SS7 (Signaling System Number 7) defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU- T) is a globally adopted protocol for out-of-band signaling systems.

The network elements involved in SS7 networks are SSPs (Signaling Switching Points), STPs (Signaling Transfer Points) and SCPs (Signaling Control Points). These elements ensure signaling integrity and availability even if one or more signaling links fail.

The SS7 network manages calls by identifying end-to-end addressing and from there controls all the routing judgments necessary for a seamless operation.

ISUP is a part of the complex signaling system SS7 that are used to set up and release calls through the PSTN. ISUP end-to-end signaling is transported directly over MTP3 or SCCP levels.

GL's Message Automation & Protocol Simulation (MAPS™) designed for SS7 simulation over TDM (T1E1) can simulate Service Switching Point (SSP). The ISUP signaling specification conforms to ITU-T and ANSI 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™ SS7 functionality covers the ITU and ANSI variant of SS7 implementing MTP2, MTP3, and ISUP protocols. It is able to run pre-defined test scenarios against ISUP test objects in a controlled & deterministic manner.

The application is available as

• MAPS™ SS7 Emulator (Item # XX649)
• MAPS™ SS7 Conformance Scripts (Item # XX647)

MAPS™ SS7 Conformance Scripts (XX647) is designed for conformance tests and functional tests, where test objects can be accurately, reliably and comfortably 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, acceptance testing.

The application gives the users the unlimited ability to edit SIP messages and control scenarios (message sequences). "Message sequences" are generated through scripts. "Messages" are created using message templates

With the purchase of additional licenses (xx610, xx620, xxFT0) traffic can be simulated over T1/E1 interfaces. Supported traffic includes transmission and detection of TDM digits, voice files, single tone, dual tone, speech and FAX. Also supports various traffic events simulation during the course of a call, which is listed below:

TDM Traffic Events – digits, tones, files, speech, fax

• Send, and Detect Tones, Digits, File, Test Tone, Silence and verify speech bearer
• Stop Send Digits, File, Tone
• Stop Send - Stops Transmission of Tone
• Detect different tone types - dial tone, special dial tone, stutter dial tone, special information tone, call waiting, call in progress tone, reorder tone, busy tone, congestion tone, confirmation tone, howler tone, and ring-back tone
• Set region for call progress tones (Busy, Call Waiting, Dial, Ring, Congestion, Special Dial, Special Information) detection
• Send /Receive fax image (TIFF format) file from/to the specified location.

User can remotely perform all MAPS™ SS7 functions using MAPS™ client-server functionality (requires additional license), which includes scripting through a Command Line Interface (CLI) such as the Python, and TCL. Signaling and traffic functionalities such as start test bed 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 others can be performed remotely. User can also generate and receive calls through commands. The client application includes a MapsTclIfc.dll file, a packaged library that enables communication with the Server from a TCL environment, which is distributed along with MAPS™ CLI Server application.

GL also provides an independent GUI based SS7 protocol analyzers (optional application – xx120) for online capture and decode of the signaling in real-time both during tests and as a stand-alone tracer for live systems.