Message Automation & Protocol Simulation (MAPS™)
Overview
GL's Message Automation & Protocol Simulation (MAPS™) is a protocol simulation and conformance test tool that supports a variety of protocols such as SIP, MEGACO, MGCP, SS7, ISDN, GSM, MAP, CAS, LTE, UMTS, SS7 SIGTRAN, ISDN SIGTRAN, SIP I, GSM AoIP, Diameter and others. This message automation tool covers solutions for both protocol simulation and protocol analysis. The application includes various test plans and test cases to support the testing of real-time entities. Along with automation capability, the application gives users the unlimited ability to edit messages and control scenarios (message sequences). "Message sequences" are generated through scripts.
The product also supports RTP traffic simulation (PKS102) for UMTS IuCS & IuH, SIP, SIP I, MGCP, MEGACO, GSM AoIP; TDM traffic simulation (xx610, xx620, xxFT0) for ISDN, SS7, GSM A, and CAS; TRAU traffic simulation (xx646) over GSM Abis interface; and Mobile Traffic simulation (ETH101, ETH102) for LTE S1, LTE eGTP, UMTS Gn Gp, and UMTS IuPS protocols.
GL's MAPS™ is designed to work on TDM interfaces as well as on the Ethernet interfaces. TDM signaling protocols such as SS7, ISDN, MLPPP, CAS,
MAP CAP and GSM operate over TDM networks, where as VoIP protocols SIP, SIP-I, MEGACO, MGCP operate over IP networks.
MAPS™ also supports 3G & 4G mobile protocol standards for testing the rapidly evolving mobile technologies. MAPS™ can simulate radio signaling protocols such as LTE (S1, eGTP, X2) interfaces and UMTS (IuCS, IuPS, IuH), GSM AoIP, SS7 SIGTRAN, Diameter, and ISDN SIGTRAN over IP as transport layer. |
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With MAPS™ Client-Server application, MAPS™ supports a Command Line Interface (CLI) such as the Python, and TCL (Tool Command Language) scripting tools, to provide the capability of remote operation, automation, and multi-site connectivity. This application requires additional license, and is available for all the supporting protocols listed below used for real-time scenarios simulation. MAPS™ is also compatible with QualiSystems' TestShell software framework that offers integrated and complete Lab Management, Device Provisioning and Test Automation solutions for engineers.
MAPS™ Architecture is classified as follows.
- Binary Based Protocol Simulation
- Text Based Protocol Simulation
The protocols supported in this architecture are listed in the table below.
Click here to view the protocol glossary page for more information on these protocols
Main Features
- Unparalleled robustness in analysis and simulation capability in protocol tester.
- Provides fault insertion, and erroneous call flows testing capability.
- Functional testing, Regression testing and Conformance testing of network elements.
- “Call Scenarios / Message Sequences” are generated through scripts.
- Unlimited ability to edit messages and control scenarios (call scenarios/message sequences).
- Ready to use scripts make testing procedure simpler and less time-consuming, resulting in reduced ‘time-to-market’.
- Supports transmission and detection of various TDM, GSM, Ethernet, & RTP traffic such as, digits, voice file, single tone, dual tones, fax, sms, email, http, ftp, and video.
- SMS Testing from within the Wireless Infrastructure using MAPS™.
- Supports scripting through a Command Line Interface (CLI) such as the Python, and TCL, using MAPS™ client-server functionality (requires additional license)
- Interactive GUI to view Status, Results, Call Information, Total Iterations to be done, and Total number of Completed Iterations
Call Generation
- Allows independent outgoing communications
- Uses pre-defined message templates to build call flow
- Uses profiles to change the field values in the messages during the course of a call
- 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.
- Impairments can be applied to messages to simulate error conditions
- Retransmission of messages with specific interval
- 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 verify the messages exchanged between MAPS™ and DUT
- Support for Bulk Call Simulation with option to configure stress/load testing parameters such as Call per second (CPS), Busy hour call attempts (BHCA), Max Simultaneous Calls and Burst parameters.
- Option to run the test for multiple iterations
- Provides statistical information about total calls, active calls, completed calls, passed calls, failed calls, and calls/sec details. Statistics graph for Calls/sec vs Time and Simultaneous Calls vs Time
- Provides the associated captured events and error events during call simulation
Call Reception
- Call generated from other entity can be automatically detected in call reception window by pre-setting the required scripts in the Incoming Call Handler window.
- Call flow graph allows to easily verify the messages exchanged between MAPS™ and DUT
Applications
- Complete analysis and simulation capability on par with any protocol tester in the market.
- Multi-protocol, Multi-interface Simulation
- Provides fault insertion, and erroneous call flows testing capability.
- Performance testing, Load Testing, Function al testing, Regression testing and Conformance testing of network elements.
- Ready scripts makes testing procedure simpler, less time consuming and hence time to market products.
- Test response of network against protocol message modification, or corruption
- Inter-operability testing of networks
- Wrap-around testing (WAT)
- SMS Testing from within the Wireless Infrastructure using MAPS™
- Automate the IVR testing process - call establishment and traffic generation / detection process through scripts
- Monitoring IVR System for voice and data quality
- Voice Feature Testing Application for Next Generation Networks (NGNs)
MAPS™ for TDM Network
GL's MAPS™ SS7 is an advanced protocol simulator/tester for SS7 simulation over TDM (E1/T1). MAPS™ can simulate Service Switching Point (SSP)
and ISUP signaling specification conforms to ITU-T and ANSI standards.
The application is available as
- MAPS™ SS7 Emulator (Item # XX649)
- MAPS™ SS7 Conformance Scripts (Item # XX647)
For more information, please click here.
ISDN allows voice, data and video to be transmitted simultaneously across the world using end-to-end digital connectivity. GL's MAPS™ ISDN is an
advanced protocol simulator/tester for ISDN simulation over TDM (T1/E1) and incorporates the flexibility to modify ISDN call parameters & message contents
emulate a complete ISDN connection (switch to subscriber). MAPS™ application can also emulate signaling as per Q.921, referred to as LAPD (Link Access Protocol - D Channel), a Data Link protocol used over ISDN's D channel.
The application is available as
- MAPS™ ISDN Emulator (Item # XX648)
For more information, please click here.
GL's MAPS™ GSM A is an advanced protocol simulator/tester for GSM simulation over A Interface that can simulate network elements MSC and BSC by
generating and receiving BSSMAP and DTAP messages. The signaling specification conforms to ITU-T and 3GPP standards.
The application is available as
- MAPS™ GSM A Emulator (Item # XX692)
For more information, please click here.
GL's MAPS™ GSM Abis Interface Emulator is an advanced protocol simulator/tester for GSM simulation over Abis Interface that can simulate network
elements BTS and BSC by generating and receiving BTSM messages. The signaling specification conforms to 3GPP standards.
The application is available as
- MAPS™ GSM Abis Emulator (Item # XX693)
For more information, please click here.
GL's MAPS™ CAS Emulator is an advanced protocol simulator/tester for CAS (Channel Associated Signaling) signaling simulation in telephone networks
where each channel or timeslot carries speech and signaling. CAS signaling types include Loopstart, Groundstart, Feature Group D (FGD), Winkstart, MFC-R2 and
others.
The application is available as
- MAPS™ CAS Emulator (Item # XX651)
For more information, please click here.
GL's Message Automation & Protocol Simulation (MAPS™) MLPPP is an advanced tool for MLPPP simulation over TDM (T1 E1) that can simulate peer
endpoints (Router or a Switch). The MLPPP signaling specification conforms to IETF standards.
The application is available as
- MAPS™ MC-MLPPP Conformance Scripts (Item # XX652)
For more information, please click here.
GL’s MAPS™ MAP Emulator is an advanced protocol simulator/tester that can simulate various MAP signaling interfaces (C, D, E, F, H, and &
Packet-switched interfaces such as Gc, Gr, Gf, Gd) in GSM/UMTS networks as defined by 3GPP standards. Emulator can be configured as MSC (VLR), HLR,
GMSC, EIR, AuC, SMSC, SGSN and GGSN entities in the interface.
The application is available as
- MAPS™ MAP Emulator (Item # XX649)
For more information, please click here.
MAPS™ for VoIP Network
GL's MAPS™ Megaco is an advanced protocol simulator/tester designed for Megaco testing, which can simulate MGC to test Media Gateways with various
types of calls. It can also control scenario involved in Media conversion.
The application is available as
- MAPS™ MEGACO (Item # PKS122)
- MAPS™ MEGACO Conformance Suite (Item # PKS123)
For more information, please click here
GL's MAPS™ MGCP is an advanced protocol simulator/tester designed for MGCP testing, which can simulate MGC to test Media Gateways with various
types of calls. It can also control scenario involved in Media conversion. This test tool can also be used to perform protocol conformance testing (MGCP protocol
implementations) as per IETF Standard.
The application is available as
- MAPS™ MGCP (Item # PKS124)
- MAPS™ MGCP Conformance Suite (Item # PKS125)
For more information, please click here
The MAPS™ SIP supports testing SIP proxy servers, Redirect servers, Registrars, Registrants, and user agents such as SIP phones. The MAPS™ SIP
Conformance Suite tool is designed with 300+ test cases, as per SIP specification of ETSI standard.
The application is available as
- MAPS™ SIP (Item # PKS120 )
- MAPS™ SIP Conformance Suite (Item #PKS121)
For more information, please click here
MAPS™ SIP I is an advanced protocol simulator/tester for SIP-ISUP simulation over IP that can simulate SIP ISUP signaling specification as defined by the
ITU and IETF standards. This test tool is designed for SIP-I Testing can simulate Signaling Gateway / Softswitch as a User Agents Client (UAC), which sends
SIP requests with ISUP message and User Agent Server (UAS), which receives the requests as Signaling Gateway / Softswitch and returns a SIP response
with proper ISUP message attached.
The application is available as
- MAPS™ SIP I (Item # PKS126)
For more information, please click here
The 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. MAPS™ SIGTRAN™ functionality covers the ITU and ANSI variant of SS7 implementing M3UA, and ISUP protocols.
The application is available as
- MAPS™ SIGTRAN (Item # PKS130)
- MAPS™ SIGTRAN Conformance Test Suite (requires additional licenses)
For more information, please click here
MAPS™ ANSI INAP Emulator, scripted INAP Emulation over IP Networks can simulate ANSI INAP (Intelligent Network Application Part) services. It is suitable for controlling telecommunication services such as CNAM (Calling Name Delivery), LNP (Local Number Portability), and Toll-free 800 Number over TCAP layer. MAPS™ ANSI INAP scripts are suitable for testing objects reliably and accurately validated for compliance with ANSI specification ANSI T1.114-1996 standards.
The application is available as
- MAPS™ SIGTRAN SS7 INAP (Item # PKS136)
For more information, please click here
GL’s MAPS™ MAP IP Emulator supports powerful utilities like Message Editor, Script Editor, and Profile Editor which allow new scenarios to be
created or existing scenarios to be modified using MAP over IP supported messages and parameters.
For more information, please click here.
MAPS™ ISDN SIGTRAN is an advanced protocol simulator/tester used for ISDN simulation over IP. The tester can simulate a complete ISDN
connection between SG (Signaling Gateway) to MGC (Media Gateway Controller), where ISDN signaling are as defined by the ITU-T Q.921 / Q.931 standards.
The application is built with ready-to-use scripts, which generates and processes all ISDN messages including Setup, Connect, Release messages, and others.
For more information, please click here
Message Automation & Protocol Simulation (MAPS™) is an advanced protocol simulator/tester capable of generating traffic and simulating GSM A over IP.
MAPS™ GSM AoIP designed for Air interface can simulate BSC (Base Station Controller), and MSC (Mobile Switching Center) entities.
For more information, please click here
MAPS™ for Wireless Network
MAPS™ application is designed for the following standard systems:
GL’s MAPS™ LTE S1 is designed to simulate network elements such as eNodeB (Evolved Node B), and MME (Mobility Management Entity).The application
gives the users the unlimited ability to edit S1-AP/NAS messages and control scenarios (message sequences).
For more information on MAPS™ LTE S1 interface, please click here
MAPS™ eGTP can act either as MME (Mobility Management Entity) or as SGW (Serving Gateway) in S11 interface and SGW (Serving Gateway) or as
PGW (PDN Gateway) in S5/S8 interface. The application gives the users the unlimited ability to edit eGTP-C (Evolved GPRS Tunneling Protocol for Control Plane
(eGTP-c) messages and control scenarios (message sequences).
For more information on MAPS™ LTE S3, S4, S5, S8, S10, S11 and S16 interfaces, please click here
GL's MAPS™ LTE X2 AP is designed to simulate the interconnecting interface between two eNodeB (Evolved Node B) elements in LTE network. The principle control plane X2 protocol is used to handle the UE mobility E-UTRAN and supports load management and handover co-ordination between eNodeBs. The application gives the users the unlimited ability to edit X2-AP/NAS messages and control scenarios (message sequences).
For more information on MAPS™ LTE X2-AP interface, please click here
MAPS™ designed for testing UMTS IuCS can simulate RNC (Radio Network Controller), and 3G MSC (3G Mobile Switching Centre) by generating RANAP
messages and signaling specification as defined by 3GPP standards over IP (as Transport layer).
MAPS™ designed for testing UMTS IuH can simulate Femto Home Node B (HNB), and a Femto Home Node Gateway (HNB-GW). A femtocell is a small
cellular base station designed for use in residential or small business environments. IuH links Femto Access Point (HNB) and a Femto Gateway (HNB-GW).
For more information on MAPS™ UMTS IuCS, IuH interfaces, please click here
MAPS™ UMTS IuPS Interface Emulator is an advanced protocol simulator/tester for UMTS IuPS interface that can simulate RANAP messages and signaling
specification as defined by 3GPP standards over IP (as Transport layer). Simulates RNC and SGSN in UMTS IuPS interface generating and processing RANAP, GPRS
Mobility Management, and Session Management messages and procedures.
For more information on MAPS™ UMTS IuPS interface, please click here
GL’s MAPS™ Gn Gp Interface Emulator is an advanced protocol simulator/tester for GTP simulation over Gn, Gp interfaces that can simulate GTP messages
and signaling specification as defined in 3GPP TS 29.060 GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) standard.
For more information on MAPS™ UMTS IuPS interface, please click here
MAPS™ Diameter is an ideal solution for simulation of various interfaces and elements in the LTE core network such as the MME, SGSN, HSS, AF, and PSCF nodes in S6a, S6d, S13, Cx/Dx, Gx, and Rx interfaces as per 3GPP standards (3GPP TS 29.272 V10.3.0, and 3GGP TS 29214-b10).
For more information visit MAPS™ Diameter for S6a and Rx interfaces webpage.
MAPS™ (Message Automation & Protocol Simulation), a multi-protocol, multi-technology platform is used to emulate GPRS Gb interface over IP. MAPS™ is designed to simulate GPRS Gb interface messages and signaling specification as defined by 3GPP standards. The emulator also supports simulation of Gb interface elements, BSS (Base Station Subsystem) and the SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node) over IP transmission protocol.
For more information visit MAPS™ GPRS Gb Interface Emulator webpage.
MAPS™ Working Principle
Working Principle of MAPS™ Application
The message templates form the backbone of MAPS™ application. The Message Editor is a powerful utility of MAPS™ application, which allows
users to create any number of message templates with user-selected protocol fields and default values for each protocol field. Built in Message Templates
present in the installation directory are used within the scripts to create required call flow scenario.
The scripts comprises of sequence of commands that performs the required operation using pre-defined message templates. The Script Editor is another
powerful utility of MAPS™, in which sequences of message templates can be grouped together in an order to create call flow. The protocol fields in
message templates comprises of Mandatory fixed, Mandatory variable and Mandatory Optional parameters, and these can be accessed by scripts as variables.
Message Templates contain variables whose original values can be changed during script execution using ‘Profiles’. Profiles can be created using a utility
called Profile Editor where the values can be assigned to the variables. The original value of the variables in the message template is replaced with these assigned
values. The parameters are exchanged between two entities for successful call establishment. MAPS™ provides the ability to create any number of scripts
to simulate a real-time scenario with MAPS™ and DUT.
MAPS™ for Binary Based Protocol Simulation
In case of binary based protocols, the Message Template is a *.hdl file that comprises of protocol fields with pre-defined values. The application allows the
users to create the custom message templates using Message Editor.
Example for basic Send and Receive commands are explained with actions as below –
Send “Template” “Importfile”;
Action 1: Selects message template to be sent and the Import file.
Action 2: Imports values from file and replace the original values of the protocol fields in the Message Template.
Recv “Template” “Exportfile”;
Action 1: Selects message template to respond to receiving message and the Import file
Action2: Exports values from received messages and stores it in Export file for future processing.
MAPS™ for Text Based Protocol Simulation
In case of text based protocols, the Message Template is a *.txt file that comprises of protocol fields with pre-defined value. The application allows the users
to create the custom message templates using notepad.
Example for basic Send and Receive commands are explained with actions as below -
Send “Message” SendIp Port;
Action: Selects message template and destination IP to send the message.
Recv ”Message” “[Variables]”;
Action 1: Selects message template to respond to receiving message and the Import file
Action 2: Exports values from received messages and stores it in corresponding variables for future processing
Traffic Options in MAPS™
- TDM Traffic Options in MAPS™
With the purchase of additional licenses (xx610, xx620, xxFT0), traffic can be simulated over T1/E1 interfaces with MAPS™ TDM traffic commands. MAPS™ supports transmission and detection of various TDM traffic such as, digits, voice file, single tone, dual tone, speech and FAX. These features are applicable for MAPS™ ISDN, MAPS™ SS7, MAPS™ GSM A, MAPS™ CAS applications only.
With the purchase of additional license (xx646), TRAU traffic can also be simulated over GSM Abis interface. This feature is applicable for MAPS™ GSM Abis application only.
MAPS™ supports sending and receiving SMS (Short Message Service) using signaling channel simultaneously with other voice/data/fax services over a GSM or MAP interfaces. This feature is applicable for MAPS™ GSM A over IP, MAPS™ MAP, and MAPS™ MAP over IP applications only.
- RTP Traffic Options
With the purchase of RTP Core license (PKS102), MAPS™ supports transmission and detection of various RTP traffic such as, digits, voice file, single tone, and dual tones over IP networks.
These features are applicable for MAPS™ UMTS IuCS, MAPS™ UMTS IuH, MAPS™ GSM AoIP, MAPS™ SIP, MAPS™ SIP I, MAPS™ MEGACO, and MAPS™ MGCP applications only.
- Mobile Traffic Simulation
Mobile Traffic Core-GTP (ETH101) application supports simulation of user-plane packet transmission and reception services between any two nodes (GTP-U protocol entity) and Mobile Traffic Core-Gateway (ETH102) application supports simulation of Gateway user-plane traffic in LTE and UMTS networks. The Mobile Traffic Core-GTP (ETH101) module can support generation and verification of data traffic such as Email, FTP, Web (HTTP), Video, and more.
These features are applicable for MAPS™ LTE S1, MAPS™ eGTP, MAPS™ UMTS Gn Gp, and MAPS™ IuPS applications only.
For more details visit Traffic Options in MAPS™ webpage.
Please visit MAPS™ Documentation page for downloading command
reference documents for traffic options in MAPS™.
MAPS™ can be configured as server-side application, to enable remote controlling of the application through multiple command-line based clients. Supported clients include C++, TCL, Python and others. TCL provides a simple scripting language, with programming facilities such as looping, procedures, and variables. The TCL Client application includes a MapsTclIfc.dll file, a packaged library that enables communication with the Server from a TCL environment.
User can remotely perform all functions such as start testbed setup, load scripts and profiles, apply user events such as send digits/file/tones, detect digits/file/tones, dial, originate call, terminate call, start and stop traffic and so on. User can also generate and receive calls through commands. This client application is distributed along with MAPS™ Server application. Multiple MAPS™ CLI servers can be controlled remotely from single client application (such as TCL, Python, etc).
Buyer's Guide:
Please Note: The XX in the Item No. refers to the hardware platform, listed at the bottom of the Buyer's Guide, which
the software will be running on. Therefore, XX can either be ETA or EEA (Octal/Quad Boards), PTA or PEA (tProbe Units),
UTA or UEA (USB Units), HUT or HUE (Universal Cards), and HDT or HDE (HD cards) depending upon the hardware.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
