. Data Links

2-4. Access Links

2-5. Bridge Links

2-6. Cross Links

2-7. Diagonal Links

2-8. Extended Links

2-9. Fully Associated Links

3. SS7 Protocol Layers

4. NewNet Product Family

5. Glossary of Terms

Pro

du

ct

Fa

mily

1. W

hy S

S7

?

3

Why SS7?

For the first fifty years of telephone communications, things moved at a fairlyeven pace. Demand for phones increasedsteadily, peaking at the time of the StockMarket collapse.

The Great Depression applied the brakes tothe demand for phone services while thetechnology continued to increase, albeitmore slowly. With the advent of World WarII, the demand for phone services began,once again, to rise sharply. Initially sparkedby military requirements, this demand wasfurther fueled by the needs of a multitude of industries gearing up for the war effort.

The problems of meeting this demand were harrowing. For one thing, not allnations were party to any standards agreements which would facilitate the handling of international telephone calls. Inmany nations trying to make a telephonecall was a lesson in handling frustration.That lesson was only compounded when acall originating in one nation had to be connected to a phone in another nation.

Telephone companies found it difficult tomeet the demand in wartime. After the war,meeting the demand would become impos-sible. During the two decades followingWorld War II, demand for telephone servicereached astonishing proportions. New busi-nesses popped up overnight like mush-rooms. Existing businesses experiencedgrowth spurts that would double or tripletheir demand for phones in a single year.

1. W

hy S

S7

?Comfortably employed workers gained theconfidence to have second and even thirdphones installed in their homes. Areaswhere there had been few phones beforethe war now pressed to be able to become a part of the emerging world of modern communications.

To answer this demand, telephone compa-nies could do little more than add morewires. A thousand new telephones mightresult in ten thousand new conversationsevery day. Those ten thousand conversa-tions would require new wires to carry them.Worse still, telephone traffic doesn’t occur atan evenly paced rate. There are peaks andvalleys in telephone usage. Those thousandnew telephones might well result in four orfive hundred new conversations occurring atthe same time.

By that time telephone industries around the world had attracted many of the best and brightest among those who had chosen to make their careers pursuing tech-nology. Many of these now turned tothoughts of how telephone wires could beused more efficiently. The concept was bothsimple and obvious. If you could make wiresten percent more efficient, each wire wouldcarry ten percent more conversations. Theneed for new wiring would then decrease by ten percent.

One way to make wires more efficient for conversations was to stop using the wire foranything other than conversations. The wirethat was used for conversation was alsoused to carry all the information that was

4

Pro

du

ct

Fa

mily

1. W

hy S

S7

?

5

necessary to connect and manage that con-version. Such information was referred to as“signaling”. At the time, signaling consistedof analog electrical representations ofsound. In exactly the same way that thevoice was converted to an electrical currentto be sent over the wire, these signals weresent over the wire in the form of an analog current which would be converted back tosound at the receiving end. In fact, boththese signals and the electrical current rep-resentation of the voice were convertedback to sound at the receiving end.

Most of us are familiar with at least some ofthese signals. Lift the phone off the hookand you hear what we refer to as “dial tone”.That sound tells the caller that the telephoneline is connected to the local switch and thathe/she may proceed to dial. At the tele-phone company end of your line, the com-pleted circuit that allowed the telephonecompany to send you the dial tone tellsthem your phone is “off-hook”. If someonecalls you now, the call won't be connected.Today if you have call waiting, they will putsome sound on your line to tell you thatsomeone is trying to reach you. But in thepost war era, someone trying to reach youwould simply get a busy signal.

SS

7

1. W

hy S

S7

?

6

Now you dial the phone. In most cases eachdigit you dial places two tones on the line.We call this “touch tone” dialing. Technicalpeople at the phone company call it “DualTone Multi Frequency” (DTMF). In the 40sand 50s, this same information was con-veyed by interrupting the line connection.The number of interruptions corresponded tothe number dialed. A rotary dial on the phoneaccomplished these interruptions. But, if youtimed it just right with pauses between thedigits, you could actually dial just by clickingthe button in the cradle of the phone.

Once you have finished dialing, the telephone company compares your dialeddigits with a routing table that provides theswitch with the information allowing it tochoose another switch in the network towhich it makes a voice circuit connection. That next switch also receivesthe dialed digit information so that it can con-sult its own routing table to determine wherethe next connection will be made. In the end,the switch that is connected to the line of thephone you are calling is connected into the circuit. This switch now determines whether the callcan be connected. If your party is talking,their line indicates an “off hook” condition. Inthe days before call waiting, this alwaysmeant that you would be sent another signalthat we call the “busy” signal. This signalwas not the only problem associated withsignaling in the voice circuitry; but it was amajor problem that we can examine to helpunderstand the reasons for wanting to elimi-nate voice circuit signaling.

Pro

du

ct

Fa

mily

1. W

hy S

S7

?

7

With all of the circuit connections in place,the busy signal was sent from the localswitch serving the party being called. No

matter how far away you were, all of the con-nections had to remain in place just to carrythe busy signal back to the caller. This samecircuitry could not be used for any otherphone call. The circuitry was lost for as longas the caller stayed on the phone. Veryoften, the caller would hang up and place thecall again immediately. The result wouldusually be another busy signal.

This wasn't stupidity on the part of the caller.It was simply that they knew they may havedialed incorrectly and that it might not reallybe their party that was busy. Sometimes itwas because the party who was calling feltan urgent need to contact the other party.Sometimes these dialing compulsions led tothe call being placed again and again andagain. The resultant inefficient use of circuit-ry was one of the reasons why the phonecompanies could not keep up to the demandfor new wiring.

Digital concepts were already well enoughadvanced that telephone company thinkerscould envision turning the analog data into

SS

7

1. W

hy S

S7

?

8

digital packets and sending them through thenetwork using existing wiring set up for digi-tal use. A single “channel” or individual cir-cuit would only handle conversation and sig-naling for one phone call at a time. A digitalpacket could share a common channel withhundreds or thousands of other digital pack-ets. Each packet could contain a signal.

Thus, thousands of signals could share asingle channel and only one voice circuit waslost to remove the signaling from thousandsof voice circuits. Because this was so, theapproach became known as “CommonChannel Signaling” (CCS).

The results of this Common ChannelSignaling approach were almost immediate-ly apparent. If the local switch could get theinformation back from the remote switch thatthe called party’s line was busy, then thelocal switch could send the busy signal backto the caller. None of the circuitry betweenthe local and remote switches would berequired to carry the busy signal back. Theonly wiring being tied up would be the wire tothe caller’s phone.

SS7

Pro

du

ct

Fa

mily

1. W

hy S

S7

?

9

Having a digital interface with the telephonenetwork would evolve to a point whereremoving the signaling from the voice net-work would seem to be a minor advantage.Common Channel Signaling would pave theway for 800 numbers, 900 numbers, tele-phone credit cards, calling cards, the deliv-ery of numerous services (such as short textmessages) to cell phones, caller identifica-tion and a host of other intelligent (program-mable) services available in the CommonChannel network.

Nevertheless, having the concept fifty yearsago was a long way from experiencing the real-ity. Everyone in the industry understood thatsuch a system would be almost useless, unlessa telephone call could be connected from anyphone in the world to any other phone in theworld. It was time to develop a standard thatwould set the guidelines for all the details ofhow the new system would handle every situation.

The standards organization that would do thework was the CCITT (Consultative Committeeon International Telephone and Telegraph). Telecommunications standards go all theway back to May of 1865 when theInternational Telegraph Convention wassigned by 20 countries. Once the agreementwas signed, the organization known as theInternational Telegraph Union was formed toperform the ongoing work of recommendingchanges to the first agreement because allparties recognized that time and technologywould likely result in the need to makechanges.

1. W

hy S

S7

?

10

A mere ten years later, the invention andrapid deployment of telephone services ledthe Telegraph Union to begin recommendinglegislation for international use of telephony.

Wireless telegraphy joined the communica-tions mix only twenty years later. The needfor yet another set of standards prompted thecalling of an International Radio Conferencein 1906.The result was the signing of the firstInternational Radiotelegraph Convention.

By 1927, there was a ConsultativeCommittee for International Radio (CCIR), aConsultative Committee for InternationalTelephone (CCIF), and a ConsultativeCommittee for International Telegraph(CCIT). In 1932, the ITU decided to combinethe Telegraph and RadiotelegraphConventions and form the InternationalTelecommunication Convention. In 1934, theITU renamed itself as the InternationalTelecommunication Union.

After World War II, the ITU became a UnitedNations Treaty Organization. Finally (oralmost) in 1956, the CCIF and CCIT werecombined and became the CCITT(Consultative Committee for InternationalTelephone and Telegraph). To this group fellthe task of making the recommendations thatwould collectively become known asSignaling System No.7. In subsequentyears, the subcommittees were reorganizedand CCITT was replaced with today's ITU-TS.

One question often asked is “Were there sixsignaling systems before SS7?” The answeris that there were, but the earliest versions

Pro

du

ct

Fa

mily

1. W

hy S

S7

?

11

existed no where except on paper. Theimmediate predecessor to SS7 actuallysaw some limited deployment. It was notcalled “SS6” (though some call it that inhindsight) but, rather, Common ChannelInteroffice Signaling Systems #6(CCIOS6). It would be 1980 before afully deployable version would be com-pleted. Every four years beginning in1976, the standards were grouped intocollections which became identified withthe colors used for the bound covers. In1976, it was the Orange Book followedby the Yellow Book (1980), the RedBook (1984), the Blue Book (1988) andthe White Book (1992).

Why SS7? The answer is simply that the time hadcome for the world to begin its move intothe high-tech, highly communicativeworld of the latter part of the TwentiethCentury. A new network signaling architecture was needed.

SS7 was developed to satisfy the telephone operating companies' require-ments for an improvement to the existing signaling systems.

SS7

SS7 Architecture

A Access Links

B Bridge Links

C Cross Links

D Diagonal Links

E Extended Links

F Fully Associated Links STP PairsSignaling Point

SS7 ArchitectureA telecommunications network consists of a number of switches and application processors interconnected by transmis-sion circuits. The SS7 network exists within the telecommunications network and controls it. SS7 achieves this control bycreating and transferring call processing, network management, and maintenance to the network's various components. An SS7 network has three distinct components: Service Switching Points, Signal Transfer Points, and Service ControlPoints. These components may be generically referred to as “nodes” or “signaling points” and are connected to each othervia “data links”. The SS7 Architecture is illustrated in Figure 1 and components are explained in the following sections.

2. SS7 Network Architecture12

Product Family2. SS7 Network Architecture13

A

A

F

E

E

A

A

C

B

B

B

B

C

D

D

D

D

C

C

Figure 1: SS7 Network Architecture

▲▲▲

▲▲

2–1. Signaling Transfer Point (STP)14

Signaling Transfer Point (STP)

The STP is to the SS7 Network what the switch is to the Public Switched Telephone Network. While a switch

routes calls by making actual voice connections, the STP simply directs the digital traffic by selecting links on which to

place the outgoing traffic. STPs are paired for redundancy with consideration being given that both members of the pair

are not subject to the same hazards. For example both members of the same pair would not be placed on the same

earthquake fault.

Product Family2–1. Signaling Transfer Point (STP)15

Signaling Transfer Point (STP) — (Local)

The STPs indicated here are at the lowest level of the SS7 network hierarchy. What makes them local STPs is the fact that the sphere which represents a network location (or node)providing and/or using network services is directly connected to these STPs.Just as a local telephone office is the direct connection point forthe phone lines of telephone users, the local STP pair providesthe direct connection for users of the SS7 network.

SignalingTransfer Points

SignalingTransfer Points

2–1. Signaling Transfer Point (STP)

Signaling Transfer Point (STP) — (Regional)

The STP pair indicated here is at a higher level of the SS7 network hierarchy. The drawing indicates this by showing no direct node connections, and also by placing this STP at ahigher position on the page.

The two pairs of STPs shown at the center of the network are,therefore, local pairs whose job is to provide network access tothe services nodes. The higher level pair is the regional pair usedto connect local STP pairs from different areas together.

SignalingTransfer Points

16

2–2. Signaling Point (SP)

Signaling Point (SP)

When a telecommunications service is to be connected to the SS7 network, it is given a Signaling Point Code (SPC) identity much thesame way a new telephone location is given a telephone number. Aservice with such a code is known as a Signaling Point. SP, however, isa broad generic term which does not identify the type of service beingoffered. Other terms, such as Service Switching Point (SSP), ServiceControl Point (SCP), Mobile Switching Center (MSC) and others, definethe services offered in more narrow categories.

For example, an SSP is a location offering voice circuit connections (inthe telephone network) and SS7 connections for the exchange of circuitinformation and for call routing and maintenance requests. SCPs provide services such as database information, while MSCs controlMobile networks and provide voice connections for subscribers.

SignalingPoints

17

Product Family

2–3. Data Links18

Access Links

Bridge Links

Cross Links

Diagonal Links

Extended Links

Fully Associated Links

Data Links

What allows messages to travel around the network is the existenceof connections between the nodes (Signaling Points) which arecalled links.

The SS7 network is unconcerned as to the type of transmissionbeing employed except as it may impact the considerations of thephysical layer of the protocol. Therefore, links are categorized bywhat they connect rather than how the data is transmitted.

The names given to link types can be represented by theletters of the alphabet “A” through “F”.

Product Family2–4. Access Links

Access Links

To provide (or acquire) services from the SS7 a node needs first togain access. This is normally done through connections to aSignaling Transfer Point (STP). STPs exist throughout the networkon a hierarchical basis. That is, some exist for the prime purpose forproviding access on a local basis to service providers (or serviceusers). Other STPs may exist solely to expand the network by con-necting local STPs. At a still higher level STPs can provide for inter-national communication.

The links that connect a node to a local STP pair provide access tothe network, and are therefore called Access Links.

Access Links

Access Links

19

2–5. Bridge Links

20

Bridge Links

The more links available to an STP for connection into the network,the greater will be that STP's routing flexibility. To gain such flexibilityan STP will link to a second STP at the same hierarchical level (e.g.Local to Local). The linking arrangement employed connects each ofthe STPs in one area with each of the STPs in the other area. To doso requires four links.

Since these links form a bridge from one area to the other, they arereferred to as Bridge Links.

Bridge Links

Product Family2–6. Cross Links

Cross Links

For the sake of redundancy, STPs are paired. In a redundant pair,it is generally assumed that both members of the pair performexactly the same functions. Both members of a pair of STPs canbe considered to be the same logical location.

Since these links allow messages to cross over from either STP toits mate, they are called Cross Links.

Cross Links

21

2–7. Diagonal Links

22

Diagonal Links

Even an STP linked to another STP at the same network level can gainadditional routing strength by connection to an STP at a higher level (e.g.Local to Regional). The linking arrangement employed connects each ofthe STPs in one area with each of the STPs in the other area just asBridge links do. To do so likewise requires four links.

Then how do these links differ from Bridge links? Look at network draw-ings and you will notice that network hierarchy is usually indicated byplacing STPs of a higher level at a higher position on the page. When thefour connections are drawn, the lines must be drawn on the Diagonal.

In more abstract terms, Diagonal simply implies the connection of twolevels of network hierarchy.

Diagonal Links

Product Family2–8. Extended Links

Extended Links

While STPs are often connected to other pairs at the same level ofnetwork hierarchy, these links are commonly made to the closestpair on that level. Further routing flexibility can be acquired by con-necting to still another pair of STPs on that same level. To do sorequires adding links to some more distant pair. Such links wouldbe made in the same quad-linking arrangement as B links.

Since these links form a connection to a more distant pair of STPs,they are considered to be extended further than other links andare, therefore, called Extended Links.

One might also think of these links as extending the routing capa-bilities to the STPs.

Extended Links

23

2–9. Fully Associated Links24

Fully Associated Links

From time to time, particularly in a proprietary network, usersfind it desirable to share data directly between nodes and tobypass intervening STPs. This is only done for nodes thatare directly and completely associated such as those ownedand operated by the same company.

Since such linking occurs only between nodes with this complete association, the links are referred to as FullyAssociated Links.

Fully Associated Links

Pro

du

ct

Fa

mily

3.

SS

7 P

roto

co

l La

ye

rs

TransactionCapabilities

Application Part

Message Transfer Part — Level 3

Message Transfer Part — Level 2

Message Transfer Part — Level 1

SignalingConnection Control Part

IntegratedServicesDigital

Network User Part

TelephoneUser Part

SS7 Protocol Layers

SS7 standard was developed in a modularapproach. This approach leads to the cre-ation of what is referred to as a “layered”protocol. Protocol means nothing more thana rigid set of rules which determine howcommunication should be handled. It coverseverything from what should occur to whenand how it should occur. It also prescribesexactly what the message consists of whenit is sent over the links. “Layered” meanseach module performs its function insequence and then hands the message offto the next module (which is “above” forincoming messages and “below” for outgoing messages).

Each of the functional program modules istermed as a “user part.” The rules (protocol)dictate the sequence in which things mustbe done. To show this graphically, a con-vention has been adopted for the drawing.In this drawing, the functional modules thatdeal with a message just about to be trans-mitted over the links (or one just receivedfrom the links) are shown at the bottom.Other modules are shown “stacked” abovein the sequence in which their functions are performed. The resulting picture is com-monly called a “stack.” A typical SS7 stack isshown below.

25

3.

SS

7 P

roto

co

l La

ye

rs

26

Message Transfer Part —Level 1The Message Transfer Part Level 1 (MTPL1) is called the “physical layer”. It deals withhardware and electrical configuration.

Bear in mind that a protocol is only a set ofrules. Those rules extend to what occurs inthe equipment to control the links. For exam-ple, one rule for MTP L1 is that a link mustconsist of two data channels operating inopposite directions at the same bit rate. Inother words, the links must be bi-directional.

The standard also refers to the need to disable certain attachments to the link thatwould interfere with Full Duplex operationand might challenge bit integrity. In otherwords, MTP level 1 is a user part that dealswith physical issues at the level of links,interface cards, multiplexors etc. It does not,therefore, concern software providers exceptthat they need to understand these require-ments in order to interface the software mod-ule layers with the physical layer.

Message Transfer Part —Level 2This is a busy user part. It is the last to handle messages being transmitted and thefirst to handle messages being received. Itmonitors the links and reports on their status.It checks messages to ensure their integrity(both incoming and outgoing). It discardsbad messages and requests copies of dis-carded messages. It acknowledges goodmessages, so the transmitting side can getrid of superfluous copies. It places links inservice, and restores the service links thathave been taken out of service. It tests linksbefore allowing their use. It provides

Pro

du

ct

Fa

mily

3.

SS

7 P

roto

co

l La

ye

rs

sequence numbering for outgoing messages.And finally it reports much of the informationit gathers to MTP Level 3.

Message Transfer Part —Level 3The MTP Level 3 provides the functions and procedures related to Message Routing (orSignaling Message Handling) and SignalingNetwork Management. MTP L3 handlesthese functions assuming that signalingpoints are connected with signaling links. Themessage routing provides message discrimi-nation and distribution. Signaling NetworkManagement provides traffic, link and routing management, as well as, congestion(flow) control.

Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP)SCCP provides connectionless (class 0) and connection-oriented (class 1) network servic-es and extended functions including special-ized routing (GTT-global title translation) andsubsystem management capabilities aboveMTP Level 3.

Many of the benefits of the use of the SCCPlie in the specialized routing functions. Theaddressing capabilities are what allow thelocating of database information or the invok-ing of features at a switch.

A global title is an address (e.g., a dialed 800 number, calling card number, or mobile subscriber identification number) which istranslated by SCCP into a destination pointcode and subsystem number. A subsystemnumber uniquely identifies an application atthe destination signaling point. SCCP is usedas the transport layer for TCAP-based services.

27

3.

SS

7 P

roto

co

l La

ye

rs

28

There are at least two benefits of global titletranslations. The first is that SPs can haveaccess to data of all types without having tomaintain cumbersome tables. New data canbecome universally available very quickly.The second is that companies can have bet-ter control over the data kept within their ownnetworks.

Transaction CapabilitiesApplication Part (TCAP)The Transaction Capabilities ApplicationPart offers its services to user de-signed applications, as well as, to OMAP (Operations, Maintenance andAdministration Part) and to IS41-C (Interim Standard 41, revision C) and GSM MAP (Global Systems Mobile).

TCAP supports the exchange of non-circuitrelated data between applications across theSS7 network using the SCCP connection-less service. Queries and responses sentbetween SSPs and SCPs are carried inTCAP messages. TCAP is used largely byswitching locations to obtain data from data-bases (e.g. an SSP querying into an 800number database to get routing and person-al identification numbers) or to invoke fea-tures at another switch (like AutomaticCallback or Automatic Recall). In mobile net-works (IS-41 and GSM), TCAP carriesMobile Application Part (MAP) messagessent between mobile switches and databas-es to support user authentication, equipmentidentification, and roaming.

Integrated Services DigitalNetwork User Part (ISUP) The ISDN User Part (ISUP) is used throughout the PSTN (Public SwitchedTelephone Network) to provide the messag-

Pro

du

ct

Fa

mily

3.

SS

7 P

roto

co

l La

ye

rs

29

ing necessary for the set up and tear-downof all circuits, both voice and digital. Wirelessnetworks also make use of ISUP to establish the necessary switch connectionsinto the PSTN. In the telephone network,ISUP messages follow the path of the voicecircuits. That is, ISUP messages are sentfrom one switch to the other where the nextcircuit connection is required.

ISUP offers two types of services, known as Basic and Supplementary. Basic Servicesconsist of those services employed in theprocess of setting up and tearing down acall. Supplementary Services consist ofthose services employed in passing all messages that may be necessary to main-tain and/or modify the call. ISUP functionali-ty can be further broken down into 3 majorprocedural categories: Signaling ProcedureControl, Circuit Supervision Control, andCall Processing Control.

Telephone User Part (TUP)In some countries (e.g., China, Hong Kong,Brazil), the Telephone User Part (TUP) isused to support basic call setup and tear-down. TUP handles analog circuits only. In most regions of the world, ISUP is usedinstead of TUP for call management.

Operations, Maintenance and Administration Part (OMAP)OMAP services are used to verify network routing databases and to diagnoselink problems.

4.

Ne

wN

et

Pro

du

ct

Fa

mily

30

NewNet Product FamilySS8's NewNet product family is the leading supplier of global telecommunica-tions software for the converging voice anddata communications for wireless, wirelineand IP networks. SS8’s NewNet productfamily includes Signaling System No.7 (SS7)middleware (NewNet AccessMANAGER™,and NewNet Connect7™) commerciallydeployed in over 40 countries, network levelapplications for short messaging and over-the-air service provisioning (NewNetSMserver™ and NewNet OTAserver™), SS7-IP gateways (NewNet Internet OffloadGateway) and lawful intercept platform(NewNet CALEAserver™).

With NewNet products, wireless and wireline carriers can quickly define, develop,and deploy intelligent networking applica-tions and services, and perhaps more significantly, differentiate their services while tightly linking investment with revenue potential. NewNet products provideoperators with state of the art enhancedservices platforms and software infrastruc-ture such as SS7 connectivity for revenuegenerating applications.

NewNet AccessMANAGER™ —High Performance Platform for Signaling System No.7 (SS7)ApplicationsAccessMANAGER is an open-architecture,real-time, scalable, reliable, and high-per-formance telecommunications applicationdevelopment platform. It enables the rapiddevelopment and deployment of enhancedIntelligent Network (IN) services and fea-tures for global wireline, wireless and IP net-works. AccessMANAGER provides value-added application components on open-architecture computer platforms and inte-grates industry standard boards into com-

31

puters with standard backplanes. It enablesthe rapid development and deployment ofenhanced Intelligent Network (IN) servicesand features for global wireline, wireless andIP networks.

AccessMANAGER middleware is a collectionof telecommunications software buildingblocks such as SS7 (MTP, SCCP, TCAP,ISUP, TUP, OMAP), and IS-41, GSM MAPand A-Interfaces. The building blocks areimplemented on industry-standard, open-architecture platforms and the UNIX operat-ing system. The platform frequently takesadvantage of UNIX STREAMS to provide atruly layered software architecture, modulari-ty, and performance.

Using a fast-packet switch software back-plane implemented in UNIX STREAMS, theAccessMANAGER software also provides Inter-Process Communications (IPC) andextended timer facilities essential fortelecommunications applications. The servic-es of AccessMANAGER are available toapplications via dynamic binding and a seriesof Applications Programming Interface (API)library calls. Consistent with its object-orient-ed architecture and rapid, simple application development philosophy, AccessMANAGER supports protocol-related communicationsand IPC on the same application interface.

NewNet Connect7™ — Board Level Based Signaling System No.7 (SS7) SolutionConnect7 is a host-independent SS7 con-troller board embedded with full SS7 func-tionality. All the protocol layers necessary forcommunicating with the SS7 network resideon the controller board. The board plugs intoany host, workstation or switch that supportscommon bus architectures. The embeddedboard design isolates the application devel-

4.

Ne

wN

et

Pro

du

ct

Fa

mily

32

oper from the complexity of the network pro-tocols and allows the application to be devel-oped on the most appropriate platform —whether it's an NT Server, a UNIX Server, aUNIX workstation, or any type of off-the-shelf PC. Connect7 works with them all.

Connect7 offers a redundant, high-availableand high performance solution for networkconnectivity. The implementation of servicesusing Connect7 is cost-effective, deliveringcomplex global SS7 protocol stacks embed-ded on a board.

NewNet SMserver™ — Short Message Service Center (SMSC)SMserver is a robust, flexible, open architecture short messaging platform readyto deploy with value added short messagingservices. SMserver manages the transmis-sion of alphanumeric messages betweenmobile subscribers and external systemssuch as paging, electronic mail and voicemail systems. Built around a client/serverarchitecture, it supports connectivity toexternal systems via dedicated client modules. It accepts, stores and managesalphanumeric messages to be delivered tomobile subscribers.

SMserver manages all network interactionsand provides sophisticated redelivery mech-anisms to ensure reliable delivery of shortmessages. It supports performance monitor-ing and full billing capabilities. The openShort Message Client Interface (SMCI) facil-itates prototyping and deployment of valueadded services.

NewNet OTAserver™ — Over-the-Air Service Provisioning (OTASP) forCDMA and TDMA wireless networksOver-the-Air Service Provisioning (OTASP)holds the key to wireless growth and rev-

Pro

du

ct

Fa

mily

4.

Ne

wN

et

Pro

du

ct

Fa

mily

33

enue generation. Call it a revolution or anevolution, over-the-air service provisioning isthe vehicle to grow rapidly in the new gener-ation wireless service offerings. SS8 pro-vides NewNet OTAserver to help serviceproviders activate wireless subscribers andprovision wireless services over-the-airquickly, cost-effectively and securely.

OTAserver manages the transmission ofservice provisioning data between the mobile station and service provider’s customer service center. OTAserver acceptsand manages service provisioning com-mands. It provides complete encoding anddecoding of service provisioning data to sup-port both CDMA and TDMA air-interfaces. Ithandles all mobile network interactions andprovides a reliable delivery.

NewNet CALEAserver™ — Solution for Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA)SS8 offers the solution that allows carriers to meet CALEA requirements today. OurNewNet CALEAserver product helps take the time, effort and hassle out of becomingCALEA-compliant. CALEAserver provideslawful intercept delivery services that ensure network-proven, telco-quality wiretapaccess support.

CALEAserver is an off-switch lawful intercept platform which is compatible with offeringsfrom a variety of switching vendors, whilealso supporting both wireless and wirelinenetworks. NewNet CALEAserver collectspertinent call information and allows carriersto provide secure access to that information by law enforcement agenciesthat obtain court-ordered wiretap directions.

4.

Ne

wN

et

Pro

du

ct

Fa

mily

34

NewNet Internet Offload Solution™

The explosive growth in dial-up internet traffic is choking carrier switches nation-wide. SS8’s Internet Offload Solution (IOS)is an SS7 based solution that enables dial-up Internet traffic to be diverted fromCompetitive Local Exchange Carrier(CLEC) or Incumbent Local ExchangeCarrier (ILEC) switches. The need for thisproduct is driven by the rapid increase inInternet traffic, as well as long Internet hold times.

These two factors contribute to heavy congestion on switches, particularly switches that directly serve Internet ServiceProviders’ (ISPs) Network Access Servers (NAS).

SS8’s NewNet IOS offering is a switchedsolution that enables a CLEC or ILEC toservice ISPs who choose to maintain ownership or control of their own NetworkAccess Servers (NAS). The solution con-sists of an SS7 Signaling Gateway (including Controller functionality) and aMedia Gateway/Switch.

The Signaling Gateway functionality converts SS7 ISUP messages to Q.931messages, which are transported over IP.The Controller functionality is used to control the switch and ISPs’ NAS devicesvia Q.931 signaling. The Media Gateway/Switch routes individual calls to the correct ISP NAS via an ISDN Primary Rate Interface (PRI). The Media Gatewaycan be controlled over MGCP or switch specific interfaces.

Pro

du

ct

Fa

mily

5.

Glo

ssa

ry o

f Te

rms

Glossary of Terms

Terms DescriptionABS Alternate Billing ServiceACD Automatic Call DistributorACG Automatic Code GappingACK AcknowledgmentACM Address Complete MessageAFR Automatic Flexible RoutingAHT Average Handle TimeAIN Advanced Intelligent NetworkAIOC Automatic Identified Outward CallingAMA Automatic Message AccountingAMATPS AMA Teleprocessing SystemAMP AIN Maintenance ParameterAMPS Advanced Mobile Phone SystemANI Automatic Number IdentificationANM Answer MessageANSI American National Standards InstituteAPI Application Programming InterfaceAPPN Advanced Peer-to-Peer NetworkingARP Address Resolution ProtocolASA Average Speed of AnswerASCII American Standard Code for

Information Interexchange ASE Application Service ElementASN.1 Abstract Syntax Notation 1ATB All Trunks BusyATM Asynchronous Transfer ModeATP Acceptance Test ProcedureAUI Attachment Unit InterfaceAW Admin WorkstationB-ISDN Broadband Integrated Services

Digital Network (ISDN)BAF Bellcore AMA FormatBBG Basic Business GroupBCC Bellcore Client CompanyBCD Binary Coded DecimalBCI Backward Call IndicatorsBCLID Bulk Calling Line Identification

35

5.

Glo

ssa

ry o

f Te

rms

36

Terms Description

BCM Basic Call ModelBER Basic Encoding RulesBG Business GroupBGID Business Group IdentificationBGP Border Gateway ProtocolBRI Basic Rate Interface (ISDN)BSN Backward Sequence NumberCAC Carrier Access CodeCAP Competitive Access ProviderCC Call ControlCCA Call Control AdjunctCCC Clear Channel CapabilityCCITT Consultative Committee on

International Telephone & TelegraphCCS Common Channel SignalingCDAR Customer Dialed Account RecordingCDMA Code Division Multiple AccessCDP Customized Dialing PlanCDPD Cellular Digit al Packet DataCDSL Customer Digital Subscriber LineCED Call Entered DigitsCGB Circuit Group Blocking MessageCGU Circuit Group Unblocking MessageCIC Carrier Identification CodeCIDS Calling Identity Delivery & SuppressionCL ConnectionlessCLID Calling Line IDCLLI Common Language Location

IdentificationCMC Cellular Mobile CarrierCMS (AT&T's) Call Management SystemCNAB Call Name Delivery BlockingCO Central Office or Connection OrientedCOT Continuity Test MessageCPC Call Processing ControlCPE Customer Premises EquipmentCPG Call Progress MessageCR Conditional Requirement

Pro

du

ct

Fa

mily

5.

Glo

ssa

ry o

f Te

rms

Terms Description

CRA Circuit Reservation Acknowledgment Message

CRC Cyclic Redundancy CheckCRM Circuit Reservation MessageCRP Customer Routing PointCS-1 Capability Set 1CSC Circuit Supervision ControlCSU Channel Service UnitCT Call TypeCVR Circuit Validation Response

MessageCVT Circuit Validation Test MessageDACS Digital Access Cross-Connect

SystemDCE Data Circuit (terminating) EquipmentDLC Digital Loop CarrierDMP Device Management ProtocolDMS Digital Multiplex SwitchDMT Discrete Multitone TechnologyDN Directory Number (SS7)DN Dialed NumberDNIS Dialed Number Identification ServiceDP Dial PulseDPC Destination Point CodeDSL Digital Subscriber LineDSU Data Service UnitDSVD Digital Simultaneous Voice and DataDTE Data Terminal EquipmentDTMF Dial Tone MultifrequencyDUP Data User PartDXI Data Exchange InterfaceEA Equal AccessEADAS Engineering & Administration Data

Acquisition SystemEADASNM EADAS Network AdministrationEAEO Equal Access End OfficEAMF Equal Access MultifrequencyEBCDIC Extended Binary Coded

Decimal Interchange Code37

5.

Glo

ssa

ry o

f Te

rms

38

Terms Description

EDI Electronic Data InterchangeEDP Event Detection PointEGP Exterior Gateway Protocol (IETF)EIA Electronics Industry AssociationEIR Equipment Identification RegisterEKTS Electronic Key Telephone ServiceEMS Event Management ServiceEO End OfficeESME External Short Message EntityESN Electronic Serial NumberETSI European Telecommunications

Standards InstituteEXM Exit MessageFCS Frame Check SequenceFISU Fill-in Signal UnitFR Frame RelayFRAD Frame Relay Access DeviceFRL Facility Restriction LevelFSD Feature Specific DocumentFSK Frequency Key ShiftingFSN Forward Sequence NumberFSS Facility Selective ServiceFTE Full Time EquivalentFTP Fast Transfer Protocol (IETF)FUNI Frame User Network InterfaceFX Foreign ExchangeGN Generic NameGRS Group Reset MessageGSC Gateway Switching CenterGSM Global System for Mobile

Communication GTT Global Title TranslationsGTV Global Title ValueGUI Graphical User InterfaceHDLC High Level Data Link ControlHFC Hybrid Fiber Coaxial CableHLR Home Location RegisterIAM Initial Address MessageIC Interexchange Carrier

Pro

du

ct

Fa

mily

5.

Glo

ssa

ry o

f Te

rms

Terms Description

ICP Intelligent Call ProcessingICR Intelligent Call RouterIDLC Integrated Digital Loop CarrierIDT Integrated Digital TerminalIEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics

EngineersIETF Internet Engineering Task ForceIGP Interior Gateway ProtocolINR Information Request MessageIP Intelligent Peripheral or Internet

Protocol (IETF)IPC Interprocess CommunicationIPI Intelligent Peripheral InterfaceISDN Integrated Services Digital NetworkISDNUP ISDN User PartISO International Organization for

StandardizationISP Intermediate Service PartISPC International Signaling Point CodeISUP ISDN User Part (circuit related)ITU International Telecommunication

UnionITU-T Telecommunication Standardization

Sector (of ITU)ITU-TS Telecommunication

Standardization Sector (of ITU)IWX Interworking FunctionIXC Interexchange CarrierLAA Longest Available AgentLAN Local Area NetworkLATA Local Access & Transport AreaLCN Logical Channel Number (x.25)LEC Local Exchange CarrierLI Length IndicatorLNP Local Number portabilityLOCREQ Location RequestLSSGR LATA Switching &

Signaling Generic RequirementsLSSU Link Status Signaling Unit 39

5.

Glo

ssa

ry o

f Te

rms

40

Terms Description

MAP Mobility Application PartMBG Multi-switch Business GroupMCC Mobile Country CodeMGW Mini-Gateway PrototypeMIB Management Information BaseMIN Mobile Identification NumberMLHG Multi-Line Hunt GroupMMI Man-Machine InterfaceMSC Mobile Switching CenterMSISDN Mobile Station ISDN NumberMSO Mobile Switching OfficeMSU Message Signaling UnitMTP Message Transfer PartMTSO Mobile Telephone

Switching Office (Cellular)MUX MultiplexorNA-TDMA North American Time

Division Multiple AccessNAA Next Available AgentNACN North American Cellular NetworkNANP North American Numbering PlanNCA Non-Call AssociatedNCP Network Control PointNDC National Destination CodeNETID Network IdentifierNIC Network Interface ControllerNMS Network Management SystemNNI Network-to-Network Interface or

Network Node InterfaceNPA Numbering Plan AreaNSP Network Services PartNT New Technology (Windows)OAM&P Operations, Administration,

Maintenance and ProvisioningODBC Open Database ConnectivityOE Office EquipmentOMAP Operations & Maintenance

Application PartOPC Origination Point Code

Pro

du

ct

Fa

mily

5.

Glo

ssa

ry o

f Te

rms

Terms Description

OPI Open Peripheral InterfaceOS Operations SystemOSI Open Systems InterconnectionOTA Over The AirOTGR Operations Technology

Generic RequirementPAM Pulse Amplitude ModulationPANS Pretty Amazing New Services (B-ISDN)PBX Private Branch ExchangePCS Personal Communications ServicesPG Peripheral GatewayPIC Point In CallPIM Peripheral Interface ManagerPPP Point-to-Point ProtocolPRI Primary Rate InterfacePROFREQ Profile RequestPSN Alternative to PSTN (Public

Switched Telephone Network)PSTN Public Switched Telephone NetworkRADIUS Remote Authentication

Dial-In User ServiceRARP Reverse Address Resolution ProtocolREGNOT Registration NotificationRISC Reduced Instruction Set ComputingROUTREQ Routing RequestSANC Signaling Area Network CodeSAP Service Access PointSCCP Signaling Connection Control PartSCP Service Control Point (SS7)SCP Service Control PointSDLC Synchronous Data Link ControlSDSL Symmetric Digital Subscriber LineSEP Signaling EndpointSF Status FieldSI Service IndicatorSIB Signaling Information FieldSIO Signaling Information OctetSLC Signaling Link CodeSLIP Serial Line Internet Protocol

41

5.

Glo

ssa

ry o

f Te

rms

42

Terms Description

SLP Service Logic ProgramSLS Signaling Link SelectionSMDS Switched Multimegabit

Digital ServiceSMPP Short Message Peer to Peer SMS Service Management SystemSMTP Simple Mail Transfer ProtocolSNMP Simple Network

Management Protocol (IETF)SS7 Signaling System No.7TCP Transmission Control ProtocolTCP/IP Transmission Control

Protocol/Internet ProtocolTDMA Time Division Multiple Access TUP Telephone Users PartUDP User Datagram ProtocolUDT UnitdataUDTS Unitdata ServiceVAD Voice Activated DialingVANC Voice Activated Network

ControlVLR Visitor Location RegisterVPN Virtual Private NetworkVRU Voice Response UnitWAN Wide Area NetworkWATS Wide Area Telephone ServiceXUDT Extended UnitdataXUDTS Extended Unitdata Service