Telcordia® SS7 over IP Testing and Analysis

SS7 over Internet Protocol (IP) is gaining more and more support in the telecommunications industry. The protocols and architectures most likely to be used for SS7 over IP are based upon the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Signaling Transport (SIGTRAN) models and specifications. SS7 over IP is expected to be used both within Voice over Packet (VoP) networks as well as within traditional Common Channel Signaling (CCS) networks as an alternative to conventional signaling links.

VoP Networks

Within VoP networks, the M3UA/SCTP/IP stack is used, for example, to transport SS7 ISUP or TCAP/SCCP messages between a Signaling Gateway (SG) and a Media Gateway Controller (MGC), as shown below.

Traditional/Evolving CCS Networks

Within traditional CCS networks, the M2PA/SCTP/IP stack is expected to be used to create IP-based Virtual High-Speed Links (IPVHSLs) between STPs and SCPs or between STPs, as shown below. Telcordia GR-3021-CORE provides generic requirements for IPVHSLs based upon this protocol model.

The M3UA/SCTP/IP stack is also being considered by some service providers as an alternative to traditional SS7 links between STPs and SCPs.