Signalling Systems

System which allows various network

components to exchange information
In particular, it supports
call / connection control
network management
Signalling Environments
Subscriber Signalling
Applied on Access Links
Tends to be only Call Control
Relatively Simple
e.g. DSS1 in ISDN

Network Signalling
In the network
Call Control and Network Control
Complex
e.g Signalling System 7 (SS7)
Signalling
Types of signalling
in-band signalling
signalling messages carried in same channel
as user information
e.g.
TCP/IP
analogue access links in telephone
networks
out-band signalling
Separate signalling channel for signalling
messages
e.g.
ISDN access links (Frame Relay)
SS7

Signalling
Within out-band signalling another
distinction can be made
Channel Associated Signalling (CAS)
Direct relationship between the signalling
channel and information channel
Common channel signalling (CCS)
Signalling channel is shared on a demand
basis
Signalling
Modern signalling systems use out-band
CCS
More secure (main reason why out-band
signalling developed)
Signalling can be carried out at the same time
as user information is exchanged
More efficient use of resources - allocated on a
demand basis
Separate signalling network means less
processing on messages - no need to separate
signalling from user information
Signalling protocol can evolve independently,
without effecting user application
communication stack, can also be more
complex.
At call set-up, signalling messages can be
transmitted in parallel with the establishment of
information channel (Not possible with CAS)
set-up times tend to be shorter
Signalling
Signalling network is a separate network
Two modes of operation are possible with CCS
Associated mode
Same topology as information network
Signalling switches located with
information switches
Non Associated mode
Combined signalling / information
switches
Also, separate signalling switches
called Signalling Transfer Points
(STPs)
Result is a separate signalling network
topology, with links and interfaces into
underlying information network
Signalling
Two signalling standards which operate
Subscriber signalling
e.g. Digital subscriber system 1
Network signalling
Signalling System 7 (SS7)
Signalling

Call control
application services
Operations,
maintenance and
administration part
Application
service
element
Transaction
capabilities
application
part
Application
entity
Mobile
application
services
Mobile
application
part
Transaction
capabilities
application
part
Application
entity
Transaction
services
Application
service
elements
Transaction
capabilities
application
part
Other application
entity
ISDN
user part
(Level 4)
Telephone
user part
(Level 4)
Signalling connection control part (SCCP)
(Level 4)
Message transferl part (MTP)
(Levels 1- 3)
Figure Q5
SS7 Protocol Architecture
Signalling
SS7
Concerned with connection set-up and network
management
Defined in Q700 series
Network components are
Signalling Points
Process signalling messages
Signalling Transfer Points
SPs with switching facilities
Signalling links
Signalling
SS7 Protocol architecture
Message Transfer Part
3 layers, which provide a reliable, but
connectionless service
similar in functionality to IP
i.e. provides carrier for higher layers
Signalling Data Link
typical physical layer functionality
Signalling Link Layer
provides typical layer 2 functionality, i.e.
error free link
Signalling Network Layer
Signalling Message Functions
Switching of signalling messages
across the network
Signalling Network Management Functions
traffic, link and route management
functions
Signalling
Signalling Connection Control Part (SCCP)
Equivalent to upper layer 3
(so concerned with routing)
Augments the basic service provided
by MTP
A range of services
2 connectionless services
2 connection-oriented services
Signalling
User Parts
Equivalent to layer 4
These typically relate to the control of
specific types of calls
e.g. ISDN User Part
Used to set-up ISDN calls
Signalling
Transaction Capabilities Part (TCAP)
Used to
execute remote processes
provide means for transfer of data
between nodes
Used extensively in Intelligent Networks
(INs)
Essentially application layers

Signalling
Consider how SS7 supports setting up a
call
Consider how SS7 supports the 0800
service