Overview
SIGTRAN protocols are an extension of the SS7 protocol family, but carried over IP. A Signaling Gateway (SG)
translates the SS7 TDM layers to SIGTRAN IP format. It supports the same application and call management functions
as SS7 but uses two protocol layers on top of Internet Protocol (IP): Stream Control Transport Protocol (SCTP) and
M3UA (MTP3 User Adaptation Layer.
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M3UA enables SS7 protocol's User Parts (e.g. ISUP, SCCP and TUP) to run over IP instead of TDM lines.
ISUP, or ISDN User Part, is used to set up and release calls through the PSTN. In an IP network, ISUP is carried
as payload by SCTP, as are SCCP and TUP. When a call is terminated in the IP Network, a soft switch translates
SIGTRAN into SIP or MGCP signaling. If the call is terminated in the PSTN, an SG reconverts SIGTRAN to SS7 TDM.
Message Automation & Protocol Simulation (MAPS™) - SIGTRAN
Message Automation & Protocol Simulation (MAPS™) is a powerful protocol test simulation platform supporting
a wide range protocols such as SIGTRAN (SS7 over IP), SS7 over TDM (T1 E1), ISDN over TDM (T1 E1), GSM-A & GSM-Abis
over TDM, Megaco, SIP, and MGCP over IP.
GL's MAPS™-SIGTRAN is an advanced protocol simulator/tester for SS7 simulation over IP Networks.
It can simulate a Signaling Gateway and Softswitch ISUP signaling specification as defined by ITU-T standards. The
tester supports testing network elements, error tracking, regression testing, conformance testing, load testing/call
generation and generation of high volumes of ISUP traffic. MAPS™-SIGTRAN functionality covers the ITU and ANSI
variant of SS7 implementing M3UA, and ISUP protocols. It is able to run pre-defined test scenarios against ISUP test
objects in a controlled & deterministic manner.
MAPS™-SIGTRAN Conformance Scripts are suitable for compliance tests and functional tests, where test objects
can be accurately and reliably validated for compliance with ITU-T standard Q.761-764 and Q.784. It is suitable for
manufacturers, network operators and service providers to address all stages of the development cycle, regression
testing through to type approval, and acceptance testing.
MAPS™-SIGTRAN supports powerful utilities like Message Editor and Script Editor which allow new scenarios
to be created or existing scenarios to be modified using ISUP messages and parameters.
Also available is an independent GUI based SIGTRAN (SS7 over IP) Protocol Analyzer for online capture and decode
of the signaling in real-time both during tests and as a stand-alone tracer for live systems.
Protocol Standards
| Supported Protocols |
Standard / Specification Used |
| ISUP ITU |
ITU - Q.761, Q.762, Q.763 and Q.764 |
| ISUP Conformance testing |
ITU - Q.784.1 |
| ISUP ANSI |
ANSI - T1.113.1 to T1.113.4 |
| M3UA ITU |
RFC 3332 |
| M3UA ANSI |
RFC 3332 |
SIGTRAN Testing Features
- SS7 simulation over IP
- User-friendly GUI for configuring the SS7 M3UA Layers
- User Configurable Signaling Links
- Supports M3UA and SCTP protocol machine
- Multiple M3UA links
- Access to all ISUP Message Parameters Initial Address, Subsequent Address, Release messages, and more
- User controlled access to optional ISUP parameters such as timers
- Subsequent Address Message (SAM) configurations available
- Fully Supported Continuity Testing (COT) that includes both COT messages
- Ready scripts for conformance testing
- Logging of all SS7 Messages in real time. Each SS7 message displays CIC values defined within the message
Test Configuration Window
This window allows users to setup the required test environment. The configuration window consists of SCTP and MTP Configuration parameters to
establish communication between MAPS-SIGTRAN and the DUT.
Screen Shot of SIGTRAN Testbed Setup Configuration
Call Generation & Bulk Call Settings
Call Generation option allows the user to simulate outgoing communications where an outgoing call is initiated by sending call control messages using
proper scripts and profiles. The profile allows necessary parameters of call control messages to be changed during runtime.
Messages are exchanged between the MAPS (Caller) and the DUT. MAPS™ application acts as either the Caller or resides at the network terminal
acting as callee.
When MAPS™-SIGTRAN is considered as Caller, it initiates the call flow by sending InitialAddress to the DUT.
Simulate Signaling Gateway
MAPS™ includes inbuilt scripts (*.gls) that allows itself to act as Signaling Gateway and to simulate Softswitch in the network.
The loaded script tests to ensure that the DUT on receipt of an IAM message, sends a ACM and ANS message in response.
Screenshot of Call Generation Window
Load Generation Settings
MAPS™ supports Bulk Call Simulation and Stress/Load Testing capabilities through Load Generation feature. Load Generation window helps users configure Stress/Load Testing parameters such as Call per second (CPS) or Busy hour call attempts (BHCA), Max Simultaneous Calls and Burst parameters.
Screenshot of Load Generation Parameters
Call Reception
When MAPS™-SIGTRAN is configured as receiving terminal, it processes the call flow by replying-back to the
InitialAddress message from the Caller.
Simulate Soft Switch
Screenshot of Call Reception Window
Customization of Call Flow and Messages Using Pre-Processing Tools
- Script Editor - The script editor allows the user to create / edit scripts and to define variables for the protocol fields. The script uses pre-defined
message templates to build call flow and perform send and receive actions. Script editor provides options to run the test for multiple iterations in sequential
or random flow. Commands allow retransmission of messages with specific interval
Screenshot of Script Editor
- Profile Editor - Profiles are used to provide the user configured values to the fields in the Messages (i.e Message Template in MAPS™)
through variables which are going to change during the course of a call.
Screenshot of Profile Editor
- Message Editor - The Message Template is a *.HDL file that comprises of protocol encoding parameters with preset values. It is required to
create a message template for every message in a protocol. The message templates are called within the scripts to perform scenario based testing.
Screenshot of Message Editor
Call Statistics, Events, Link Status
Call Statistics & Status - By default, all call handling scripts (irrespective of the type of the functions) are assessed by MAPS™ to provide
statistical information about total calls, active calls, completed calls, passed calls, and failed calls. It is also possible to characterize the statistical information
under different groups of call handling scripts under a unique heading.
In addition, Call Generation and Call Reception windows provide useful call status & script execution results
Screenshot of Call Statistics and Status
Events Reporting – MAPS™ provides Event Log, Error Events, and Captured Errors windows that log the captured events and errors
encountered during the progress of the call.
Screenshot of Event Log
Link Status - Link Status window indicates transport related information of the protocol, for example, if SCTP is used as transport, it indicates
if the Association is up or Down in the Link Status window.
Call Flow & Script Execution Control
Message Sequence - MAPS™ provides protocol trace with full message decoding, custom trace, and graphical ladder diagrams of call flow
with time stamp while simulation is running. Call flow graph allows to easily verifying the messages exchanged between MAPS™ and DUT.
See Call Generation and Call Reception for details
Script Contents & Script Flow - The Scripts Contents window displays the contents of the script selected for call generation or reception. The
Script Flow window displays the set of statements successfully executed by MAPS™ to help users in troubleshooting a particular the call scenario.
Events & Event Profile Editor - User-defined events allow redirection of script execution on-the-go. The custom parameters in the events can
also be changed during script execution using Event Profiles
Screenshot of Script Contents and Script Flow
Screenshot of Event Config
SIGTRAN Call Flow Scenario
The basic call flow depicts two telecom switches exchanging the ISUP messages. Detailed call flows are provided in ITU-T Recommendation Q.784.1.
SIGTRAN Typical Call Flow
Buyer's Guide:
(XX can either be HDT, HDE, HUT, HUE, UTA or UEA depending upon the T1/E1 hardware)
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
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