Signaling System #7
(SS7)
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Introduction
There are two essential components to all
telephone calls. The first, and most obvious, is
the actual content—our voices, faxes, data, etc.
The second is the information that instructs
telephone exchanges to establish connections
and route the “content” to an appropriate
destination.
Signaling is concerned with the creation of
standards for the latter to achieve the former.
These standards are known as protocols.
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SS7 or Signaling System Number 7 is a
set of protocols that describe a means
of communication between telephone
switches in public telephone networks.
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What is Signaling?
Signaling refers to the exchange of
information between call components
required to provide and maintain service.
Examples of signaling between a telephone
user and the telephone network include:
dialing digits, providing dial tone, accessing
a voice mailbox, sending a call-waiting tone
etc.,
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PSTN Signaling
In order to route telephone traffic through
the Public Switched Telephone Network
(PSTN), it is necessary to communicate with
the switches that make up the PSTN.
Signaling is a means for transferring
network-related information between
switching nodes, and also between the end
office switches and their subscribers.
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Signaling is used to do the following:
Request service from the central office switch
(via going off-hook).
Provide central office switch with the information
necessary to route a telephone call (via DTMF
addressing digits in a specific format).
Alert destination address of incoming call
(ringing).
Provide status information and call supervision
for billing.
Manage network lines/trunks (set up and
teardown calls).
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Types of Signaling
Signaling in Telecommunications Network
Channel Associated Signaling (CAS) or
Common Channel Signaling (CCS)
Signaling System Number (SS7) is a form of
Common Channel Signaling.
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Channel Associated Signaling
(CAS)
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.
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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.
Enable a wide range of services:
Caller ID, toll-free
Voice calling.
Trunks
Switch Switch
A B
Signaling Link 9
Out-of-band signaling establishes a separate
digital channel for the exchange of signaling
information. This channel is called a signaling
link.
Signaling links are used to carry all the
necessary signaling messages between nodes.
Thus, when a call is placed, the dialed digits,
trunk selected, and other pertinent information
are sent between switches using their
signaling links, rather than the trunks which
will ultimately carry the conversation.
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CAS vs. CCS
Signaling and Speech
Switch 1 Switch 2
Channel Associated Signaling
Signaling
STP STP
Speech
Switch 1 Switch 2
Common Channel Signaling
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Advantage of CCS over CAS
Faster call setup
It allows for signaling at any time in the entire
duration of the call, not only at the beginning.
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
allows for signaling between any switches (not just
directly-connected )
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SS7
• Signaling System 7 (SS7) is an architecture for
performing out-of-band signaling in support of the
call-establishment, billing, routing, and
information-exchange functions of the public
switched telephone network (PSTN).
• They have been created and controlled by various
bodies around the world, but the principal
organization with responsibility for their
administration is the International
Telecommunications Union or ITU-T.
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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.
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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
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Components of SS7
SSP STP SCP
SSP – Signaling Switching Points
STP - Signaling Transfer Points
SCP – Signaling Control Points 16
Components of SS7
SSP’s:
Telephone switches equipped with SS7 software
Capable of originating, terminating or switch calls
STP’s:
Packet switches of SS7 network
Route incoming signaling messages to proper
destination
SCP’s:
Databases providing information necessary for
advanced call-processing
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Typical SS7 Network
SCP’s
SSP’s STP’s 18
SS7
signaling transfer point (STP):
• packet-switches of SS7 network
• send/receive/route signaling messages
signaling control point (SCP):
•“services” go here
• e.g., database functions
signaling switching
point (SSP):
• attach directly to end
user
• endpoints of SS7
network
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SS7 Network Architecture
STP
STP
STP
STP
STP
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SS7 Link Types
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SS7 Link Types
A link (access) Connects signaling end point (SCP or SSP)
to STP
B link (bridge) 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 Connects a secondary (local or regional) STP
(diagonal) 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 Connects an SSP to an alternate STP
(extended)
F link Connects two signaling end points (SSPs 22
(fully and SCPs) in the same local network
SS7 Protocol Suite
OSI Layers
Applicatio OMAP MAP
n
Presentatio
n TCAP ISUP
Session
Transport SCCP
Network MTP Level 3
Data Link MTP Level 2
Physical MTP Level 1
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The Message Transfer Part
The function of MTP is to ensure the
signaling traffic can be transferred and
delivered reliably between the end-
users and the network.
MTP is provided at three levels
Signaling data link functions (MTP
Level 1) provide an interface to the
actual physical channel over which
communication takes place.
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MTP Level 1 contd..,
Physical channels may include
copper wire, twisted pair, fiber,
mobile radio or satellite links.
CCITT recommends 64 kbps
transmissions, while ANSI
recommends 56 kbps.
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MTP Level 2
Signaling link functions (MTP Level 2)
correspond to the second layer in the OSI
reference model.
Provides a reliable link for the transfer of
traffic between two directly connected
signaling points.
Variable Length packet messages (called
message signal units MSUs) are defined in
MTP Level 2.
Implements flow control, error detection and
correction.
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MTP Level 3
Signaling network functions (MTP Level 3)
provide procedures that transfer messages
between signaling nodes.
Level 3 have two major functions as Signaling
Message Handling and Signaling Network
Management.
Signaling message handling is used to provide
routing, distribution and traffic discrimination.
Traffic discrimination is the process by which a
signaling point determines whether or not a
packet data messages in intended for its use or
not.
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MTP Level 3 contd..,
Signaling network management allows
Determine the outgoing link
Rerouting in case of link failure
Allocate alternate routing facilities in case of congestion or
blockage in parts of the network.
Provides a number of services to the protocol layer
above it
o The transfer of messages indicating availability of resources
o MTP-Transfer request, MTP-Transfer indication, MTP-Pause
indication, MTP-Resume indication, and MTP-Status indication
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SCCP (Signaling
Connection Control Part)
SCCP provides connectionless and
connection-oriented network services
It also provides enhanced addressing
mechanism known as GTT-global title
translation.
A global title is an address (e.g., a dialed 800
number, calling card number) which is
translated by SCCP into a destination point
code.
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Telephone User Part (TUP)
Telephony User Part (TUP) provides
conventional PSTN telephony services across
the SS7 network.
TUP was the first layer 4 protocol defined by
the standards bodies and as such did not
provision for ISDN services.
Prior to the introduction of ISUP, national
variants of TUP have evolved which provide
varying degrees of support for ISDN.
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ISUP (Integrated Services User
Part)
The ISDN User Part (ISUP) provides the services required by
the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN).
ISDN supports basic telephony in a manner similar to TUP, but
with a greater variety of messages and parameters in order to
implement ISDN type services within the network.
Many telephony networks worldwide are migrating to ISUP.
ISUP messages
IAM, initiate a call
ANM, a call has been accepted
REL, a call disconnect
A connection-oriented protocol
Related to the establishment of connections between users
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ISUP (Integrated Services User
Part) Contd…..
Telephone User Part (TUP):
Basic call setup and tear down.
In many countries, ISUP has
replaced TUP for call management.
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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)
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TCAP (Transaction
capabilities applications part)
TCAP in SS7 refers to the application layer
which invokes the services of SCCP and the
MTP in a hierarchical format
One application at a node is thus able to
execute an application at another node and
use these results.
For connectionless signaling
Thus, TCAP is concerned with management
of transactions and procedures between
remote applications.
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OMAP (Operation Maintenance
and Administration Part)
The OMAP functions include
monitoring, coordination and
control functions to ensure that
trouble free communications are
possible
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Example: signaling a POTS
call
4. STP X forwards IAM
3. STP W forwards IAM SSP B
to STP X
2. SSP A formulates
Initial Address
Message (IAM),
forwards to STP W
W
Y
1. caller goes
offhook, dials
callee. SSP A
decides to route X
call via SSP B.
Assigns idle trunk
A-B
A B
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Example: signaling a POTS
call
5. B determines it serves callee, creates address
completion message (ACM[A,B,trunk]), rings
callee phone, sends ringing sound on trunk
to A
6. ACM routed to Z to Y to A
W Z
7. SSP A receives ACM,
connects subscriber
line to allocated A-B
trunk (caller hears
ringing) Y X
A B
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Example: signaling a POTS
call
8. Callee goes off hook, B
creates, sends answer
message to A
(ANM[A,B,trunk])
9. ANM routed to A
W Z
10. SSP A receives ANM,
checks caller is
connected in both
directions to trunk. Y X
Call is connected!
A B
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Example: signaling a 800
ca11
800 number: logical phone number
• Translation to physical phone number needed, e.g., 1-800-CALL_ATT translates to 162-962-1943
3. M performs lookup,
sends reply to A
M
2. STP W forwards W
request to M
1. Caller dials 800 Y
number, A recognizes
800 number,
formulates translation A
A B
query, send to STP W
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Example: signaling a 800
ca11
M
W Z
1. A begins signaling to
set up call to number X
associated with 800
number
A
A B
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Applications
Prepaid Calling
Local Number Portability (LNP)
Global Roaming
International Callback
Internet Call Waiting/ Caller ID
Least Cost Routing
800 / Free Phone Services
Tele-voting
Location-based Services
Caller Ring Back Tone (CRBT)
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Limitations of SS7
SS7 was not designed for Data Applications
Voice was the only consideration
Limited or no Intelligence
Doesn’t provide any information about
Session Capabilities
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Today's Demands
Presence Management
Media Negotiation
Convergence
Enhanced Telecom Service
Digital whiteboard Conferencing
Intelligent Call Routing
Enhanced Telecom Services
Find – Me
Follow – Me
Do – Not – Disturb
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Features of VoIP
Packet Switched (Better utilization of Bandwidth)
Voice can be compressed up to 4 to 8 kbps
compared to 64kbps of Uncompressed speech
Silence periods can be removed
Call setup (signaling) is out-of-Band
Billing can be made independent of Distance
Advanced telephony features are possible with VOIP
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Some Applications of VoIP
Click to talk web sites for e-commerce
Digital whiteboard conferencing
Broadcast audio and video
Unified Messaging
Fax over IP
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Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
IETF Standard Signaling Protocol
Establishes multimedia Sessions
Features of SIP
User Location
User Availability
Call Setup
User Capabilities
Session Management
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Sip Components
User Agents (phones, gateways)
UserAgentClient
UserAgentServer
Servers
Proxy Server
Registrar Server
Redirect Server
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SIP Requests
INVITE
MESSAGE
ACK
BYE
CANCEL
REGISTER
OPTIONS
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SIP Responses
Provisional Responses (Indicate Progress)
1XX(ringing, queuing): 100 Trying
180 Ringing
Final Responses (Terminate SIP Transactions)
2XX(success): 200 OK
3XX(redirection): 301 Moved permanently
4XX(client failure): 401 Unauthorized
5XX(server failure): 500 Server Error
6XX(global failure): 600 Busy
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