Overview
The Media Gateway Control Protocol (Megaco) is a signaling and call control protocol used between the Media Gateway Controller (MGC) and
Media Gateway (MG). MAPS-MEGACO protocol operates on two basic constructs called Terminations - media connections and Contexts - associations
between terminations which can be added or deleted. The MGC uses Megaco to instruct MG about the events, media, signals to be played on
Terminations, to create a Context, and to audit the status of the Terminations involved in the conversion of media from one type of network, to
the media required in other type of the network.
Eg: Conversion from TDM voice to Voice over IP (VoIP).
GL’s Message Automation & Protocol Simulation (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. This test tool can also be
used to perform protocol conformance testing (Megaco protocol implementations) as per ETSI TS 102 374-2 standards.
The application is available as
- MAPS Megaco Protocol Test Tool (Item # PKS122)
- MAPS Megaco Conformance Test Suite (Item # PKS123)
The MAPS - MEGACO test tool is designed with 200+ test cases, as per Megaco specification of ETSI TS 102 374-2 document. Test suite includes
in-built scripts which tests the functionality of the Media Gateway for Megaco protocol valid and in-valid behavior.
Main Features:
- Simulates Media Gateways (MG) and Media Gateways Controller (MGC)
- Generates and processes MEGACO valid messages
- Supports all Megaco commands such as Add, Subtract, Notify, Modify, Move, ServiceChange, AuditValue, and AuditCapabilities
- Fully integrated, complete test environment for MEGACO
- Supported on Windows XP/2000 Operating System
- Supports complete customization of call flow and messages
- Supports call generation using scripts
- Provides protocol trace with full message decoding, custom trace, and graphical ladder diagrams during active simulation
- Inbuilt scripts makes testing procedure simpler, less time consuming and hence time to market the products
- Provides fault insertion, and erroneous call flows testing capability
- Support end-to-end gateway testing
Supported Protocols
- Conformance testing of Media Gateway Controller and Media Gateway
- Supports - ETSI TS 102 374-2 (2004-11) standards and IETF Megaco - 3525/H.248 specifications.
Configurations
Scenario 1a (MAPS acting as MGC for MG Conformance Testing)
As seen in the figure below, MAPS can be configured to act as MGC, so that Gateway testing can be automated.
MAPS includes inbuilt Media Gateway Conformance scripts (*.gls) that allow the application to act as MGC. These scripts are used for
Media Gateway conformance testing. MAPS can be configured to act as MGC , so that entire MG (Media Gateway) testing can be automated. .
The MGC sends/receives signaling information to/from the Media Gateway. MGC uses MEGACO protocol signaling to instruct MG. Users can
control number of dumb Terminals in the Media Gateway through scripts.
Scenario 1b (MAPS acting as MGC for End-to-End Gateway Testing)
MAPS is an ideal tool to evaluate Gateway / ATA product features such as call connectivity, call signaling, traffic
generation, voice quality testing, codec, and hundreds of other features. For more details, contact GL Communications.
Other notable features include
- Interfaces to T1E1, and VoIP
- Support for Megaco protocol conformance testing
- Test Echo canceller performance and compliance
- Multi-protocol call trace for TDM / VoIP
Scenario 2 (MAPS acting as Gateway for MGC Conformance Testing)
As seen in the figure below, MAPS can be configured to act as MG, so that entire MGC testing can be
automated using conformance scripts.
Working Principle
The message template forms the backbone of MAPS-Megaco application. Message Template is created by user by mentioning the fields in the Megaco
Message which are to be replaced at the runtime with the Variables.
The scripts comprises of sequence of instructions that perform the required operations using pre-defined message templates. The Script Editor is another
powerful utility of MAPS- Megaco in which sequences of instructions can be grouped together in an order to create call flow.
MAPS- Megaco provides the ability to create any number of scripts to simulate a real-time scenario with MAPS- Megaco and DUT.
Software Architecture
- Script based & protocol independent software architecture
- Quick-testing to complex testing
- Customization of call flow and messages
- Generate and respond to calls/ messages
- Monitor the call flow graphically (ladder diagrams)
Megaco Testing Configuration
The Testbed Setup option allows configuring the Megaco entities for the test.
The MAPS-MEGACO window consists of entities configured to act as MGC / MG, and Device Under Test (MG or MGC). MAPS –MEGACO can be
configured as MGC / MG to test other entity and vice versa. It is necessary to set appropriate IP Address, Port number to establish a channel to
communicate between Media Gateway Controller (MAPS) and Media Gateway (DUT).
- MGC (Media Gateway Controller) is a softswitch, which controls the parts of the call state that pertains to connection control of
media channels in a MG. It is configured with physical terminations present in the trunk group in MG that MGC operates on.
- MG (Media Gateway) converts media provided in one type of network to the format required in another type of network
- Device Under Test (DUT) is the device being tested and can either be a
Media Gateway or a Media Gateway Controller. DUT is configured with IP Address and Port on which it listens to incoming Megaco messages.
Generate and Respond to Calls/ Messages
In call generation, MAPS is configured for the out going messages, while in call receive mode, it is configured to respond to incoming messages. Tests can be
configured to run once or multiple iterations can be performed. Also allows creating multiple entries using quick configuration feature.
The test scripts may be started manually or they can be automatically triggered by incoming messages. In receive mode, MAPS-Megaco can be automated to
respond to messages using script configuration dialog, where a receive script is preset against particular message expected to arrive. The scripts can also be
configured to display the status of a call, result of a test, and the call Information in GUI.
MEGACO Call Flow
Diagram below depicts MAPS-Megaco simulating the Call flow scenario which is placed from one PSTN interface to another PSTN interface between two Media
Gateways through IP Network.
Buyer's Guide:
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Back to Message Automation & Protocol Simulation
Index Page
