Types of Signaling

Signaling in Telecommunications Network Channel Associated Signaling (CAS) Common Channel Signaling (CCS) Signaling System Number (SS7) is a form of Common Channel Signaling.

Channel Associated Signaling (CAS)

Used for In-Band Signaling Signaling is transmitted in the same frequency band as used by voice. Voice path is established when the call setup is complete, using the same path that the call setup signals used.

Common Channel Signaling

Out of Band signaling Employs separate, dedicated path for signaling. Voice trunks are used only when a connection is established, not before. Faster Call Setup.
Voice Trunks Switch A Signaling Link Switch B

Advantage of CCS over CAS

Faster call setup No interference between signaling tones by network and frequency of human speech pattern. Greater Trunking Efficiency:- CCS has shorter call set up and tear down times that result in less call holding time, thereby reducing the traffic on the network. Information Transfer:- CCS allows the transfer of additional information along with the signaling traffic providing facilities such as caller identification and voice or data identification

SS7 History
CCITT developed a digital signaling standard called Signaling System 6 SS6 was based on Packet-Switched, proprietary data network. Uses 2.4 Kbps data links to send packets of data to distant switches to request service. SS7 began deployment in 1983, was initially used for inter office network, but now it is deployed in local central offices. Provide a global standard for call setup, routing, control and database access.

SS7 Principle
Out of band Signaling Higher Signaling data rates (56Kbps & 64 Kbps) Signaling traffic is bursty and of short duration, hence operates in connectionless mode using packet switching Variable length signal units with maximum size limitation Optimum use of bandwidth Reliability and flexibility

SS7 Protocol Stack

OSI

SS7

Protocols
Message Transfer Part (MTP Level 1) Physical
Provides an interface to the actual physical channel over which communication takes place CCITT recommends 64Kbps transmission whereas ANSI recommends 56 Kbps

Protocols
MTP Level 2 (Data Link)
Ensures accurate end-to-end transmission of a message across a signaling link Variable Length Packet Messages are defined here Implements flow control, message sequence validation, error checking and message retransmission Monitor links and reports their status Test links before allowing their use Provides sequence numbers for outgoing messages

Protocols
MTP Level 3 (Network)
Message routing between signaling points in the SS7 network Signaling network management that provides traffic, links and routing management, as well as congestion (flow) control Re-routes traffic away from failed links and signaling points, controls traffic when congestion occurs

Protocols
Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP) Provides connectionless and connection-oriented network services Provides global title translation (GTT) capabilities above MTP level 3; translates numbers to DPCs and subsystem numbers Provides more detailed addressing information than MTPs Used as transport layer for TCAP (Transaction capabilities applications part) based services

Protocols
Transaction (TCAP) Capabilities Applications Part
Exchange of non-circuit related data Between applications across the SS#7 network Using the SCCP service Queries and responses sent between Signaling Switching Point (SSPs) and Signaling Control Point (SCPs) Sends and receives database information Credit card validation Routing information

Protocols
Telephone User Part (TUP) Basic call setup and tear down In many countries, ISUP has replaced TUP for call management

ISDN User Part (ISUP) Necessary messaging for setup and tear down of all circuits (voice and digital) Messages are sent from a switch, to the switch where the next circuit connection is required Call circuits are identified using circuit identification code (CIC)

SS7 Networks

STP

STP

STP

STP

STP

SS7 Components

Service switching point (SSP)

SSPs are switches that have SS7 software and terminating signaling links SSPs create packets (signal units) and send those messages to other SSPs, as well as queries to remote shared databases to find out how to route calls SSPs communicate with the voice switch via the use of primitives and have the ability to send messages using ISUP (call setup and teardown) and TCAP (database lookup) protocols. The switch can originate, terminate, or switch calls

Signaling transfer point (STP)

STPs are packet switches, and act like routers in the SS7 network. Routes each incoming message to an outgoing signaling link, based on routing information contained in the SS#7 message and a pre-defined route table Does not offer termination services STPs are paired to ensure redundancy There are three levels of STPs. National Signal Transfer Point International Signal Transfer Point Gateway Signal Transfer Point

STP Levels
SSP ITU-TS INTERNATIONAL STP SSP

GATEWAY

STP

NATIONAL SSP

STP ANSI SSP

National STP exists within the national network Protocol converters often interconnect a National and an International STP by converting from ANSI to ITU-TS. International STP functions within an international network. All nodes connecting to an International STP must use the ITU-TS protocol standard. Gateway STP converts signaling data from one protocol to another. Gateway STPs are often used as an access point to the international network. Depending on its location, the Gateway STP must be able to use both the International and National protocol standards.

Service control point (SCP)

An SCP is usually a computer used as a front end to a database system. It is an interface to application-specific databases. The address of an SCP is a point code, and the address of the database it interfaces with is a subsystem number. The database is an application entity which is accessed via the TCAP protocol. Databases that provides information necessary for advanced call processing capabilities Accepts a query for information from a subsystem at another node Used by STP to perform a function called global title translation

Databases Accessible via SCP

HLR LNP Home Location Register Used in cellular networks to store subscriber information.

Local Number Portability

Allows people to change service providers but keep their same telephone number
Associated with remote maintenance center for monitoring and managing SS7 and voice networks. Used when a cell phone is not recognized by the mobile switching center (MSC).

OSS

Operation Support System

VLR

Visitor Location Register

SS7 Link Types

STP

STP

STP

STP

STP

STP

STP

STP

SS7 Link Types

A link (access) B link (bridge) Connects signaling end point (SCP or SSP) to STP Connects an STP to another STP; typically, a quad of B links interconnect peer (or primary) STPs (STPs from a network connect to STPs of another network)

C link (cross)

Connects STPs performing identical functions, forming a mated pair (for greater reliability)

D link (diagonal) Connects a secondary (local or regional) STP pair to a primary (inter-network gateway) STP pair in a quad-link configuration; the distinction between B and D links is arbitrary E link (extended) Connects an SSP to an alternate STP

F link Connects two signaling end points (SSPs and SCPs) (fully associated) in the same local network

Addressing in SS7 Network

Point Codes are carried in signaling messages and exchanged between signaling points to identify the source and destination of each message (24 bit address).
1 1 1

NETWORK IDENTITY

CLUSTER IDENTITY

MEMBER IDENTITY

What goes over Signaling Link

Signaling information is passed over the signaling link in form of messages, which are called signaling units (SUs) 3 Types of SUs are: Message signal units(MSUs) Link status signal units(LSSUs) Fill-in signal units(FISUs)

Signaling Units
Message signal unit (MSU)

Carries signaling associated with call setup & teardown, database query and response and SS7 network input
1 1 1 1 1 8-272 1

FLAG BSN/ BIB

FSN/ FIB

Length Service Signaling Check Indicator Info. octet Info. field sum

Service Information Octet

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Bit 1 - 4 Type of Information in Signaling Information Field Bit 5 - 6 Whether Message is intended for National or International Network Bit 7 - 8 To identify Message Priority

Signaling Information Field

8 272 Octets The first portion of this field is routing label Routing Label Identifies Message Originator, Intended destination & Signaling Link Selected. Routing Label is of 7 Octets
Destination Point Code 3 Octets Originating Point Code 3 Octets Signaling Link Selection 1 Octet

Signaling Units
Link status signaling units (LSSU)

Inform the far end about the changes in status of link Message length can be 1 or 2 bytes

1 or 2

FLAG

BSN/ BIB

FSN/ FIB

Length Status Indicator Field

Check Sum

Signaling Units
Fill-In Signal Units (FISU) Fill the gaps between MSU and LSSU messages Sent only when the buffer is empty, to keep the signaling link active Facilitate in constant monitoring of link quality.
1 1 1 1 1

FLAG

BSN/ BIB

FSN/ FIB

Length Indicator

Check Sum

Basic Call Setup Example

15

6,10

1 13 9

ISUP Messages
Initial address message (IAM): contains all necessary information for a switch to establish a connection Address complete message (ACM): acknowledge to IAM; the required circuit is reserved and the phone is ringing (ring back tone) Answer message (ANM): occurs when the called party picks up the phone Release (REL): sent by the switch sensing that the phone hung up Release complete (RLC): each exchange that receives REL, sends an RLC message back (this acknowledges receipt of REL)

Applications
Prepaid Calling Local Number Portability (LNP) Global Roaming International Callback Virtual Office Internet Call Waiting/ Caller ID Least Cost Routing Toll Bypass Unified Messaging 800 / Free Phone Services Short Message Service (SMS)

Tele-voting
Location-based Services Caller Ring Back Tone (CRBT)